FEI continues expanding its global presence.

• Author: Hollein, Marie N.
• Position: FROM THE PRESIDENT - Financial Executives International - Viewpoint essay

Financial Executives International (FEI) continues to expand its voice in the United States through its membership, advocacy initiatives and reputational leadership. At the same time the organization is continually seeking to grow its presence and reputation around the globe.

We are working toward that goal on several fronts, including an event scheduled in May in the United Kingdom. In addition, a late-fall event will take place in Singapore. Many financial executives in both of the regions are anticipating the U.K. and Singapore events.

In addition, FEI Japan, FEI's newest international chapter, is planning to present a conference in the fall on the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)/International Accounting Standards Board's (IASB) joint revenue recognition project; and the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) is sponsoring an anti-fraud conference with FEI Japan in October.

Also of note, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) has a keen interest in the COSO Framework (the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission's Internal Control-Integrated Framework). An updated framework (the original was introduced in 1992) is expected to be released during the spring. FEI is in discussions regarding a possible event in Japan in conjunction with Japan's FSA as well.

Emerging Global Opportunities

Global opportunities continue to emerge. For example, we have been approached by a financial executives' organization in the Philippines whose members wish to affiliate with FEI and interest has also been expressed from Puerto Rico. All this global development is going on as we consider other potential opportunities in India, China and Brazil.

As FEI continues to grow its international voice and expand its reach into other regions of the global marketplace--similar to that of many of our member companies--the organization continues to strengthen its U.S. presence as well.

On Other Matters

As to the...