Lead Auditors, their Client Portfolios and Performances

Abstract: This thesis focuses on lead auditors’ differences in terms of client portfolios andperformances. First, lead auditors are surveyed and their responses on professionalscepticism linked to their performances. Second, survey and archival data arecombined to check whether self-control is related to performance. Third, leadauditors’ client portfolios are examined with regard to industry similarity, portfoliodispersion and client grouping. Finally, auditors’ independence is tested in theprivate firm setting. Overall, the findings indicate that performance is nothomogenous across lead auditors in the same (tier) audit firm(s), and that thecharacteristics of lead auditors and accounting firms are determinants that partlyexplain the differences.