Attest Function

Attest Function

The acts an accountant performs when conducting an audit. That is, the attest function is the totality of the reviews, corrections, and reports an accountant makes when performing his/her duties.
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References in periodicals archive ?
One of the cornerstones of the attest function is the concept of independence.
On Independence
The accounting discipline has two assurance professions that provide an attest function which may be utilized by management to assist in meeting its goals and objectives.
Attention entrepreneurial small business owner (ESBO): be your own internal auditor!
While the CPA or firm will often face client resistance with respect to outside assurance services due to potential additional fees (and anticipated private company financial statement issuers resistance to any FIN 48 requirements), maintaining independence in performing the attest function is one of the most critical obligations of the CPA.
Independence: CPAs, firms must carefully consider how to manage FIN 48 compliance
We are still the only authorized, licensed, regulated "body" to perform the attest function as defined by 54 legal jurisdictions, the SEC, GAO, etc.
CPAs: survival of a profession
Basically, the bill allows non-licensed accountants to perform all the services of a CPA except the attest function.
Missouri, the show me state, shows NSA the keys to legislative victory. (Regulatory Review)
We must make it absolutely clear that CPAs at this time are more qualified, more competent and have more tools at their disposal to perform the attest function.
Chair's corner
In contrast, this study extends the prior research by directly comparing audit partners' and investors' perceptions of auditors' responsibilities involving various dimensions of the attest function.
Auditors' and Investors' Perceptions of the "Expectation Gap"
If the linkage between the CPA and non-CPA divisions could be reduced by "firewalls," the result would be two parallel yet differing sets of standards: one for the attest function and one for the non-attest function in the same firm.
The Big-Five battle: CPAs and non-CPAs square off on auditor independence
As a by-product of this attest function, the auditor can provide suggestions to management on improvements to the accounting system and controls.
The role of the auditor as a business advisor
However, there is a growing demand by the public for CPAs to apply the attest function in areas other than financial statements.
Point
As with sustainability reporting, there is no universal attest function guidance for these reports.
Sustainability assurance reporting: a nascent niche, likely to grow
Conflicts in tax practice, though, are somewhat different than those that may arise during the performance of an attest function, for example.
In conflict? take note of conflict of interest issues addressed in circular 230

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