...Auditing, Attestation, & Assurance Services Paper Auditing, Attestation, & Assurance Services Auditing, attestation and assurance are various financial services provided for an organization based on their individual needs. The needs of companies differ as will the scope of their auditing, attestation and/or assurance service requirements. Auditing boasts both a formal definition and an informal one which describe the accounting function in its basic form as well as its interpretive meaning to the individual responsible for the function, the very core of the profession; ensuring the integrity of financial data as presented. Assurances are defined as “independent professional services that improve the quality of information, or its context, for decision makers (which) encompasses attest services and financial statement. Attest services occur when a practitioner is engaged to issue a report on subject matter, or an assertion about subject matter that is the responsibility of another party” (Accounting Concern, 2015). Auditing Service Boynton & Johnson (2006), describes auditing as “a systematic process of objectively obtaining and evaluating evidence regarding assertions about economic actions and events to ascertain the degree of correspondence between those assertions and established criteria and communicating the results to interested users” (p. 6). An audit is part of the overall assurance service that specifically targets information in the financial statements...
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...Auditing, Attestation, and Assurance Services Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3 ACC/491 February 25, 2013 Professor Thing Auditing, Attestation, and Assurance Services In the early part of the 1960s, research scientists, as part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency, generated the concept that it was possible to create a globally interconnected collection of computers. Through this experiment, it was envisioned that everyone who could would be able to access data and programs quickly from any site (Elon University, 2013). Flashing forward to the world of today only five decades later, today’s world lives the benefits of these early visionaries. The database available for use by decision makers gives easy access to vast amounts of raw or filtered information. Access doors are computers, once filling a warehouse facility to do simple calculations, today available with unlimited information in a device smaller than an average hand. Amidst this quickly expanding information, available through the Internet and through other sources, the need is substantial for the reliability, the credibility, timeliness, and the relevance of the data. The better the quality of the information, the better off management, investors, and the agencies that regulate them are to make more informed decisions. The roles played by auditing, attestation, and assurance services help bridge the credibility and timeliness...
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... Auditing and Assurance Services LEARNING OBJECTIVES | | |Exercises and | | | |Problems | | |Review Checkpoints | | | | | | |Define information risk and explain how auditing and assurance services play|1, 2, 3 |48, 50 | |a role in reducing this business risk. | | | | | | | |Define and contrast accounting, auditing, and assurance services. |4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |47 | | | | | |Describe and define the management assertions embodied in financial |9, 10, 11 |52, 54 | |statements, and why auditors use them as a focal point of the audit. | ...
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...Inc. Audit Report The audit firm of Anderson, Olds, and Watershed, CPA (AOW) has been engaged by Apollo Shoes, Inc. to audit the financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, and file the Form 10-k with the SEC within 60 days of this date. It has also been agreed that AOW will prepare the state franchise tax and federal tax returns for Apollo Shoes, Inc. The field work for the audit will begin mid-January, with the trial balance to be sent to AOW shortly after the end of December. The AOW staff assigned to the audit will work closely with Katrina Ramirez, the Internal Auditor for Apollo Shoes. This brief contains additional information regarding the auditing and assurance services offered by AOW that Apollo Shoes may find beneficial now or in the future, an explanation of the role AOW will take on in the aforementioned engagement, and a description of the requirements on AOW to meet the standards for these offered services. Auditing and Assurance Services The management of Apollo Shoes can expect the highest level of service from AOW. AOW offers a variety of assurance and audit services, as well as a variety of accounting services, to meet the financial and accounting needs of its clients. One type of assurance service the company is able to provide is an attestation service “in which the CPA firm issues a report about the reliability of an assertion that is made by another party” (Arens, Elder, & Beasley, 2012, p. 9). These assurance services fall...
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...Auditing, Attestation, and Assurance Services ACC491 Auditing, Attestation, and Assurance Services This paper discusses and analyzes three different services provided by Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), namely: auditing, attestation, and assurance services. Surprisingly, assurance service is the broadest term among three. It includes auditing and attestation services. The most commonly heard service, auditing, is the narrowest service that a CPA firm provides. The attestation service lies in between auditing and assurance. Each of these services is valuable to the public and the clients requesting these services. For each service, the team will first give a definition, and provide an example of each service. Team C also discusses who would use these types of services as well as the reason behind doing so. Finally, the team will provide some research about what standards apply to each service and what organization establishes them. Auditing Auditing is “a systematic process of objectively obtaining and evaluating evidence regarding assertions about economic actions and events to ascertain the degree of correspondence between those assertions and established criteria and communicating the results to interested users” (Boynton & Johnson, 2006, p. 6). An example of auditing is auditing a company’s financial statements. “ A financial statement audit involves obtaining and evaluating evidence about an entity’s presentation of its financial position, results of operations...
