SEC Announces Financial Disclosure and Auditor Oversight Roundtable in Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2002-46

Washington, D.C., March 27, 2002 — The Securities and Exchange Commission will hold a roundtable discussion in Chicago on April 4 to examine proposals to better protect investors by reforming financial disclosure and auditor oversight.

Roundtable panelists will include experts from corporate America, securities regulation, financial services, academia and other fields. The SEC will announce a list of roundtable panelists and moderators next week.

The morning session (10:00 a.m. to noon) will focus on financial disclosure. Key questions for discussion include:

• What information do investors need to make informed investment decisions?
   
• How can financial disclosures be made more intelligible?
   
• What information needs to be communicated more quickly, and how can that be accomplished?

Note revised session time!

The afternoon session (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) will be devoted to auditor oversight, including discussions of:

• What structure-governmental body, private organization or other-can best oversee accounting regulation?
   
• What should be the membership of such an organization, and how should it be funded?
   
• How can independent decision-making be assured?

The public is invited to attend the roundtable on a first-come, first-served basis, but seating is limited. The SEC will also offer an audio Webcast of the event on the SEC Web site free of charge.

The roundtable will take place at the SEC's Midwest Regional Office, 9th floor, 175 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago. The SEC conducted similar roundtable discussions earlier this month in New York City and Washington, D.C.

http://www.sec.gov/news/headlines/chicagoroundtable.htm