August 16, 2017
I'm writing to express support for the proposed rule's requirement for disclosure of "Critical Audit Matters."
While a CPA, I do not perform financial statement audits. I'm writing this comment from my perspective as an investor.
The information provided by the required disclosure would be valuable for investor consideration. Additionally, this valuable information would likely include minimal additional cost as to the accounting firm as the requisite analysis is already being undertaken in the audit process. Finally, I believe the required disclosure would enhance the quality of both management's subjective judgment and estimates, and the auditor's review of the same.
Assuming the required disclosures are made by the accounting firm, I believe it would actually decrease the potential liability a firm would incur. A risk averse accounting firm will err on the side of additional disclosure, which I see as nothing but beneficial for the investing public.