To avoid collision with the eighth company directive, the field of statutory final examinations should be expressly excluded from the scope of the provisions on freedom to provide services.

For firms wishing to set up a subsidiary, freedom of establishment still gives rise to problems because many Member States have adopted laws and regulations which are stricter than the Eighth Directive.

The Green Paper addresses the following issues which are not covered adequately by the 8th Directive or other EU rules: * the role of the statutory auditor in determining inter alia the accuracy of financial statements, company solvency, the existence of fraud, respect by the company of legal obligations and responsibilities to the environment and society * the contents of the audit report * the independence of the auditor * rules on the appointment and dismissal of the auditor * the level of the audit fee * the auditing of small companies and groups of companies * whether the liability of the statutory auditor should be limited * applic ...[+++]ation to the auditing profession of Community rules on freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services. In drafting the Green Paper, the Commission took account of various studies which have been produced in this field at national and international level.