Globalization and Multinational Auditing: The Case of Gazprom and PwC in Russia

We examine the role of auditing in developing markets. Our purpose is to gain insight into social expectations for the audit function and the nature of the auditor/client relationship in Russia. Conceptually we rely on two related theoretical sources. First we draw on Giddens' theorizing with regard to the process of globalization. We also draw conceptual insight from sociologically informed research on the evolved institutional role of the multinational audit firms. Against that theoretical framework, we conduct a qualitative empirical analysis based on the case of the PricewaterhouseCoopers' audits of the Russian gas giant OAO Gazprom. Three controversial episodes were analyzed using accounts from the international media and the local, Russian-language, media. In general, the international media accounts express their expectations for auditing by reference to functionalist accounting and concepts, such as auditor objectivity, disclosure of related party transactions, and unrestricted audit scope. In contrast, local media accounts express expectations for auditing that are more generally nationalist. Local media accounts often focused on themes relating to Russian national prestige, treated the presence of non-arms-length transactions as unexceptional, and revealed perceptions that Western style auditing approaches may not be appropriate in the Russian context. We interpret the data in light of the theoretical framework, prior literature, and the contradictory expectations revealed in the analysis of media accounts. The study adds insight regarding the possibility of universal, global norms and standards for accounting and auditing.