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AICPA Professional Standards

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AICPA Professional Standards offers a comprehensive source of professional standards applicable to non-public companies and contains pronouncements issued by the AICPA.

Pronouncements are arranged by subject with amendments noted, superseded portions deleted, and conforming changes reflected. Numerous amendments and conforming changes have been made recently, including those necessary to reflect FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (ASC).

Professional Standards include:

  • Statements on Auditing Standards and Related Interpretations
  • Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements and Related Interpretations
  • Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services and Related Interpretations
  • AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
  • AICPA Bylaws
  • Statements on Standards for Consulting Services
  • Statements on Quality Control Standards
  • Statements on Standards for Valuation Services
  • Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews and Related Interpretations
  • Statements on Standards for Tax Services and Related Interpretations
  • Statements on Responsibilities in Personal Financial Planning Practice
  • Statements on Standards for Continuing Professional Education Programs and Related Policies and Forms

Available in four formats to suit your needs: Online Subscription, Paperback, CD-ROM Subscription, and Loose-leaf Subscription. Choose the format that is best for you.

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The Online Subscription option features 24/7 online access to Professional Standards. Your online subscription also includes regular content updates and unlimited access for one full year. Many sections are indexed for quick and easy data retrieval. Click here for a brief demonstration. Multi-user and multi-user academic online subscriptions are available; please call 888-777-7077 for more information.

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Paperback
This edition includes standards and interpretations issued through June 1, 2009, including:
  • Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 116, Interim Financial Information
  • SAS No. 115, Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit
  • The full text of all final Clarity Standards (auditing) issued to date
  • Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 15, An Examination of an Entity's Internal Control Over Financial Reporting That is Integrated With an Audit of Its Financial Statements
  • Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) No. 18, Applicability of Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services
  • Ethics Guide for Complying With Rules 102-505
  • Numerous amendments and conforming changes, including those necessary to reflect FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (ASC)
CD-ROM Subscription
Your one-year CD-Rom Subscription includes up to three update discs. Multi-user subscriptions are available; please call 888-777-7077 for more information.
Loose-leaf Subscription
Your one-year subscription includes 4 updates per year to the loose-leaf manual. Includes new and replacement pages as appropriate.

