XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) supports the electronic communication of business and financial information, allowing for quicker preparation, distribution and analysis. Enhanced Business Reporting considers all factors, including non-financial measures, contributing to a company's value.

The link between XBRL and Enhanced Business Reporting was spotlighted by Barry Melancon, AICPA president and CEO, in March testimony to Congress on the need for a new financial reporting model.

"Both Enhanced Business Reporting and XBRL have as their fundamental goals improved quality and transparency of business information used for decision making," said Susan Coffey, senior vice president of the AICPA's Member Quality and State Regulation. "Enhanced Business Reporting concerns the content of what is being reported, while XBRL deals with the format in which information is reported."

Amy Pawlicki, the AICPA's liaison to the Enhanced Business Reporting Consortium, will supervise the combined effort as director of Business Reporting, Assurance and Advisory Services & XBRL. Pawlicki joined the AICPA in 2002 to work on a number of strategic initiatives concerning membership sections, credentials, and technical specialties such as business valuation and forensic litigation services. In her new role she will coordinate the institute's activities with the Enhanced Business Reporting and XBRL consortia. She additionally will serve as staff liaison to the AICPA Assurance Services Executive Committee.

The Enhanced Business Reporting Consortium, which consists of corporations, investors, the accounting profession and others involved in corporate financial reporting, is working to develop a voluntary framework and, ultimately, related XBRL taxonomies that would serve as best practices in business reporting. More information may be found at http://www.ebr360.org./