An Argument for Complete Financial Disclosure by Public Accounting Firms.

This article argues that the biggest accounting firms in the United States should present complete financial statements that are prepared according to accepted accounting principles. The authors believe that the largest practice units should present complete financial statements that are prepared according to the same generally accepted accounting principles that their clients observe so that researchers would have a basis to evaluate the allegation that concentration in the accounting industry impedes competition and undesirably impacts the investing and lending public. In the absence of full financial disclosure by the firms, it may be argued that charges of excessive concentration will continue to be made, denials will be forthcoming, but no basis will exist for objectively evaluating opposing views. The sheer size and complexity of today's accounting megafirm require that complete financial information about the firm and its operations be disclosed to the firm's international organization if the firm is to remain manageable.