A Comparison of CRAs (Credit Rating Agencies), Management Consulting Firms, Environmental Auditing Firms, Tax Consulting Firms, and Auditing/Accounting Firms

Abstract

This chapter compares CRAs (credit rating agencies), management consulting firms, environmental auditing firms, tax consulting firms, and auditing/accounting firms with the purpose of providing a better understanding of the current and possible regulatory, mechanism design, and industrial organization factors that can affect the global accounting/auditing industry and the global CRA industry. It also analyzes banks, credit rating agencies (CRAs), and investors as joint tortfeasors and co-conspirators (in litigation against accounting/auditing firms).