This study investigates whether countries that have established audit profession oversight bodies are perceived to be less corrupt than countries that have not established audit profession oversight bodies. This study also investigates whether countries that have certain mandatory requirements for auditors to receive and retain professional accounting licenses are perceived to be less corrupt than countries that do not have these requirements. Results from an analysis of 89 countries suggest that countries that have established audit profession oversight bodies are perceived to be less corrupt than countries that have not established audit profession oversight bodies. Results also show that countries that require practical experience, academic study, and a licensing examination in order to practice auditing are perceived to be less corrupt than countries that do not have such requirements for auditors. On the other hand, our analysis shows that those countries that require certified professional accountants to fulfill continuing education requirements does not appear to be associated with a lower level of perceived corruption than countries which do not have continuing education requirements for auditors.

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