The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that its third roundtable discussion on accounting and audit reforms will be held in Chicago on April 4, 2002. This event follows similar roundtable discussions held in New York and Washington. It will examine proposals to better protect investors by reforming financial disclosure and auditor oversight.

The morning session (10:00 a.m. to noon) will focus on financial disclosure, including discussion of:

• 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?

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?

As with prior roundtables, this event will be webcast and an audio file will be available on the SEC's web site. Observers are welcome to attend the roundtable in person, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

-Rosemary Schlank