This unique book reaches beyond the abstract theory presented in most standard textbooks to portray the principles and practices of Auditing as they are actually applied in the workplace. The novella—which forms a single, on-going, fictional case study meant to supplement a text—traces the professional life of Jack Butler, graduate of Farwestern University and current CPA As readers progress, they share with Jack, his clients, and colleagues various aspects of a typical career in public accounting—aspects students will most likely encounter during their own careers.
This is a nice resource for audit students or new auditors. I doubt it would be entertaining for most others. The book was written as an "instructional novella" for students and it offers some good information on public accounting audit careers.
The story follows the career of a fictional auditor in a large, fictional firm in Oakland, California. He goes through various typical experiences to give students insight into what public accounting and auditing is really like. This is the type of information that is hard for students to come by. The story follows the career of a star, and may create an overly optimistic impression of what an audit career might be like. But the author also throws in some of the negatives. The narrator is asked by both managers and clients to makes some questionable moves, and he and others suffer from the grind of being over-worked, and even outside of the expected busy season. He also points out that pay is not quite in balance with the level of work and responsibility.
I think this book would have been better if it didn't focus on a fast-rising star. The narrator made partner at age 32, after nine years, which seems pretty fast to me. The book does offer some good information and helps new auditors know some of what is coming, but I wouldn't expect most careers to follow this path. However, I would still recommend it for anyone who is considering a career in public accounting.
If you are reading this review, you probably have to buy The Auditor for a class like I did. It gives a somewhat accurate portrayal of auditing life for Jack in a large firm from his college choices to making partner. However, Jack comes across as almost perfect. The book describes his rise to partner and goes into several situations he faced along the way. Every time Jack came out looking like the perfect employee.
The book was written in the 90’s and needs to be updated for changes in technology and changes in women in public accounting. There are a few fairly sexist stories about how women are treated in public accounting. If you don’t have to buy it, don’t. Rent it or borrow it from a friend. Most paperbacks can be bought for $5-$15 and this one is way over-priced for what you get.
Customer service was very helpful. There was a problem in the manufacturing of the book (book was bound backwards).
Product Details :
- Paperback: 128 pages
- Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (June 26, 1998)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0130799769
- ISBN-13: 978-0130799760
- Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 6 x 8.9 inches
More Details about The Auditor: An Instructional Novella, 1st Edition
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