Expectation gap between auditors and users to transfer content from the standard audit report

The purpose of this study is evaluating the expectation gap among auditors and users in understanding the messages transmitted by Standard Audit Report(SAR). Usefulness of audit reports to users significantly related to their proper understanding of the audit objectives and constraints, as well as proper interpretation of the terms that used in the audit reports. In this regard and using research literature, tow micro and macro level of expectations defined. In the same way a questionnaire to evaluate the expectation gap between the three groups of investors, creditors, auditors, have been prepared. The results of 196 questionnaires show that expectation gap at micro and macro levels exist among different groups. However, in some macro-level issues such as the Usefulness of the auditor's report on investment decisions, freedom financial statements from fraud, going concern postulate and in some micro-level issues, we couldn’t find any expectations gap. The results also indicated that the expectations gaps in most cases, could be reduced by education for users and change in auditing standards is not required.