FOR boards and their audit committees, the question "Is it time to change our external audit firm?" seems to be an evergreen conundrum.

The question could be prompted by the circumstances of the company or simply heightened awareness by one or more board members of the heavy discussion in the industry and internationally on the subject of mandatory auditor rotation.

The pros and cons of the subject are fairly well known. How a board arrives at a decision on the rotation of auditors depends on how the directors collectively weigh each of the factors.