Materiality thresholds in Maltese external auditing : an analysis

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to (i) ascertain the major quantitative and qualitative factors influencing the determination of materiality thresholds in the private sector external audits performed by large and medium-sized Maltese audit firms, (ii) assess the effectiveness of ISA 320 in the determination of such materiality thresholds, as well as the impact of introducing more prescriptive guidelines within the Standard, and (iii) assess the current level of professional judgement and its effectiveness in determining materiality thresholds, as well as ascertain the typical challenges involved in exercising such judgement. A predominantly qualitative mixed-methods approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with twelve audit partners from large and medium-sized Maltese audit firms. The findings indicated that the major quantitative factors influencing overall materiality were 5–10% of profit before tax and 1–3% of total revenue. The major quantitative factor influencing performance materiality and the clearly trivial threshold was 75% and 5% of overall materiality, respectively. Additionally, the major qualitative factors influencing materiality thresholds were fraud and litigation risk, quality of client internal controls, auditor critical thinking skills, client complexity, the client’s sector and a change in auditor. Furthermore, the findings indicated that ISA 320 provided sufficient guidance for determining materiality thresholds. Moreover, the most cited benefit of introducing more prescriptive guidelines within the Standard was greater consistency among auditors, while the most cited drawback was the limitation on professional judgement. The findings also revealed that professional judgement was crucial and generally effective in determining materiality thresholds. However, auditors typically faced a few challenges when exercising such judgement, of which time pressure and the setting of appropriate thresholds are particularly significant.