Connecting Accounting and Communication: A Survey of Public Accounting Firms

1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Stowers ◽  
G.Thomas White
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Accounting Education ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Accounting Professionals ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

Communication skills are valued highly in public accounting firms, where profes sionals at all levels communicate as part of their jobs. However, respondents to a 1997 survey reported that the development of effective communication skills was not part of formal accounting education and that partners and managers want their entry-level professionals to have these skills at the onset. Further, these skills increase in importance as accounting professionals progress from entry-level to manager to partner. Educational institutions need to develop programs that include communication topics and courses to prepare accountants for the challenges of their profession.

scholarly journals Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Collaborating for Diversity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Mithu Dey ◽  
Lucy Lim ◽  
Frank Ross ◽  
Tracey Walker ◽  
Ken Bouyer
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Accounting Education ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Accounting Firm ◽  
Accounting Professionals ◽  
Howard University ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

The Center for Accounting Education at Howard University partnered with public accounting firms, professional accounting associations, state CPA societies, and accounting academics to formulate recommendations to improve the advancement and retention of Black accounting professionals. Black accountants make up 9 percent of all U.S. accountants and auditors, but in public accounting firms they account for only 4 percent of professional staff and a mere 1 percent of partners (U.S. BLS 2019; AICPA 2019). An important indicator of the collaboration’s success is that public accounting firm leaders sought out its findings and are implementing its recommendations. This paper presents the formation, operation, and outcomes of the collaboration. It also describes the value each group gained from collaborating and provides recommendations for managing collaborations. Our descriptions are offered as a model for others to translate the results of academic research into industry action.

WARREN W. NISSLEY: A CRUSADER FOR COLLEGIATE EDUCATION

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliott L. Slocum ◽  
Alfred R. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Independent Schools ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
Accounting Education ◽  
Graduate Level ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
College Programs

Warren W. Nissley's intense dedication to public accounting led him to crusade for development of schools of accountancy and improvement of education of accountants. Nissley conceived and championed the Bureau for Placements, 1926–1932, which resulted in: public accounting firms recruiting college graduates and developing permanent professional staffs, publishing the first Institute career publication, academic and student awareness of public accounting, and improved quality of college programs and graduates. Nissley's campaign for independent schools of accountancy, 1928–1950, influenced the Institute's committee on education. Many elements of his recommendations may be recognized in the evolution and current developments of accounting education. However, Nissley would continue to express disappointment in the failure to establish separate professional, graduate level, schools of accountancy for public accounting.

A Contemporary Analysis of Accounting Professionals' Work-Life Balance

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Buchheit ◽  
Derek W. Dalton ◽  
Nancy L. Harp ◽  
Carl W. Hollingsworth
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Important Distinction ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Accounting Professionals ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

SYNOPSIS In recent years, work-life balance surpassed compensation as the most important job satisfaction factor among AICPA members (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA] 2004). Despite the continued importance of this issue in the accounting profession (AICPA 2011), prior research has not examined work-life balance perceptions across different segments of the profession. We survey 1,063 practicing CPAs in order to assess the comparative work-life balance perceptions across (1) Big 4 versus smaller public accounting firms, (2) audit versus tax functions, and (3) public accounting versus industry work contexts. Consistent with predictions based on institutional logics theory, we find that work-family conflict and job burnout perceptions (our proxies for work-life balance) are highest in the Big 4. We are the first study to measure both support-for and viability-of traditional alternative work arrangements (AWAs), and we report an important distinction between these two constructs. Specifically, while CPAs across all public accounting firms (i.e., Big 4, national, regional, and local firms) report similar levels of organizational support-for AWAs, Big 4 professionals report significantly lower perceived viability-of AWAs (i.e., the ability to use AWAs and remain effective at one's job) compared to accounting professionals at smaller public accounting firms. Further, we find no differences between audit and tax professionals' perceptions across any of our work-life balance measures. We also document nuanced differences regarding work-life balance perceptions in public accounting versus industry. For example, contrary to conventional wisdom, work-life balance is not uniformly “better” in industry (e.g., burnout is actually lower in smaller public accounting firms compared to industry). Finally, we use open-ended responses from a follow-up survey to provide several recommendations for firms to improve their work-life balance efforts.

