When the EC published a green paper consultation on audit policy in October 2010, it set out to achieve a comprehensive, forward-looking debate where ‘no subject should be taboo’. The debate poses numerous challenges, but also presents opportunities with regard to the evolution of audit in the EU to serve the economy in the next generation. The many ideas put forward by the EC and stakeholders in responses to the consultation will be discussed at a major conference in Brussels on 10 February.