Audit externe: peut-il avoir une influence sur la performance stratégique de l'entreprise?

Abstract

The statutory audit of the annual accounts, more commonly known as a financial audit, is a control service performed by the auditor whose main purpose is to satisfy the general interest by attesting that the financial statements are fairly stated. It therefore helps to build the trust of all stakeholders.

However, not all companies in the European economy are legally obliged to be audited. There are different thresholds applicable in each country of the European Union. Therefore, the question consists of wondering if the statutory audit of the annual accounts can have a direct or an indirect influence on the strategic performance of the audited company.

This question is firstly discussed for small companies that are not legally obligated to be audited. The interest is to know in what extent this type of company could be interested in an audit conducted in a contractual basis and in the positive hypothesis in what extent the audit could influence the strategic performance. Moreover, the companies that are legally obligated to be audited are similarly analysed to answer the same question.

Thanks to a literature search and several conversations with professionals and small company directors, this research paper concludes that the financial audit cannot have influence on the strategic performance. The profession is highly regulated with the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants published by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants. Additionally, there are directives established by Europe and transposed into national law. Consequently, the regulatory framework does not allow to affect the strategic performance of the audited company.

Finally, after responding negatively to the research question it was interesting to propose other services carried out by the « réviseur d’entreprises agréé » in order to find a link with the strategic performance. Therefore the assurance engagement has been developed as part of the research. Furthermore, another service proposed by the consultants (not compatible with the audit mandate) has been addressed as being more in line with the strategic performance of the small company.