Lynn Turner, Chief Accountant of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, recently spoke on auditor independence and on the self-regulation process for auditors. The speech is available from the SEC website www.sec.gov/news/speeches/spch340.htm.

The SEC seeks comments on issues identified in a recently issued concept release addressing International Accounting Standards. The concept release is available from the SEC website www.sec.gov/rules/concept/34-42430.htm.

Please contact Dick Dietrich, Academic Fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant, for more information at (202) 942-4411.