Toward a Model of Wisdom Determinants in the Auditing Profession

Abstract

Auditing is a complex process posing great challenges because auditors often deal with complicated circumstances that they may have not experienced before or for which their knowledge may be irrelevant or inadequate. In auditing, although wisdom is crucial, it has yet to be defined explicitly. This study discusses the concept of wisdom and proposes a theoretical framework to describe three major virtues of wisdom in the auditing profession. The findings from a literature review together with an empirical analysis of a case study reveal that wise decision-making in auditing is an integration of three-E virtues: epistemic (general, technical, and subspecialty knowledge), enabling (exercise of professional judgment), and ethical (moral and professional skepticism). In order to perform a high-quality audit, the paper proposes the 3-E framework that explains how auditors should apply their knowledge, judgmental abilities, and ethical principles to make a wise audit decision.