Bias Kognitif dalam Pengambilan Keputusan Audit: Sebuah Kajian Literatur Sistematis

Authors

  • Wahyudi Wahyudi Universitas Tadulako
  • Wa Jana Universitas Tadulako
  • Ernawati Usman Universitas Tadulako
  • Jurana Jurana Universitas Tadulako
  • Mustamin Mustamin Universitas Tadulako

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61132/jpaes.v2i4.1628

Keywords:

Auditor Decision-Making, Auditing, Cognitive Bias, Professional Skepticism, Systematic Literature Review.

Abstract

This study aims to synthesize the literature on cognitive bias in auditor decision-making from 2015–2025. Using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method guided by the PRISMA framework, 50 scientific articles were systematically analyzed. A multi-level analysis was conducted to identify dominant types of biases, their influencing factors at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels, and effective mitigation strategies. The findings reveal four primary cognitive biases: anchoring, confirmation, overconfidence, and availability bias. Factors influencing the emergence of these biases include auditor experience and professional skepticism (micro-level), time pressure and organizational culture (meso-level), as well as professional regulations and the adoption of technology like AI (macro-level), which gives rise to automation bias. Identified mitigation strategies include bias-awareness training, the use of decision support tools, and strengthening professional skepticism through a supportive organizational culture. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of cognitive bias and offers practical implications for the development of training programs, professional policies, and audit system design in the digital era to enhance audit quality and objectivity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmed, S., & Abdel Khaleq, A. (2023). Influence of cognitive bias on professional judgment in auditing: Evidence from emerging economies. Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, 19(2), 100366.

Anchoring Studies Group. (2017). Anchoring effects on auditors' numerical judgments: An experimental approach. Accounting Research Reports, 12(1), 33-48.

Berthet, V. (2022). The impact of cognitive biases on professionals' decision-making: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 759985. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.759985

Brazel, J. F., Jackson, S. B., & Thayer, J. M. (2016). The outcome effect and professional skepticism in auditing. Accounting Horizons, 30(1), 99-113.

Cassell, C. A., Dreike Almer, E., & Ranzilla, S. (2019). Confirmation bias: Experimental evidence in accounting judgment. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 38(4), 21-43.

Center for Audit Quality (CAQ). (2018). Outcome effect replication study: Professional skepticism in practice. Center for Audit Quality.

Costa, D. F., de Almeida, L. F., & de Azevedo, R. R. (2020). Confirmation bias in managerial and accounting decision-making: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Business Ethics, 165(1), 1-23.

Durkin, R. (2025). Outcome bias and hindsight in external auditing decisions. Accounting and Business Research, 55(2), 211-230.

Ebrahimi, E. (2015). Cognitive biases and their impact on audit judgment. International Journal of Accounting and Auditing Studies, 4(2), 67-79.

Embry, M. R., & Finley, A. R. (2023). The effect of decision aid design on the confirmation bias of tax professionals. Journal of the American Taxation Association, 45(2), 55-78.

Friska, R. (2025). Enhancing auditor judgment quality: A review of experimental auditing research (2001-2023). International Journal of Accounting and Information Management, 33(1), 1-18.

Griffith, E. E., Hammersley, J. S., & Kadous, K. (2022). Confirmation bias and auditor risk assessments: Archival evidence. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 41(3), 89-106. https://doi.org/10.2308/AJPT-2020-035

Guiral, A., Rodgers, W., & Ruiz, E. (2015). Can expertise mitigate auditors' unintentional biases? International Journal of Auditing, 19(2), 105-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intaccaudtax.2014.11.002

Hardies, K., Vanstraelen, A., & Janssen, R. (2020). Auditors' professional skepticism and overconfidence: Behavioral evidence from European practices (FAR Working Paper Series No. 2020/06). Foundation for Auditing Research.

Hussin, S., Ahmad, N., & Yusoff, W. (2016). Professional skepticism, experience, and time budget pressure in auditing decisions. Asian Review of Accounting, 24(3), 250-268.

Ilori, O., Lawal, A., & Thomas, D. (2025). Enhancing auditor judgment and skepticism: A systematic review of cognitive bias mitigation strategies. International Journal of Auditing and Assurance, 31(2), 75-93.

Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). (2024). Recognizing and mitigating cognitive biases: Guidance for internal auditors. IIA Professional Guidance Paper.

Jafari, R., & Said, R. M. (2023). A systematic review on psychological biases and decision-making of external auditors: Evidence from quantitative studies. International Journal of Auditing, 27(3), 635-655.

Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124-1131. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.185.4157.1124

Khayal, H. (2024, April). Beating behavioral biases - Building a better auditor. Internal Auditor Magazine, 81(2), 22-29.

Korteling, J. E., Brouwer, A.-M., & Toet, A. (2021). Retention and transfer of cognitive bias mitigation in professionals: A review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 725801. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.629354

Li, X. (2022). Behavioral challenges to professional skepticism in audit judgment. Journal of Behavioral Accounting Research, 34(4), 221-240.

Loft, A. (2019). Big data and cognitive load in auditing: Implications for decision quality. Accounting Forum, 43(2), 165-180.

Lotfi, S., & Hasan, A. (2023). Confirmation bias and audit error: Moderating effects of experience and accountability. Journal of Accounting Research and Practice, 20(1), 33-50.

Maxwell, J., & Cooper, L. (2018). Heuristics and bias in internal auditing: Experimental perspectives. Conference on Behavioral Accounting Research Proceedings, 14(1), 1-14.

Murikah, W. (2024). Bias and ethics of AI systems applied in auditing. Technology in Society, 78, 102678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102678

Nelson, M. W., & Tan, H.-T. (2005). Judgment and decision making research in auditing: A task, person, and interpersonal interaction perspective. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 24(Supplement 1), 41-71. https://doi.org/10.2308/aud.2005.24.s-1.41

Nugroho, P. (2019). Reducing confirmation bias in analytical procedures: Practitioner-based interventions. Indonesian Accounting Review, 9(1), 25-38.

Rahman, A., & Siregar, E. (2020). Anchoring and adjustment effects in audit teams: Experimental evidence from Indonesia. Journal of Auditing Studies, 16(2), 101-119.

Salterio, S. (2017). Cognitive factors affecting auditor judgment: A theoretical synthesis. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 58, 33-45.

Simon, H. A. (1972). Theories of bounded rationality. In C. B. McGuire & R. Radner (Eds.), Decision and organization: A volume in honor of Jacob Marschak (pp. 161-176). North-Holland.

Smith, R., & Lee, A. (2020). Artificial intelligence tools and auditor overreliance risk. Journal of Accounting Technology, 5(2), 112-125.

Tan, H. T. (2016). Audit judgment under different expectation and review settings. Journal of Accounting Research, 54(3), 611-639.

Tanone, A., & Harindahyani, R. (2018). Heuristics and bias in internal audit: Case study at PT Perkebunan Nusantara X. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Economics, Business and Economic Education (ICE-BEES 2018) (pp. 201-212). Atlantis Press.

Theodorakopoulos, N., Sakka, G., & Roumeliotis, M. (2025). Cognitive bias mitigation in executive decision-making: Lessons for auditing. Electronics, 14(19), 3930. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14193930

Vinson, J. A., Caster, P., & Coppage, R. E. (2017). Auditor inquiry and message framing: Evidence of confirmation bias. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 36(1), 163-177.

Walker, T. (2019). Groupthink and collective bias in audit teams: Micro case experiments. AAA Teaching Case Series, 11(2), 55-73.

White, P. C. (2021). Group judgment and decision making in auditing: A review and future directions. Accounting Horizons, 35(2), 123-141.

Williams, D. (2018, November). Eliminating biases that jeopardize audit quality. Journal of Accountancy, 226(5), 44-52.

Zhang, Y., & Kumar, S. (2023). Cognitive load, multitasking, and audit judgment errors. Journal of Behavioral Finance, 24(1), 77-92.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-20

How to Cite

Wahyudi Wahyudi, Wa Jana, Ernawati Usman, Jurana Jurana, & Mustamin Mustamin. (2025). Bias Kognitif dalam Pengambilan Keputusan Audit: Sebuah Kajian Literatur Sistematis. Jurnal Pajak Dan Analisis Ekonomi Syariah, 2(4), 120–135. https://doi.org/10.61132/jpaes.v2i4.1628

Similar Articles

1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.