In November 2017, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) published an updated audit and accounting guide on analytical procedures. The use of audit analytics can help during the planning and review stages of the audit. But analytics can have an even bigger impact when these procedures are used to supplement substantive testing during fieldwork. Here’s how your auditor uses analytical procedures to make your audit more efficient and effective — and why it’s critical for you to tell your auditor about major changes during the accounting period.

Contact: Peggy McCaffrey

In a no-action letter issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Investment Management to Fidelity Management and Research Company in June 2016, the SEC provided temporary relief in connection with audit firm independence and Regulation S-X Rule 2-01 (c)(1)(ii)(A), or, the “Loan Rule.”

That temporary relief was set to expire on December 20, 2017, but now has been extended indefinitely — or upon “the effectiveness of any amendments to the Loan Provision designed to address the concerns expressed in the Relief.” Until such time, the SEC has promised not to take action against entities using auditors who are potentially in violation of the Loan Rule. The Rule deems an audit firm not independent if the firm, any covered person in the firm or any of their immediate family members have a loan to or from an audit client, or beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of the audit client’s equity securities.

Author: Chris Valponi, CPA

For many companies, keeping close tabs on revenue, expenses, and profit is the number one priority. However, companies that carry inventory may not realize its direct effect on profitability.  This effect is known as shrinkage.  Shrinkage is the excess amount of inventory (in accounting records) that no longer exists in the actual inventory. In other words, it is a loss of inventory.

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Contact: Lisa Brink, ESV (New South Wales, Australia)

Earlier this year the International Auditing and Assurance Board (IAASB) issued its new and revised suite of reporting standards. Included in the changes is a brand new standard, ISA701 – communicating Key Audit Matters in the Independent Auditor’s Report, which will become effective for new audit reports for financial periods ending on or after 15 December 2016.