The expectation gap: perceptual differences between auditors, jurors and students

The expectation gap has been presumed to be caused by the differing perceptions of the accounting profession and third parties regarding the profession’s role, responsibilities, and related performance. Prior research regarding the expectation gap has focused on diverging perceptions of different groups (i.e. financial analysts, bank loan officers, small business owners, and auditors). While this research has identified an expectation gap between auditors and certain third parties, it has neglected examining the perceptions of judicial third parties. This absence is somewhat ironic given the role that jurors and judges play in determining auditors’ legal liability. This void is filled by comparing jurors’, auditors’, and accounting students’ attitudes towards the accounting profession. Results reveal a large divergence in perceptions of auditors and jurors regarding their expectations of the accounting profession. However, accounting students responded in a manner very similar to practicing auditors.