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The Evolution of Auditing: Historical Perspective and Challenges to the Profession

This presentation by Jim Castellano, CPA Chairman at RubinBrown LLP on March 2, 2010, explores the challenges faced by the accounting profession with events like Enron's bankruptcy, Andersen's scandal, and the implementation of Sarbanes/Oxley Act. It delves into the reasons behind failures in corporate culture, auditing practices, and the global financial crisis. The text also discusses the important role of the PCAOB in restoring confidence post-Enron, outlining its responsibilities, inspections, and impact on auditing standards.

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The Evolution of Auditing: Historical Perspective and Challenges to the Profession

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  1. PCAOBHistorical Perspective St. Louis University Presented by: Jim Castellano, CPA Chairman, RubinBrown LLP March 2, 2010

  2. Challenges to the Profession

  3. How did we get there? • Enron announces bankruptcy (12/2/2001) • Andersen discloses document shredding (1/10/02) • SEC news conference and proposals (1/17/02) • CPA profession supports SEC reforms (1/17/02) • AICPA Chairman testifies before House Commerce Sub-Committee (2/14/02) and Senate Banking Committee (3/14/02)

  4. How did we get here? • Indictment of Andersen (3/14/02) • Arthur Andersen found guilty of obstruction (6/15/02) • WorldCom restatement (6/26/02) • WorldCom declares bankruptcy (7/21/02) • Sarbanes/Oxley Act of 2002 enacted (7/30/02)

  5. What went wrong? Corporate culture and reporting model • Simple greed or arrogance. • Market pressure on short term earnings. • Failures in corporate management. • Failures in corporate governance. • Too many rules leading to “connect the dots accounting.” • Some analysts biased.

  6. What went wrong? The work of auditors • Some auditors did not step up to their responsibilities to serve the public interest. • Inadequate emphasis on fraud detection – “Expectation Gap.” • Possibly failure to implement audit approach or simply an inadequate audit approach. • Possible auditor dependence on fees from major clients.

  7. Global Financial Crisis

  8. What Went Wrong? • Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pushed by Congress into making imprudent loans • Consumers take on extraordinary debt • House speculators and “flippers” • Failure of bond rating agencies • Insufficient regulation of new debt instruments • Federal Reserve monetary policy • Bankers originating mortgages with unworthy borrowers, then selling them to investors • Credit default swaps sold to hedge investor risk • Imprudent investors

  9. Wall Street's Latest Downfall: Madoff Charged with Fraud FBI makes first arrest in Stanford fraud case

  10. Restoring Confidence Post Enron • Sarbanes/Oxley Act of 2002 • Public Company Accounting Oversight Board created • Accounting firms registered with PCAOB • Inspections of firms • US auditing standards set by PCAOB • Scope of service restrictions • Section 404

  11. PCAOB • Five-member Board: • Only two can be CPAs • Daniel Goelzer, Acting Chairman • Staff • Budget • 2010 - $183 million • 2009 - $158 million • 2008 - $130 million • Responsibilities

  12. Accounting Firm Registrations • Firms registered • 2405 total firms registered as of 2-16-2010 • Including approximately 1,000 foreign firms

  13. Inspections • Scope of inspections • Inspection reports

  14. Inspections • Inspection shall include at least the following components • Selected audit engagements • Evaluation of the sufficiency of the firm’s quality control system • Testing of the audit, supervisory and quality control procedures • Limitations on public disclosure

  15. US Auditing Standards • PCAOB sets standards for public companies • Initially adopted all existing GAAS • PCAOB standards 1-7 • Implications for standard setting • PCAOB Standing Advisory Group

  16. Scope of Service Restrictions • Prohibited services • Audit Committee approval requirement • Implications for the profession and marketplace

  17. Section 404 • Requirement for internal control assessment by the issuer and report by external auditor • Audit standard – AS 5

  18. Impact on Companies and the Accounting Profession • Increased value of the audit: • Audit Committees interested in the scope of the audit first, cost of the audit second • Quality counts – no longer “cross-selling”

  19. Looking to the Future • Value of auditing services continues to increase, but continuous innovations needed • International business capabilities increasingly important • IFRS will be the standard • Demand for accountants remains high • Quality counts and will be rewarded: • People, Quality, Growth, Profit

  20. Thank you!Questions?

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