Who represents independent professional services that improve the quality of information or its context for decision makers?

Chapter 1

Introduction and Overview of Audit

and Assurance

Question Type: True or False

1.GAAP and IFRS are examples of applicable financial reporting framework.

A. True

B. False

Answer: A, Taxonomy: Knowledge, Difficulty: Easy, AICPA FC: Reporting, AACSB:

Communication, Learning Objective: LO1.1, Solution: The applicable financial reporting

framework refers to the set of standards used in preparing the historical financial statements,

such as GAAP, IFRS or a Federal Income Tax Basis of Accounting.

2.Review of financial forecasts falls under attestation services.

A. True

B. False

Answer: A, Taxonomy: Knowledge, Difficulty: Easy, AICPA FC: Measurement Analysis and

Interpretation, AACSB: Ethics, Learning Objective: LO1.1, Solution: Attestation services (under

the umbrella of assurance services) include review of historical financial statements, review of

financial forecasts, and examination of internal control.

3.Within a U.S. context, the applicable financial reporting framework is typically Generally

Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

A. True

B. False

Answer: A, Taxonomy: Knowledge, Difficulty: Easy, AICPA FC: Measurement Analysis and

Interpretation, AACSB: Ethics, Learning Objective: LO1.2, Solution: Within a U.S. context, the

applicable financial reporting framework is typically generally accepted accounting principles

(GAAP).

1

Assurance & Attestation Engagements

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) defines assurance services as “….independent professional services that improve the quality of information, or its context, for decision makers.” These services can involve financial or nonfinancial information. The information may be internal or external to the user and might involve discrete data or entire systems.

The professionals at Buie, Norman & Company have extensive experience in assurance and attestation engagements from a compilation of a small non-profit organization to an audit of a highly regulated, multi-million dollar corporation. Please contact Buie, Norman & Company, P.A. today to discuss your entity’s engagement needs.

Assurance Services Over Historical Financial Statements

The most common assurance services provided by public accounting firms have been assurance over historical financial statements in the form of (1) audits, (2) reviews and (3) compilations. Buie, Norman & Company, P.A. provides all 3 types of engagements to various sized for-profit entities and non-profit organizations.

Audits of Not-for-Profit Organizations

Audits of historical financial statements are designed to provide financial statement users with a high-level of assurance over the fair presentation of the financial statements. The objective of an audit is to provide a reasonable basis for expressing an opinion as to whether the financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (or an other comprehensive basis of accounting).     

Reviews

In a review of historical financial statements, our professional personnel perform inquiries and analytical procedures on the financial statement data to provide a reasonable basis for expressing limited assurance on the financial statements.

Compilations

In a compilation, our professional personnel present in the form of financial statements information that is the representation of management, without undertaking to express any assurance on the financial statements.

Assurance Services Over Information Other Than Historical Financial Statements

Attestation Engagements

Broadly, an attestation is one in which a practitioner, by issuing a report, provides some level of assurance on information that is the responsibility of another party. In practice, an attestation engagement within accounting to mean an engagement or service that provides assurance on information other than historical financial statements, such as a Personal Financial Statement. Your Buie, Norman & Company, P.A. professional will work with you to meet any attestation engagement needs you may have.

Who is responsible for assumptions that are identified when preparing prospective financial statements?

Which of the following professionals has primary responsibility for the performance of an audit of a specific audit client?

Which of the following is a private professional membership organization of CPAs representing the accounting profession?

What is a service designed to improve the quality of information both financial and non financial used by decision makers?