The rapid advancement of technology has had a significant impact on a wide range of industries, including the auditing industry. It is now obvious that employing Computer Assisted Auditing Techniques (CAATs) is a possible tactic for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the audit process. This study evaluates how CAATs affect auditors' expectations for performance and effort in Jordan. Through a comprehensive survey of Jordanian auditors, this research provides insights into the factors that drive CAATs adoption. Utilizing structural equation modeling, the study confirms that both Effort Expectancy and Performance Expectancy positively influence CAATs adoption. These relationships are supported by robust path coefficients and low P-values, indicating statistical significance. The results of this study should clarify the possible advantages of including CAATs in the audit process and point out any difficulties auditors could encounter. Companies and professionals may choose wisely whether to embrace and use CAATs by comprehending Performance Expectancy and Effort Expectancy.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of auditors regarding their responsibilities and potential liabilities to third parties in the case of failure to detect fraud/material misstatements and report the findings to the appropriate party. The study proposes that auditors’ perception of their own responsibilities will depend on the level of litigation threat expected by the auditor based on his or her position in the audit firm. The questionnaire was sent to the big 4 audit firms, the global audit firms other than the big 4, and to 189 different sized local audit firms registered with the Saudi Organization of Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA). The findings of this study revealed significant variations among auditors with regards to their perceptions of their own responsibilities and liabilities to financial statements’ users affected by their expected level of exposure to litigation risk.

The purpose of this study is to explore the views of independent external auditors, financial statements’ preparers and financial statements’ users regarding the general responsibilities of auditors with a focus on their responsibility for fraud detection. A structured questionnaire survey was used as an instrument to collect data for this purpose. A total of 1,015 questionnaires were sent to three categories of respondents whereas 261 valid responses were received with an overall response rate of 26%. The findings of this study revealed a substantial audit expectation gap in Saudi Arabia with regards to auditors’ responsibilities in general and their responsibility for fraud detection in particular. Preparers of financial statements and users as well assume that auditors provide an absolute assurance that audited financial statements are free from material misstatements including fraud. In contrast to auditors’ perception, preparers and users of financial statements believe that auditors should be made liable to audit beneficiaries for losses if failed to disclose potential fraud in the audit report or for any subsequent discovery of misstated audited financial statements. This study contributes to the audit profession in Saudi Arabia by highlighting the presence of a serious expectation gap that may adversely affect the value of audit function and the reputation of auditors in Saudi Arabia. The implications of these findings should motivate professional bodies and other interested parties to cooperate and work closely to reduce the gap and find a convergence between auditors and audit beneficiaries about the role and responsibilities of auditors.