The AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board has issued some proposed targeted improvements to guidance on the use of specialists and external pricing sources. The proposal incorporates some PCAOB guidance and provides additional application guidance for AU-C 501, 540 and 620. Comments are due February 4, 2021.
Cryptocurrency is becoming a more recognized transaction with more entities participating in this ecosystem. The AICPA has issued non-authoritative guidance on accounting and auditing digital assets. Current FASB does not have authoritative guidance in this area, so the practice aid addresses some common considerations. In addition, it addresses the questions firms need to address before accepting a client and provides procedures to ensure that digital asset risks are properly identified and an appropriate audit response is performed. We’ll take a high-level look at some of the considerations for those contemplating moving into this area.
The AICPA has issued a proposed SAS to clarify and improve the risk assessment standards. For the past few years, the AICPA has focused its audit quality initiatives on risk assessment. Now that the IAASB has issued a final standard, the AICPA is proposing changes to align with the ISAs but also help firms better understand how to use risk assessment to plan and perform effective and efficient audits. This video blog covers the major changes in the standards. Comments are due November 25th.
This week the Peer Review Board of the AICPA voted to grant a six-month extensions for peer reviews, corrective actions, and implementation plans that had original due dates between January 1 and September 30, 2020. The delays, consistent with other standard setters, are trying to assist firms who are struggling with COVID19. As firms assist clients with obtaining assistance and work to audit in a remote environment, the delay is to provide relief. The additional six months is optional and if a firm and the reviewer are ready and able, they can continue as scheduled. The extension is automatic and does not have to be requested.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed changes to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR, Part 200). The proposal takes into consideration the President’s Management Agenda, alignment with statutory requirements and clarifications. OMB is required to update the Uniform Guidance every five years. Comments are due by March 23, 2020 and must be submitted electronically to www.regulations.gov.
Melisa F. Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.
Her passion is providing high-quality CPE that is meaningful, creates efficiencies and improves quality, and positively impacts ROI. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts.
Melisa is a Certified Speaking Professional, a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one of the differentiators that set her apart from other CPE providers.
She also serves on the FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), AICPA Council, and the AICPA’s Women’s Initiative Executive Committee (WIEC). She also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Center for Plain English Accounting. She previously served on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC), the VSCPA’s Board of Directors, and is a past Chair of the NCACPA’s A&A committee. In addition, Melisa is the author of Money Matters for Nonprofits: How Board Members Can Harness the Power of Financial Statements by Understanding Basic Accounting which is available on Amazon or anywhere you purchase books online.
Melisa received a Top 50 Women in Accounting Award in 2021 by Ignition, is a 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award recipient, and was honored as a “40 under 40” by CPA Practice Advisor in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She was also named the 2019 Rising Star by her regional NAWBO chapter, received the Don Farmer award for achievement in technical content instruction, and earned several other awards for public speaking and technical training.
