The influence of the auditor’s personality in audit quality

This study analyzes the auditor personality impact on audit quality, using partial least squares structural equation model and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis methods. This research draws on the insights of Big 5 personality theory and empirical studies in audit quality. The PLS-SEM result reveals that the traits of agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness are positively associated with professional skepticism of auditors, while conscientiousness and neuroticism negatively affect reduced audit quality practices. The fsQCA results show the existence of multiple configurations of personality traits leading to high (low) audit quality. Moreover, the causal asymmetry found reveals that personality is a combination of individual traits that interact in a differentiated and complex way with audit quality. This study complements previous research on auditor's drivers for supplying audit quality and provides support to audit firm decisions informing about the most relevant combinations of personality traits that auditors must have to make outstanding audit quality.