Current Status of Accountant Liability: Audit Practice Impact

Examines the impact of developments in accountant liability on audit practice. Focuses on analysis of the impact of legal liability on different size accounting firms (classified by revenue generated) with respect to number and professional characteristics of audit personnel, form of practice, audit policies, categories of clientele, and the importance of client characteristics relevant to acceptance of engagements. Contributes to the literature by empirically addressing issues concerning accountant liability previously addressed theoretically and anecdotally. Results of the study show a slight reduction in the average number of audit personnel. In addition, results reveal that significant importance is placed on the client’s reputation for integrity, financial strength, the internal control system, and industry as factors influencing willingness to accept an engagement. Support is found for the emergence of greater concentration in the audit field, along with increases in audit fees and costs. While all audit firms (with the exception of medium‐size audit firms in two client categories) are less willing to accept audit clients, firms with smaller audit practices appear least inclined to accept audit engagements.