Quality should be the primary focus of all engagements. Since initiating its Enhancing Engagement Quality initiative in 2014, the AICPA has been using its peer review program as a way to assess the improvement in engagement quality.In this course, we'll review the latest results from the peer review program, identify areas of focus for both...
The one constant in life is change. This is true in the A&A world as well. 2021 will continue to challenge the accounting profession in many areas, including accounting for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, working in a virtual environment, and implementing new AICPA and FASB pronouncements. In this monthly series, we will explore...
Trusts are not cookie-cutter documents. In fact, they can be rather unwieldy, especially in explaining the functions to a client and then having the client comply with the trust terms. This course delves into best practices. Given common scenarios, what are the best trusts to use? And how can the client be best protected?
As financial and tax professionals well know, information overload is a constant struggle we face because things change quickly, and the sheer number of changes being made on a daily basis is enormous. Of great importance to small and medium tax and advisory firms is differentiating between changes that are relevant to our practice and...
Consumers file for bankruptcy to seek protection from creditors and to reorganize or liquidate debts. Bankruptcy filings rise and fall with the economy. Surveys show that loss of income is the leading cause of consumer bankruptcies, followed by medical expenses and foreclosure. As trusted advisors, accounting and financial professionals should have a basic understanding of...
Engagement quality is the ultimate benchmark that auditors should be judged against. As a senior associate, you have primary responsibility for ensuring that all engagement work is performed on time, within budget, and in accordance with professional standards. Unfortunately, recent peer review results have shown us that our engagement quality is not always what it...
The ultimate objective of a financial statement audit is to issue the independent auditor's report. This module discusses the process, introduces key elements of financial statements, and provides best practices for auditors who either prepare or review the client's financial statements. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 2.)
Most review techniques developed by professionals are self-taught and fine-tuned via experience. Yet how does one start? The purpose of this course is to give both new and seasoned reviewers additional and advanced procedures via a multitude of checklists to thoroughly review various tax returns. Its emphasis is not planning; rather, it is to develop...
This course introduces users to the Power Query Editor, using the Excel version of Power Query, and includes a hands-on transformation exercise using the editor. Power Query is an "ETL" tool that extracts, transforms, and loads data. This tool has a user-friendly interface that enables the Excel user to connect to data sets they previously...
Obtaining an understanding of the entity and its environment is critical part of assessing the risk of material misstatement. The auditor obtains an understanding of internal controls by evaluating the design and implementation of key controls over relevant systems as well as entity level and financial reporting controls. This module will provide the participant with...
This course is designed for the Excel user to begin their data analytics journey with an introduction to a product created for their skill set: Power Query, using the Excel version. Power Query is an "ETL" tool that extracts, transforms, and loads data. This tool has a user-friendly interface that enables the Excel user to...
Specifically designed for preparation, compilation, and review practitioners, this course will provide you with a comprehensive review and hands-on application for performing financial statement preparation, compilation, and review engagements. You will learn the ins and outs of applying SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, as well as the additional guidance related to SSARS engagements through...