XBRL, Automation, and Enhancing the Credibility of Financial Reporting and Auditing

Thank you Walter, and ladies and gentlemen, for your warm welcome. It is my pleasure to be here today. Clearly, there is increased interest in XBRL and a growing recognition of the important role it can play in enhancing the integrity and the credibility of financial reporting and auditing. This is evidenced by the attendance here today of all of you and of the participation in this conference of leaders of the accountancy profession, the private sector and government. This historic city of Philadelphia was the site of many important events in the founding of the United States. And this week, Philadelphia again plays host to a revolution - this one, a quiet revolution in the way that we report and audit financial information.