Professional Responsibility Comes First

I disagree with the points made in “ Pay for Performance ” ( JofA, Jun.02, page 24).

The goal of partner compensation should not be “to inspire the most profitable performance.” Profits are good, but only after assuring each partner diligently exercises his or her professional responsibilities. Partners who accept substandard financial reporting or auditing may for awhile have very profitable performance, but they jeopardize their careers, their firms and our profession.

Charles Toder, CPA (retired)
New York City