Professional Responsibilities

Question 1

What engagements are covered by the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct?

Answer 1

Covers all professional engagements and is the minimum standards of conduct. Member should additionally follow specific standards for a specific engagement

Question 2

What must an accountant have under the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct?

Answer 2

Integrity, Objectivity, No Conflicts of Interest, No known misrepresentations of facts, no outsourcing of judgment

Question 3

What are threats and safeguards to independence?

Answer 3

Safeguards > Threats - Independence. Threats > Safeguards - No Independence

Question 4

What are the threats to independence?

Answer 4

Self-Review (Auditing own work). Advocate of the client. Adverse Interest (Lawsuit against client). Too familiar with client - could impair the appearance of Independence to public. Undue influence on client - On Board of directors -exception being an Honorary board position

Question 5

What are the Safeguards to independence?

Answer 5

Offset the threats. Safeguards are created by legislation (SOX) - Client (audit committee) - accounting firm (policies)

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a covered member?

Answer 6

On the engagement team - have significant influence on audit- such as: Reviewing partner, Managing partner in CPA Firm, Firm personnel who does more than 10 hours of non-attest work (income taxes). Partners sharing office with another Partner who oversees an engagement. Financial interest in client by covered member (audit on engagement)

Question 7

What are the requirements for a covered member?

Answer 7

No direct financial interest. No material indirect financial interest. Firm personnel who are not covered members cannot own more than 5% of stock. Covered member’s immediate family cannot own more than 5% of stock or be employed in key position. If covered member is aware of this - it will impair independence. Cannot make management decisions. All requirements apply during the period of the professional engagement - and as long as they are a client.

Question 8

What happens when a covered member disagrees with a supervisor?

Answer 8

If supervisor’s position is still GAAP/GAAS - defer to supervisor. If supervisor’s position is not GAAP/GAAS - report to higher levels of management. If management ignores you - consider leaving the firm

Question 9

When is independence required?

Answer 9

Audit, Review, Attestation Engagement

Question 10

What are the requirements for non-attest engagements?

Answer 10

Everything must be documented in writing. Client must still personal all management functions. Client must assign someone of competence to oversee the nonattest engagement and CPA must be satisfied that this has occurred. Engagement must have definite objectives. Engagement limitations disclosed. Understanding must be reached and documented before any nonattest work can begin. If CPA performs more than one nonattest function, they must be evaluated as a whole to see if Independence is impaired.

Question 11

Which standards apply to consulting engagements?

Answer 11

Consulting engagements are covered by statements on standards for consulting services (SSCS) Requirements: Competence - Due Care - Planning - Supervision - Obtain sufficient data - must serve client interest - must have written or oral agreement - must communicate with client

Question 12

List some common consulting engagements

Answer 12

Advisory Services, Transaction services, management consulting, implementation services

Question 13

What is the rule concerning contingent fees for a covered member?

Answer 13

Not allowed if Member also performs services where independence is required. Commissions or referral fees for covered members are not allowed. Example) Audit firm gets a commission for recommending to client that they implemented a new A/P system… NOT allowed. If a firm performing nonattest work doesn’t also perform Covered Member services (aka- Independence not required) then firm can get a commission on referring products/services - but they must disclose to the client. Tax preparation- payment according to refund amount is dissalowed

Question 14

When are contingent fees allowed?

Answer 14

When fees are structured relative to judicial proceedings. Example) IRS audit - or filing an amended tax return subject to tax case with a different taxpayer

Question 15

How should recommendations and suggestions by a covered member to a client be handled?

Answer 15

Client must carry them out - covered member cannot perform management functions. Client must assign someone of competence to oversee the non-attest engagement and CPA must be satisfied that this has occurred

Question 16

What are the requirements for Personal Financial Planning Engagements?

Answer 16

Must have definite objectives. Must have specific procedures planned. Must have a basis for recommendations. Must have recommendations communicated. Must have action steps to implement.

Question 17

When is a GAAP departure appropriate?

Answer 17

Departure from GAAP is appropriate if GAAP would cause Financial statements to be misleading - then it must be explained/disclosed.

Question 18

When may a covered member disclose confidential information?

Answer 18

Members may disclose confidential information when client isn’t following GAAP OR if they receive a subpoena - CPAs are not attorneys - so there is no CPA - client privilege

Question 19

What is the effect of not returning all client-provided documents upon request?

Answer 19

This is an act discreditable. You MUST return all documents the client gives you even if they don’t pay their bill. If you create a document - however - like a work paper - you are not required to give the client a copy of papers you created if they haven’t paid their bill. They are the firm’s workpapers- but are still confidential!

Question 20

What are the rules with respect to CPA firm names?

Answer 20

CPA firm names must not be misleading. If partner dies - remaining partner has two years to change name if partnership dissolved. If partner dies and more than one partner still remains (i.e, 1 dies and you still have 2 or more partners.. you don’t need to change the name). All Partners/Shareholders must be members of the AICPA in order to hold themselves out as members of the AICPA. Non-CPAs can be owners - but 2/3 of ownership must be CPAs. Non-CPA owner must not be involved with the accounting - and is still bound by AICPA code of conduct - must maintain CPE requirements and have Bachelor’s degree.

Question 21

What is the consequence of disclosing CPA exam material post-1996?

Answer 21

It is an Act Discreditable.

Question 22

What are the consequences for a CPA who commits an Act Discreditable?

Answer 22

Licenses are granted at the State level. If state revokes certificate - AICPA Ban. Felony Conviction - AICPA Ban. Prepares Fraudulent Tax Return - AICPA Ban. Intentionally failing to file return - AICPA Ban. SEC can get involved with discipline

Question 23

What are the functions of the PCAOB?

Answer 23

Monitors CPA firms who audit SEC clients - All SEC audit firms must register. Issues standards for firms to follow - usually stricter than AICPA standards

Question 24

When is independence impaired under PCAOB standards?

Answer 24

If client pays a contingent fee (i.e., based on outcome). With marketing or planning engagements. Aggressive tax strategies. Firm does tax work for client employee involved with audit oversight or their family

Question 25

Who must approve non-audit work performed by a firm for a client?

Answer 25

Client Audit Committee must approve non-audit work performed by Firm. Firm must disclose any potential independence issues to audit committee.

Question 26

Which organization is in charge of determining if federal funds are being misappropriated?

Answer 26

GAO - Government Accountability Office

Question 27

What rules must auditors follow for governmental audits?

Answer 27

Auditors must follow both GAAS and GAS aka the yellow book. Materiality threshold is usually lower. More detail is required on working papers. More stringent CPE rules and requirements - 24 hours of continuing education must be related to governmental auditing every 2 years. Compliance with Regulations is a requirement of the audit report.