scholarly journals The Influence of Auditor’s Education Level, Accounting Education, Public Accountant Firm Size on Accounting Profession: Implication to Good Corporate Governance in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mathius Tandiontong ◽  
Candra Sinuraya ◽  
Sondang Mariani Rajagukguk
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Accounting Education ◽  
Accounting Profession ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Accounting Firm ◽  
Good Corporate Governance ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Public Accountant

Principles of good corporate governance work well in every business entity, if the role of the accounting profession functions properly. For the accounting profession can play a good role is determined by the level of adequate auditor education, the quality of accounting education, magnitude and the number of public accounting firms spread evenly throughout the territory of Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to test empirically the influence of auditor education level, accounting education, the amount of public accounting firm to the accounting profession and its implications for the application of the principles of good corporate governance in Indonesia. The research method used in this research is descriptive verification by using quantitative approach. Data were collected through indirect communication techniques using questionnaires, limited interviews, and documentation studies in an effort to add explanatory elements to the survey results. The unit of analysis is the Public Accounting Firm in the island of Java. Sampling with simple random proportional method to 88 respondents received by researchers from 500 respondents sent. The technique of analysis and data testing is done by Path analysis. The results showed that: (1) There is a correlation between the level of accountant education with accounting education and the magnitude of public accounting firms with the level of keeratanya still at a moderate level. (2) Coefficient of Determination of Education Level Auditor, Accounting Education, and Quantity of Public Accounting Firm simultaneously have positive effect on Accounting Profession. However, partially the Auditor's Education Level and the Magnitude of Public Accounting Firm have an influence on the Accounting Profession is not significant. (3) There is influence of education level of Auditor, Accounting Education, Accountant Public Accountant Level and Accounting Profession partially or simultaneously to the application of Good Corporate Governance principles. Partially, however, the level of Education of Auditor and the magnitude of Public Accounting Firm influences the application of Good Corporate Governance principles but not significant.

An Analysis of Cross-Sectional Differences in Big and Non-Big Public Accounting Firms' Audit Programs

2006 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Blokdijk ◽  
Fred Drieenhuizen ◽  
Dan A. Simunic ◽  
Michael T. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Big 5 ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Audit Approach ◽  
Control Risk

A significant body of prior research has shown that audits by the Big 5 (now Big 4) public accounting firms are quality differentiated relative to non-Big 5 audits. This result can be derived analytically by assuming that Big 5 and non-Big 5 firms face different loss functions for “audit failures” and is consistent with a variety of empirical evidence from studies of audit fees, auditor changes, and the stock price reaction to audited earnings. However, there is no existing evidence (of which we are aware) concerning the underlying production differences between Big 5 and non-Big 5 audits. As a result, existing empirical evidence cannot distinguish between the possibility that Big 5 audits are simply perceived to be different (e.g., by investors) or actually differ in how they are produced. Our research objective is to identify the production characteristics of audit engagements that may explain the differences in expected audit quality between Big 5 and non-Big 5 firms. In this archival study, we examine the total audit effort and the allocation of effort to four audit phases—planning, (control) risk assessment, substantive testing, and completion—for a cross-section sample of 113 audits of Dutch companies in 1998/99 by 14 public accounting firms. We find that, after controlling for client characteristics: (1) both types of auditors exert about the same amount of total audit effort; (2) Big 5 auditors allocate relatively more effort to planning and (control) risk assessment, and relatively less to substantive testing and completion; and (3) client size, use of the business-risk-based audit approach, and reliance on client internal controls affect audit hours differently for the two auditor types. We conclude that the Big 5 firms actually produce a higher audit quality level, and that this quality difference is related to how audit hours are deployed in a more contextual and less procedural audit approach.

