Financial Reporting And Control

This updated and improved guide is designed to help accountants effectively perform SOC 1® engagements under AT-C section 320, Reporting on an Examination of Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to User Entities’ Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, of Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 18, Attestation Standards: Clarification and Recodification. With the growth in business specialization, outsourcing tasks and functions to service organizations has become increasingly popular, increasing the demand for SOC 1 engagements. This guide will help: Gain a deeper understanding of the requirements and guidance in AT-C section 320 for performing SOC 1 engagements. Obtain guidance from top CPAs on how to implement AT-C section 320 and address common and practice issues. Provide best in class services related to planning, performing, and reporting on a SOC 1 engagement. Successfully implement changes in AT-C section 320 arising from the issuance of SSAE 18, which is effective for reports dated on or after May 1, 2017. Determine how to describe the matter giving rise to a modified opinion by providing over 20 illustrative paragraphs for different situations. Understand the kinds of information auditors of the financial statements of user entities need from a service auditor's report. Implement the requirement in SSAE No. 18 to obtain a written assertion from management of the service organization. Organize and draft relevant sections of a type 2 report by providing complete illustrative type 2 reports that include the service auditor’s report, management’s assertion, the description of the service organization’s system, and the service auditor’s description of tests of controls and results. Develop management representation letters for SOC 1 engagements.

The book begins with an overview of how and why the present self-regulatory arrangement for setting standards for financial reporting in the private sector came about in 1973. A brief description of the new structure is followed by a discussion of the essential elements of meaningful self-regulation. A schism emerged between advocates of neutrality and objectivity in standard setting and those who think the primary concern should be for possible economic and social consequences. Early clashes between traditional views and newer insights are described, setting the stage for an account of serious resistance to change. Powerful interests mount determined efforts to thwart the standard setters, undercutting not only self-regulation, but also the intent of the federal securities acts of 1933 and 1934. The practical and philosophical bases for the opposing views are examined, and recommendations are presented for ensuring continuation of private-sector standard setting despite the intensity of these views.

The thorough reference that goes wherever you go The Complete CFO Reference is the perfect up-to-date reference tool for today's busy CFO, controller, treasurer, and other finance professionals. Written in an easy format and packed with checklists, samples, and worked-out solutions for a wide variety of accounting and finance problems, readers can take this handy reference wherever they go-on a business trip, visiting a client, conducting a conference call, or attending a meeting. Covers all major developments in finance and accounting every CFO needs to know about including IFRS, Web-based planning, and ranging from financial reporting and internal control to financial decision making for shareholder value maximization Includes tables, forms, checklists, questionnaires, practical tips, and sample reports Incorporates Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) throughout the book, as well as coverage of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and its impact on financial reporting, XBRL reporting, risk management and disaster recovery, Web-based planning and budgeting, Web 2.0, cloud computing, and environmental costing Simplifying day-to-day work in dozens of critical areas, The Complete CFO Reference is the perfect up-to-date reference tool for today's busy chief financial officer (CFO), controller, treasurer, financial director, budgeting director, and other financial professionals in public practice and private industry.

This book offers an integrated perspective of materiality from the different angles of accounting, auditing, internal controls, management commentary, financial analysis, management control, forensic analysis, sustainability reporting, corporate responsibility, assurance standards, integrated reporting, and limited legal considerations.

The book begins with an overview of how and why the present self-regulatory arrangement for setting standards for financial reporting in the private sector came about in 1973. A brief description of the new structure is followed by a discussion of the essential elements of meaningful self-regulation. A schism emerged between advocates of neutrality and objectivity in standard setting and those who think the primary concern should be for possible economic and social consequences. Early clashes between traditional views and newer insights are described, setting the stage for an account of serious resistance to change. Powerful interests mount determined efforts to thwart the standard setters, undercutting not only self-regulation, but also the intent of the federal securities acts of 1933 and 1934. The practical and philosophical bases for the opposing views are examined, and recommendations are presented for ensuring continuation of private-sector standard setting despite the intensity of these views.