Examples of case study research in managerial accounting, auditing and financial
accounting have illustrated the strengths of case studies for theory development and their
potential in terms of the generation of new knowledge. Therefore, a case-based study was
used to answer the following research question: “Does a joint audit lead to a more accurate
auditor’s report than that produced through the use of a standard financial statement audit?”
In combination with a standardised interview and a close observation of the participants,
the results of our case-based empirical study reveal that a joint audit has a positive influence
on accuracy. The accuracy of the audit report was measured using the degree of consensus
between auditors in terms of opinion. We also used an expected opinion as a scale for the
measurement of the accuracy of the auditor’s report.
However, much progress must still occur before sufficient evidence exists
that supports a joint audit approach and answers the question regarding under which
circumstances a joint audit is superior to a single audit. To move research towards this goal,
our research provided evidence that, generally, two auditors working together issue more
accurate opinion. Our results demonstrate that joint opinions are more conservative and are
indicative of higher quality.
The group used in this empirical study was quite small and culled from the auditing
profession in only Austria and Germany. Although audits in these countries are conducted
in compliance with the principles of the International Standards on Auditing, there is a clear
need for further research using larger, more representative groups and case studies that
cover additional aspects.