The Audit Society: Rituals of Verification

This book is the first systematic exploration of audit as a principle of social organization and control. The author critically examines the reasons, means, and consequences of this audit explosion. He raises important questions about the efficacy of audit processes, suggests that the consequences of this must be evaluated, and contrasts these theories and practices of Trust.

Since the early 1980s there has been an explosion of auditing activity in the United Kingdom and North America. Why has this happened? This book is the first systematic exploration of "audit" as a principle of social organization and control. The author critically examines the reasons, means, and consequences of this audit explosion. He raises important questions about the efficacy of audit processes and suggests that the consequences of this must be carefully evaluated.

Michael Power is Professor of Accounting at the London School of Economics. He is a qualified accountant himself and has undertaken audit work for one of the major accounting firms.