Module 1 - Profession Responsibilities Flashcards
AICPA - Issuers & Non-Issuers
- Issues Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS) (AU/AU-C)
- Issues Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) (AT)
- Issues Statements on Standards for Accounting & Review Services (SSARS) (AR) for Compliations & Reviews
- ET - Ethics
- QC - Quality Control
- PFP - Personal Financial Statements
- CS - Consulting Services
US Government
- SEC
- SOX - Sarbanes Oxley
- Set up PCAOB - Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
- For Issuers
- Two Main Jobs:
1) Monitor CPA firms who audit issuers
2) Issue standards for audit - GAO
- DOL
IFAC - International Federation of Accountants
- IAASB - International Auditing Assurance Standards Board
- Issue ISA - International Standards on Auditing - IESBA - International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants
Independence Required for:
- Audits, Reviews, & Attestations
Independence Not Required for:
- Compliations (but must disclose if not dependent)
2. Tax & Consulting
Audits, Reviews, & Attestations are generically referred to as?
Attestation Engagements
The Code of Professional Conduct provides minimal levels of?
Acceptable conduct, but CPA firms may set the standard higher
ET Section 100.01 - Conceptual Framework of AICPA Independence Standards states what about Threats & Safegaurds (Pg 51 - Be familiar)?
Both threats & safeguards must be weighted together. If Threats outweigh Safeguards, then auditor is not independent. If Safeguards outweigh threats, then auditor is independent.
What falls under Interpretation 101-1 as Impaired Independence?
- Any Direct financial interest (Ex: Owning one share of a companies stock)
- Any Material Indirect financial interest (Not in control of the investor)
- Trustee of trust or administrator of estate that had or were to acquire a direct financial interest or material indirect interest in the client
- Had a joint closely held investment that was material to the covered member
- Except as permitted in 101-5, had any loan to or from the client, officer or director of the client or any individual owning 10% or more in the client’s outstanding equity securities
The stricted rules apply to Covered Members who would be?
- Members of the Attestation Team
- Individuals in a position of influence (Ex: A partner of the firm who will review the work of the auditor)
- Partner or manager who provided Non-Attest services of more than 10 hours per year to the audit client
- A partner in the office in which the lead attest engagement partner primarily practices
- The firm, including the firm’s employee benefit plan
- An entity whose operating, financial, or accounting polices can be controlled by anyone described in the above 1 - 5
Standard definition of Immediate Family where very strict rules apply?
- Spouse or Spouse Equivalent
2. Dependents
Standard definition of Close Relative where less strict rules apply?
- Siblings
- Non-dependent children
- Parents
According to AICPA Standards, when a CPA performs non-attest services for an attest client, two rules must be followed:
- The non-attest services must be summarized in an engagement letter
- CPA must be satisfied that the client can take responsibility for the non-attest services; if the client cannot take responsibility for these non-attest services, the CPA is essentially performing a management function which inhibits independence
According to AICPA Standards, general activites that can impair independence are (Pg 54)?
- Setting Policies for client
- Directing actions of client employees (except internal review)
- Authorizing or Executing transactions
- Preparing source documents
- Having custody of assets
- Deciding on recommendations
- Reporting to those charged with governance on behalf of management
- Accepting responsibility for managing a client’s project, preparing FS, or designing, implementing, or maintaining internal controls
- Serving as stock transfer agent, registrar, or general counsel
- Performing evaluations of internal controls as part of the companies monitoring activities
According to Interpretation 101-4, a CPA who is a member of a board is not independent except if firm is NFP and:
- CPA is an honorary member (basically using the CPA’s name, but the CPA does not attend meetings or make decisions)
Most of CPA Code of Ethics will apply to any function performed by a CPA except what?
Rule 101 - Independence which only only applies to Audit, Review, or Attestation functions
CPAs are to allow departure from GAAP without giving a qualified or adverse opinion only when what?
When the results would be misleading
Possible justifications are:
- New Legislation
- New form of business transaction
CPAs are not allowed to release client information without the client’s permission except for?
- If a material transaction is found that the client is unwilling to correct, it must be disclosed; if the client is still unwilling to allow disclosure, then the CPA must withdraw from the audit
- Enforceable subpoenas or summons
- AICPA review of professional practice
- Initiating complaint or responding to inquiry made by recognized investigative or disciplinary body
Contingent Fees or Commisions cannot be accepted for any professional sevices by a CPA or anyone in that CPAs firm that performs what services for a specific client:
- Audits or reviews FS
- Compilations
- Examinations of prospective financial information
A Client’s request for records depends on the nature of records and certain circumstances which are (any records withheld may only be withheld based on the present engagement and not a prior engagement):
- Original Records provided by the client must be returned when requested no matter what
- CPA Prepared records may be withheld until payment is made
Ex: Adjusting Entries approved by Client - CPA Work Products may be withheld due to:
- Fees not paid
- Work product is incomplete
- Complying with professional standards
- Litigation concerning CPA work
- CPA Working Papers are CPA’s property and need not be provided (the CPA may not disclose unless Court Ordered or Client provides permission)
CPAs may practice under what forms of business?
- Proprietorship
- Partnership
- Professional Corporation
***May not practice under a name that would be misleading
Ex: A & B form a partnership; A dies; B must change the name because it is no longer a partnership, but a sole proprietor
Ex: A, B, & C for a partnership; A dies; B & C do not have to change the name because they still have a partnership
Generally Accepted Auditing Standards deal with measures of what?
Quality of the performance of audit procedures
A Self Review Threat means what?
An audit team member should not reveiw their own work
If two standards apply to a situation, which standard is supreme?
Which ever standard is more strict