Odotuskuilu tilintarkastuksessa – laadullinen tutkimus taloyhtiöiden hallitusten puheenjohtajien näkemyksistä

This study concerns the audit expectation gap in limited liability housing companies. Based on auditing literature and in-depth interviews of chairpersons we ask, how does audit expectation gap manifest itself in the perceptions and expectations of 1) auditing, 2) the performance of auditor, and 3) the need to develop auditing? Based on our data, almost all chair-persons were satisfied with auditing. Nevertheless, an audit expectation gap remained to some extent in the narratives. Some chairpersons’ perceptions of auditing were narrow. Although deficiencies in auditors’ performance were hardly observed, difficulties in assessing the performance were more common. While the results do not imply the need to change the statutory audit regime, they suggest that, in some instances, the local practices should be developed. These results shed light on the audit expectation gap in the less explored context of Finnish limited liability housing companies and their chairpersons. Future research topics are presented.