Auditing in Belgium;

              We have asked Partners
of the various firms
represented in the
International Group
to tell us about
themselves and how they
work. Maurice Anspach,
shown at right in his
Brussels office, writes
about AUDITING IN
BELGIUM
TO BEGIN, IT MIGHT BE ADVISABLE TO MAKE A RESUME of what
accountancy has been in Belgium and what it is now becoming
since we consider accountancy to be the very basis of auditing. Pro­fessional
accountancy is carried on either by private persons called
"Expert Comptables" or by corporations called "Fiduciaires." Partner­ships
are unusual in our country perhaps because we feel that such
associations have risks.
In our country, accountancy has always been considered a non-profitable
service; i.e., a service of minor interest. This way of thinking
on the part of manufacturers and small and average merchants has
been encouraged by the provisions of our laws.
Our Trade Code which dates back to 1872, provides as the sole
duty for the merchant to keep: (1) a ledger, (2) the letters he receives,
and (3) a copy of the letters and telegrams he sends out. This pro-
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