Plan To Improve Oversight Of Financial Reporting

Process Essay, Research Paper

10 point plan to improve oversight of financial reporting process.

10 point plan to improve oversight of financial reporting process The New York Stock Exchange and The Blue Ribbon Committee saw a need for improvement in corporate auditing. They released a report of IO far-reaching recommendations intended to improve the quality of corporate financial reporting, Point # 1. Revise the definition of independent director. They say the definition should read as follows * Members of the audit committee should be independent and have no relationship with the corporation that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from management and the corporation. Point # 2 Require an independent audit committee. This point states that * (NYSE) and the (NASD) Should require companies meeting the size criteria (large) should have an audit committee made up of independent directors. Point # 3 Mandate minimum audit committee sizes and increased financial literacy. Companies that meet the size criteria (large) should have an audit committee comprised of a minimum of three directors. Furthermore, at least one of the members should have accounting or related financial management expertise, Point # 4 Mandate written charter detailing responsibilities and duties. Adopt a formal written charter approved by the full board of directors that specifies the scope of the committee’s responsibilities, and to review and reassess the adequacy of the audit committee charter on an annual basis. Point # 5 Mandate annual i3ublic disclosure of audit committee activities The (SEC) should require proof from the committee that it has adopted a formal written charter, and to see if the committee satisfied it responsibilities under the charter. These findings also should be disclosed in the annual report to the stockholders. Point # 6 Clarify oversight responsibility for outside auditors. It should be specified that the outside auditor is ultimately accountable to the board of directors and the audit committee as representatives of the shareholders. Point # 7 Mandate discussion with outside auditor regarding independence. The rules should require that the audit committee is responsible for ensuring the receipt from the outside auditor of a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditor and the company, that is consistent with (ISBS) And to make sure there is no foul play. Point # 8 Require outside auditor to discuss quality of financial reporting-. (GAAS) Should require that a company’s outside auditor discuss with the audit committee the auditor’s judgments about the quality. (Accounting principles and how they apply to the financial statement) Point # 9 Require audit committee send an annual letter to stockholders. They should form a I O-K annual report disclosing whether, management has reviewed the audited financial statements with the audit committee and outside auditor. Point # 10 Mandate interim review of quarterly financial reporting, (SEC) Should require outside auditors to file a (SAS) review prior to the company’s filing of its 10 Q so they will know what to expect.