Statistics from the SEC show that since 2007, the number of financial statement and accounting fraud cases has steadily declined. At the SEC Speaks conference in late February 2012, however, Howard Scheck, the Chief Accountant in the Enforcement Division, reiterated that such cases remain “a core focus” for the Commission. Andrew Calamari, Associate Director of the New York Regional Office, added that cases against audit firms are a particular area of focus, and he pointed out that the SEC filed actions against affiliates of three of the Big Four accounting firms over the last year.

What is the current state of the SEC's enforcement efforts in the areas of accounting and auditing and where is the SEC focusing its efforts going forward? On April 19 I will moderate a webcast in which Howard Scheck and a panel of experts will discuss this topic in depth. The panel will examine recent accounting cases in key areas including improper revenue recognition, cross border matters, impairment and disclosure issues relating to loans and securities, auditor liability and independence, materiality, and internal controls. The panel will also discuss initiatives, priorities and litigation developments within the Enforcement Division's Office of the Chief Accountant.

Please join Howard Scheck, Chief Accountant of the Division of Enforcement; William R. Baker III, Partner at Latham & Watkins and former Associate Director of Enforcement at the SEC; and Lisa Troe, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting and a former Regional Chief Enforcement Accountant with the SEC's Los Angeles Regional Office as they address these issues and your questions in a free webcast. To attend this webcast scheduled for Thursday, April 19, at 1 pm Eastern, please visit this link.