RSM, the first audit network to join the French regulator’s initiative in its search for talent

Following the example of regulators in the US and the Netherlands, the H3C has established a new process of exchanging expertise with audit firms in France.

This new initiative aims to establish a win-win relationship between the H3C, on the one hand, which is looking to increase the number of experienced members recruited to carry out its controls, and the candidates and their firms, on the other hand, which can enhance their understanding of the regulatory body’s expectations and gain significant experience in quality standards and regulations, while also serving the interests of the general public.

As the first network to join this novel initiative, RSM, the seventh-largest global network of audit, tax and consulting experts, nominated an experienced audit director from the RMS network. From November 4, 2019, this director will work within the H3C team of controllers, supervising the profession and checking that firms operating mandates of public interest are compliant with professional ethics and independence requirements.

“Being able to participate in this skills gateway alongside the H3C is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our own goal of providing quality services to PIEs and middle market companies and to remain at the cutting edge of audit and quality standards”, says Jean-Michel Picaud, Chairman of RSM in France.

“It is no accident that the most rigorous regulatory bodies – in the US and the Netherlands – have implemented this system. Through it, the H3C and RSM will benefit mutually from the expertise of their teams in the field. To this end, RSM and the H3C are combining their efforts to expand the profession”, adds Jean-Charles Boucher, Head of Ethics & Independence of RSM in France.

“This initiative illustrates our willingness to work with professionals in the field to enhance quality standards in the audit profession. Through it we can strengthen our human resources by bringing on board new profiles already recognized for their skills and experience within their firms, and offering them the opportunity to hone these skills and experience further in a variety of activity sectors given the many types of mandates examined by the H3C, and become an active player in their profession while also serving the public interest. The firms and professionals participating in this process will thus be able to gain a better insight into the regulator's expectations of the profession”, concludes Christine Guéguen, Chair of the H3C board.