Sue Almond, Technical Director at ACCA says: ”since the publication of the green paper on audit policy in October  2010, ACCA has been closely following the numerous - and sometimes controversial-  debates around the EU audit reform, and commends the compromise reached by the European Parliament and the Council. We believe that most elements of the texts strike a balance between reinstating stakeholders’ – especially investors- ’ confidence and a competitive environment for businesses. We now hope for a smooth final endorsement from the two co-legislators before the European elections in May. The next challenges are now in the hands of the member states, especially regarding a timely, consistent and proportionate implementation of the Directive, ensuring that legislation is workable and is not subject to unnecessary gold plating.

Sue Almond  explains: 'For ACCA, the cornerstone of the audit reform has always been about ensuring well structured and trusted audit services that bring the most value to businesses and the end-users. It is crucial that audit meets the demands of the business world, including those of management, investors and shareholders.

“Audit is only one part of this jigsaw and should be envisaged in the wider corporate reporting framework. Further progress could for instance be made through enhancing corporate governance as well as non-financial and –in the future- integrated reporting. Their development would help reflecting the interconnected nature of economic and financial performance with environmental, social and governance factors”, Sue Almond concluded.
-ends-

For more information, please contact:

Cecile Bonino
cecile.bonino@accaglobal.com
+32 (0) 2 286 11 37

Notes to Editors

1.    ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
2.    We support our 162,000 members and 428,000 students in 173 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. We work through a network of over 89 offices and centres and more than 8,500 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through our public interest remit, we promote appropriate regulation of accounting and conduct relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.
3.    Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. We believe that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development and seek to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards. Our values are aligned to the needs of employers in all sectors and we ensure that through our qualifications, we prepare accountants for business. We seek to open up the profession to people of all backgrounds and remove artificial barriers, innovating our qualifications and delivery to meet the diverse needs of trainee professionals and their employers.

Cecile Bonino
ACCA
Public Affairs and Media Relations Manager-EU
CBI business house
14 rue de la Science
BE-1040 Brussels
Tel:+32 (0) 2 286 11 37
Mob: +44 (0) 7809595008
http://www.accaglobal.com