The above quote implies some uncertainty in the extent to which the ideal of auditor independence permeates accountancy. Indeed many interviewees were concerned about the impact of changes in the working environment of public accounting (e.g. the development of multidisciplinary practices) on the commitment to abide by the profession’s regulatory standards of auditor independence within public accounting firms. Others were particularly worried about the self-review threat inherent to the provision of non audit services to auditees. For many interviewees, a strengthening of the profes- sion’s independence standards in public practice was considered as being imperative: