A WEBOMETRIC META-ANALYTICAL REVIEW OF THE DETERMINANTS OF AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE: AN EMPIRICAL APPROACH

Abstract

This study meta-analytically summarized the findings and conclusions of 65 related studies from 2005 and 2021, to ascertain the relationship between some selected variables and auditor’s independence, to prove the applicability of pool data in accounting research. The meta-analyzed data were ranked and converted to numeric data and econometrically tested with SPSS version 9 software. The findings of this study thus, demonstrates the possibility of an empirical-meta-analysis study in accounting research. Ultimately, Findings from Spearman’s Rank Correlation analyses disclosed a strong positive relationship between all the independent variables (audit fee, non-audit services, auditor tenure, client firm size and client affiliation with auditor) and auditors’ independence. Accordingly, this study concludes that all the independent variables of the study can influence and impair the independence of the auditor. Notably, this study has proved and popularized the practicability of meta-analysis in accounting research, and therefore, recommends its application.