substitute "not always" with "almost never".

Edit: The problem is that companies get to pick their auditors. Since the auditors sell a homogenous product (it doesnt really matter, who signs off you yearly report), the only way the big four accounting firms can compete is by being cheaper and/or more "favourable" to the customer. Both not that great for the customer (which actually should be the shareholders and in reality its mostly the board).

Shouldn't there be a market for a tough auditor? Now a healthy company has a hard time convincing investors that there are no hidden problems. With a tough auditor, you could gain more trust and thus cheaper interest rates.

If enough of the market is cheating then it puts you at a disadvantage if if you aren’t cheating (the fake market sees your fair baseline as a threat to future cheating)

That would have to be on the investor's side, otherwise the incentives aren't aligned.