审计独立性的缺失和审计失败外文翻译.doc

外文 原文 Auditor Independence Deficiencies Alleged Audit Failures Material Source: Author: Michael A. Pearson ABSTRACT: Some critics of the accounting/auditing profession in the United States claim that independence-related quality control problems are the cause of an increased number of alleged audit failures. Certified public accountants (CPAs) were queried regarding independence impairment in their profession. Questionnaire results indicate a number of CPAs believe independence deficiencies exist, and some CPAs admit to personal independence impairment. A recent rash of alleged audit failures in the United States has caused considerable concern among users of financial statements and has brought renewed attention to the ethical concept of auditor independence. Klott (1984) reports that the auditing profession appears “pressured by fierce competition for clients to cut costs on audit 　examinations at a time when business transactions have become more complicated to trace and evaluate.” He further states, There is added concern that competitive pressures may have eroded some of the independence of the auditor . . . . [The] fight for clients may force the auditor to bend his opinion in marginal cases in favor of a client and to endorse a companys financial statement rather than risk losing the client. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has identified Improving the Quality of Practice by CPAs as one of 14 major issues confronting the accounting/auditing profession. Independence and Objectivity is another critical topic (AICPA, 1984). This article provides empirical data on these matters and discusses the extent to which certain independence-related quality control problems exist. Reasons for audit failures An audit failure takes place when an auditor indicates to the public that a clients financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles when in fact they