Regulatory compliance of financial control systems and its implications for accountants. Some evidence from Italian experience

The research examines the compliance of firms with laws and rules concerning accounting information and financial control systems.In particular it investigates the role of accountants and the skills they employ during the adoption of laws and regultions (regulatory compliance). In the preiminary step, the research suggests a reviewed concept of regulatory compliance; it is based on the idea that firms musta consider complaince ad a strategic opportunity, able to activate key changes in accounting procedures, information tools, organizational role, control mechanisms. In the following step the research examines how the revised vision of regulatory complaince affects accounting positions, accountants’role and their skills. Using data collected on a sample of Italian accountants, an empirical reseacrh provides some evidences on key skills and competencies requested for an effective regulatory compliance