An experiment was conducted in which non-specialist auditors completed two cases: a research
and development case set in the manufacturing industry and an investment case set in the
superannuation (pension fund) industry. The cases in this study allow us to investigate the relative
influence of industry- and task-based experience on auditor performance in two ways. First, both
cases involve tasks common to companies in a variety of industries. Participants could have
task-based experience, with or without matched industry-based experience, in both cases used. The
cases draw upon task knowledge gained from experience in auditing accounts within or outside the
industry setting used. Second, both cases are set in industry settings where a range of tasks are
performed. Participants could have industry-based experience, with or without matched task-based
experience, in both cases used. The cases used in this study allow auditors with relevant
industry-based experience to utilize the contextual knowledge gained from that experience (Biggs
et al. 1993) to perform well on a task with which they may or may not be familiar.