Preparing and Reviewing Client Prepared Financial Statements and General Attest Engagements (12:30PM-4:00PM)

Description

The ultimate objective of a financial statement audit is to issue the independent auditor’s report. Reviews and preparations are different. This course discusses the review and preparation process, introduces key elements of financial statements, and provides best practices for auditors who either prepare or review the client’s financial statements. Most CPA firms perform some level of compilation and review engagements, and some perform engagements under attestation standards. This course provides a deep dive into the most frequently missed issues in compilations and reviews engagements. We will also focus on attestation engagements and the various types of engagements a CPA can perform.

Highlights

  • Objective of financial reporting
  • Interrelationships of financial statements and disclosures
  • Accounting changes
  • Financial statement preparation and review process
  • Best practices for financial statement preparation and review
  • Frequently missed issues in compilation and review engagements as noted by peer reviewers
  • Understand how to comply with AR-C 100 on International Standards and AR-C 120, Compilations of Pro forma Information
  • Introduction to attestation standards (AT)
  • Performing attestation examination engagements
  • Performing attestation review engagements
  • Performing agreed-upon procedures

Objectives

  • Explain the key elements and variations of the auditor’s report
  • Understand the appropriate treatment for accounting changes and error corrections
  • Discuss the basic financial statements, their key elements, and required disclosures
  • Understand the Codification layout and be able to perform research on presentation and disclosure issues that arise
  • Use a framework to prepare or review client prepared financial statements
  • Identify best practices for financial statement preparation or review of client prepared financial statements
  • Recall SSARS basics
  • Understand advanced SSARS reporting issues, such as complying with international standards and preparing compilations of pro forma information
  • Explain how to avoid peer review deficiencies in compilation and review engagements
  • Identify the distinction between different levels of engagements performed in accordance with the attestation standards (examinations, reviews, and agreed-upon procedures)

Designed For

Accountants who perform compilations, reviews, and other attestation engagements

Leaders

Jeffrey Lieman

Mr. Lieman currently heads his own consulting firm, Lieman Associates LLC, in Owings Mills, Maryland. He provides consulting services, contractual assistance services, and training to CPAs, their firms, and their clients. He is recognized nationally as a lecturer for various accounting, auditing, and technology topics and has been quoted in various trade journals. In 2016, he received the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award because of his consistently high evaluations for knowledge and presentation skills. Mr. Lieman's previous experience included serving as the chief financial examiner for the Maryland Insurance Administration and being a director for Ellin & Tucker, Chartered. He trained staff in many areas of accounting, administration, and consulting. He also served as a senior manager and national trainer with KPMG in Baltimore, Maryland where he developed training materials for staff and instructors. He was elected Chairman of the Year by the Maryland Association of CPAs for chairmanship of the Computer Resources Committee.