Despite best efforts, problems with audits still keep coming up. According to the International Federation of Accountants, improving audit quality requires a massive shake-up of practices and behavior.

Its guidance paper Tone at the Top and Audit Quality outlines five areas in which management can address tone at the top issues. These are strategy, communication, job descriptions, performance appraisals, and monitoring. Examples are also provided to further clarify the types of policies and procedures that are being put in place and the corresponding system of rewards and sanctions.

But some firms might find these changes confronting. With strategy, for example, the focus has to be on quality over commercial considerations. Job descriptions can't be vague and need to emphasize competency and continuing professional development. Quality needs to be part of the performance appraisal system and compensated. Similarly, the quality control system needs to be tested regularly.