Exhibits

The following exhibits were submitted to the SEC in hard copy form with the AICPA's comment letter on September 25, 2000:

1. Earnscliffe Research & Communications, Report to the United States Independence Standards Board: Research into Perceptions of Auditor Independence and Objectivity - Phase II (July 2000)

2. Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, National Industry Survey (Sept. 12, 2000)

3. W. Steve Albrecht & Robert J. Sack, Accounting Education: Charting the Course through a Perilous Future (Aug. 2000)

4. AICPA, Serving the Public Interest: A New Conceptual Framework For Auditor Independence (Oct. 20, 1997)

5. Memorandum from Gary Orren to AICPA, Analysis of Earnscliffe Report and SEC Rule Proposal (Sept. 19, 2000)

6. Selected AICPA Rules, Interpretations and Requirements

   • AICPA Code, Interpretation 101
     
   • AICPA Code, Interpretation 102
     
   • AICPA Code, ET Section 191
     
   • AICPA Code, Interpretation 302
     
   • AICPA Code, Interpretation 505
     
   • AICPA, SEC Practice Section Reference Manual, Organizational Structure and Functions of the SEC Practice Section § 1000.35, Appendix A (April 2000)
     
   • AICPA Amendment of Bylaws and Related Council Resolutions Relating to the Practice Monitoring (Peer Review) Requirement

7. Prepared Testimony of AICPA Representatives before the Securities and Exchange Commission - Public Hearings on Auditor Independence (Sept. 13 and Sept. 21, 2000)

   • Statement of Robert K. Elliott, Chairman, AICPA, Sept. 13, 2000
     
     
   • Testimony of Harold L. Monk, Jr., Chairman of the PCPS Executive Committee, AICPA, Sept. 13, 2000
     
   • Testimony of Gary Shamis, Chairman, Management of An Accounting Practice Committee, AICPA, Sept. 13, 2000
     
   • Testimony of Gordon A. Viere, Chairman, Practice Group B Advisory Committee, AICPA, Sept. 13, 2000
     
   • Statement of Robert K. Elliott, Chairman, AICPA, Sept. 21, 2000
     
   • Remarks of Barry Melancon, President and CEO, AICPA,
     Sept. 21, 2000