Audit & assurance news and resources -- Journal of Accountancy

TOPICS

January 21, 2026

Fraud and technology: How to handle the double-edged sword

As audit committees get down to business, they face risks related to technology but also can empower their organizations to use technology as a tool to fight fraud.

January 20, 2026

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.

January 12, 2026

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.

January 12, 2026

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.

December 22, 2025

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.

December 15, 2025

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.

December 10, 2025

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.

December 9, 2025

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.

December 8, 2025

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.

December 5, 2025

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.

December 1, 2025

Common audit claims and defenses

In the professional liability world, audit claims are relatively infrequent but exceptionally expensive.

November 19, 2025

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.

November 17, 2025

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.

November 1, 2025

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.

October 20, 2025

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.

October 14, 2025

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.

October 3, 2025

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.

September 19, 2025

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.

September 3, 2025

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.

August 29, 2025

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.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Tax season quick guide

Get ready for tax season with the JofA’s annual filing season quick guide, an easy-to-use compilation of dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions. Download and print for quick reference this tax season.