Empirical observation of the criteria for independence in auditing: Perception of auditors and teachers

The objective of this study is to determine the perceptions of the auditors and teachers in relation to the issue of independence in auditing. We used appropriate statistic instruments and gathered the opinions of a sample of 1275 questionnaires given to these professionals, which obtained an answer rate of 35% and correspond to 447 questionnaires fully answered. The results allow us to conclude that there are particular specificities, not very efficient control structures, profound differences regarding this concept depending on the group under study, and a set of similarities with the international research. The research is innovative, nationally and internationally, due to the richness given by the diversity of the perceptions. As for the contributions, we enhance that this is the first study with an empirical basis ever done in Portugal and that it allows us to alert the professional orders and institutions to improve the safeguard of independence mechanisms.