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FRC: Reporting of non-financial conduct to the financial reporting council

The FRC has written to the six largest audit firms setting out its expectations for reporting of non-financial conduct to the FRC as part of its Audit Firm Monitoring and Supervision (AFMAS) responsibilities. 

A copy of the letter can be viewed below. 

As you are aware, the FRC’s Audit Firm Monitoring and Supervision (AFMAS) framework focuses on five key pillars: leadership and governance, values and behaviours, business models and financial soundness, risk management and control and audit quality.

Under the values and behaviours pillar, we wish to build on our current framework of interaction with the firm to understand and assess the design and effectiveness of the policies and procedures the firms have in place to facilitate the reporting of and response to nonfinancial conduct matters. Please would you provide us with your policies and procedures in relation to internal whistle-blowing, grievances, disciplinary matters and complaints from individuals outside the firm. The policies etc should include those which cover bullying and harassment, discrimination and alcohol/ substance abuse and the material should include extracts from intranet pages that provide guidance to partners and staff where applicable and relevant extracts of Board reporting packs (if applicable). The information is requested by no later than 30 August 2019 and any issues in meeting this deadline should be communicated to the FRC as soon as practicable.

Under the AFMAS framework we are also seeking to establish a clear process for the regular reporting to the FRC of the level of non-financial conduct complaints and how those complaints are dealt with, on a quarterly basis starting from the quarter ending 30 September 2019. This will provide us with valuable assurance over the effectiveness of the monitoring arrangements that firms have in place, along with a picture across the industry of potential emerging areas of concern. Attached at Appendix 1 is the form for completion and submission to the FRC at the end of each quarter. The first period for reporting is the quarter ended 30 September 2019, which, is requested by 11 October 2019.

Alongside the regular quarterly reporting, and as set out in the “Risk Reporting protocol” letter of May 2017, we expect you to notify the FRC of incidents which could pose a threat to the reputation the UK firm. This includes matters related to non-financial conduct. The determination of what matters are ‘significant’ in this regard will be subject to the firm’s judgement but should not be limited to audit partners and RIs but include all partners of the firm. Both the periodic and ad hoc reporting should be made to afmas@frc.org.uk with the subject of ‘non-financial conduct’.

We confirm that the information provided to the FRC will be treated as received in accordance with S1224A Companies Act 2006 and therefore subject to the prohibitions on onward disclosure and the limited exemptions. For example, information may be disclosed within the FRC for the purpose of carrying out its functions, to an organisation listed in Part 1 of Schedule 11A Companies Act 2006 or for the purposes set out in Part 2 of that Schedule.

We encourage a full and frank exchange of information between your firm and the FRC.

A copy of this letter has been shared with your INEs.

Contact the Press Office

William BoyackCommunications Manager

 

Original article link: https://www.frc.org.uk/news/july-2019/reporting-of-non-financial-conduct-to-the-financia

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