A comparison of auditor and nonauditor performance evaluations

• Published in: Managerial auditing journal 2008-11, Vol.24 (1), p.22-38
• Main Authors: Buchheit, Steve, Pasewark, William R., Strawser, Jerry R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accountants; Auditors; Bias; Performance appraisal
• ISSN: 0268-6902
• DOI: 10.1108/02686900910919884

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether audit professionals exhibit greater performance evaluation bias compared to nonaccounting professionals. Designmethodologyapproach Both audit and nonaccounting professional subjects read a case study and evaluated the performance of a hypothetical subordinate. Two factors were manipulated the subordinate's work performance history and the subordinate's current performance relative to a budget. Findings It was found that reputation bias and hindsight bias are prevalent in both professional groups. The groups exhibit no difference with respect to reputation bias however, it was found that public accountants exhibit significantly greater hindsight bias relative to nonaccounting professionals. Practical implications The paper provides evidence that accountants are relatively harsh critics of subordinate performance. Importantly, the paper investigates accountant vs nonaccountant comparisons where subordinates' ex ante decisions are consistent with superiors' ex ante guidance i.e. ex post performance being either favorable vs unfavorable is purely outcomeeffect driven. If the findings are robust, this study provides a fundamental reason why employee retention in public accounting is relatively low. Originalityvalue This paper is the first to make direct comparisons of performance evaluation bias effects between auditors and similarly experienced working professions.