Canadian accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP is launching a year-long campaign to help re-build public trust in financial audits. The national campaign starts on August 27.

In June, the firm released a white paper outlining its approach to auditor independence and ethics, quality assurance, and corporate governance issues. Last fall, the firm made available to all its clients a management issues paper and self-assessment questionnaire to help companies better understand good governance strategies.

In the next few months, the firm will continue initiatives designed to re-build confidence in the accounting profession. This fall, executive partner and CEO Alex MacBeath and other senior Grant Thornton partners will launch a national speaking tour to address corporate governance issues.

“Our firm welcomes greater public scrutiny, even if the initial reasons for this attention have been unfortunate,” said MacBeath, referring to widespread reports about alleged accounting irregularities.

“Mid-market listed companies and privately-owned businesses need to take good corporate governance just as seriously as big brand firms,” said MacBeath.