Board Member Anthony C. Thompson to Host Forum for Auditors of Small Businesses and Auditors of Broker-Dealers in Jersey City

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) announced today that it will hold the fourth of its in-person 2024 forums on auditing in the small business environment and on auditing broker-dealers in Jersey City on November 20, 2024. The one-day event will be hosted by Board Member Anthony C. Thompson at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Tailored to address PCAOB-registered firms auditing smaller public companies or broker-dealers, the forums provide a unique opportunity for audit firms to engage with representatives from the PCAOB and other regulators in an interactive setting.

“Engaging with stakeholders is essential to the PCAOB’s success in carrying out its investor-protection mission,” said Board Member Thompson. “I look forward to hosting the conversation in Jersey City about the current state of auditing broker-dealers and smaller public companies and considering how the PCAOB can continue to drive audit quality forward.”

In 2024, each PCAOB Board Member agreed to host an in-person forum in a different city across the country. Chair Erica Y. Williams launched the series with the first forum in Chicago on May 22, 2024. Board Members George R. Botic and Kara M. Stein hosted the June 5 forum in Los Angeles and the September 12 forum in Denver, respectively. A forum in Miami hosted by Board Member Christina Ho was initially scheduled for October 9 but was postponed to early 2025 due to disruptions related to Hurricane Milton.

The in-person forum to be hosted by Board Member Thompson in Jersey City will be livestreamed for those looking to attend virtually. As with the previous forums, recordings from the Jersey City event will be made available on the PCAOB’s website.

In addition to remarks from Board Member Thompson, the Jersey City agenda includes the following:

• Presentations by PCAOB staff from the Office of the Chief Auditor, the Division of Registration and Inspections, and the Division of Enforcement and Investigations;
• Presentation of illustrative examples related to audit risks associated with revenue, the auditor’s responsibility to identify and communicate critical audit matters to investors, heightened risk of fraud, and the importance of journal entry testing; and
• Presentations by staff of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Registration Required for November 20 Jersey City Forum

There is no fee to attend the November 20 forum in Jersey City, but advance registration is required and can be completed here. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits are available for those who attend the forum in person or view the livestream. CPE is not available for those who view the recorded event. Forum attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance via email. There also will be an opportunity to submit questions during the forum. 

*****

About the PCAOB

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.

Contact

PCAOB Office of Communications and Engagement
[email protected]