Why do auditors fail? What might work? What won’t?^†

† This paper was delivered at the “Better Markets Conference: Financial Scandals: Past, Present and Future” ICAEW, Chartered Accountant’s Hall, Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA, December 17-18, 2018.

Figures & data

Figure 1. Distribution of fiscal 2017 non-audit fees as a percentage of audit fees.

Figure 2. The decline of consulting for audit clients.

Figure 3. The resurgence of consulting at auditing firms.

Figure 4. Median compensation of CEOs and other top officers from 1936 to 2005.

Figure 5. The shifting structure of CEO compensation.