The board that oversees audits of public companies proposed six goals in a draft of its 2026–2030 strategic plan.
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TOPICS / AUDIT & ASSURANCE
Audit
AICPA updates audit standards related to external confirmations
SAS No. 150, External Confirmations, published Monday following an AICPA Auditing Standards Board vote in May, is designed to address today’s digitally driven environment.
PCAOB consultation process offers new options for firms seeking guidance
Registered public accounting firms are invited to request staff views on the implementation of PCAOB standards, with the option to launch a more formal firm consultation.
Standardization of sustainability reporting improves, but obstacles remain
While an increasing number of large U.S. companies turned to audit firms for assurance of sustainability data in 2024, a gap persists with the rest of the world, an annual report shows.
What CPA.com’s CEO sees next for AI, tax, and the profession
AI is rapidly reshaping accounting, and this episode explores how firms can use it to transform tax, audit, and client advisory services. Erik Asgeirsson also reflected on Town Hall’s 2020 launch and previews ENGAGE. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
How to monitor a firm’s system of quality management
Explore resources and examples that explain how small firms can perform monitoring procedures, document results, and turn SQMS No. 1 into an executable process.
AICPA guides peer reviewers to address SOC 2 risks
The AICPA Peer Review Board provides guidance for peer reviewers to identify risks and reinforce quality in SOC 2 engagements.
Proposed new sustainability information AT-C sections
Learn about the proposed new subject matter-specific sections of the attestation standards for examination or review engagements on sustainability information.
Proposed revisions to examination and review engagements in the attestation standards
Part 2 of a three-part series explores the approach taken when revising the attestation standards and highlights selected significant matters that more broadly affect examination and review engagements.
AICPA urges use of its stablecoin criteria in GENIUS Act rulemaking
A comment letter to the office responsible for establishing final rules for the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act makes the case for leveraging the AICPA’s established framework.
Audit report card: More internal audit teams suffered cuts in 2025
The percentage of internal audit leaders reporting staff and budget reductions in 2025 rivaled numbers during the global financial crisis nearly two decades ago. Strategic alignment was linked to sufficient funding for the function, an annual report showed.
Auditing Standards Board proposes changes to attestation standards
An exposure draft approved by the AICPA board updates baseline standards and addresses sustainability and other emerging areas of assurance.
What to know about engagement quality reviews (SQMS No. 2)
The February A&A Focus webcast featured discussions on upcoming engagement quality reviews, special-purpose frameworks in practice, and highlights of the AICPA’s Profession Ready Initiative.
Change at the top: PCAOB will feature new chair, 3 new board members
The SEC appointed a retired EY partner as chair to “usher in a new day at the PCAOB.”
How to prevent late-stage engagement quality review surprises
Find out how to get EQ reviewers involved early and comply with audit-quality standards.
Promises of ‘fast and easy’ threaten SOC credibility
CPAs warn that an ongoing push for high-volume SOC services may come at the cost of quality and objectivity.
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.
How AI can improve audit quality and efficiency
The January A&A Focus webcast featured discussions on artificial intelligence in audit, assurance considerations with tariffs, and small firm challenges.
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.
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