The January A&A Focus webcast featured discussions on artificial intelligence in audit, assurance considerations with tariffs, and small firm challenges.
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Audit & assurance
Stablecoin reporting: AICPA’s updated criteria includes controls
A new section in the AICPA’s guide to stablecoins supports operations related specifically to the reporting of asset-backed fiat-pegged tokens.
5 imperatives for auditors from the PCAOB chair
George Botic, using his signature colorful language, shares the focus areas that auditors should prioritize for the coming year.
Key signals from the SEC-PCAOB conference point to a busy new year
Susan S. Coffey, CEO–Public Accounting at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, shares her top takeaways from last week’s Conference on Current SEC and PCAOB Developments, including observations on audit quality improvements and hints of significant SEC activity in early 2026.
Reviewing accounting standards updates for 2025
The December A&A Focus webcast reviewed FASB ASUs becoming effective for calendar year-end engagements and looked forward to 2026, delivered practical insights on determining lease terms under FASB ASC Topic 842, and took a look at the nuances of your client’s tax-basis accounting framework.
Audit transformation road map: New report lays out the journey
A CPA.com and AICPA survey of more than 50 firms unearthed five key themes for audit transformation and a step-by-step approach for a smooth rebuild.
Governmental Audit Quality Center analyzes 2025 OMB Compliance Supplement
Several GAQC resources are available to assist practitioners involved in single audits and federal grant compliance with putting the delayed OMB supplement to use.
New SEC chair to CPAs: ‘Back to basics’
Paul Atkins, appearing at the AICPA Conference on Current SEC & PCAOB Developments, asked accounting professionals to focus on financial materiality and provided his thoughts on the future of the PCAOB, crypto, and IPOs.
PEEC releases clarifying guidance on independence in SSAE engagements
The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee’s revisions clarify independence requirements and will be effective June 15, 2026.
Common audit claims and defenses
In the professional liability world, audit claims are relatively infrequent but exceptionally expensive.
AI and the audit: Finance leaders strongly support forward-thinking firms
Nearly all CFOs and finance directors in a BDO survey say they would pay more to work with audit firms that rely on artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
Writing an effective AI prompt for an audit
Explore AI in audit, SQMS documentation strategies, and fraud prevention insights from the November 2025 A&A Focus webcast for accounting professionals.
QM is here: Advice from early adopters
Firms will need to learn from mistakes, fine-tune systems, and adapt to new ways of thinking about quality.
Insights into the practical effects on CECL by FASB ASU 2025-05
The October A&A Focus webcast also examined considerations of using a cash-basis accounting method and considerations for auditing revenue.
Right-size your quality management documentation for SQMS No. 1
Optimize quality management documentation for SQMS No. 1. Check out these practical tips to keep documentation appropriate and comprehensive, yet right-sized. Remember, the QM deadline is Dec. 15.
PCAOB publishes guidance related to Audit Evidence amendments
The guidance, combined with a recent PCAOB policy statement, applies to requirements becoming effective later this year.
A&A Focus recap: AI considerations in A&A, GASB updates, and practical lease accounting challenges
The September webcast featured insights on leveraging artificial intelligence in practice, recent developments in state and local government accounting, and practical challenges with ASC 842 lease identification.
New: Digital assets practice aid addresses auditing of lending, borrowing
A new chapter in Accounting for and Auditing of Digital Assets provides examples of substantive procedures and scenarios for both the lender and borrower perspectives.
PCAOB postpones effective date for new quality control system
The PCAOB announced that QC 1000, A Firm’s System of Quality Control, is set to be effective Dec. 15, 2026, to give firms sufficient time for implementation.
A&A Focus recap: M&A trends, non-GAAP frameworks, and how quality management and peer review intersect
The August webcast explored accelerating mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the profession, practical insights on special purpose (non-GAAP) frameworks, and how peer review will address implementation of the new quality management standards.
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