PCAOB Announces 2015 Forums for Auditors of Broker-Dealers

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board today announced the dates for four 2015 Forums for Auditors of Broker-Dealers, and the agenda for the first meeting, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, June 3.

The forums are designed to share important information about Board activities with PCAOB-registered public accounting firms that audit smaller broker-dealers that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forums also provide an opportunity for Board members and PCAOB staff to hear comments, concerns, and questions from auditors.

"The forums are a critical part of the Board's outreach, particularly to the smaller audit firms that audit broker-dealers," said James R. Doty, PCAOB Chairman. "They provide information on inspections findings, the application of PCAOB auditing standards, and recent Board actions."

The 2015 schedule includes four forums:

• Chicago, Ill., June 3
• Jersey City, NJ, September 24
• West Palm Beach, Fla., October 28
• Las Vegas, Nev., December 1

"These forums offer an opportunity for regulators and auditors to talk to each other about changes in the regulatory landscape for broker-dealer auditors and lessons learned in practice," said Mary Sjoquist, Director of the Office of Outreach and Small Business Liaison, who oversees the Forums for Auditors of Broker-Dealers.

Forum discussion topics include:

• Securities industry trends and financial statement analysis
• Enforcement matters including independence findings
• Audit risk assessment and related case study
• Inspection observations and trends and other case studies

The forum also will include a presentation from the staff of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, as well as a broader regulatory panel discussion, including participation of staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Each forum generally is hosted by a PCAOB Board member and is open to members of PCAOB-registered firms that audit smaller broker-dealers. There is no fee to participate in these events, but preregistration is required and space may be limited. Attendees also have the opportunity to earn continuing professional education credits.

More information on the forums is available on the PCAOB website. If you have registration questions, please contact Margaret Totten at [email protected] or (202) 207-9081.

On March 26 the PCAOB announced six 2015 Forums on Auditing in the Small Business Environment, and the agenda for the first meeting in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, April 23.