The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved Nasdaq’s proposal to increase diversity in boardrooms of companies listed on the exchange. Under the new guidelines, most listed companies would be required to have one or more female director, as well as a director from an “underrepresented” minority group, namely anyone who Read More
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Big Four firm Ernst & Young, one of its partners, and two of its former partners with improper professional conduct for violating auditor independence rules in trying to become the auditor of Sealed Air, a publicly held company with close to $5 billion in Read More
A federal judge in San Francisco dismissed charges against Big Four firm PwC, after a former employee had claimed the firm terminated him for blowing the whistle about conflicts of interest with audit clients. In November 2016, former PwC employee Mauro Botta went to the Securities and Exchange Commission with Read More
The Justice Department is probing embattled electric-truck startup Lordstown Motors Corp., according to people familiar with the matter. The Securities and Exchange Commission is also looking at the company. The SEC first requested information from Lordstown Motors in February and has issued subpoenas regarding Lordstown Motors’ move last year to become Read More
The Securities and Exchange Commission has released its 2021 “Agency Rule List” to give companies an idea of the regulations in its pipeline and when they can expect them to move forward. The list includes a schedule of proposed and final rules on such topics such as climate change disclosures, Read More
Last October, the Securities and Exchange Commission sent a clear message to companies with significant operations overseas: ensure that a robust anti-bribery program is in place and functioning properly or pay the price. The SEC sent that message via a $10 million fine against Sussex, Wisconsin-based printing and marketing company Read More
The Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly investigating former Public Company Accounting Oversight Board chairman, William Duhnke, over his handling of internal complaints. Whistleblowers have alleged that Duhnke created “a sense of fear” and intimidation within the agency, according to reports. The former chairman also came under fire during his Read More
The American Institute of CPAs and the Center for Audit Quality submitted comments to the Securities and Exchange Commission expressing support for improved climate change disclosures by companies. The SEC requested input regarding expanded climate change disclosure requirements in a public letter in March. The SEC is ramping up its Read More
On Friday, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the removal William Duhnke from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) without providing a reason for his dismissal in the official press release. The PCAOB regulates audits conducted on publicly traded companies. Board member Duane DesParte will serve as the acting Read More
Investors and regulators are pushing for more comprehensive and uniform reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. Some organizations are even tying incentive compensation metrics to ESG goals. In March, the Securities and Exchange Commission said it would be looking more closely at ESG disclosures and also announced the Read More
