审计学：一种整合方法 (2)

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Certified Public Accounting Firms
The four largest CPA firms in the United States are called the “Big Four” international CPA firms.
These four firms have offices in most major cities in the United States and in many cities throughout the world.
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Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The PCAOB conducts inspections of registered accounting firms and assess their compliance with the rules of the PCAOB and the SEC.
1. The need for independence from clients. 2. The importance of a structure to encourage competence. 3. The increased litigation risk faced by auditors.
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Sarbanes-Oxley Act
This Act is considered by many observers to be the most important legislation affecting the auditing profession since the 1930s. The provisions of the Act apply to publicly held companies and their audit firms.
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Certified Public Accounting Firms
The legal right to perform audits is granted to CPA firms by regulation of each state.
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Sarbanes-Oxley Act
SEC
PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board)
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Learning Objective 2
Understand the role of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the CPA profession.
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源自文库
Certified Public Accounting Firms
Big Four international firms
National firms
Regional and large local firms
Small local firms
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Partner
10+ years
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E-Commerce and CPA Firm Operations
CPA firms are using the Internet to market their services. Firm Web sites also feature online software tools and databases to subscribers. Firms take advantage of online resources and databases to help their staffs stay current on emerging business and standards-setting issues.
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2-5 years
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
Hierarchy of a Typical CPA Firm
Staff Level Experience Typical Responsibilities Manager Helps the plan, manages 5-10 years the audit, reviews work, and works with the client Reviews audit work and makes significant audit decisions
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Learning Objective 3
Summarize the role of the Securities and Exchange Commission in accounting and auditing.
CPA firms also provide many other services to their clients, such as tax and consulting services.
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Activities of CPA Firms
Accounting and bookkeeping services Tax services Management consulting services
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Organizational Structure
Proprietorship Professional corporation General partnership Limited liability company
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Structure of CPA Firms
Three main factors influence the organizational structure of all firms:
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Establishing Standards and Rules
The AICPA is empowered to set standards (guidelines) and rules that all members and other practicing CPAs must follow.
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Securities and Exchange Commission
Form S-1 Form 8-K Form 10-K Form 10-Q
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Learning Objective 4
Describe the key functions performed by the AICPA.
Staff Level Experience Typical Responsibilities Staff assistant Senior or in-charge auditor 0-2 years Performs most of the detailed audit work Responsible for the audit field work, including supervising staff work
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Securities and Exchange Commission
The overall purpose of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to assist in providing investors with reliable information upon which to make investment decisions.
General corporation
Limited liability partnership
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Hierarchy of a Typical CPA Firm
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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AICPA
The AICPA sets professional requirements for CPAs, conducts research, and publishes materials on many different subjects related to accounting, auditing, attestation and assurance services, management consulting services, and taxes.
The CPA Profession
Chapter 2
©2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing, Auditing 12/e, Arens/Beasley/Elder
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Learning Objective 1
Describe the nature of CPA firms, what they do, and their structure.