Featured Issue: Small Business 

The PCAOB recognizes that its work has an impact upon registered accounting firms and companies of all sizes. The PCAOB is therefore, mindful of the effects of its work on smaller accounting firms and smaller companies and their investors.

Below are links to some of the key resources that may be useful to smaller auditing firms and the smaller companies they audit.

Office of Outreach and Small Business Liaison

The Office of Outreach and Small Business Liaison is responsible for executing the Board’s outreach strategy, with a particular focus on the small business community. The Office of Outreach is also responsible for planning and conducting a program of small business forums, including both the Board's existing Forums on Auditing in the Small Business Environment and new forums directed to the smaller broker-dealer and broker-dealer auditor communities. This Office also seeks input from the small business community, including public companies, brokers, and others, on issues related to the Board's work. Additionally, the Office of Outreach serves as a point of contact for anyone with questions about the Board's activities and assists in identifying areas where information related to the Board's work may not be well understood and suggesting action to address these areas.

• Office of Outreach and Small Business Liaison

Forum on Auditing in the Small Business Environment

The PCAOB holds meetings throughout the country for registered accounting firms in the small business community to learn more about the work of the Board and to give feedback directly to Board Members and staff. The program focuses on the PCAOB inspection process and the impact of new auditing standards.

• Forum Information

Forum on Audits of Smaller Broker-Dealers

These are one-day seminars designed for auditors of smaller brokers and dealers that cover the PCAOB inspection process, compliance with standards, and other issues specific to the broker-dealer auditor community. The Board plans to hold the first of these Forums in the second half of 2011.

• Forum Information

Staff Guidance for Auditors of Smaller public Companies

• An Audit of Internal Control That Is Integrated with An Audit of Financial Statements: Guidance for Auditors of Smaller Public Companies (Jan. 23, 2009) 

Board Public Reports and Briefing Papers on Auditing in the Small Business Environment

• Report on the PCAOB's 2004, 2005, and 2006 Inspections of Domestic Triennially Inspected Firms (Dec. 22, 2007) 
• Standing Advisory Group Briefing Paper: Consideration of Smaller Company/Smaller Firm Issues (Oct. 5, 2006) 

Speeches AND Statements on Auditing in the Small Business Environment

• "The PCAOB and Small Business Auditors," by Daniel L. Goelzer, Board Member (Feb. 27, 2006)
• "The PCAOB and Small Business," by Daniel L. Goelzer, Board Member (Feb 28, 2006)
• Testimony on the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and its Impact on Small Business, by Chairman Mark W. Olson before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (April 18, 2007)
• Testimony on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and its Impact on Small Business, by Chairman Mark W. Olson before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business (June 5, 2007)