ABSTRACT

In recent times there is an existence auditor expectation gap which has triggered attentions on knowing the actual role cum functions of an auditor. This quest leads to this research which is aimed at ascertaining the impact of legal audit requirements on the auditors performance in Nigeria using Guinness Nigeria PLC. The research formulated the following three specific objectives; determine the impact of audit requirements on the performance of Auditors in Nigeria. Ascertain the influence of unqualified audit report by internal control mechanisms of Firms in Nigeria and ascertain the effect of legal audit requirements on the auditor’s performance. Thus, research questions and research hypotheses were structured in accordance with the specific objectives. In a bid to achieve a meaningful research study work, this research will review related literatures on the impact legal audit requirement on the performance of auditors. Which were sub-divided into three subheadings such conceptual framework, theoretical framework and empirical review. However, in the quest to perfect this research; survey research design was adopted were data was sourced primarily through questionnaire instrument. The questionnaire instrument was used to 92 staff of Guinness NigeriaPLC, Aba, Abia branch of which 65 were completely filled and returned. Thus, the data gathered were analyzed using simple regression. The analysis however made the following findings; That there is a significant relationship between audit requirement and auditor performance in Nigeria, that there is an affirmative effect of unqualified audit report on auditor’s performance in Nigeria and that legal audit requirements has a momentous influence on auditor’s performance in Nigeria. Sequel to the findings and conclusion, the research made the following recommendations that the State legislative arm should ensure that the independence of the internal auditor is guaranteed by a statute, such that he will discharge his duties without fear of any form of molestation or duress, that the present fight ageist corruption in Nigerian should include an assessment of the performance of internal auditors and that This study also points to the fact that auditors are financial performance role models and their inability to satisfy this role expectation will lead to role incompatibility and goal incongruence in a role set.