1. TOPICS / AUDITING

Compilation and review

A bright line in SSARSs

New standards for accounting and review services include significant changes for accountants in public practice who prepare financial statements for clients. Find out more about the changes contained in newly issued Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) No. 21.

How SSARS No. 21 became a standard

It took years of deliberation and professionwide collaboration to produce Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) No. 21. Here’s how the AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) developed the standard, which was issued Oct. 23: Initial exposure draft On June 29, 2012, ARSC initially exposed for

Standards revised for reviews, compilations, engagements to prepare financial statements

Clarified and revised standards for compilations and engagements to prepare financial statements released Thursday create a bright line between accounting (preparation) and reporting (compilation) services. The AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) released Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) No. 21, which contains significant changes for

When does Section 70 of SSARS No. 21 apply?

Section 70, Preparation of Financial Statements, of Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services No. 21, Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services: Clarification and Recodification, applies when an accountant in public practice is engaged to prepare financial statements. The following table provides examples of services that the

A makeover for compilations

Three proposed standards were exposed for public comment by the AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) on Oct. 23.

ARSC proposes framework for compilation and review engagements

A new proposal by the AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) will provide a framework for performing and reporting on compilation and review engagements. The proposal, resulting from ARSC’s clarity project, also sets forth the meaning of certain terms used in Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services

Significant changes to compilation included in 3 proposed standards

From Staff Reports Three standards proposed by the AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) as part of its clarity project include a proposal that would significantly change compilation literature. An exposure draft (ED) invites public comment on the proposals. The ED includes: A proposed, revised compilation standard that would

ARSC to propose new preparation, compilation, association standards

From Staff Reports Three new standards the AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) voted Thursday to propose would help practitioners clearly distinguish between preparation and reporting services. ARSC voted to expose for public comment proposals titled Preparation of Financial Statements, Compilation Engagements, and Association With Financial Statements. An exposure

U.K. regulator considering mandatory audit firm rotation

A much awaited summary of provisional findings of the U.K. Competition Commission (CC) stated that companies are reluctant to change auditors because they have difficulty comparing alternatives with their existing auditor, prefer continuity, and face significant costs in switching auditors. In addition, the provisional findings, released Friday, stated that instead

AICPA committee withdraws compilation, association ED

The AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) has voted to withdraw its compilation and association exposure draft in response to comment letters from stakeholders. The compilation proposal would have revised the applicability of the compilation standard but would have retained the compilation service as an attest service. The association

ARSC seeks comment on SSARS proposals

The AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) has exposed for public comment proposed Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) as part of its clarity project. ARSC has separated the proposals in an attempt to make the clarified standards easier to use, understand, and implement. The proposed

Ethics / Compilation & review

Two AICPA committees extended comment deadlines to Nov. 30 on recently proposed revisions to professional standards. The proposed change to the ethics rules would require CPAs who prepare financial statements for attest clients to apply the general requirements of Interpretation No. 101-3, Nonattest Services, to maintain their independence. Proposed changes

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States look to unclaimed property for revenue

This free report outlines the escheat process, common types of AUP, how different states are handling it and how companies can plan for potential audits and liabilities.

PODCAST

Using drones to enhance audits

Hermann Sidhu, CPA, global assurance digital leader at EY, walks us through EY’s exciting new project to use drones to help audit large warehouses and outdoor inventories.