UK: Government consults on CMA statutory audit market recommendations

Earlier this year, the Competition and Markets Authority published its report and recommendations in respect of the statutory audit market: see here. The recommendations are now the subject of an initial consultation by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that opened yesterday: see here (pdf).

Views are being sought on the core remedies proposed by the CMA, including the enhanced regulatory oversight of audit committees; the introduction of mandatory joint audits of FTSE 350 firms; proposals to mitigate the effects of the distress or a failure of a 'Big Four' firm; and the operational split between audit and non-audit practices of ‘Big Four’ firms. Views are also sought on other proposals that did not form part of the CMA's core remedies.