This book reflects the scientific work which is based on Dries' passion for the ISAs. It provides answers to questions, including :

- Are ISAs optimal auditing standards from a theoretical audit quality perspective ?

- What is the advantage of principles-based over rules-based standards, and in what respect may such standards contribute to audit quality ?

- In what way is the potential impact of auditing standards on audit quality contingent on the applicable institutional context ?

- In what way is the legitimacy of auditing standard-setters under pressure ?

- What may be the influence on standard-setting and regulation in general of a desire amongst policymakers for zero-tolerance in terms of residual risk ?

- How does a researcher define and measure audit quality from a scientific perspective ?

- In what respect is « compliance » different from « quality » ?

Next to scientific arguments, this book is a unique attempt to providing empirical results related to audit reports issued in practice from 2004 to 2009 :

- Which parties contribute towards compliance with ISA reporting standards : de-jure auditing standard-setters (IAASB, national auditing standards) or de-facto auditing standard-setters (Big-N auditing networks) ?

- Are audit reports standardised from an individual criterion point of view ?

- Is the text of audit reports harmonised at the international level, as we would expect from an ISA perspective ?

This book is highly recommended for policymakers, standard-setters and academics around the globe who are interested in auditing standard-setting.