Influence of Auditing Standards on Economic Performance in Nigeria's Deposit Institutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E2/2026-09Keywords:
Audit quality, financial performance.Abstract
This study examined the effect of audit quality on the financial performance of selected Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria, covering the period 2017–2024. Specifically, the research analyzed how audit independence influences financial performance indicators, including Return on Assets (ROA), Earnings per Share
(EPS), and Profit after Tax (PAT). Secondary data were obtained from annual reports of listed banks and analyzed using Robust Least Squares Regression. The findings revealed that audit independence has a negative and statistically significant effect on ROA, indicating that increased independence may impose strict controls that reduce short-term profitability. Conversely, audit independence exhibited a positive but statistically insignificant effect on EPS and PAT, suggesting minimal contribution to shareholder value and post-tax profitability. It recommends strengthening audit governance frameworks, improving communication between auditors and management, and enhancing professional competence through continuous training. The study contributes to existing literature by providing recent empirical evidence on audit independence and public confidence within Nigeria’s banking sector and by offering methodological insights using robust regression techniques.
References
1) Aeni-Agbaje A.R. & Oluyori, J. O. (2024). Audit Quality and Financial Performance of Quoted
2) Amahalu, N. N., Okudo, C. L., Okafor, O. O., & Onyeka, C. M. (2023). Effect of human resource cost on the profitability of quoted industrial goods firms in Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Commerce and Management Studies (IJRCMS), 5(3), 60-76.
3) AYENI-AGBAJE, A. R., & OLUYORI, J. O. (2024). Audit Quality and Financial Performance of Publicly Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. FUOYE JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT, 7(1).
4) Ayogu, M. (2023). Fostering transparency and accountability, enhancing statutory audits in Nigeria. Journal of business and economic options, 6(1), 37-44.
5) Doogar, R., Sivadasan, P., & Solomon, I. (2015). Audit fee residuals: Costs or rents?. Review of Accounting Studies, 20(4), 1247-1286
6) Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). (2022). Code of Corporate
7) Njagi, M. (2023). Independence of internal auditors: significance, guidelines, and influencing factors. East African Finance Journal, 2(1), 56-63.
8) Nwafor, P. U., & Amahalu, N. N. (2021). Auditor’s independence and audit quality of quoted deposit money banks in Nigeria. American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 4(9), 77-85. Retrieved from http://www.arjhss.com
9) Olayinka, M. A. (2023). Big 4 audit quality and bank profitability. Nigerian Journal of Banking Studies, 15(2), 78-92.
10) Olayinka, T. A. (2023). Auditor independence and firm profitability: Evidence from Nigerian manufacturing companies. Nigerian Journal of Accounting Research, 11(2), 66–79.
11) Omodero, C. O., & Ogbonnaya, A. I. (2022). Audit independence and earnings management in listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 22(3), 50–61.
12) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). (2023).
13) Owalabi, S. A., & Afolayan, O. (2020). Auditor independence and the quality of financial reporting in listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 4(8), 303-309. Retrieved from
http://www.rsisinternational.org
14) Oyetunji, O. I., Atanda, O., & Adekanmbi, A. M. (2022). Auditor’s independence and financial statements of deposit money banks in Nigeria. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(11), 94-103. Retrieved from http://www.quertjournals.org
15) Principles of Corporate Governance. OECD Publishing.
16) Rashid, S. M., Hassan, A., & Ali, D. (2023). External Auditors’ Independence and the Quality of Accounting Information: Evidence from Northern Iraq Banks. Sustainability, 15(12), 9578
17) Saona, P., Muro, L., & Alvarado, M. (2020). How do the ownership structure and board of directors' features impact earnings management? The Spanish case. Journal of International Financial Management & Accounting, 31(1), 98-133.
18) Sawaya, C., Al Maalouf, N. J., Hanoun, R., & Rakwi, M. (2025). Impact of the auditor
19) Sawaya, C., Al Maalouf, N. J., Hanoun, R., & Rakwi, M. (2025). Impact of auditor independence, expertise, and industry experience on financial reporting quality. Asia Pacific Management Review, 30(1), 100357. Njagi, M. (2023). Independence of internal auditors: significance, guidelines, and influencing factors. East African Finance Journal, 2(1), 56-63
20) Shaba, M. (2024). Enhancing corporate governance through effective oversight and
21) Shleifr, A., & Vishny, R. W. (2020). A Survey of Corporate Governance. The Journal of Finance, 52(2), 737-783.
22) Statements Quality in Nigeria Listed Banks. American Journal of Industrial and Business Management, 13, 973-984.
23) Sunday, O. (2019). Auditor’s independence and quality of financial reporting in the listed Nigerian companies
24) Svanström, T. (2013). Non-audit services and audit quality: Evidence from private firms. European Accounting Review, 22(2), 337-366.
25) Tricker, B. (2021). Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies, and Practices (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
26) Wiersema, M. (2022). Corporate governance and adaptation in a changing global
27) Zayol, P. I., & Kukeng, V. I. (2017). Effect of auditor independence on audit quality: A review of literature. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 6(3), 51-59. Retrieved from http://www.ijbnii.org.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Agbaraevoh Roseline Chinasa, PhD , Ndukwe-Tochi Chosen Chinwe, Aruommah Kelechukwu Obinwanne, PhD, Chibunna Onyebuchi Onwubiko (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.









