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L’éthique est-elle (vraiment) une compétence clef des auditeurs légaux?

Author

Listed:
  • Christine Noël Le maitre

    (Université de Provence CEPERC)

  • Cathy Krohmer

    (IEMN-IAE LEMNA)

Abstract

(VF)Cet article analyse l’importance accordée aux compétences éthiques des auditeurs. Notre approche repose sur l’analyse qualitative de 21 entretiens de membres de Big Four en France et de documents internes et externes. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que d’un côté, les Big Four mettent en avant la responsabilité individuelle et la prise d’initiative de leurs collaborateurs dans leur campagne de recrutement et leur communication externe. De l’autre, ils définissent la compétence éthique comme le simple respect des règles et procédures en vigueur. Ce paradoxe est susceptible d’altérer à moyen ou long terme le lien de confiance que chaque Big Four entretient avec ses parties prenantes.(VA)This paper aims at a better understanding of the role and management of ethical skills in Big Four audit firms. We apply discourse analysis to auditor interviews, internal and external documents. The results of this research reveal that, on the one hand, Big Four firms promote individual responsibility and leadership in their recruitment processes and communication. On the other hand, they define ethical skill as simply applying the standard rules and procedures in the firm. In the long run, this paradoxical situation could be damaging to stakeholder trust.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine Noël Le maitre & Cathy Krohmer, 2010. "L’éthique est-elle (vraiment) une compétence clef des auditeurs légaux?," Revue Finance Contrôle Stratégie, revues.org, vol. 13(4), pages 75-100., December.
    • Handle: RePEc:dij:revfcs:v:13:y:2010:i:q4:p:75-100.
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    auditeur; Big Four; compétence éthique; démarche compétence; auditor; ethical skill; skill process.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management

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