SEC Chief Accountant Highlights the Contribution of Academic Research to Policymaking

At the 2017 Journal of Accounting and Public Policy Conference, SEC Chief Accountant Wesley Bricker described the "significant contributions" of academic researchers to the quality and transparency of financial reporting and auditing policymaking. He also identified several areas that could benefit from further research.

Mr. Bricker explained that academic fellows in the Office of the Chief Accountant ("OCA") provide invaluable data analysis and policy research. He stated that these academic fellows help the OCA develop rulemaking strategies and evaluations that improve the oversight process and facilitate the development of accounting standards. He affirmed that academic research is a valuable resource for (i) examining companies' internal controls, particularly regarding new accounting standards and the role of audit committees, and (ii) evaluating the impact of technological innovations on the financial reporting needs of investors.