The independent audit and professional ethics for accountants according to the Swedish Auditors Act

Several industrial scandals, especially those about Enron and WorldCom, have lead to an intense debate about the independent audit and the independent auditor. A substantial part of the auditor’s income originates from counselling, and therefore the role of the auditor may be seen as double, and the auditor’s objectivity may be questioned. In the year of 2002, a new Auditors Act was legislated in Sweden. In the 21 § of the act, a model based on principles was introduced, to test the auditor independence in every single case. The question is if the new Auditors Act better ensures an independent audit than the preceding Act did. After the collapse of Enron, the international work on the development of rules that better can guarantee the independent audit, has been intensified. Will the wording and effect of the Swedish Auditors Act stand, will the international progress on this area influence the interpretation of the Act, or will the Swedish legislator be forced to rewrite the Act? Three problems are discussed in this thesis; 1. How shall an independent audit be ensured?, 2 What kind of activity may the auditor exercise?, 3 How should the auditor’s activities be organised to ensure the independence? This thesis describes howthe role of the auditor and his independence is regulated today, partly by legislation, partly by self- regulation, both national and international. Different regulations are compared and differences and similarities are described. A number of specific problems that may influence the independence of the auditor, in relation to his clients, and a discussion about how these problems may be avoided, is presented