The SEC and the FASB have been working with their international counterparts on a convergence effort to develop high
quality, internationally comparable financial information that investors find useful for decision making in global capital
markets (SEC, 2008; Financial Accounting Foundation, 2009). The convergence efforts have focused on coordinating
standard setting and reducing differences in accounting standards. To this end, the FASB and IASB are working to achieve
the standard-setting milestones specified in their Memorandum of Understanding (FASB and IASB, 2008) with a goal of
developing a single set of high quality accounting standards. In their conceptual frameworks for financial reporting, the
FASB (FASB, 2010) and IASB (IASB, 2010) identify comparability as the qualitative characteristic of financial information
that enables users to identify and understand similarities in, and differences among, items. Some degree of comparability
is attained when two entities faithfully represent similar economic phenomena similarly. However, comparability of
accounting information is a function not only of accounting standards, but also of interpretation, auditing, and the
regulatory, litigation, and enforcement environment. Recognizing this, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards
Board has been developing International Standards on Auditing to enhance convergence in application of accounting
standards around the world. Similarly, the SEC and the International Organization of Securities Commissions are working
to coordinate oversight and regulation to facilitate consistent enforcement across countries.