The behavior of auditors in the context of their employment by public
accounting firms has received significant attention in the accounting literature. The
current article extends this literature by providing a framework that identifies what audit-
ing professionals contribute and receive as a result of their work efforts, as well as
related influences. Using agency theory modified with fundamental ideas from the soci-
ology of professions literature, we develop a model of the auditor-public accounting firm
employment relationship. This framework is grounded in a timely, contextually rich de-
scription of the public accounting work environment, and the pressures and incentives
faced by auditors. Propositions for future research are suggested that arise from under-
standing the auditor-firm relationship