FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            2002-46


  SEC Announces Financial Disclosure and Auditor Oversight
                    Roundtable in Chicago
                              
     Washington, D.C., March 27, 2002—The Securities and
Exchange Commission will hold a roundtable discussion in
Chicago on April 4 to examine proposals to better protect
investors by reforming financial disclosure and auditor
oversight.
     
     Roundtable panelists will include experts from
corporate America, securities regulation, financial
services, academia and other fields.  The SEC will announce
a list of roundtable panelists and moderators next week.
     
     The morning session (10:00 a.m. to noon) will focus on
financial disclosure.  Key questions for discussion include:
     
     · *  What information do investors need to make informed
          investment decisions?
     · *  How can financial disclosures be made more
          intelligible?
     · *  What information needs to be communicated more quickly,
          and how can that be accomplished?

     The afternoon session (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.)[*] will be
devoted to auditor oversight, including discussions of:
     
     · *  What structure—governmental body, private organization
          or other—can best oversee accounting regulation?
     · *  What should be the membership of such an organization,
          and how should it be funded?
     · *  How can independent decision-making be assured?
     
     The public is invited to attend the roundtable on a
first-come, first-served basis, but seating is limited.  The
SEC will also offer an audio Webcast of the event on the SEC
Web site free of charge.
     
     The roundtable will take place at the SEC's Midwest
Regional Office, 9th floor, 175 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago.
The SEC conducted similar roundtable discussions earlier
this month in New York City and Washington, D.C.
     
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[*] WEBMASTER NOTE: Afternoon session time updated!