CPAs warn that an ongoing push for high-volume SOC services may come at the cost of quality and objectivity.
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TOPICS / AUDIT & ASSURANCE
Attestation
Why stablecoin controls create a solid foundation in an evolving environment
Jeff Trent, CPA, a PwC partner, joins the podcast to break down the AICPA’s updated criteria for stablecoin controls.
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.
PCAOB seeks comments on interim attestation standards
The PCAOB issued a staff request for information and comment on the application and use of the board’s interim attestation standards.
New possibilities when performing attestation services
Recently issued standards provide options for clients and flexibility for practitioners.
Auditors may see increased demand for ESG attestation
Regulators and standard setters are promulgating new requirements for environmental, social and governance information, and that may lead many companies to call upon external auditors to examine their ESG disclosures.
PEEC addresses ‘Records Requests,’ limits on loaning staff to attest clients
The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee issued an amendment that clarifies the responsibilities of AICPA members responding to client requests for client-provided records. PEEC also limited firms’ ability to loan staff to attest clients.
FAQs on SOC 2 and SOC 3 engagements issued by AICPA staff
The AICPA staff has posted new FAQ guidance on issues related to System and Organization Controls 2 and 3 (SOC 2 and SOC 3) engagements.
New attestation standard clarifies work effort of review engagements
The limited assurance obtained by a practitioner in a review engagement is clarified in a standard issued by the AICPA Auditing Standards Board.
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.
‘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).
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.
SEC exempts certain companies from ICFR attestation requirement
The SEC issued amendments that exempt smaller reporting companies with less than $100 million in revenue from the requirement to obtain attestation of their internal control over financial reporting from an outside auditor.
Independence and information systems services
A recently issued independence interpretation contains guidance for CPAs’ interactions with attest clients’ information systems.
Sustainability assurance’s link to reporting quality
The steady growth in assurance of sustainability reports suggests that companies increasingly perceive that there are net benefits of having their sustainability reports assured.
Proposed standard would revise SSAE No. 18
If approved, the standard would give practitioners added flexibility.
Proposed SSAE would increase flexibility for practitioners in performing attestation engagements
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board issued a proposal that would make numerous changes to the attestation standards, including changing the terminology for what have been known as “review engagements.”
The trouble with nondisclosure agreements in attest engagements
CPA firms must take care not to run afoul of professional standards if they are asked to sign nondisclosure agreements.
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How to find the right CAS clients
The key to success with CAS is selecting the best clients. Tools like ideal client profiles (ICPs), buyer personas, and even artificial intelligence can help identify the businesses that best fit each CAS practice.
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