THE IMPACT OF AUDITOR INTEGRITY TO AUDIT QUALITY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDIES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract

Background: The increasing pressure from external parties to improve audit quality and enhance the credibility of financial statements. As corporate financial scandals widely occurred, there are requests for the profession to enhance their quality in the audit. The public continuously talks about the auditor's integrity in performing their tasks, which undisputedly plays a significant role in determining the audit quality. Purpose: This study aims to re-explore the concept of auditor integrity and understand its impact on audit quality. Methodology: Qualitative study approach intended to redescribe auditor integrity from auditors' perspective in the Middle East, particularly in the Sultanate of Oman, using the Focus Group Discussion (FGD). This study chooses six auditors with vast experience and who hold a significant position in the audit firms. Findings: The study revealed that integrity is the critical determinant of audit quality and relates very much to reputation. In this profession, reputation is crucial, and integrity is the best way to uphold a reputation. Social and Practical Implications: Reputation is the most valuable asset, and its loss may affect the profession's viability. From the FGD, the auditors are fully aware of the importance of integrity to uphold the profession's reputation and ease transactions with clients and the public.