The European Commission has launched a public consultation on control structures in audit firms and on the possible ways forward. The purpose of the consultation is to examine possible ways for finding catalysts to stimulate the emergence of new players in the international audit market. This may include deregulation of the capitalisation of audit firms, unbundling, and other catalysts related to human capital of audit firms. The Commission invites stakeholders to give their views on the issues involved by February, 28th, 2009.

This consultation follows an independent study on the ownership rules of audit firms and their consequences for audit market concentration, published by the Commission on October 2007. The study analysed whether changes to the ownership rules of audit firms might help increase the number of international players in the audit market.

On the basis of this study, the Commission invites stakeholders to give their views on two possible options for opening up the international audit market:

• Particular focus on deregulation of the capitalisation of audit firms (unbundling) as the catalyst for opening up the audit market. Deregulating the capital structure implies modification of Article 3.4 of the 2006 Directive on Statutory Audit, which requires that auditors hold a majority of the voting rights in an audit firm and that a majority of auditors control the management board. This should however not be to the detriment of robust independence rules.
• Wider focus on a range of catalysts. The report identified other barriers than access to capital which also play an important role in affecting the entry and could also be discussed: reputation; quality and expertise of staff; low switching rates (reasons for companies not to change their auditor); differences among firms in their international outreach; and differences in independence rules.

“European capital markets have become much more integrated in the last few years. However, the European Union seems to face fragmented audit markets”, said Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy. “In order to ensure a sustainable international audit market, more players are needed to meet the demand by international companies. This is especially true in the light of the current financial turmoil, which might also contribute to widening the existing gap between the Big 4 and the mid-tier audit firms.”

The consultation is open for concerned stakeholders until February, 28th, 2009.