International Journal of

Business & Management Studies

ISSN 2694-1430 (Print), ISSN 2694-1449 (Online)
DOI: 10.56734/ijbms
EXAMINING THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTING EXTERNAL AUDITORS

Abstract


The role of auditing in preparing, recording, maintaining and presenting high-quality financial reports is very crucial. This study employed the best-worst multi-criteria method to identify and prioritize the key drivers of external auditor’s selection. Nine factors were identified as the key influencers in determining auditor’s selection. Ten experts were carefully selected to participate in the study. They were provided with an online questionnaire to complete by indicating their preferred criteria over others. A linear BWM solver was used to determine the optimal weights of each category. Audit quality emerged as a top-ranked factor that decision-makers consider in choosing external auditors. On the flip side, the least important criterion from the set of criteria was determined as audit firm size.