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Board Adopts New Ethics and Independence Rule Concerning Communications with Audit Committees and an Amendment to its Existing Tax Services Rule

By Toby Lucich

The Board adopted Rule 3526 to enhance communication between audit committees and registered firms regarding the firm's independence. Rule 3526 will require a registered public accounting firm, before accepting an initial engagement pursuant to the standards of the PCAOB, to describe in writing to the audit committee all relationships between the firm or any of its affiliates and the issuer or persons in a financial reporting oversight role at the issuer that may reasonably be thought to bear on the firm's independence. Registered firms will also be required to discuss with the audit committee the potential effects of any such relationships on the firm?s independence. Rule 3526 will require firms to make a similar communication annually for continuing engagements. If approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Rule 3526 will supersede the Board's interim independence requirement, Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and two related interpretations.

Board Adopts New Ethics and Independence Rule Concerning Communications with Audit Committees and an Amendment to its Existing Tax Services Rule

Full post as published by inside Sarbanes Oxley on April 25, 2008 (boomark / email).