2    AUDIT RESPONSIBILITY COMPETENCY AND AUDIT SURVIVAL: EVIDENCE FROM TAX AUDITORS (TAs) IN THAILAND Puangthong Wangraj 1 , Phaprukbaramee Ussahawanitchakit 2 , and Kesinee Muenthaisong 3 Abstract: In the present of audit markets, there is great attention to auditors’ responsibility about survival and sustainability of the audit. This research studies the relationship between audit responsibility competency and audit survival. Especially, the effects are investigated regarding the responsibility of tax auditors (TAs) in Thailand. The stakeholder theory and social cognitive theory are used to explain the relationship of the variables in this research. Tax auditors in Thailand were selected as the sample and the key informants. The questionnaire is used as an instrument for data collection from 363 key informants. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis is a method for testing the hypotheses. The results show that audit responsibility competency has a significant positive effect on audit performance, audit reputation and audit image. Moreover, audit performance has positive relationships with audit reputation, audit image, stakeholder involvement, and audit survival. Whereas, audit reputation positively affects only audit survival, it has no relationship with stakeholder involvement. On the other hand, audit image has a positive effect on both stakeholder involvement and audit survival. Finally, stakeholder involvement also has positive relationships with audit survival. This research provides a unique theoretical contribution in expanding on the previous knowledge and literature of a model of audit responsibility competency in Thailand. Keywords: Audit Responsibility Competency, Audit Performance, Audit Reputation, Audit Image, Stakeholder Involvement, Audit Survival 1. Introduction From an uncertain environment, the numerous global financial globally led to the work of the audit firm. These linked to allegations of professional negligence and violation of the duty of auditors. It demonstrates that the seriousness and responsibility for the audit profession are a contribution from third parties, and the cost of coverage increases (Nguyen, 2008). Due to the auditor lack of integrity and transparency in the operation, thus resulting in a great damage, the auditor has a responsibility to plan and perform the audit to obtain the confidence of reasonable investors that these financial statements show the truth free of error or fraud. Therefore, it is imperative that there should be clear development of monitoring or strategy with an increased focus on fraud detection, coupled with expanded responsibility (Alleyne, 2010; Guan, Kaminski, & Wetzel, 2008). 1 Puangthong Wangraj earned her M.Acc. from Payap University, Thailand in 2007. Currently, she is a Ph.D. (Candidate) in Accounting at Mahasarakham Business School, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. 2 Dr.Phaprukbaramee Ussahawanitchakit earned his Ph.D. from Washington State University, USA in 2002. Currently, he is an associate professor of accounting and Dean of Mahasarakham Business School, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. 3 Dr.Kesinee Muenthaisong earned her Ph.D. from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan in 2007. Currently, she is a business economics lecturer of Mahasarakham Business School, Mahasarakham University, Thailand.