Researching problems of independent auditors in the context of gender: A phenomenological research

Gender is a mechanism that affects and directs all individuals from the moment they are born. Although the functioning of this mechanism shows some differences depending on the cultures, it remains the same in essence and shapes family, society and working life. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of gender in working life in the context of the independent auditing profession. For this purpose, it has been examined how gender-related social and cultural acquisitions shape the professional experiences, perceptions and roles of independent auditor professionals. Qualitative methods and techniques were used in the research, and in-depth data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 32 professionals. The phenomenological approach was used to create the data. -In Vivo- coding method was used in the analysis of the collected data and the -Rqda- program was used in the analysis process. As a result of the research, it has been understood that all judgments and acceptances regarding gender affect all formal and informal business relations in the profession, the characteristics attributed to the genders in the minds also shape the perceptions of the members of the profession and open the door to various inequalities and problems in the profession.