ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes audit teams from a regulatory point of view. It explores the role of audit teams and the requirements settled by International Standards on Auditing. According to T. Dereli, A. Baykasoglu and G. S. Das, the audit team is initially formed by the partner, on the basis of the auditors’ skills and the needs/expectations of the auditee. Audit literature has also shown that role ambiguity, intended as uncertainty about key requirements of their tasks, of audit team members is a potential threat for audit performance. Audit team specialization also has a positive impact on audit team commitment, if the audit firm takes into account the interest and career paths of its personnel. Academics and regulators, however, have also highlighted that audit team continuity can potentially have negative impacts on audit quality and effectiveness, for different reasons. Consultation implies the interaction among professionals when an auditor needs clarifications or opinions from a specialist or a colleague.
