This is the final volume in a four-book miniseries dealing with disruption in audit and financial reporting, this last book focusing on the importance of developing the purpose and concept of auditing in a holistic rather than piecemeal way, whilst reflecting on the case for audit reform.

It looks beyond current events and explores possible new entrants to the market, the role of regulation versus professionalism, developing a more prominent and reinvigorated auditing profession and how to meet wider stakeholder needs. The authors’ key proposal for discussion is for the traditional passive audit to be replaced with a proactive style of audit, where granular opinions, forward looking analysis and sensitivity reviews can aid the reader of accounts to come to their own conclusions.

This book should act as a catalyst for radical thinking professionals, students, academics and company directors to influence future government reforms to meet societal needs in the twenty-first century.

Krish Bhaskar was founding Professor of Accounting and Finance at the University of East Anglia, UK and previously held positions at the London School of Economics and the University of Bristol. He is the author of more than 50 books and has worked extensively in the IT, consulting, investment banking, automotive and forecasting sectors.

Rod Sellers, OBE, FCA, has spent almost 50 years in senior financial and corporate roles in industry.