Enhancing auditors' performance : The importance of motivational factors and the mediation effect of effort

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of effort on the relationship between both accountability pressure and self‐efficacy, and auditors' performance. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a between‐subjects experimental research design with accountability pressure manipulated randomly to two groups, accountable and non‐accountable. Each participant is required to perform internal control tasks. Findings – Based on partial least square (PLS) analysis, results indicate that both variables, i.e. accountability pressure and self‐efficacy, are positively related to audit judgment performance through the process of high level of effort. High self‐efficacious participants who received accountability pressure would have high levels of effort, which in turn increase audit judgment performance. Research implications/limitations – This study provides further evidence on the effect of motivational factors on auditors' performance. Understanding the mediating role of some motivational variables is crucial in designing a continuous development program to enhance auditors' performance. The proposed framework of effort as a mediating variable is consistent with Libby and Lipe and Chang et al. , who argue that accountability pressure and self‐efficacy would cause individuals to increase their effort in order to perform better. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature on motivational factors that would explain the variability in audit judgments in coping with complex audit tasks.