Business Services Industry

PCAOB facilitates whistleblowing

Internal Auditor, Oct, 2004

THE U.S. PUBLIC Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) recently began accepting enforcement tips and complaints via a new online form and toll-free number. The new system is aimed at helping individuals provide the PCAOB with information concerning any matter relating to the board and its work under the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

"As the recent scandals have shown, individuals with integrity do often step up and take a stand when they see misconduct taking place," says Claudius Modesti, PCAOB director of enforcement and investigations. "We want to make sure that these individuals have an easily accessible way of reporting any information that they might have."

The U.S. watchdog says it is interested in receiving:

* Tips on potential violations of Sarbanes-Oxley, PCAOB rules, or other applicable laws, committed by registered accounting firms or their associated persons.

* Information that may be relevant to a PCAOB inspection of a registered public accounting firm

* Any other information that may be relevant to the work of the PCAOB.

Tips can be submitted via an online form at www.pcaobus.org/tips/tips.a spx, by e-mail at tips@pcaobus.org, or by calling 1-800-741-3158 (U.S. only). PCAOB officials say they intend to review and evaluate all information thoroughly and take action accordingly.

For additional information regarding the submission of tips and complaints, visit www.pcaobus.org/tips.> --D.S.