Table of Contents

  • Volume 1
    • How to Use Volume 1
    • Applicability of AICPA Professional Standards and PCAOB Standards
    • Cross-References to SASs
    • U.S. AUDITING—AICPA
      • AU 100 Statements on Auditing Standards—Introduction
        • 110—Responsibilities and Functions of the Independent Auditor
        • 120—Defining Professional Requirements in Statements on Auditing Standards
        • 150—Generally Accepted Auditing Standards
        • 161—The Relationship of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards to Quality Control Standards
      • AU 200 The General Standards
        • 201—Nature of the General Standards
        • 210—Training and Proficiency of the Independent Auditor
        • 220—Independence
        • 230—Due Professional Care in the Performance of Work
      • AU 300 The Standards of Field Work
        • 311—Planning and Supervision
        • 9311—Planning and Supervision: Auditing Interpretations of Section 311
        • 312—Audit Risk and Materiality in Conducting an Audit
        • 9312—Audit Risk and Materiality in Conducting an Audit: Auditing Interpretations of Section 312
        • 314—Understanding the Entity and Its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement
        • 315—Communications Between Predecessor and Successor Auditors
        • 316—Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit
        • 317—Illegal Acts by Clients
        • 9317—Illegal Acts by Clients: Auditing Interpretations of Section 317
        • 318—Performing Audit Procedures in Response to Assessed Risks and Evaluating the Audit Evidence Obtained
        • 322—The Auditor's Consideration of the Internal Audit Function in an Audit of Financial Statements
        • 324—Service Organizations
        • 9324—Service Organizations: Auditing Interpretations of Section 324
        • 325—Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit
        • 9325—Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit: Auditing Interpretations of Section 325
        • 325A—Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit 9325A—Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit: Auditing Interpretations of Section 325A
        • 326—Audit Evidence
        • 9326—Audit Evidence: Auditing Interpretations of Section 326
        • 328—Auditing Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
        • 9328—Auditing Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures: Auditing Interpretations of Section 328
        • 329—Analytical Procedures
        • 9329—Analytical Procedures: Auditing Interpretations of Section 329
        • 330—The Confirmation Process
        • 9330—The Confirmation Process: Auditing Interpretations of Section 330
        • 331—Inventories
        • 9331—Inventories: Auditing Interpretations of Section 331
        • 332—Auditing Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities, and Investments in Securities
        • 9332—Auditing Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities, and Investments in Securities: Auditing Interpretations of Section 332
        • 333—Management Representations
        • 9333—Management Representations: Auditing Interpretations of Section 333
        • 334—Related Parties
        • 9334—Related Parties: Auditing Interpretations of Section 334
        • 336—Using the Work of a Specialist
        • 9336—Using the Work of a Specialist: Auditing Interpretations of Section 336
        • 337—Inquiry of a Client's Lawyer Concerning Litigation, Claims, and Assessments
        • 337A—Appendix—Illustrative Audit Inquiry Letter to Legal Counsel
        • 337B—Exhibit I—Excerpts From Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 450, Contingencies
        • 337C—Exhibit II—American Bar Association Statement of Policy Regarding Lawyers' Responses to Auditors' Requests for Information
        • 9337—Inquiry of a Client's Lawyer Concerning Litigation, Claims, and Assessments: Auditing Interpretations of Section 337
        • 339—Audit Documentation
        • 9339—Audit Documentation: Auditing Interpretations of Section 339
        • 341—The Auditor's Consideration of an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
        • 9341—The Auditor's Consideration of an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern: Auditing Interpretations of Section 341
        • 342—Auditing Accounting Estimates
        • 9342—Auditing Accounting Estimates: Auditing Interpretations of Section 342
        • 350—Audit Sampling
        • 9350—Audit Sampling: Auditing Interpretations of Section 350
        • 380—The Auditor's Communication With Those Charged With Governance
        • 390—Consideration of Omitted Procedures After the Report Date
      • AU 400 The First, Second, and Third Standards of Reporting
        • 410—Adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
        • 9410—Adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: Auditing Interpretations of Section 410
        • 411—The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
        • 9411—The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: Auditing Interpretations of Section 411
        • 420—Consistency of Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
        • 9420—Consistency of Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: Auditing Interpretations of Section 420
        • 431—Adequacy of Disclosure in Financial Statements
