The Impact of Auditor Efficiency in Analytical Procedures and Its Reflection on the Quality of Financial Reporting

Abstract

The research aims to study and analyze the cognitive foundations of analytical procedures and the efficiency of external auditors, in addition to reviewing the relevant literature on the quality of financial reporting. It focuses on the extent to which analytical procedures are applied and on verifying the external auditor’s commitment to their implementation within a selected sample of Iraqi banks (Iraqi National Bank) The study is based on the hypothesis that adopting sound analytical procedures, supported by an audit team that is scientifically and professionally qualified, positively impacts the quality of financial reporting of the audited entity. To achieve the research objectives, the financial statements of the sampled banks were analyzed using financial ratios representing liquidity, activity, leverage, and profitability.

Through a comparison between the ratios used by the external auditors and those applied by the researcher, it was found that the auditors primarily focused on liquidity indicators, applying only the current ratio, without extending the analysis to other ratios related to activity, profitability, and leverage.

The findings revealed that the effective application of analytical procedures by competent external auditors enhances the quality of financial reporting, as each element reinforces the other’s effectiveness; any weakness in one dimension directly affects the reliability of financial reports.

The researcher recommends that analytical procedures and financial ratios be applied by auditors throughout all stages of the audit process, as they provide essential support in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests, while maintaining previous results for comparative and future evaluation purposes..