The Impact of Time Pressure Causes on Audit Program Quality An Exploratory Study in Iraqi Audit Firms

Abstract

Iraqi audit firms face multiple pressures, chief among which is time pressure, posing a significant challenge to audit program quality. This pressure stems from various factors, both internal (audit firm-specific) and external. This study provides a systematic and methodological analysis of the factors influencing the quality of external audit program execution, with a focus on the impact of time pressure within the context of Iraqi audit firms. To achieve its objectives, the study employed a quantitative and descriptive approach, analyzing causal relationships between variables using structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS). A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was distributed to a purposive sample of 201 auditors working in Iraqi audit firms. The findings highlight the negative impact of time pressure on audit program quality across all stages. Statistical analysis revealed that time pressure significantly and adversely affects audit processes, with the strongest negative impact observed on the auditor’s final report opinion, followed by the planning phase and evidence-gathering stage. This suggests that time pressure undermines the accuracy of professional judgments and increases the likelihood of hasty decision-making.