1. The new EU directive requires the establishment of an audit committee within publicly listed companies. Discuss the objectives and benefits of such requirements. What would be the rules on the...

1. The new EU directive requires the establishment of an audit committee within publicly listed companies. Discuss the objectives and benefits of such requirements. What would be the rules on the membership and work of that committee?

2. According to the information published by the European Federation of Accountants (FEE, 2005), the membership of this professional body consists of forty-four professional institutes of accountants from thirty-two countries. FEE member bodies are present in all twenty-five member states of the EU and three member countries of EFTA. FEE member bodies represent more than 500,000 accountants in Europe.

In your opinion, how would be possible to harmonize the audit profession in the EU taking into consideration the differences in terms of legal, economic, financial, educational and cultural situations within the European member states?