Washington DC (December 4, 2025) – Today, the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) and Ideagen Audit Analytics released the 12th annual Audit Committee Transparency Barometer Report. The report, which has been conducted since 2014, analyzes audit committee disclosures of companies in the S&P 1500.
As audit committees navigate emerging risks including economic disruption and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence, investors need insights into board composition, expertise, and oversight processes. This year’s Barometer shows that while skills matrix disclosure continues at high rates and disclosure of cybersecurity expertise on boards has grown, most disclosure areas have stagnated or declined, providing audit committees with an opportunity to enhance transparency about their evolving oversight responsibilities.
Key findings of the report include:
- 90% of S&P 500 companies disclosed the board of directors’ skills matrix, an increase from 85% in 2024. S&P MidCap companies (80%) and S&P SmallCap companies (70%) also showed slight increases.
- 65% of S&P 500 boards disclosed they have a cybersecurity expert—representing a 5-percentage point increase from 2024.
- Stagnation and decline of audit committee disclosures were observed across several measures, including (for S&P 500 companies): disclosure of the annual evaluation of the external auditor (decreased from 39% to 38%); considerations in appointing or (re)appointing the external auditor (remained flat at 50%); and factors contributing to the selection of the audit partner (decreased from 17% to 16%).
“When disruption accelerates, disclosures cannot stand still,” said Julie Bell Lindsay, CEO of the Center for Audit Quality. “Audit committees perform a key role in our capital markets, from overseeing the external auditor to monitoring company financial reporting and internal controls and serving as an effective check on management. Meaningful, investor-focused disclosure is one of the most powerful tools audit committees have to tell their story and demonstrate this important role. Each proxy season presents an important opportunity for audit committees to more clearly communicate how they oversee risk and uphold audit quality, strengthening investor confidence in a rapidly changing environment.”
“As audit committee responsibilities continue to expand, the Audit Committee Transparency Barometer provides critical insights into how committees are adapting their disclosures and where there is room for improvement,” said Michael Nohrden, VP Strategy Audit and Risk for Ideagen. “Our ongoing collaboration with the CAQ ensures audit committees have access to robust data and peer comparisons across the S&P 1500, empowering them to strengthen their communications with stakeholders. With emerging risks like AI adoption and cybersecurity threats reshaping oversight responsibilities, transparent disclosure has never been more important.”
The full report is available to read here.
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About the Center for Audit Quality
The CAQ champions the public interest in the capital markets by:
- Elevating the quality, credibility, and transparency of public company audits;
- Advancing critical issues affecting public company audits;
- Driving innovation in assurance; and
- Providing a collaborative forum for capital market stakeholders to address evolving needs and challenges.
As the voice of the public company audit profession, we work to instill trust in corporate reporting and the integrity of the auditing process, ultimately empowering investors, companies, and society as a whole.
About Ideagen Audit Analytics
Ideagen Audit Analytics is an independent research provider that enables the accounting, legal, and investment communities to analyze auditor market intelligence, public company disclosure trends, and risk indicators. For more information, email info@auditanalytics.com or call 508-476-7007.