This article outlines steps CPAs should consider when developing strategic audit plans for their own clients.
Advertisement
TOPICS
Audit & assurance
Why risk assessment merits increased auditor focus
In an effort to boost audit quality, the AICPA Peer Review Program is monitoring for instances where firms misunderstand the risk assessment standards. Data suggests that auditors need to devote more attention to assessing the risk of material misstatement and designing appropriate procedures.
Cybersecurity provides opportunities for auditors to serve
Practitioners can provide services to clients related to cybersecurity beyond their financial statement auditing role, according to a newly published report from the Center for Audit Quality.
Gauging risk assessment and response processes
How well do auditors perform in assessing and responding to risks of material misstatement? New research provides some answers.
SEC aims to reduce unnecessary auditor independence red flags
The SEC adopted amendments that are designed to reduce situations that trigger independence rule violations in situations that don’t necessarily impair an auditor’s objectivity or impartiality.
Audit committee cybersecurity disclosures rising in proxy statements
Disclosures around oversight of cybersecurity risk by audit committees are increasing in public company proxy statements, according to a yearly analysis released by the Center for Audit Quality and Audit Analytics. But other disclosures have leveled off in recent years.
‘Direct examination’ engagement created by SSAE No. 21
Practitioners will be able to perform a new engagement known as a direct examination for clients under a new standard published by the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB).
How auditors can enhance the reliability of non-GAAP reporting
Practitioners are not required to provide an opinion on non-GAAP measures during a financial statement audit, but they can be engaged to perform additional procedures related to this information, according to a new Center for Audit Quality report.
AICPA ethics proposal would limit firms’ loaning of staff to attest clients
CPA firms’ ability to loan staff to attest clients would be limited to rare circumstances under a newly proposed AICPA ethics interpretation.
More flexibility for agreed-upon procedures
Statement on Standards for Attestation
Engagements (SSAE) No. 19, Agreed-Upon
Procedures Engagements, provides practitioners more flexibility for performing agreed-upon procedures engagements.
Proposal aims to enhance auditors’ risk assessment process
A proposed standard by the AICPA Auditing Standards Board is designed to enhance auditors’ processes for identifying and responding to the risks of material misstatement in financial statements.
Video interview tips for forensic accountants and auditors
Social distancing rules designed to stunt the growth of the COVID-19 pandemic have made it impossible, or at least impractical, to conduct in-person interviews for forensic and auditing engagements.
AICPA urges firms to schedule peer reviews as off-site deadline is extended
The AICPA Peer Review Board voted to continue permitting remote system reviews for CPA firms without prior approval of the administering entity for system reviews commencing before June 30, 2021.
Auditors show resilience during pandemic, CAQ’s Lindsay says
The effective response by public company auditors during the coronavirus pandemic has helped maintain the public’s faith in the capital markets, Center for Audit Quality Executive Director Julie Bell Lindsay said.
Pandemic-related FAQs for health care entities
Health care entities’ financial statement preparers and auditors can benefit from an FAQ document developed by the AICPA on issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.
AICPA encourages COVID-19 tax relief and issues new auditing standards
Recent AICPA advocacy efforts have included requesting tax relief related to the coronavirus pandemic and issuing auditing standards related to audit evidence and auditing accounting estimates.
4 key COVID-19 audit risks for 2020 year ends
The coronavirus pandemic has created special challenges for practitioners to consider related to internal control, fraud, NOCLAR, and accounting estimates.
What to consider before deferring ASB reporting standards
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board delayed the effective dates of its new auditor reporting standards by one year. Early implementation is permitted, and the ASB recommends concurrent implementation of the standards.
Provider Relief Funds included in audit determination, HHS says
Nonfederal entities and for-profit entities are required to include Provider Relief Fund payments in the reported total annual federal fund expenditures that determine whether they meet the $750,000 threshold that triggers audit requirements, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced.
Answers to 4 common accounting and auditing questions
New FASB rules have led to a host of new accounting and auditing questions for financial statement preparers and auditors. Some of the most frequently asked questions were answered at the AICPA’s ENGAGE 2020 virtual conference.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
How a CPA beat burnout after strokes, depression
Get ready for tax season with the JofA’s annual filing season quick guide, an easy-to-use compilation of dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions. Download and print for quick reference this tax season.
From The Tax Adviser
December 31, 2025
Practical tax advice for businesses as a result of the OBBBA
November 30, 2025
Digital asset transactions: Broker reporting, amount realized, and basis
October 31, 2025
