Events

At a time of rising uncertainty, the interplay between board members, the management of companies, auditors and supervisors has never been so critical to corporate reporting quality. High quality corporate reporting builds trust which ensures the effective functioning of financial markets. Recent major corporate failures such as Wirecard and corporate concerns over lack of choice in the PIE audit market have heightened the need for an EU initiative to enhance the corporate reporting framework.

According to the Consultation launched by the Commission last year, 65% of the respondents expressed clear support for such an initiative, with 82% of them considering there was a need for improvement of some or all of the three pillars (corporate governance, staturory audit and supervision of PIE auditors). Only 13% say there is enough choice in finding an auditor at appropriate cost. (For details, please see Consultation outcomes – Summary report)

The panel representing board members, auditors and supervisors will consider the following points and respond to questions raised by the audience:
– For board members, what is the EU key priority to tackle perceived deficiencies in corporate reporting?
– What would help board members to better monitor audit quality and select their auditor(s)?
– What are the options for the EU to create a more diversified and vibrant PIE audit market?

Please register to our upcoming event via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XkZhR1YNRtqaHP4a96uZxg

The subject of internal control is becoming more predominant in current debates, whether it concerns reflection on corporate reporting, ESRS standards or audit reform debates at national level like in the UK and in the Netherlands. What is meant by internal control? What is the role of internal control for ESG? What lessons from Sarbanes Oxley?

With speakers:

Stephen Licence
Maurizio Donvito
Anne-Hélène Monsellato
Rogier Wezenbeek
Jacomien van den Hurk
Rachel Bowden

The pressure on European companies is accelerating to integrate the ESG dimension into their strategy and business models. At the same time, banks are also more and more required to deliver green, sustainable and taxonomy-aligned loans.
These various pressures may result in SMEs suffering from a financing shortfall, because of their lack of human and financial resources to report on sustainability, while financing is a key prerequisite for SMEs to green their business models. This vicious circle could only be broken by a reflection at European level on how to effectively finance these changes in strategy in order not to put business out of business. Given that banks are the main source of fundings for SMEs, their support is key to finance this transition for direct business benefit.

This joint ecoDa / Mazars Webinar, which will take place on the 5th of April (from 11.00 to 12.30 CEST) will tackle the following questions: How does incorporation of ESG elements into lending policies can be done in a phased and intelligent approach for the interest of all? What are the key challenges SMEs face in financing their sustainability transition ? How can banks best accompany SMEs on their transition journey ? How should board members of SMEs proceed to move forward down the sustainability path?