Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and auditing standards are referred as A&A. Accounting standards provide guidance for the creation of financial statements. Auditing standards provide guidance regarding how to prove the financial statements are materially correct. Auditors need to understand both accounting and auditing standards. 

Accounting standards come from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Both bodies create drafts of standards that are subject to public review and feedback. Once approved, they become a part of the respective codifications. 

Accounting standards constantly evolve. They are developed to meet the needs of those who read financial statements. The standards provide guidance about financial statements such as a balance sheets and disclosures, sometimes called notes to the financial statements. 

Auditing standards are issued by the American Institute of CPAs. Opinions rendered under this set of rules are usually issued in the United States, both for non-governmental and governmental entities. The purpose of the audit standards is to provide a basis for auditors to gain sufficient evidential matter to support the opinions issued. Auditors most commonly issue unmodified opinions, meaning the auditor believes there are no material misstatements in the financial statements.