Performing engagements in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), commonly referred to as the ""Yellow Book,"" involves additional reporting, ethics, and performance requirements that go beyond those outlined in AICPA Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). This course provides an overview of the guidance found in the Yellow Book and explores its relationship with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. Participants will gain an understanding of the unique CPE requirements for GAGAS engagements and review the Yellow Book standards for financial statement audits, with a focus on ethical principles and independence. This course is designed to equip professionals with the foundational knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of Yellow Book engagements effectively. 

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This comprehensive annual update brings together key accounting and auditing developments affecting accountants and auditors across industries. The course combines recent standard-setting activity issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board with major audit and attestation updates from the AICPA, providing a well-rounded view of changes impacting financial reporting and engagement performance.

Participants will begin with an overview of recently issued and upcoming Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs), including standards effective for December 31, 2026 year-ends for public companies, private entities, and not-for-profit organizations. The course also highlights issued ASUs with future effective dates and provides high-level insight into recent exposure drafts to support implementation planning.

The course then shifts to auditing and attestation developments, including the next phase of quality management with a focus on monitoring and remediation requirements. Participants will also review recent and proposed standards affecting audit, attestation, and consulting engagements, including SSAE No. 24, SSARS No. 26, exposure drafts related to confirmations and fraud, and SAS No. 149 addressing group audits.

Designed for preparers, auditors, and firm professionals, this course helps participants understand how recent accounting and auditing changes intersect—and what to watch for as standards and expectations continue to evolve.

Course Description: Accurately identifying and testing controls over compliance is critical, yet it remains a common deficiency highlighted in peer reviews. This course offers a comprehensive overview of internal controls over compliance, with a focus on their application to Single Audits. Participants will learn how to effectively align internal controls with specific compliance requirements. Additionally, we will address one of the most frequent findings in audits of governmental entities receiving federal grants: the misidentification of controls and the confusion between compliance and control processes. This course will help clarify the distinction, equipping you with the tools to enhance audit quality and ensure compliance effectiveness. 

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AU-C Section 230 requires that auditors maintain sufficient audit documentation throughout the engagement. Audit documentation is essential, as it serves as the evidence that auditors performed appropriate procedures to support their opinion on the financial statements. This course will cover the basis and best practices of audit workpapers and proper audit documentation, as well as the common deficiencies in audit documentation. 

Audit deficiencies continue to be a focus area for peer reviewers, regulators, and state boards of accountancy. This course examines common deficiencies identified by the AICPA and state boards, highlighting recurring issues that affect audit quality and compliance.

The course covers frequently cited problem areas, including risk assessment, analytical procedures, audit sampling, and group audits. Participants will review why these deficiencies occur and explore best practices that can help reduce risk and strengthen audit execution.

This course is designed to help auditors recognize areas of heightened scrutiny and better understand how to address common deficiencies through more effective audit planning and performance.

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Sampling is often identified as a common audit deficiency in peer review. This course will review when is sampling applicable and basics of planning a sample. We'll then focus on the application of sampling in financial statement audits with a look at sampling for substantive procedures. We'll look at the use of monetary unit sampling and tools that can be leveraged to reduce bias in sampling.

The Uniform Guidance identifies COSO and the Green Book as best practices for internal controls in governmental audits. This course provides a comprehensive review of the COSO framework, including its 2013 update, and explores its application to the Green Book. Attendees will learn to recall the five components and 17 principles of internal control, understand the benefits of adopting internal control frameworks, and recognize the rationale behind the COSO 2013 update and its impact on auditing practices. Additionally, the course will cover how to leverage Part 6 of the Compliance Supplement to effectively document internal controls.

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This comprehensive annual update brings together key accounting and auditing developments affecting governmental and not-for-profit organizations. The course integrates recent standard-setting activity, emerging global frameworks, and major compliance updates to provide a well-rounded view of changes impacting financial reporting and audit requirements.

Participants will begin with an overview of recent accounting developments affecting not-for-profit organizations, including Accounting Standards Updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and an introduction to the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS). Emphasis is placed on understanding the purpose of INPAS and how it compares conceptually to U.S. GAAP for not-for-profit entities.

The course then shifts to governmental accounting developments, covering recent pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, including GASB Statements No. 103, 104, and 105, along with a high-level overview of active GASB exposure drafts and projects. Participants will gain insight into how these changes affect financial reporting, disclosures, and communication with governing bodies.

Finally, the course addresses recent developments affecting Single Audits, including the 2024 Uniform Guidance overhaul, updates to Appendix B of the AICPA GAS/Single Audit Guide, and recent guidance issued through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Reporting changes related to SAM.gov are also discussed.

Designed for auditors, preparers, and financial leaders working with governmental and not-for-profit entities, this course helps participants understand how recent accounting and auditing changes intersect—and what to monitor as requirements continue to evolve.

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Internal control frameworks help organizations identify the right controls without recreating the wheel. This webinar is designed to provide an overview of the updated 2013 COSO Internal Control – Integrated Framework as well as the Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (AKA the "Green Book“). We will review a history of COSO and its evolution until today. The updated Framework formalizes 17 principles which must be present and functioning in order to demonstrate effective internal controls. We’ll discuss each of these principles and related points of focus in detail including practical waits to implement. We’ll then look at how GAO leveraged the update of COSO to update the Green Book. We’ll then take a closer look at enterprise risk management and provide an overview of how entities can perform an effective risk assessment and mitigate risks through a control self-assessment (CSA) process. We’ll review the steps for control self-assessments and how small to medium entities can leverage CSAs to improve their internal controls.

Governmental accounting is distinct from other forms of accounting, requiring a unique approach to financial reporting. This course introduces the fundamentals of governmental accounting, including fund accounting principles and the modified accrual basis of accounting. Participants will explore the structure and purpose of fund financial statements alongside government-wide financial statements, gaining a comprehensive understanding of their layouts and key elements. The course also delves into critical topics such as the concept of component units, the role and structure of Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A), and the preparation and importance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Perfect for those new to governmental accounting, this course provides a solid foundation for understanding and applying these essential principles.

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