NCJ Number
65859
Journal
C A MAGAZINE, THE ADAMS REPORT Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 36-74
Date Published
1978
Length
40 pages
Annotation
THE ADAMS REPORT CONCERNING THE ROLE OF THE AUDITOR IN CANADA IS REPRINTED.
Abstract
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF JOHN W. ADAMS WAS APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS OF THE INSTITUTE OF CANADIAN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS (ICCA) WITH THE TASK OF SUGGESTING (1) GUIDELINES OF BEHAVIOR FOR CANADIAN ACCOUNTANTS AND (2) CONCRETE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY THE ICCA AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THESE GUIDELINES. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE WERE (1) THE ADOPTION OF A 3-YEAR PROGRAM IN WHICH TO IMPLEMENT THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND (2) THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE EVERY 5 YEARS WHICH WOULD REPEAT THE EXPLORATIO OF THE ADAMS COMMITTEE. WITH REGARD TO THE AUDITOR'S ROLE, RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE LEGAL CHANGES, CHANGES IN THE ICCA MANUAL, A PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE , AND CERTAIN IMMUNITIES FOR ACCOUNTANTS IN THE EXECUTION OF THEIR FUNCTION. THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT ALL COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR RENDERING ACCOUNTS BE AUDITED IN PUBLIC BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR. THE REPORT EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR A FORMULA PERMITTING AUDITORS TO DISCOVER NEW TYPES OF COMPANY IRREGULARITIES AND TO COMMUNICATE THEM TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION. OTHER DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERN ILLEGAL OR SUSPECT COMPANY TRANSACTIONS, THE AUDITOR'S REPORT, THE INDEPENDENCE OF AUDITORS, UNIFIED PROFESSIONAL NORMS, AND AUDITOR TRAINING. THE MANDATE OF THE COMMITTEE, A COMPARISON BETWEEN U.S. AND CANADIAN AUDITING CONDITIONS, AND OVER 60 REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. --IN FRENCH. (SAJ)