      • AU 500 The Fourth Standard of Reporting
        • 504—Association With Financial Statements
        • 9504—Association With Financial Statements: Auditing Interpretations of Section 504
        • 508—Reports on Audited Financial Statements
        • 9508—Reports on Audited Financial Statements: Auditing Interpretations of Section 508
        • 530—Dating of the Independent Auditor's Report
        • 532—Restricting the Use of an Auditor's Report
        • 534—Reporting on Financial Statements Prepared for Use in Other Countries
        • 9534—Reporting on Financial Statements Prepared for Use in Other Countries: Auditing Interpretations of Section 534
        • 543—Part of Audit Performed by Other Independent Auditors
        • 9543—Part of Audit Performed by Other Independent Auditors: Auditing Interpretations of Section 543
        • 544—Lack of Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
        • 9544—Lack of Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: Auditing Interpretations of Section 544
        • 550—Other Information in Documents Containing Audited Financial Statements
        • 9550—Other Information in Documents Containing Audited Financial Statements: Auditing Interpretations of Section 550
        • 551—Reporting on Information Accompanying the Basic Financial Statements in Auditor-Submitted Documents
        • 552—Reporting on Condensed Financial Statements and Selected Financial Data
        • 558—Required Supplementary Information
        • 9558—Required Supplementary Information: Auditing Interpretations of Section 558
        • 560—Subsequent Events Section Page
        • 9560—Subsequent Events: Auditing Interpretations of Section 560
        • 561—Subsequent Discovery of Facts Existing at the Date of the Auditor's Report
        • 9561—Subsequent Discovery of Facts Existing of the Date of the Auditor's Report: Auditing Interpretations of Section 561
      • AU 600 Other Types of Reports
        • 622—Engagements to Apply Agreed-Upon Procedures to Specified Elements, Accounts, or Items of a Financial Statement [Withdrawn by SAS No. 93; see AT section 201]
        • 9622—Engagements to Apply Agreed-Upon Procedures to Specified Elements, Accounts, or Items of a Financial Statement: Auditing Interpretations of Section 622 [Withdrawn by SAS No. 93; see AT section 201]
        • 623—Special Reports
        • 9623—Special Reports: Auditing Interpretations of Section 623
        • 625—Reports on the Application of Accounting Principles
        • 9625—Reports on the Application of Accounting Principles: Auditing Interpretations of Section 625
        • 634—Letters for Underwriters and Certain Other Requesting Parties
        • 9634—Letters for Underwriters and Certain Other Requesting Parties: Auditing Interpretations of Section 634
        • 9642—Reporting on Internal Accounting Control: Auditing Interpretations of SAS No. 30
      • AU 700 Special Topics
        • 711—Filings Under Federal Securities Statutes
        • 9711—Filings Under Federal Securities Statutes: Auditing Interpretations of Section 711
        • 722—Interim Financial Information
        • 722A—Interim Financial Information
      • AU 800 Compliance Auditing
        • 801—Compliance Auditing Considerations in Audits of Governmental Entities and Recipients of Governmental Financial Assistance
      • AU 900 Special Reports of the Committee on Auditing Procedure
        • 901—Public Warehouses—Controls and Auditing Procedures for Goods Held
      • AU Risk Assessment Standards: SAS No. 104–SAS No. 111
      • AU Appendixes
      • AU Topical Index
      • AU Clarity Project
    • ATTESTATION ENGAGEMENTS
      • AT Attestation Engagements—Contents
      • AT Attestation Standards—Introduction
      • AT Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements
        • 20—Defining Professional Requirements in Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements
        • 50—SSAE Hierarchy
        • 101—Attest Engagements
        • 9101—Attest Engagements: Attest Engagements Interpretations of Section 101
        • 201—Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements
        • 301—Financial Forecasts and Projections
        • 401—Reporting on Pro Forma Financial Information
        • 501—An Examination of an Entity's Internal Control Over Financial Reporting That Is Integrated With an Audit of Its Financial Statements
        • 601—Compliance Attestation
        • 701—Management's Discussion and Analysis
      • AT Topical Index
  • VOLUME 2
    • How to Use Volume 2
    • ACCOUNTING AND REVIEW SERVICES
      • AR Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review
        • Services
        • 20—Defining Professional Requirements in Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services
        • 50—Standards for Accounting and Review Services
        • 100—Compilation and Review of Financial Statements
        • 9100—Compilation and Review of Financial Statements: Accounting and Review Services Interpretations of Section 100
        • 110—Compilation of Specified Elements, Accounts, or Items of a Financial Statement
        • 120—Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information
        • 200—Reporting on Comparative Financial Statements
        • 9200—Reporting on Comparative Financial Statements: Accounting and Review Services Interpretations of Section 200
