Mr. Chairman, as I explained in my April 2016 statement on the proposed amendments on audits involving other auditors, I view this project as an important step forward in addressing the audit quality concerns that have been brought to our attention by our Inspections Division. I believe this project will improve investor protection because it will increase the accountability of the lead auditor in overseeing the work of the other auditors involved in the audit.
As the supplemental request notes, the work of other auditors accounts for a significant share of the audit in many instances.
Under the Board's transparency rules adopted in December 2015,[1] information about other participants taking part in the audit along with the percentage, or range thereof, of work performed by them is now available to investors in Form APs filed by audit firms.[2]
As of September 20, 2017, approximately 114 Form APs that include information about other participants were filed with the PCAOB. Information about other auditors conveyed in those Form APs indicates that:
This information clearly shows the extensive use of other auditors and the significant role other auditors play in audits today. It also demonstrates the need for greater supervision by the lead auditor who is the one signing the audit report. This proposal provides for that additional supervision.
As public companies expand their global footprints, auditors will increasingly rely on other auditors to help them complete their work. As I noted in 2016, based on PCAOB staff analysis of inspections data, about 80 percent of Fortune 500 audits performed by the top six U.S. firms involved other auditors, many of which are foreign affiliates of the firm signing the audit report.[3]
The increased use of foreign affiliated firms raises certain audit quality concerns for investors. For example, our inspectors have observed a higher rate of deficiencies for foreign affiliate firms than their U.S. counterparts from 2011 to 2013.
As noted by Claudius Modesti, the Board's Director of the Division of Enforcement and Investigations, cross border audits that involve the use of other auditors are a high priority for our Enforcement Division.[4] A number of our recent enforcement actions against foreign affiliate firms involve not only audit failures but also improper alteration of documents.[5]
I continue to believe there is a clear need for PCAOB standard setting in this area. I believe the Board's proposed amendments issued in April 2016 calling for increased lead auditor involvement in, and evaluation of, the work of other auditors presents an appropriate risk-based and scalable approach to improving the quality of audits involving other auditors.[6]
Commenters were generally supportive of the approach in the 2016 proposal. The supplemental request for comment before us today proposes certain clarifications and provides explanations to address some commenters' concerns.
The Board has been examining this topic since 2010.[7] While I appreciate the Board engaging in another comment round on this project, my preference would have been for the Board to adopt final amendments at today's meeting.
Having said that, I support today's supplemental call for comment and look forward to the Board taking final action on this proposal in the near future after carefully considering the comments received.
I join you, Mr. Chairman, and my fellow Board members in thanking the staff that contributed to this project. In particular, I would like to thank Marty Baumann and his team, Keith Wilson, Dima Andriyenko, Stephanie Hunter, and Hunter Jones, from our Chief Auditor's office, Andres Vinelli, John Powers and Joon-Suk Lee from our Office of Economic and Risk Analysis, and Gordon Seymour and Matt Goldin from our Office of General Counsel. I also want to thank the SEC staff for their contribution and support.
[1] See Improving the Transparency of Audits: Rules to Require Disclosure of Certain Audit Participants in a New PCAOB Form and Related Amendments to Auditing Standards, PCAOB Release No. 2015-008 (Dec. 15, 2015) ("PCAOB Release No. 2015-008"). The Securities and Exchange Commission approved these rules and amendments on May 9, 2016. See Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rules to Require Disclosure of Certain Audit Participants on a New PCAOB Form and Related Amendments to Auditing Standards, Exchange Act Release No. 77787, (May 9, 2016).
[2] Firms are required to include information about other accounting firms participating in the audit effective for auditors' reports issued on or after June 30, 2017. See PCAOB Release No. 2015-008.
[3] See Statement on Proposed Amendments Relating to the Supervision of Audits Involving Other Auditors and Proposed Auditing Standard—Dividing Responsibility for the Audit with Another Accounting Firm by Steven B. Harris, Board Member, (April 12, 2016).
[4] See Speech by Claudius Modesti, Director of Enforcement, Protecting Investors through Enforcement, (Dec. 7, 2016).
[5] See In the Matter of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes, PCAOB Release No. 105-2016-031, (Dec. 5, 2016) and In the Matter of Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C., PCAOB Release No. 105-2016-044 (Dec. 5, 2016).
[6] See Proposed Amendments Relating to the Supervision of Audits Involving Other Auditors and Proposed Auditing Standard – Dividing Responsibility for the Audit with Another Accounting Firm, PCAOB Release No. 2016-002 (April 12, 2016).
[7] This topic was discussed with the PCAOB Standing Advisory Group during the April 7-8, 2010 meeting.