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...ACC/546 Auditing Week 1 Assignment – Assurance Services Professor Foster To: Apollo Shoes From: Small Firm CPA, Chris Matthews, Lead Auditor RE: Assurance Services Based on the accounting department meeting on January 10, below is an outline of the primary assurance and attestation services offered by Small Firm CPA. This outline will provide the company with additional detail regarding key distinction between these service offerings as well as their intended use. In addition to highlighting each of the areas of service, the attached brief summary includes some of the requirements for providing the different levels of service offered by Small Firm CPA. Services Offered As a part of providing accounting service to our clients, Small Firm CPA offers a wide range of assurance and attestation service that are intended to provide surety surrounding a company’s financial statements, accounting functions, and business operations. To provide this level of surety, Small Firm CPA offers services with vary levels of scope, review, and focus. Below is a summary of the primary assurance and attestation service offerings: * Financial Statement Audits – Financial statement audits are generally the most comprehensive review of a company’s financial position and assertions. These engagements are designed to provide the highest level of assurance regarding the company’s financial reports using generally acceptable accounting procedures. The financial statement reports...
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...Running Head: Intro to Audit Letter Larry Lancaster President, Chairman and CEO Apollo Shoes, Inc. 321 Shoe Place Blvd Shoetown, MAINE, 00001 Dear Mr. Lancaster, The purpose of this letter is to introduce you to the auditing services and other assurances we offer and explain you the benefits of each. We believe that conducting financial, compliance, and operational audits will be beneficial to your company. A financial statement audit of your company will assist us to obtain and evaluate evidence about your company’s financial position, results of its operations, and cash flows for the purpose of expressing our opinion on whether they are presented fairly in conformity with established criteria—usually generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)(Arens, Elder & Beasley, 2006). A compliance audit will assist us to obtain and evaluate evidence to determine whether your company’s financial or operating activities conform to specified conditions, rules, or regulations. The established criteria in this type of audit may come from a variety of sources. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires companies to have a dual-purpose audit that audits both the financial statements and management’s assertion as to whether it has complied with criteria regarding an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting (Arens, Elder & Beasley, 2006). An operational audit will help us to obtain and evaluate evidence about the efficiency...
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...profession of auditing plays a very important role in our economy especially after Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act its role in the economy was greatly solidified. Auditing is the accumulation and evaluation of evidence about information to determine and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria. Auditing should be done by a competent, independent person. “The auditing profession offers a wide range of employment opportunities for new accountants. Most accounting firms offer client services in three areas: auditing, tax, and consulting. A new accountant might be hired to work in any of these areas. In the audit area, the accountant may work for a variety of clients including private or public companies, clients in banking, insurance, manufacturing, technology, retail, health care, or government. Individuals working in the audit area may also spend most of their time providing internal audit services to clients rather than working as an external auditor. Working in any of the areas in an accounting firm may be one of the most demanding jobs, but it is also one of the most interesting, exciting experiences and a great way to prepare to work in the corporate business world.” “What is Auditing?” Web. 29 September 2013 Accounting is the recording, classifying, and summarizing of economic events in a logical manner for the purpose of providing financial information for decision making. To provide relevant information...
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...letter is to introduce our firm, Auditing and Assurance Services, LLC., and explain the auditing and assurance services our firm provides to our clients and their benefits. We make sure our clients are comfortable while we perform an effective and thorough audit on behalf of the firm. In addition to the information on the services we provide, I want to explain my role in providing the assurance services available, and provide a description of the requirements for meeting the standards for the services offered. Auditing and Assurance Services Auditing is defined as an unbiased accumulation and evaluation of evidence about information to determine and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria (Arens, 2012). Auditors ensure the fiscal accuracy and responsibility of organizations. Our firm offers three primary types of audit services: operational audits, compliance audits, and financial statement audits (Arens, Elder, & Beasley, 2012). During an operational audit, we provide evaluations on the efficiency and effectiveness of particular pieces of operating procedures and methods we are auditing (Arens, 2012). In operational auditing, the reviews are not limited to accounting and can include the evaluation of organizational structure, computer operations, production methods, marketing, and any other area in which the auditor is qualified (Arens, 2012). The benefits of operational audits can help organizations improve the efficiency...
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...Audit and Assurance Services Chapter 1 1 Learning Objectives 1. What is auditing? Distinguish between auditing and accounting. Importance of auditing in reducing information risk. 2. Distinguish audit services from other assurance and non-assurance services provided by CPAs. 3. Three main types of audits. 4. How to become a CPA? Identify the primary types of auditors. 2 What is auditing? Evaluating 3 Nature of Auditing Auditing is the accumulation and evaluation of evidence about information to determine and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria. Auditing should be done by a competent, independent person. 4 Audit Reporting -- (Expressing Opinions) The final stage in the auditing process is preparing the Audit Report, which is the communication of the auditor’s findings to users. 5 Information and Established Criteria To do an audit, there must be information in a verifiable form and some standards (criteria) by which the auditor can evaluate the information. 6 Accumulating Evidence and Evaluating Evidence Evidence is any information used by the auditor to determine whether the information being audited is stated in accordance with the established criteria. Transaction data Client inquiry Written and electronic Communications with outsiders Observations 7 Competent, Independent Person The auditor must be qualified...
