The Monitoring Group, consisting of public authorities responsible for monitoring the international audit standard-setting process (the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), the European Commission (EC), the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), and the World Bank Group (WBG)), has issued a consultation paper setting out options to enhance the independence, relevance and transparency of international audit standard setting in the public interest.

The consultation paper focuses on the governance and structure of the Standard Setting Boards (SSB) that support auditing as a public interest activity, namely the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants. The proposal is far-reaching, setting out the main areas of concern regarding the current structure and considering, among other matters, the number, remit and size of the SSBs and their staffs; the accountability of the SSBs to International Federation of Accountants (IFAC); the process for nominating members to the SSBs; the roles of the Public Interest Oversight Board and the Monitoring Group; and the means by which the structure is funded.

Comments on the Consultation are due February 9, 2018 and can be viewed here.