        • 300—Compilation Reports on Financial Statements Included in Certain Prescribed Forms
        • 9300—Compilation Reports on Financial Statements Included in Certain Prescribed Forms: Accounting and Review Services Interpretations of Section 300
        • 400—Communications Between Predecessor and Successor Accountants
        • 9400—Communications Between Predecessor and Successor Accountants: Accounting and Review Services Interpretations of Section 400
        • 500—Reporting on Compiled Financial Statements [Deleted by the issuance of Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services 7, November 1992.]
        • 600—Reporting on Personal Financial Statements Included in Written Personal Financial Plans
        • 9600—Reporting on Personal Financial Statements Included in Written Personal Financial Plans: Accounting and Review Services Interpretation of Section 600
      • AR Exhibits
      • AR Appendixes
      • AR Topical Index
    • CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
      • ET Code of Professional Conduct—Introduction
      • ET 50 Principles of Professional Conduct
        • 51—Preamble
        • 52—Article I—Responsibilities
        • 53—Article II—The Public Interest
        • 54—Article III—Integrity
        • 55—Article IV—Objectivity and Independence
        • 56—Article V—Due Care
        • 57—Article VI—Scope and Nature of Services
      • ET 90 Rules: Applicability and Definitions
        • 91—Applicability
        • 92—Definitions
      • ET 100 Independence, Integrity, and Objectivity
        • 100.01—Conceptual Framework for AICPA Independence Standards
        • 101—Independence
          • Rule 101—Independence
          • Interpretations under Rule 101—Independence
        • 102—Integrity and Objectivity
          • Rule 102—Integrity and objectivity
          • Interpretations under Rule 102—Integrity and Objectivity
        • 191—Ethics Rulings on Independence, Integrity, and Objectivity
      • ET 200 General Standards—Accounting Principles
        • 201—General Standards
          • Rule 201—General standards
          • Interpretations under Rule 201—General Standards
        • 202—Compliance With standards
          • Rule 202—Compliance with standards
          • Interpretation under Rule 202— Compliance With Standards
        • 203—Accounting Principles
          • Rule 203—Accounting principles
          • Interpretations under Rule 203— Accounting Principles
        • 291—Ethics Rulings on General and Technical Standards
      • ET 300 Responsibilities to Clients
        • 301—Confidential Client Information
          • Rule 301—Confidential client information
          • Interpretations under Rule 301— Confidential Client Information
        • 302—Contingent Fees
          • Rule 302—Contingent fees
          • Interpretation under Rule 302—Contingent Fees
        • 391—Ethics Rulings on Responsibilities to Clients
      • ET 400 Responsibilities to Colleagues
      • ET 500 Other Responsibilities and Practices
        • 501—Acts Discreditable
          • Rule 501—Acts discreditable
          • Interpretations under Rule 501—Acts Discreditable
        • 502—Advertising and Other Forms of Solicitation
          • Rule 502—Advertising and other forms of solicitation
          • Interpretations under Rule 502—Advertising and Other Forms of Solicitation
        • 503—Commissions and Referral Fees
          • Rule 503—Commissions and referral fees
          • Interpretation under Rule 503—Commissions and Referral Fees
        • 504—[Deleted]
        • 505—Form of Organization and Name
          • Rule 505—Form of organization and name
          • Interpretations under Rule 505—Form of Organization and Name
        • 591—Ethics Rulings on Other Responsibilities and Practices
      • ET Appendixes
      • ET Rules Compliance Guide.
      • ET Topical Index
    • BYLAWS
      • BL Definitions
      • BL 100 Name and Purpose
        • 101—Name and Purpose
      • BL 200 Admission to, and Retention of, Membership and Association
        • 210—Members
        • 220—Requirements for Admission to Membership
        • 220R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 2.2
          • Requirements for Admission to Membership
        • 230—Requirements for Retention of Membership
        • 230R—Implementing Resolutions Under Section 2.3
          • Requirements for Retention of Membership
        • 240—Certificate of Membership
        • 250—Right of Members to Describe Themselves as Such
        • 260—International Associates
        • 260R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 2.6
          • International Associates
      • BL 300 Organization and Procedure
        • 310—General
        • 320—Membership
        • 320R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 3.2 Membership
        • 330—Council
        • 340—Board of Directors
        • 340R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 3.4 Board of Directors
        • 350—Officers Elected by Council
        • 350R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 3.5 Officers Elected by Council
        • 360—Committees
        • 360R—Implementing Resolutions Under Section 3.6 Committees
      • BL 400 Financial Management and Controls
        • 401—Financial Management and Controls
        • 401R—Implementing Resolution Under Article 4 Financial Management and Controls
        • 410—Audit
        • 420—Committee on Audit
