PCAOB Renews Cooperative Agreement with French Audit Regulator

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) today announced the renewal of its cooperative agreement with the Haut Conseil du Commissariat aux Comptes (H3C) of France. The agreement allows for cooperation between the two organizations in the oversight of audit firms subject to the jurisdiction of both regulators.

“This agreement marks another milestone in our longstanding and constructive relationship with the H3C,” said PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III. “Our two organizations share a strong commitment to international cooperation as a means to enhance audit quality and strengthen investor protections.”

The PCAOB and H3C first entered into a cooperative agreement in 2013, an arrangement that was renewed in 2016 but expired in 2019. In addition to providing a framework for joint inspections, the 2021 agreement allows for the exchange of confidential information in accordance with applicable French law and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the United States. The PCAOB and H3C also entered into an agreement addressing transfers of personal data to the PCAOB. 

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the PCAOB oversees and inspects accounting firms that audit U.S. public companies and brokers and dealers. Approximately 850 firms currently registered with the PCAOB are located outside the U.S. in 92 jurisdictions. The PCAOB works collaboratively with audit regulators in foreign jurisdictions and benefits from cooperation with its international counterparts.

Learn more about the PCAOB’s international work on our website.

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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, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.

Contact

PCAOB Office of Communications and Engagement
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