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.
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TOPICS / AUDIT & ASSURANCE
Audit
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.
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.
Common audit claims and defenses
In the professional liability world, audit claims are relatively infrequent but exceptionally expensive.
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.
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.
AICPA unveils new QM resources to help firms meet Dec. 15 deadline
The AICPA updated its SQMS No. 1 practice aid, released a new resource on monitoring and remediation, and is hosting live webcasts to help firms implement the new quality management standards by Dec. 15. Key features of the 2025 practice aid on complying with SQMS No. 1 include expanded discussions, tailored guidance for firms of all sizes, and tools for documentation, evaluation, and effective compliance.
8 steps to build your firm’s quality management system on time
Firms that haven’t started establishing their quality management system can get it done by the Dec. 15 deadline by following these steps.
Auditing Standards Board proposes a new fraud standard
The AICPA board issued an exposure draft of a Statement on Auditing Standard (SAS), The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of Financial Statements.
Elimination of PCAOB can’t remain in budget bill, Senate official rules
The Senate parliamentarian’s office determined that a provision aimed at folding the PCAOB into the SEC doesn’t qualify for the budget reconciliation process.
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