Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Roger Mayer

Abstract

Poor quality financial statement audits have a negative impact on the information provided to principals and stakeholders that can increase the risk of corporate fraud. The well-documented collapses of companies, such as Enron and WorldCom, brought the issue of audit quality to the headlines. Using agency theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this single case study was to determine what strategies client managers and boards can use to facilitate an engagement with an audit firm and effectively carry out their responsibility to provide effective relevant evidence and support for their management assertions as outlined in the engagement letter. The population comprised a census sample of 9 individuals with direct involvement in the audit process within a Connecticut-based organization and its audit firm. Data collection comprised of semistructured interviews and analysis of public and internal documents. Using methodological triangulation, 5 primary themes emerged including communication, documentation, knowledge and experience, character, and procedural. The findings of this study may promote social change by enhancing knowledge of what role management can play in ensuring a high-quality audit. Improved insight to the audit process may promote investor confidence in the financial statements and economic growth through capital spending.

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