        • 430—Execution of Instruments on Behalf of the Institute
        • 440—Indemnification
        • 450—Dues
        • 460—Fiscal Year
        • 460R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 4.6 Fiscal Year
      • BL 500 Meetings of the Institute and the Council
        • 501—Meetings of the Institute and the Council
        • 510—Meetings of the Institute
        • 520—Meetings of Council
        • 530—General Provisions Governing Meetings
      • BL 600 Election of Council, Board of Directors, and Officers of the Institute
        • 601—Election of Council, Board of Directors, and Officers of the Institute
        • 610—Members of Council Directly Elected by Members of the Institute
        • 610R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 6.1 Members of Council Directly Elected by Members of the Institute
        • 620—Selection of Members of Council to Represent State Societies
        • 630—Election of Members-at-Large of Council, Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board, and Vice Chairman of the Board
        • 640—Forfeiture of Office for Nonattendance
        • 650—Vacancies
        • 650R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 6.5 Vacancies
        • 660—Election Meeting of Council
        • 670—Term Limit
      • BL 700 Termination of Membership and Disciplinary Sanctions
        • 701—Termination of Membership and Disciplinary Sanctions
        • 710—Resignation of Membership
        • 710R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 7.1 Resignation of Membership
        • 720—Termination of Membership for Nonpayment of Financial Obligation or for Failure to Comply With Membership-Retention Requirements
        • 720R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 7.2 Termination of Membership for Nonpayment of Financial Obligation or for Failure to Comply With Membership-Retention Requirements
        • 730—Disciplinary Action Without a Hearing
        • 730R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 7.3 Disciplinary Action Without a Hearing
        • 740—Disciplining of Member by Trial Board
        • 740R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 7.4 Disciplining of Member by Trial Board
        • 750—Reinstatement
        • 750R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 7.5 Reinstatement
        • 760—Publication of Disciplinary Action
        • 760R—Implementing Resolution Under Section 7.6 Publication of Disciplinary Action
        • 770—Disciplinary Sections Not to Be Applied Retroactively
      • BL 800 Amendments
        • 801—Amendments
        • 810—Proposals to Amend the Bylaws
        • 820—Proposals to Amend the Code of Professional Conduct
        • 830—Submission to Council via Board of Directors
        • 840—Submission to Membership by Mail Ballot
      • BL 900 General
        • 911—AICPA Mission Statement
        • 921—A Description of the Professional Practice of Certified Public Accountants
      • BL Topical Index
    • U.S. AUDITING—PCAOB PC
      • PC Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Standards and Audits of Public Companies
    • VALUATION SERVICES VS
      • VS Statements on Standards for Valuation Services
        • 100—Valuation of a Business, Business Ownership Interest, Security, or Intangible Asset
        • 9100—Valuation of a Business, Business Ownership Interest, Security, or Intangible Asset: Valuation Services Interpretations of Section 100
    • CONSULTING SERVICES CS
      • CS Statement on Standards for Consulting Services.
        • 100—Consulting Services: Definition and Standards
      • CS Topical Index
    • QUALITY CONTROL QC
      • QC Quality Control
        • 10—A Firm's System of Quality Control
    • PEER REVIEW
      • PR Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews
        • 100—Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews
        • 9100—Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews: Interpretations of Section 100
    • TAX SERVICES
      • TS Tax Services
        • 100—Tax Return Positions
        • 9100—Tax Return Positions: Tax Services Interpretations of Section 100
        • 200—Answers to Questions on Returns
        • 300—Certain Procedural Aspects of Preparing Returns
        • 400—Use of Estimates
        • 500—Departure From a Position Previously Concluded in an Administrative Proceeding or Court Decision
        • 600—Knowledge of Error: Return Preparation
        • 700—Knowledge of Error: Administrative Proceedings
        • 800—Form and Content of Advice to Taxpayers
        • 900—Appendix: Cross-Reference of Previous and Revised Statements
      • TS Topical Index
    • PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING
      • PFP Personal Financial Planning
        • 100—Basic Personal Financial Planning Engagement Functions and Responsibilities
        • 200—Working With Other Advisers
        • 300—Implementation Engagement Functions and Responsibilities
        • 400—Monitoring and Updating Engagements—Functions and Responsibilities
        • 500—Developing a Basis for Recommendations
      • PFP Topical Index
    • CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
      • CPE Continuing Professional Education
        • 10—Policies for the CPE Membership Requirement
        • 100—Preamble
        • 200—Standards for CPAs
        • 300—Standards for CPE Program Sponsors
        • 400—Glossary
      • CPE Topical Index

