IS THE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT A PROFESSIONAL? THE PERCEPTIONS OF CPAS, FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES, BANKERS, FINANCIAL ANALYSTS AND ATTORNEYS

The appropriateness of the ideal professional model is questioned in identifying the certified public accountant (CPA) as a professional. Due to the inherent limitations of the ideal model, a dynamic model is proposed to measure the perceived professional status of the CPA.;Through the use of multidimensional scaling techniques and regression analyses, the significant professional attribute for the sampled groups was identified as autonomy. Bankers, as a distinct group, perceived the possession of an effective code of ethics to be significant. For the selected sample groups, a commitment to the ideal of service had an inverse relationship to professional status.;The empirical results indicate a discrepancy between the professional status accorded the CPAs and the perceived professional status that CPAs have of themselves. The respondent groups perceived the CPA to have the same or greater professional status than university or college professors and ministry. However, CPAs were perceived to be less professional than physicians and attorneys. In contrast, CPAs perceived themselves to be as professional as attorneys, university or college professors and ministry, but less than the physician.;The data supports the use of the dynamic model to ascertain professional status. Suggestions for improving the CPAs' professional status are indicated.;Five selected business groups recorded their perceptions on an Occupational Perception Questionnaire mailed to them. A total of 819 useable responses were received from the five different groups (233 CPAs, 214 bankers, 121 attorneys who specialize in securities law, 141 financial executives and 105 financial analysts).