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The Philosophy and Rhetoric of Auditor Independence Concepts

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  • Reiter, Sara Ann
  • Williams, Paul F.

Abstract

This paper analyzes the rhetoric surrounding the profession’s presentations of auditor independence. We trace the evolution of the character of the auditor from Professional Man in the early years of the twentieth century to the more public and abstract figures of Judicial Man and Economic Man. The changing character of the auditor in the profession’s narratives of legitimation reflects changes in the role of auditing, in the economic environment, and in the values of American society. Economic man is a self-interested and shallow character who offered the auditing profession little protection against involvement in corporate scandals. In the wake of recent accounting scandals, the profession is calling for a return to the character of Professional Man to restore trust in audits and the financial markets. We also analyze the philosophical bases of the metaphors surrounding auditor independence. These metaphors, particularly the metaphor of independence as separation, create problems in conceptualizing independence concepts. How can you discuss appropriate relationships when your basic concept is one of separation, or no relationship? On the other hand, relational concepts of independence are also flawed if they are not based on a firm moral foundation. We suggest how the profession can act to rebuild its moral foundation through recognition of collective responsibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Reiter, Sara Ann & Williams, Paul F., 2004. "The Philosophy and Rhetoric of Auditor Independence Concepts," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(3), pages 355-376, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:buetqu:v:14:y:2004:i:03:p:355-376_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Wally Smieliauskas & Russell Craig & Joel Amernic, 2008. "A Proposal to Replace ‘True and Fair View’ With ‘Acceptable Risk of Material Misstatement’," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 44(3), pages 225-250, September.
    2. Erica Pimentel & Cédric Lesage & Soraya Bel Hadj Ali, 2023. "Auditor Independence in Kinship Economies: A MacIntyrian Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 365-381, March.
    3. Waymond Rodgers & Andrés Guiral & José Gonzalo, 2009. "Different Pathways that Suggest Whether Auditors’ Going Concern Opinions are Ethically Based," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 86(3), pages 347-361, May.
    4. Özgür Özmen Uysal, 2010. "Business Ethics Research with an Accounting Focus: A Bibliometric Analysis from 1988 to 2007," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 93(1), pages 137-160, April.
    5. Miguel Alzola, 2017. "Beware of the Watchdog: Rethinking the Normative Justification of Gatekeeper Liability," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(4), pages 705-721, February.
    6. Olivier Charpateau, 2011. "Ethique et indépendance interne : une nouvelle dimension de l'indépendance de l'auditeur légal," Post-Print hal-00646835, HAL.
    7. Danielle E. Warren & Miguel Alzola, 2009. "Ensuring Independent Auditors: Increasing the Saliency of the Professional Identity," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 41-56, January.
    8. Jeff Everett & Constance Friesen & Dean Neu & Abu Shiraz Rahaman, 2018. "We Have Never Been Secular: Religious Identities, Duties, and Ethics in Audit Practice," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(4), pages 1121-1142, December.
    9. Olivier Charpateau, 2011. "Ethique et indépendance interne : une nouvelle dimension de l'indépendance de l'auditeur légal," Post-Print halshs-00613297, HAL.
    10. Windsor, Carolyn & Warming-Rasmussen, Bent, 2009. "The rise of regulatory capitalism and the decline of auditor independence: A critical and experimental examination of auditors’ conflicts of interests," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 267-288.
    11. Waymond Rodgers & Andrés Guiral & José A. Gonzalo, 2019. "Trusting/Distrusting Auditors’ Opinions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-16, March.
    12. Andrés Guiral & Waymond Rodgers & Emiliano Ruiz & José Gonzalo, 2010. "Ethical Dilemmas in Auditing: Dishonesty or Unintentional Bias?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 91(1), pages 151-166, February.

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