PCAOB Announces New Webinar Outreach Initiative

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board today announced a new webinar initiative to reach out to stakeholders on important time sensitive issues and to make it more efficient and cost-effective for auditors, investors, audit committee members, and others to receive PCAOB updates.

The first two webinars will be directed to the smaller audit firms of brokers and dealers, particularly those who have not yet attended a PCAOB Forum for Auditors of Smaller Broker-Dealers.

The webinars will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, and Thursday, January 15, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST.

"Auditors of smaller broker-dealers are frequently very small firms that may be unable to take the time or afford to attend the full-day forums held around the country," said James R. Doty, PCAOB Chairman. "I'm excited about these webinars because they allow us to be timely and targeted in discussing issues with more of the auditors and other constituents we need to be talking to and hearing from."

He added, "I encourage smaller firms to participate."

On January 14, the webinar will cover standards, rules, and guidance related to auditors of broker-dealers and feature speakers from the PCAOB and the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information and to register, click here.

On January 15, the webinar will cover the PCAOB inspection program of auditors of broker-dealers, including the interim inspection program process and recent inspection findings. For more information and to register, click here.

"These webinars offer an opportunity for small firm auditors to hear from and provide feedback to the PCAOB on developments in the regulatory landscape," said Mary Sjoquist, Director of the PCAOB Office of Outreach and Small Business Liaison. "They are not meant to replace the forums, but to enhance our outreach capabilities."

The webinars are open to members of PCAOB-registered firms. There is no fee to participate, but preregistration is required. Participants also have the opportunity to earn continuing professional education credits.

If you have registration questions, please contact Margaret Totten at (202) 207-9081.

An audio version of these webinars will be made available on the PCAOB website.