SEC Chairman Jay Clayton supports the new rule, noting, “CAMs are designed to provide investors and other financial statement users with the auditor’s perspective on matters discussed with the audit committee that relate to material accounts or disclosures and involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex auditor judgment. Investors will benefit from understanding more about how auditors view these matters.”
Opponents to the proposed standard had expressed concerns it would lead to auditors’ disclosing “immaterial” and confidential information. In a comment letter urging the SEC to reject the standard, 28 major corporations and businesses, including groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and companies like Nike, UPS, UnitedHealth, and Chevron, argued that it “will make audited financial statements a less effective means of disclosure, making the investment decision making process less efficient and leading to significant negative consequences for public companies.”
November 2017
