Overcoming Ethical Challenges in Attest Engagements

Solutions for Implementing AICPA Interpretation 101-3

CD/DVD of a 100-minute CPE teleconference with Q&A


Conducted on Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Now available on CD/DVD


Description

AICPA's Ethics Interpretation 101-3 for independence in providing attest services continues to vex many accounting firms. The onus is on the firm to objectively assess its independence and persuade its attest clients to agree to implement necessary steps on their end.

Firms must develop proactive strategies to avoid ethical violations, minimize administrative hassles and miscommunications, and cope with clients who are unprepared or unwilling to cooperate.

Listen as our panel of accounting veterans, each of whom is experienced in analyzing ethical standards for the profession, offers you solutions for working through ongoing difficulties with implementing Interpretation 101-3.

Benefits

Our panel will address these and other key ethics-related issues:

  • Assessing independence - Make sure that you are current on all services that the AICPA asserts would compromise the independence of an attest engagement.
  • Avoiding extreme steps - Find alternatives to knee-jerk steps like "we're not independent" declarations in compilations.
  • Finding documentation alternatives - Spell out engagement terms in an internal memo or a modified engagement or representation letter.
  • Working with clients - Persuade clients to sign internal documents and to prepare controls, and help clients that may be unprepared to take on those duties.
  • Leveraging advantages - Fortify your defense against malpractice claims by adhering to Interpretation 101-3.

Faculty

Raymond M. Nowicki, Partner
Nowicki & Co., Buffalo, N.Y.

He is a former member of the AICPA's Peer Review Board. He has over 20 years of experience as an advisor to businesses on tax and accounting issues.

D. Scot Loyd, Partner-In-Charge,Governmental Practice
Swindoll Janzen Hawk & Loyd, McPherson, Kan.

He has been a partner with the firm since 1990. He has been extensively involved with the AICPA's ethics executive panel. He works on audit, budget and consultation for municipal governments.

Cathy Allen, President and Founder
Audit Conduct, South Setauket, N.Y.

Her firm consults on auditor independence and ethics. Previously, she was a senior staffer in the AICPA's Professional Ethics Division and Director of Independence with two Big Four firms.

Lisa Snyder, Director, Professional Ethics Division
AICPA, New York

 

Ordering

Teleconference on CD

Purchase a CD of the full event proceedings, including Q&A and PDF files of all handouts (available 10 days after the seminar).

For CLE only, this program is pre-approved for self-study credit in AK, AZ, CA, MO, MT, VT, WV.

Self-study CLE credits are also available in CT*, CO, GA, ID, KY, LA, ME, NV, ND, NY*, OR, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY.
Please call us if you will be self-reporting in one of these states. *For CT and NY, Strafford needs to process the CLE — see below to purchase this option

Self-study CPE is not offered on CD purchases.

CD $247.00 plus $9.45 S&H


CPE on Live Event

Continuing Professional Education credit processing is available for an additional $35 per person. You may register for CPE credit processing at any time before or after the program.

Strafford is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a CPE sponsor.

CPE Processing $35.00

Program Materials

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CPE Credit

Strafford seminars qualify for CPE credits. They offer you a high quality, cost effective, and convenient CPE option, with no lost travel time or expenses.

Customer Reviews

Knowledgeable speakers with excellent presentation skills and materials.

Sarah C. Harlan

Sarah C. Harlan, CPA

Right on point … a great summary of what professionals are required to know.

George R. Paulick

Urish Popeck

Concise and to the point. Moved through the materials in an efficient and logical manner.

Richard L. Hawkins

Geffen Mesher & Co.

Very timely material. Very useful to my practice. Got to ask my questions and received excellent answers.

Joellyn D. Kuhn

Kuhn & Associates

Informative and timely.

Rick Rosell

Bennett Thrasher

Accounting Advisory Board

Bill Allen

Partner

Making Auditors Proficient

Stephen Bodine

Audit & Accounting Principal

LarsonAllen

Alicia Dias

Audit Manager

Brown/Armstrong

Richard H. Gesseck

Partner

UHY

Neil Goldenberg

Partner-In-Charge, Internal Audit & Risk Management

Eisner

Greg Goller

Partner-in-Charge, Non-Profit Tax Practice

Grant Thornton

Lynford Graham, CPA

Professor of Accounting

Bentley University

Joe Kristan

Shareholder

Roth & Co. CPAs

Carl Lacher

President

Lacher McDonald & Co.

Steven J. Luber

Senior Manager

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Ben Neuhausen

National Director of Accounting

BDO Seidman

Gary O'Krent

Shareholder

Bluestein O'Krent & Bluestein

Curtis Reinhart

Partner

Ernst & Young

David Riley

Director

Schlenner Wenner & Co.

Celia Roady

Tax Partner

Morgan Lewis

Charles “Chip” Schweiger

Audit Services Partner

Grant Thornton

Chris Stanz

Principal, Non-Profit and Government Practice

LarsonAllen

Alan Strand

Principal

Strand and Associates

Danielle Thompson

Executive

Crowe Horwath