In this study, education level means the auditor/accountant has achieved the bachelor degree level granted by a university. The HKICPA does not set any specific rule requiring that the possession of a university degree is a necessary prerequisite to become a CPA in Hong Kong. In the past, some proprietors of CPA practices did not possess any university degree but they passed all the professional examinations from the accounting body, and hence can be qualified to practice and set up their own CPA firms. Batess and Yamak found that the likelihood of remaining self-employed over time increased with increasing levels of educational attainment.