Trust Powers the American Economy
Trust gives investors confidence to make well-informed decisions that help companies compete, innovate, and grow.
That trust comes from the value of independent, transparent, and reliable audits, performed by experts who deliver unmatched confidence in the information investors and companies need. Our economy relies on auditor independence, expertise, and oversight — unique qualities that set auditors apart from other assurance providers.
The assurance provided by audits doesn’t just help investors—it supports everyone in our economy:
Small businesses create trust to attract investors and access capital—fueling economic prosperity across the country.
Investors, workers, and retirees gain confidence in the reliability of financial information.
Employees trust in their employers, strengthening the labor force.
Innovating to Meet Tomorrow's Challenges
As investors increasingly seek new information from companies, trust remains a constant result of assurance provided by public company auditors.
Emerging areas like AI, cybersecurity, and ESG require a new approach to investor information—one that relies on the tried-and-true assurance only auditors can provide. Audit firms are best qualified to provide assurance on non-financial information because they bring subject matter expertise, rigor, and independence to the audit process.
AI & the Future of Auditing
Generative AI is already enhancing audits by automating manual tasks, catching anomalies, and allowing auditors to focus on strategic analysis. However, human oversight remains irreplaceable as auditors leverage AI while applying judgment, skepticism, and expertise to ensure reliable financial reporting.
1 in 3 audit partners see companies in their primary industry sector deploying or planning to deploy AI in their financial reporting process.
Audit firms have invested over $6.4 billion in AI systems and processes.
of S&P 500 boards disclosed they have a cybersecurity expert compared with 51% in 2023.
Cyber threats are evolving, making cybersecurity a top concern. According to an EY survey, 100% of Fortune 100 companies reported cybersecurity as a risk factor. Auditors play a crucial role in ensuring reliable, comparable cybersecurity disclosures, helping:
Discover More: The Role of Auditors in Company-Prepared Cybersecurity Information: Present and Future
As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting becomes central to investment decisions, auditor assurance strengthens confidence in corporate sustainability claims.
Auditors: Experienced, Regulated, Independent
America’s auditors are the world’s gold standard for audit quality, keeping companies accountable on behalf of investors, workers, and retirees. Their expertise fuels confidence, ensuring markets remain transparent, stable, and trustworthy.
Assurance is trustworthy because it is provided by experts who adhere to a rigorous set of standards and systems of quality control. They meet stringent professional requirements, including technical training, to perform an audit or attestation engagement, and utilize highly skilled in-house expertise to achieve high-quality audits.
Discover More: How SOX protects markets and strengthens auditor independence.
The Future of Trust
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