Topics for: The Evolution of Performance Measurement, Career Development, and Compensation for Audit Partners in the Context of Public Scrutiny

Debate the design of partner compensation schemes in the context of high public accountability. Should a significant portion of a partner's pay be deferred or clawed back following an audit failure, and how can compensation be structured to directly reward quality and independence over client relationship management?

Explore the impact of new regulations, like mandatory partner rotation, on the audit partner's career development and longevity. Has the career path become more focused on specialization (e.g., industry expertise, specific regulatory knowledge) and how does scrutiny affect partners who leave the firm?

Discuss how public scrutiny (especially after major corporate failures) has forced auditing firms to change how they measure partner performance. The focus has shifted from primarily generating revenue (sales/fees) to prioritizing Audit Quality, Professional Skepticism, and Regulatory Compliance.