Independent Auditor Career in Brazil: perception from CRC registered accountants

Abstract

The object of this research is to identify the accountants' perception on the independent auditor career in Brazil, in order to relate the deciding factors of the lack of Independent Auditors in Brazilian market brought in previous researches. Essential in the exam and assurance of Accounting Statements, in 2011 the independent auditors certified R$1.8 trillion in net equity of publicly-held companies in Brazil, equivalent to 45% of Brazilian GDP in the same year. This way, it is necessary to attain the reality of this fundamental career inside the current defying accounting scenery. The study is characterized as exploratory and descriptive kind, with the use of survey data retrieval and operationalized by both questionnary, bibliographic and documental study. The questionnary was forwarded throughout CRC's to actively registered accountants. 661 responses from all Brazilian regions were collected. As a study result, it was concluded that 81% of accountants believe to have a lack of auditors in Brazil. The main factor indicated as stimulating for the career was the diversified knowledge and experiences acquired with the career (57%). However, the lack of stimulation during the Accounting graduation (44%) and knowledge about the career (38%) were indicated as non-encouraging in choosing the career. As exposed, the results suggests that having a more effective partnership between universities and auditing firms may result in an increase in auditor career choices, since 78% of the respondents showed interest in the career.