A Theoretical Framework of the Relationship between Public Accounting Firms and Their Auditors

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dreike Almer ◽  
Julia L. Higgs ◽  
Karen L. Hooks
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sociology Of Professions ◽  
Rich Description ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Current Article ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Attention

The behavior of auditors in the context of their employment by public accounting firms has received significant attention in the accounting literature. The current article extends this literature by providing a framework that identifies what auditing professionals contribute and receive as a result of their work efforts, as well as related influences. Using agency theory modified with fundamental ideas from the sociology of professions literature, we develop a model of the auditor-public accounting firm employment relationship. This framework is grounded in a timely, contextually rich description of the public accounting work environment, and the pressures and incentives faced by auditors. Propositions for future research are suggested that arise from understanding the auditor-firm relationship.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Educators, Accounting Students and Accountants Public Accountant against Ethics of Financial Statement Preparation (Studies at University and KAP in Semarang)

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-101
Author(s):  
Imam Prayogo ◽  
Teuku Afrizal
Keyword(s):  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Accounting Students ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Public Accountant

This study aims to examine differences in perceptions between teaching accountants, accounting students, and accountants on the ethics of preparing financial statements. Ethical indicators for the preparation of financial statements are represented in earnings management, misstatements, disclosures, cost-benefits, and responsibilities. This research was conducted at universities and public accounting firms in Semarang. This research was conducted with a survey method of 70 respondents from teaching accountants, 75 accounting students, and 40 accountants respondents at universities and public accounting firms in Semarang. As an analysis tool, ANOVA is used for hypotheses H1, H2, H3, and H4. Before testing the hypothesis, first the validity and reliability tests are carried out for all the questionnaires that have been collected. Validity and reliability tests show that all data are valid and reliable. Then the questionnaire was tested by ANOVA and strengthened by the Independent Sample T Test. Anova results show that there are differences in perceptions between teaching accountants, accounting students and accountants. However, there was no difference in perceptions between teaching accountants and accountants. Therefore it can be concluded that there are differences in perceptions between teaching accountants, accounting students, and accountants on the ethics of preparing financial statements.

scholarly journals Auditing While Black: Revealing Microaggressions Faced by Black Professionals in Public Accounting

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phebian L. Davis ◽  
Denise Dickins ◽  
Julia L. Higgs ◽  
Joseph Reid
Keyword(s):  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Black Professionals ◽  
Personal Stories ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Equity And Inclusion

Despite efforts of the AICPA and public accounting firms, Black professionals remain underrepresented in public accounting. To better understand the experiences of Black accountants, we interviewed current and former auditors and collected their personal stories of inequality and microaggressions. We also collected the interviewees’ suggestions about how to improve the retention of Black professionals. We hope these stories and suggestions help advance the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives of public accounting firms. They can also be used by academics to stimulate discussions about DEI issues and motivate research.

scholarly journals The Influence of Reputation of Public Accounting Firms on the Integrity of Financial Statements with Corporate Governance as the Moderating Variable

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nera Marinda Machdar ◽  
Dade Nurdiniah
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Institutional Ownership ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Accounting Firm ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

This research aimed to determine the effect of the reputation of the public accounting firm on the integrity of financial statements by including leverage and firm size as the control variables. This research also investigated the effects of corporate governance moderation that was proxied by the independent commissioner, institutional ownership, and audit committee in strengthening or weakening the reputation of the public accounting firms on the integrity of the financial statements. The population was manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2013-2015. The sample utilized the purposive sampling method and resulted in 34 manufacturing firms, so the total observations were 102 firms in all observed years. This research performed statistical data processing with EVIEWS 8. There are two main findings of this research. First, the reputation of public accounting firm affects the integrity of the financial statement. Second, corporate governance that utilizes the independent commissioners and institutional ownership strengthen the effect of the reputation of the public accounting firm on the integrity of the financial statement. However, corporate governance using audit committee weakens the reputation of the public accounting firm on the integrity of financial statements.

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