Reviews the book "A Critical Analysis of Some Behavioral Assumptions Underlying R.J. Chambers' Accounting, Evaluation and Economic Behavior," by Richard W. Leftwich.

Abstract The primary purpose of this study is to present client-industry concentration images for the larger public accounting firms in the United States. The data are broadly suggestive of the substance of audit work done for large corporate clients by these accounting firms and reflect only the sample of client-concentrations examined. The data presented, however, inadequately indicate how public accounting firms achieve their success and develop distinctive personalities. Which events, planned or accidental, cause firms to specialize in or avoid particular industries? Why has the leadership of industry concentrations among Big Eight firms remained remarkably constant from 1964 to 1971? What is the reason behind changes in auditors when a company switches from one Big Eight firm to another? Why have some Big Eight firms gained more New York and American Stock Exchange clients during the 7-year period than other firms? When firm histories are written by scholars from outside the firm, some of these answers may be forthcoming. There exists, then, considerable potential for deeper explorations into the development of public accounting firms, explorations which might provide answers to these questions.

Abstract This article examines selected personality characteristics of certified public accountants (CPA). The literature provides evidence that accountants are negatively stereotyped as cold, aloof, nonsociable, submissive, shallow, weak, passive and lacking sensitivity. There are conflicting data regarding the appropriateness of the stereotype since some studies give segmented support while others deny its existence. Comparisons of personality characteristics, as measured by the California Psychological Inventory, were made between eight different occupational groups and an accounting sample of fifty-six CPA firm employees to test the appropriateness of the stereotype. The comparisons revealed that CPA firm employees possessed higher personality profiles when compared to samples of salesmen, bank managers, business executives, city school superintendents, architects and military officers--partially denying the validity of the accountant's stereotype as dull, wary, cold, and aloof. When contrasted with practicing dentists and research scientists, the accountants generally scored lower on the test scales. The more extensive education of these two groups account for the difference. The negative attributes of poor interpersonal relations and socialization simply did not surface. Since the CPA firm employees significantly higher than several comparison groups on the sociability, self-acceptance, socialization, self-control, good impression, psychological-mindedness and flexibility scales. The accountant's stereotype may not only be unwarranted, it may also be inappropriate.