Does auditor gender or gender diversity matter to audit quality? The moderating roles of auditor workload and experience: Evidence from Vietnam

Abstract

Prior research highlights gender differences in risk aversion, confidence levels, ethical standards, and communication, suggesting that female participation in audits may enhance quality. Investigating gender differences has consistently attracted significant attention from researchers, policymakers, businesses, educators, governments, and the public. The literature calls for further research in developing economies, as these countries are marked by significant levels of gender inequality, making research into gender differences particularly crucial. Vietnam, as a developing country with distinct gender characteristics, offers an interesting case for examining gender differences. This study aims to understand the impact of auditor gender and gender diversity on audit quality, focusing on the moderating roles of auditor workload and experience in Vietnam. The study employs a quantitative archival research design, with data hand-collected from unstructured sources. The sample includes 3,223 firm-year observations from non-financial companies listed on HOSE for the period from 2010 to 2023. Five hypotheses are tested using logistic regression in Stata, with additional validity, reliability, and robustness checks. The study finds that female audit partners are negatively linked to audit quality, while female auditors-in-charge show a positive association. Gender-diverse signing teams enhance audit quality. Interestingly, auditor workload and experience individually e weaken the negative link between female audit partners and audit quality, turning it positive. However, their combined effect strengthens the negative association. This study not only extends the existing auditing literature on gender differences but also provides meaningful practical recommendations for enhancing audit quality and improving gender equality in the auditing profession.