Critical audit matters have more value when they provide entity-specific language and avoid boilerplate, experts say.
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Audit & assurance
PCAOB changes 2021 inspection focus areas as a result of COVID-19
PCAOB inspectors will focus more in 2021 on industries and audit areas that have experienced disruption as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Inspectors also will try to become more unpredictable in the audits and areas they examine.
Practitioners provide new transparency through critical audit matters
New PCAOB requirements for communicating critical audit matters give practitioners an opportunity to provide additional transparency to financial statement users. A Center for Audit Quality study shows how auditors are delivering this information.
Auditing fraud risk during a pandemic
Fraud risk in the financial statements has been elevated amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what practitioners need to know as they audit the risks of fraud during their engagements.
PCAOB amends independence requirements to align with SEC changes
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board issued amendments that are designed to align its independence requirements with SEC rules that were updated in 2019 and 2020.
ASB proposal addresses auditing of fair value estimates of financial instruments
A proposed standard issued by the AICPA Auditing Standards Board would give practitioners more guidance on auditing management’s estimates of fair value, including on the use of pricing services.
9 tips for successful auditing of revenue recognition
A new standard and the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic make auditing revenue recognition difficult. These tips can help.
Developing a strategic audit plan
This article outlines steps CPAs should consider when developing strategic audit plans for their own clients.
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.
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