Ensure clear and open communication

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 46 views

The Influence of Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict, and Role Overload on Auditor Performance at the Public Accounting Firm in Medan City

Introduction

Auditor work at the Public Accountant Firm (KAP) is a complex and challenging profession that requires a high level of professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail. One of the key factors that can affect auditor performance is the clarity of roles, role conflicts, and excessive workload. This study aims to investigate the impact of these three factors on auditor performance in the KAP in Medan City.

Background

Auditor work at the KAP is often faced with a variety of pressures and challenges. The auditor is required to perform a wide range of tasks, including financial statement audits, internal control audits, and other specialized audits. The auditor must also comply with various laws, regulations, and professional standards, such as the International Standards on Auditing (ISA). In addition, the auditor must communicate effectively with clients, management, and other stakeholders.

Methodology

This study uses a quantitative approach to investigate the impact of role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload on auditor performance. A total of 56 auditors who work in KAP in Medan City were involved in this study. Data was collected through a questionnaire and analyzed statistically.

Results

The results of this study show that role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload together have a significant effect on auditor performance. More specifically, the study found that:

Role clarity and role conflict have a significant influence on auditor performance. This indicates that when the auditor is not clear about their duties and responsibilities, or when they are faced with role conflicts (for example, between professional responsibilities and pressures from clients), their performance will be affected.
Excessive workload partially does not have a significant effect on auditor performance. That is, although high workload can be a stress factor, but in the context of this research, this does not necessarily have a negative impact on auditor performance.

Discussion

The clarity of role and role conflict are important factors that can affect auditor performance. When the auditor is not clear about their duties and responsibilities, or when they are faced with role conflicts, their performance will be affected. This can cause errors, waste of time, and decreased audit quality.

Role conflict can arise when the auditor is faced with different demands from various parties. For example, clients may want a more positive audit report, while the professional code of ethics requires the auditor to be objective and independent. Role conflicts can cause stress, tension, and decreased motivation.

Conclusion

This study provides an important insight into the factors that can affect auditor performance in the KAP. By understanding the effect of clarity of roles, role conflicts, and excessive workload, KAP can take the right steps to improve auditor performance and maintain high audit quality.

Recommendations

To overcome the clarity of role and role conflict, KAP needs to:

Ensure clear and open communication: KAP needs to ensure that the auditor understands their duties and responsibilities well. This can be done through training, routine discussions, and providing clear and easy to understand documents.
Build an organizational culture that supports: KAP needs to build an organizational culture that appreciates professionalism and work ethics. This can be done through a fair reward and punishment system, as well as a sustainable professional development program.
Set the workload: Although excessive workload does not always have a negative impact, it is important to ensure that the auditor is not too burdened. KAP can rotate the task, consider resting time, and provide additional support to auditors in need.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study only involved 56 auditors who work in KAP in Medan City. Secondly, the study only investigated the impact of role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload on auditor performance. Future studies can investigate other factors that can affect auditor performance.

Future Research Directions

Future studies can investigate other factors that can affect auditor performance, such as:

Auditor experience: How does auditor experience affect auditor performance?
Auditor training: How does auditor training affect auditor performance?
Auditor motivation: How does auditor motivation affect auditor performance?

By understanding the factors that can affect auditor performance, KAP can take the right steps to improve auditor performance and maintain high audit quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict, and Role Overload on Auditor Performance

Q: What is role ambiguity, and how does it affect auditor performance?

A: Role ambiguity refers to the lack of clarity or uncertainty about one's duties and responsibilities. When auditors experience role ambiguity, they may feel uncertain about what is expected of them, leading to confusion, errors, and decreased audit quality.

Q: What is role conflict, and how does it affect auditor performance?

A: Role conflict refers to the situation where an auditor is faced with different demands from various parties, such as clients, management, and professional standards. When auditors experience role conflict, they may feel torn between different expectations, leading to stress, tension, and decreased motivation.

Q: What is role overload, and how does it affect auditor performance?

A: Role overload refers to the situation where an auditor is given too many tasks or responsibilities, leading to excessive workload and stress. While excessive workload can be a stress factor, this study found that it does not necessarily have a negative impact on auditor performance.

Q: How can auditors overcome role ambiguity and role conflict?

A: Auditors can overcome role ambiguity and role conflict by:

Ensuring clear and open communication with management and clients
Building an organizational culture that appreciates professionalism and work ethics
Setting clear goals and expectations
Providing training and support to help auditors understand their duties and responsibilities

Q: How can KAP (Public Accountant Firm) improve auditor performance?

A: KAP can improve auditor performance by:

Ensuring clear and open communication with auditors
Building an organizational culture that appreciates professionalism and work ethics
Providing training and support to help auditors understand their duties and responsibilities
Setting clear goals and expectations
Rotating tasks and providing additional support to auditors in need

Q: What are the implications of this study for KAP and the auditing profession?

A: This study highlights the importance of role clarity, role conflict, and excessive workload in affecting auditor performance. KAP and the auditing profession can benefit from this study by:

Improving communication and training programs to help auditors understand their duties and responsibilities
Building an organizational culture that appreciates professionalism and work ethics
Setting clear goals and expectations
Providing support to auditors in need

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

The study only involved 56 auditors who work in KAP in Medan City
The study only investigated the impact of role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload on auditor performance
Future studies can investigate other factors that can affect auditor performance

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future studies can investigate other factors that can affect auditor performance, such as:

Auditor experience
Auditor training
Auditor motivation
The impact of technology on auditor performance

By understanding the factors that can affect auditor performance, KAP and the auditing profession can take the right steps to improve auditor performance and maintain high audit quality.