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... |a. finance. | | |b. auditing. | | |c. accounting. | | |d. economics. | | | | |2. |In the audit of historical financial statements, which of the following accounting bases is the most common? | |easy | | |c |a. Regulatory accounting principles. | | |b. Cash basis of accounting. | | |c. Generally accepted accounting principles. | | |d. Liquidation basis of accounting....
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...Chapter 1 Multiple-Choice Questions 1. easy Recording, classifying, and summarizing economic events in a logical manner for the purpose of providing financial information for decision making is commonly called: c a. finance. b. auditing. c. accounting. d. economics. 2. easy In the audit of historical financial statements, which of the following accounting bases is the most common? c a. Regulatory accounting principles. b. Cash basis of accounting. c. Generally accepted accounting principles. d. Liquidation basis of accounting. 3. easy Any service that requires a CPA firm to issue a report about the reliability of an assertion that is made by another party is a(n): b a. accounting and bookkeeping service. b. attestation service. c. assurance service. d. tax service. 4. Three common types of attestation services are: easy a. audits, reviews, and “other” attestation services. a b. audits, verifications, and “other” attestation services. c. reviews, verifications, and “other” attestation services. d. audits, reviews, and verifications. 5. (SOX) easy The organization that is responsible for providing oversight for auditors of public companies is called the ________. d a. Auditing Standards Board. b. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. c. Public Oversight Board. d. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. 6. (SOX) The Sarbanes-Oxley Act applies to which of the following companies? easy a. All companies...
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...Accounting 456 Chapter 1: The demand for an auditing and assurance profession * Auditing – is the accumulation and evaluation of evidence about information to determine and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria. Auditing should be done by a competent, independent person. * Information and established criteria * To do an audit, there must be information in a verifiable form and some standards by which the auditor can evaluate the information * Canada Revenue agency auditor – an auditor who works for the Canada Revenue Agency and conducts examinations of taxpayers’ returns * Accumulating and evaluating evidence * Evidence is defined as any information used by the auditor to determine whether the information being audited is stated in accordance with the established criteria * It is important to obtain sufficient quality and volume of evidence to satisfy the audit objectives * Competent, independent person * The auditor must be qualified to understand the criteria used and competent to know the types and amount of evidence to accumulate to reach the proper conclusion after the evidence has been examined * Independent auditors – a public accountant or accounting firm that performs audits of commercial and non-commercial entities * Internal auditors – an auditor employed by a company to audit for the company’s board of directors and management ...
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...AOW, for auditing and assurance services. I want to personally thank you for the consideration. There are a few services I can offer your company that would be very beneficial to you. These services including auditing your financial statements, attestation services, controls over and risks related to investments, and fraud and illegal acts risk assessment. Auditing Service When it comes to auditing, we are here to audit your financial statements. According to Arens, Elder, and Beasley (2012), auditing is the accumulation and evaluation of evidence about information to determine and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria (Chapter 1). Our goal is to independently verify the financial statements produced by your company. My team will test revenue, expenses, purchasing, and many other items during our financial statement audit. This should give you the confidence in the information your company is putting out. Assurance Service In addition to the auditing service that AOW will provide to Apollo, we are also prepared to offer assurance services such as attestation services, controls over and risks related to investments, and fraud and illegal acts risk assessment. Attestation services include audit of internal control over financial reporting, reviews of historical financial statements, and attestation services on information technology. According to Arens, Elder, and Beasley (2012), for an audit of internal control over...
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...like to thank you for trusting our firm AOW in planning your upcoming audit. You are already familiar with the process and what we review during this procedure, like auditing financial statements which include income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flows and retained earnings. But before we go into these, I would like to give you some information of what our firm has to offer. Some of the services that we provide in our firm are a variety of audits threaded to the need of each company. Operational audits will study specific areas of a company with the sole purpose of measuring its performance; this can be measured by relying on the effectiveness and efficiency of a determined area, for example the sales department. This type of audit will benefit the profitability of a company because it can find the weakest and strongest link of each area. Financial audits which is what we will be doing for Apollo Shoes, entails the auditing of financial statements, the purpose of this type of audit is to ensure that the company is preparing financial statement according to GAAP regulation. It is very important to be compliant with these principals because the information that is given is what investors, managers, banks, creditors and government agencies look at. Compliance audits, makes sure that the organizations that are being audited follow rules and procedures set by higher authorities. This types of audit benefits the organization because it makes sure it that it follows...
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