The Auditor-to-Client Revolving Door: A Structured Literature Review.

Abstract

This study analyses the under-explored research area of audit revolving door (ARD). The analytical framework categorised the reviewed articles by author & article information, citation, research theme, motivational event, jurisdiction, nature of research, regional focus, organisational focus, research method, data analysis, literature focus and findings. Our analysis highlights that no particular aspect can be held true or generalised about the ARD phenomenon. The ARD literature is USA dominated, organisationally based and focused on post-departure issues, employing quantitative approach with obvious lack of perceptions of stakeholders. We call for more qualitative research that critiques pre- and post-ARD, addressing the ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions, soliciting perceptions of various stakeholders. To frame directions for future research, we refer to three areas: threats, benefits and safeguards of ARD. Our findings are relevant to research students reviewing the auditing literature to find their own research and to academic auditing researchers looking for appropriate research outlets.