The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants® (IESBA®) has issued two new ethics standards. The first addresses fee-related prohibitions. Firms may not permit the audit fee to be influenced by the provision of services other than the audit to the audit client. In addition, they revised the non-assurance services rules to clarify the circumstances in which firms may provide nonassurance services to an audit or assurance client.
The AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) has issued an updated proposal around reporting noncompliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR). Originally issued in 2017, PEEC has been trying to converge with the international standards while addressing unique US issues. The proposal includes separating the requirements for those in public practice between those providing attest services and those providing services that are not attest services. It also provides other clarifications in response to the comment letters received in the first proposal. Comments are due June 30.
The AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) has issued a Temporary Policy Statement regarding the recent changes by the SEC to their independence rules. Because the rules do not align with the AICPA Code, while PEEC evaluates whether any changes are needed, PEEC has provided a temporary enforcement permitting auditors who follow both to be compliant if they adopt the new SEC rules. The policy is effective until rescinded.
In 2019, the AICPA issued a consultation paper for feedback on the projects PEEC should address. After evaluating feedback, PEEC has issued their Strategy and Work Plan for 2021-2023 which includes standard setting and member enrichment projects. This week’s blog addresses what projects made the cut and when the projects will be kicking off.
The AICPA has rolled out a Toolkit to Assist Firms in identifying affiliates under the new ET Section 1.224.020. In June 2019, the PEEC rolled out a new definition of affiliate for State and Local Governments. However, the new rules were complex so the AICPA has released a decision tree for identifying affiliates as well as a variety of tools that firms can use to determine their compliance with the independence standards.
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.
