Audit documentation: Tips for getting it right
Steer clear of three common misconceptions about documentation that can derail an otherwise high-quality audit.
Peer review
AICPA proposes modifying peer review reports
The board seeks a clear indication of whether a single audit was selected.
AICPA proposes modifying peer review reports, firm representation letters
Peer review reports would be modified to clearly indicate if a single audit was selected under a proposal issued by the AICPA Peer Review Board.
Changes proposed to peer review standards
Proposed changes to the AICPA’s standards for performing and reporting on peer reviews are designed to help audit firms increase focus on their quality-control systems.
A step up in standards for peer reviewers
Continued efforts to improve quality in auditing and accounting have led to new requirements for CPAs who serve as peer reviewers.
Changes proposed to peer review standards
Changes proposed by the AICPA Peer Review Board are designed to help audit firms increase their focus on the proper design and operating effectiveness of their quality-control systems.
A 6-point plan to improve audit quality
A new six-point plan released by the AICPA provides a road map for enhanced performance on audits of private companies, employee benefit plans, and governmental entities.
Report calls for improvement in employee benefit plan audits
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued results of a study of employee benefit plan audits that show a continuing need for improvement. A new AICPA audit quality initiative for the profession has a focus on employee benefit plan audits.
AICPA releases 6-point plan to enhance audit quality
The AICPA released a six-point plan with recommendations for improving audit quality, which covers several stages in the process of being or becoming an auditor.
Evolving practice monitoring to improve quality in A&A engagements
A new vision for practice monitoring in the future aims to prevent quality issues in accounting, auditing, and attestation engagements. A new technological platform is being developed to provide more timely feedback to peer reviewers and firms.
Evolving practice monitoring to improve quality in A&A engagements
In a new concept of practice monitoring the AICPA envisions for the future, peer reviewers and firms will use a new technology platform to enable more thorough analysis and provide more timely feedback for accounting, auditing and attestation engagements.
Learn from data to improve audits
Data collected by the AICPA Peer Review team can drive better audits by helping audit firms focus remedies on areas that frequently have been associated with accounting and auditing deficiencies.
AICPA seeks feedback on private-entity audit quality initiative
In one of the first steps of the new Enhancing Audit Quality (EAQ) initiative, a major effort to improve auditing of private entities, the AICPA has released a discussion paper seeking stakeholder perspectives. Through the two-phased initiative, the AICPA is coordinating resources to improve performance in audits of private entities,
Proposed peer review change would remove inconsistencies for engagement reviews
Changes to peer review standards proposed last week by the AICPA Peer Review Board (PRB) are designed to remove inconsistencies and improve the transparency of reports for engagement reviews. The proposal, outlined in an exposure draft, would change the impact to an engagement review report when all of the following
Banking
For news from the AICPA and state societies, visit www.cpa2biz.com, which also offers online CPE, AICPA professional literature, practice management aids and links to state society Web sites. BANKING The FDIC reported that profits at commercial banks and savings institutions declined 3.4% from year-earlier levels in the second quarter of
Enhancing Public Confidence: The GAO’s Peer Review Experience
Origin and Mission The GAO is part of the legislative branch of the federal government and thus is independent of the executive branch. Congress established the GAO in 1921 to investigate all matters relating to the receipt, disbursement and application of public funds. Since then, Congress has expanded the GAO’s
Peer Review Is Stronger and Better Now
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE AICPA REVISED ITS STANDARDS for performing and reporting on peer reviews for firms that do not audit SEC registrants. The revised standards, effective for reviews commencing on or after January 1, 2005, will enhance the quality of peer reviews and increase the usefulness of peer review reports
Renewing a Great Profession
Robert L. Bunting, CPA, became chairman of the AICPA board of directors in October 2004. His acceptance speech, delivered at the Institute’s annual meeting, appears in these pages. A JofA interview with him appeared in the November issue (see “ Managing Change ,” page 27). n preparation for the coming
Increasing Transparency in Peer Review: Members Speak Out
At its spring 2004 meeting, the AICPA’s governing council approved a resolution in support of increased transparency in the peer review process. It also authorized a member awareness program to inform members about peer review and the related transparency issues and to assess their desire for greater transparency. Two principal
Make Strategic Relationships a Success
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ALL BUSINESSES, THE NUMBER of strategic relationships has been growing 25% per year since 1985. A FIRM'S FIRST STEP TOWARD a strategic alliance is to decide what capabilities it wants to add. Then it should decide what it wants to achieve: Does the firm wish to increase
