Engagement Essentials

Are you seeking to perform your engagements with maximum efficiency? This book provides an overview of the Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, specifically SSARS No. 21, and covers the fundamentals of preparation, compilation, and review engagements. You will learn what distinguishes preparation, compilation, and review engagements from a traditional audit, You will then apply these concepts with practice questions, case studies and a step-by-step walk-through of these engagements.

This book has been fully updated to incorporate the changes from the recently issued SSARSs No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information, and SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services - 2016.

You will be prepared to:

• Identify the performance requirements associated with these engagements
• Recall the standard compilation and review reports, as well as common modifications to the accountant’s reports
• Recognize the documentation requirements associated with these engagements

Hugh Parker, Ph.D., CPA, has more than 25 years of experience in accounting, auditing, business valuation, and litigation support in local and regional firms. He has taught CPA continuing education courses across the country, and has been recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as an Outstanding CPE Instructor. His career includes experience teaching undergraduate and graduate accounting courses, Dean of the Else School of Management at Millsaps College and Executive Partner of HORNE LLP. Parker's volunteer service includes campaign chair of the Millsaps College Else School of Business, USM College of Business Advisory Board, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi, Boy Scouts, Mississippi Special Olympics, and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.

Kimberly Burke, Ph.D., is professor of accountingat the Dean at Millsaps College's Else School of Management. She oversees the undergraduate business program, an MBA program, an Executive MBA program, and a Master of Accountancy program. As an accounting professor, Dr. Burke has taught a variety of classes including undergraduate and graduate auditing, intermediate and advanced accounting, accounting information systems, principles of financial accounting and introduction to liberal studies. In 2008, she was recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education as the Mississippi Professor of the Year. She has published in multiple publications including Advances in Accounting, Southern Economic Journal, Journal of Information Systems, Journal of Service Marketing and Internal Auditing.

Chapter 1 1-1 Introduction to Preparation, Compilation, and Review Engagements 1-1

Reporting on Financial Statements 1-2

Evolution of Engagements to Prepare Financial Statements 1-5

Hierarchy of Standards and Guidance 1-9

Quality Control in Engagements Performed Under SSARSs 1-11

Peer Review 1-16

Summary 1-18

Practice Questions 1-20

Chapter 2 2-1 Pre-engagement Considerations 2-1

Financial Statement Considerations 2-2

Other Accounting Frameworks 2-4

Independence and Ethics 2-8

Acceptance and Continuance of Client Relationships 2-13

Summary 2-17

Practice Questions 2-18

Chapter 3 3-1 Performing an Engagement to Prepare Financial Statements 3-1

Objective and Scope 3-2

Performance Requirements 3-5

Documentation for Engagements to Prepare Financial Statements 3-10

Summary 3-12

Practice Questions 3-13

Chapter 4 4-1 Performing Compilation Engagements 4-1

Compilation Framework and Objectives 4-2

Compilation Performance Standards 4-7

Documentation for Compilation Engagements 4-10

Summary 4-14

Practice Questions 4-15

Chapter 5 5-1 Reporting on Compilation Engagements 5-1

Standard Compilation Reports 5-2

Common Modifications to Standard Compilation Reports 5-4

Reporting on SPF Financial Statements 5-11

Summary 5-13

Chapter 6 6-1 Other Compilation Engagements 6-1

Compiling Accounts, Elements, or Items of Financial Statements 6-2

Compilation Engagements for Pro Forma Financial Information 6-4

Compilation Engagements for Prospective Financial Statements 6-8

Compilation Engagements for Interim Financial Statements 6-10

Summary 6-13

Chapter 7 7-1 Performing Review Engagements 7-1

Review General Principles and Objective 7-2

Copyright 2017 Table of Contents 3

Review Performance Standards 7-7

Documentation for Review Engagements 7-15

Change in Level of Service 7-19

Summary 7-20

Practice Questions and Case Studies 7-21

Chapter 8 8-1 Inquiry and Analytical Review Procedures 8-1

Analytical Procedures 8-2

Inquiry Procedures 8-10

Summary 8-13

Cases 8-14

Chapter 9 9-1 Reporting on Review Engagements 9-1

Standard Review Reports 9-2

Some Major Differences From Compilation Engagements 9-4

Common Modifications to Standard Review Reports 9-5

Restricting the Use of Review Reports 9-15

Special Purpose Framework Financial Statements 9-17

Summary 9-19

Cases 9-20

Appendix A Illustrative Engagements Letters A-1

Appendix B Sample Compilation Reports B-1

Appendix C Sample Review Reports C-1

Glossary Glossary 1

Index Index 1

Solutions Solutions 1

Chapter 1 Solutions 1

Chapter 2 Solutions 4

Chapter 3 Solutions 6

Chapter 4 Solutions 9

Chapter 5 Solutions 15

Chapter 6 Solutions 21

Chapter 7 Solutions 23

Chapter 8 Solutions 28

Chapter 9 Solutions 31

Recent Developments

Users of this course material are encouraged to visit the AICPA website at

www.aicpa.org/CPESupplements to access supplemental learning material reflecting

recent developments that may be applicable to this course. The AICPA anticipates

that supplemental materials will be made available on a quarterly basis. Also

Financial Reporting Center which include recent standard-setting activity in the areas

of accounting and financial reporting, audit and attest, and compilation, review and

preparation.

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.