Identifying qualified auditors' opinions : a data mining approach

Abstract

Data Mining methods can be used in order to facilitate auditors to issue their opinions. Numerous of these methods have not yet been tested on the purpose of discriminating cases of qualified opinions. In this study, we employ three Data Mining classification techniques to develop models capable of identifying qualified auditors' reports. The techniques used are C4.5 Decision Tree, Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network, and Bayesian Belief Network. The sample contains 450 publicly listed, nonfinancial U.K. and Irish firms. The input vector is composed of one qualitative and several quantitative variables. The three developed models are compared in terms of their performance. Additionally, variables that are associated with qualified reports and can be used as indicators are also revealed. The results of this study can be useful to internal and external auditors and company decision‐makers.