It is obvious that the accounting profession need reform, and this is where the main intention,
initiative and action undertaken by the American SEC stems from in order to recognise once
again the primary accountability of the profession towards the public interest (Hendrickson,
2001; Brilloff, 2001; Tinker, 2000). Hendrickson (2001) points out the harmful consequences
which economic power of the AICPA and major accounting firms have regarding the
accounting profession and accounting education. As a matter of fact, they use their economic power to establish domination over their surroundings by controlling the system of
accounting education but also by the regulation of public accounting in order to protect and
intensify their own private interests. Moreover, the greater their economic power, the smaller
their concern for their own accountability as regards public interests. Hendrickson shows
similarities with such authors who see the way out in a need to redesign the system of
accounting education in such a way that would help this profession to regain its dignity. It is
first and foremost related to the provision of relevant and reliable accounting reports, which
is not only the essential prerequisite for functioning of the capitalist market, but also could
contribute to the creation of the spirit of trust indispensable for functioning of the community.