SEC Post Information on Audit Independence

Just posted on the SEC website:

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 mandates that audit committees be directly responsible for the oversight of the engagement of the company's independent auditor, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) rules are designed to ensure that auditors are independent of their audit clients. The purpose of this brochure is to highlight certain Commission rules and other authoritative pronouncements relevant to audit committee oversight responsibilities regarding the auditor's independence. More information on this topic is available in the Commission's rules and on the Commission's web site at www.sec.gov/about/offices/oca/ocaprof.htm.

Audit committees should also be aware that the PCAOB has Ethics and Independence Rules Concerning Independence, Tax Services, and Contingent Fees.