The bill, written by senator Paul Sarbanes, chairman of the Senate's Banking Committee, includes a ban on auditors performing most non-audit services for their clients.

Services to be banned include consulting, internal accounting and information system design, in a move designed to eliminate perceived 'conflicts of interest' in the wake of Andersen's demise - Andersen performed both audit and non-audit work for the failed energy giant Enron.

A 17-4 vote in favour of the Bill, makes it increasingly more likely that it will be passed, although a hardline Republican lobby could still see it blocked.