This section of the AICPA’s Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC) Web site is intended to provide links to Practice Aids and tools that will assist auditors in understanding the requirements of Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States (also referred to as the Yellow Book) and includes the following:
2011 Yellow Book Independence—Nonaudit Services Documentation Practice Aid
As communicated in GAQC Alert #188, this GAQC practice aid titled, 2011 Yellow Book Independence—Nonaudit Services Documentation Practice Aid (practice aid), was developed to assist auditors in meeting the requirements in the 2011 revision to Government Auditing Standards (the 2011 Yellow Book) for identifying and evaluating threats to independence when considering whether to provide a nonaudit service. The practice aid will be very helpful to auditors having audit engagements of all types and sizes. However, it highlights the following nonaudit services that are frequently performed for smaller entities:
- Preparing financial statements
- Preparing journal entries other than proposed audit entries
- Preparing reconciliations
One of the key features of the practice aid is a step-by-step questionnaire template that covers the thought process and related auditor documentation considerations when evaluating independence. The remainder of the practice aid contains detailed appendices that include, among other things, real-life examples of actual non-audit service scenarios and how an auditor might respond to them. Additionally, the practice aid provides information on how an auditor might consider an auditee’s skills, knowledge, or experience, which is a requirement for every nonaudit service provided. Finally, an illustrative completed version of the questionnaire template is provided.
Because of the importance of this area and to promote consistency in practice, the practice aid is available in two forms as follows:
Practice Aid Version Designed for Auditor Documentation Input. Because the questionnaire template contained in the Practice Aid will be a valuable tool for auditors, the AICPA developed an electronic version of the template that auditors can prepare and save as part of their audit documentation. That is, auditors can input their responses regarding the various independence considerations outlined in the template. The template, Yellow Book Independence—Nonaudit Services Documentation Practice Aid – Supplement, can then be easily saved and used as part of the audit documentation. There is a small cost associated with accessing this version of the practice aid, which is to be used in conjunction with the wrap-around material in the free flat PDF version (see below). The GAQC member price is $25, the AICPA member price is $28, and the non-member price is $35. GAQC members will need to provide a promotion code to obtain the GAQC member price. Access the promotion code. Order the 2011 Yellow Book Independence – Nonaudit Services Documentation Practice Aid – Supplement.
Free Flat PDF Version. All AICPA members, including GAQC members, are able to access a flat PDF file of the entire practice aid at no cost. Access the free PDF version of the Practice Aid.
NEW AICPA – Government Auditing Standards Independence Rules Comparison
To help AICPA members comply with the AICPA and 2011 revision to Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book), the AICPA Professional Ethics Team created a table that highlights provisions in the Yellow Book’s independence standards, specifically Non-Audit Services, and compares them to the relevant provisions of the AICPA Code (ET Section101, Independence). This document is designed to be an educational and reference material for AICPA members and others interested in the subject. It is not an authoritative document. It does not establish policy positions, standards, or preferred practices. This guidance is distributed with the understanding that the AICPA is not rendering any legal or ethical advice. Access AICPA – Government Auditing Standards Independence Rules Comparison.
Archived Web Event on the GAQC 2011 Yellow Book Independence Practice Aid
Listen to an archived Web event titled, Understanding the AICPA's Yellow Book Independence Practice Aid for Performing Nonaudit Services, This event assists participants in understanding the GAQC practice aid described above titled, 2011 Yellow Book Independence—Nonaudit Services Documentation Practice Aid. This practice aid is an important tool for auditors that perform nonaudit services and whose audits are performed under the 2011 revision to Government Auditing Standards.
Archived Web Event on the 2011 Yellow Book
Listen to an archived Web event titled, The New 2011 Yellow Book: What You Need to Know Now. This event assists auditors in understanding the key provisions of the 2011 Yellow Book, particularly its new independence requirements and how they differ from the AICPA’s independence rules. The event also covers several case study examples.
Archived Web Event on the 2007 Yellow Book
For auditors with audits subject to the 2007 revision of Government Auditing Standards, this archived GAQC Web event titled, The 2007 Yellow Book: What a Beginner Needs to Understand, will assist in the understanding some of the key provisions of the 2007 Yellow Book.
Government Auditing Standards Peer Review Checklists
Members should consider reviewing engagements performed under the 2007 Yellow Book against the peer review checklists for Yellow Book engagements as an additional quality control mechanism.
Illustrative Yellow Book Audit Reports
When performing an audit under Government Auditing Standards, it is important to get the auditor reporting correct. Access the latest illustrative Yellow Book audit reports on the GAQC Web site.