The Professional Oversight Board, an operating board of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), today published the eighth edition of Key Facts and Trends in the Accountancy Profession.

This brings together in one place a range of information from the major audit firms, the Chartered Accountancy Bodies and those bodies which can offer the recognised professional qualification for audit and can register and supervise audit firms. The eighth edition reflects this information up to 31st December 2009.

Paul George, Director of Auditing and the Oversight Board, said:

“Key Facts and Trends includes information from a number of different sources. Taken together this information illustrates the size and shape of the accountancy profession and gives the context within which POB operates and oversees the regulation of the profession.

The information shows the impact of the economic downturn and recession on the profession. Nevertheless, it remains an attractive career with the overall numbers of members and students continuing to grow both worldwide and in the UK and Republic of Ireland.”

Key Facts and Trends in the Accountancy Profession is available at: POB Publications. Should you wish to receive a hard copy please e-mail your name and address to Christina Trickett c.trickett@frc-pob.org.uk

 

1. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is the UK’s independent regulator responsible for promoting high quality corporate governance and reporting to foster investment.
2. The Professional Oversight Board contributes to the achievement of the Financial Reporting Council’s fundamental aim of promoting confidence in corporate reporting and governance. It has four main responsibilities:
   1. A statutory obligation to oversee the regulation of auditors by the recognised accountancy bodies;
   2. The monitoring of the quality of the auditing function in relation to economically significant entities;
   3. Independent oversight of the regulation of the accountancy profession by the professional accountancy bodies;
   4. Independent oversight of the regulation of the actuarial profession by the professional actuarial bodies.
3. The Professional Oversight Board is independent of the accountancy and actuarial professions. Its members have wide experience of business and the professions, the public sector, accountancy, auditing and actuarial work. The Chair is Dame Barbara Mills DBE QC.
4. Press enquiries should be directed to Paul George, Director of Auditing and Director, Professional Oversight Board on 0207 492 2340.