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Excerpts

HOW TO USE VOLUME 1

Scope of Volume 1

This volume, which is a reprint of volume 1 of the looseleaf edition of AICPA Professional Standards, includes the currently effective pronouncements on professional standards issued by the the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and a section detailing the applicability of AICPA Professional Standards and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Standards.

Special Note About Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification™

The accounting guidance in this publication has been conformed to reflect reference to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification™ (ASC) as it existed on June 1, 2009 (through FASB ASC Update 2009-179). Although FASB ASC is not effective at this writing, it will be released as authoritative on July 1, 2009; therefore, this publication has been conformed to FASB ASC to assist you during this transition.

On June 3, 2009, FASB voted to approve FASB ASC as the source of authoritativeU. S. accounting and reporting standards for nongovernmental entities, in addition to guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). FASB ASC becomes authoritative upon its release on July 1, 2009, significantly changing the way financial statement preparers, auditors, and academics perform accounting research.

Upon release, FASB ASC will supersede all existing, non-SEC accounting and reporting standards for nongovernmental entities. When FASB ASC becomes effective, all other nongrandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in FASB ASC will become nonauthoritative.

FASB ASC will be effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, which means that preparers must begin to use FASB ASC for periods that begin on or about July 1, 2009.

FASB ASC is a major restructuring of accounting and reporting standards designed to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) by providing the authoritative literature in a topically organized structure. FASB ASC disassembled thousands of nongovernmental accounting pronouncements (including those of FASB, the Emerging Issues Task Force, and the AICPA) and reassembled them under approximately 90 topics.

FASB ASC also includes relevant portions of authoritative content issued by the SEC, select SEC staff interpretations, and administrative guidance issued by the SEC; however, FASB ASC is not the official source of SEC guidance and does not contain the entire population of SEC rules, regulations, interpretive releases, and staff guidance.

FASB ASC is not intended to change U.S. GAAP or any requirements of the SEC; rather, it is part of FASB's efforts to reduce the complexity of accounting standards and also to facilitate international convergence. Moreover, FASB ASC does not include governmental accounting standards. The purposes behind the codification project include the following:

•  Appendix A, "Venture Capital and Small Business Investment Companies"
•  Reduce the amount of time and effort required to solve an accounting research issue
•  Mitigate the risk of noncompliance with standards through improved usability of the literature
•  Provide accurate information with real-time updates as new standards are released
•  Assist FASB with the research and convergence efforts required during the standard-setting process
•  Become the authoritative source of literature for the completed eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) taxonomy
•  Clarify that guidance not contained in FASB ASC is not considered authoritative

FASB ASC uses a topical structure in which guidance is organized into areas, topics, subtopics, sections, and subsections. These terms are defined as follows:

Areas. The broadest category in FASB ASC and represent a grouping of topics.

Topics. The broadest categorization of related content and correlate with the International Accounting Standards (IASs) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).

Subtopics. Represent subsets of a topic and are generally distinguished by type or scope.

Sections. Indicate the nature of the content such as recognition, measurement, or disclosure. The sections' structure correlates with the IASs and IFRSs.

Subsections. Allow further segregation and navigation of content.

Topics, subtopics, and sections are numerically referenced. This effectively organizes the content without regard to the original standard setter or standard from which the content was derived. An example of the numerical referencing is FASB ASC 305-10-05, in which 305 is the Cash and Cash Equivalents topic, 10 represents the "Overall" subtopic, and 05 represents the "Overview and Background" section.

FASB ASC features a notice to constituents, which explains the scope, structure, and usage of consistent terminology of FASB ASC. Users are encouraged to read this notice.

By July 1, 2009, FASB is expected to issue a final standard to flatten the GAAP hierarchy and replace FASB Statement No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The standard's effective date is expected to be July 1, 2009 to coincide with the release of FASB ASC as authoritative. The new standard will essentially reduce the GAAP hierarchy to two levels, one that is authoritative (in FASB ASC) and one that is not (not in FASB ASC).

Exceptions include all rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws—which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants—and certain grandfathered guidance having an effective date before March 15, 1992. The proposed standard is expected to create a new topic, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, in FASB ASC. One piece of the grandfathered guidance relates to AICPA software revenue recognition Technical Practice Aid Questions and Answers (TIS) sections 5100.38-.76, which were elevated into the authoritative literature during development of FASB ASC. Nonpublic entities would be required to apply this guidance prospectively for revenue agreements entered into or materially modified in annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2009, and interim periods within those years. This transition provision would only be applicable for nonpublic entities that had not previously applied this guidance. Public entities should have already been applying guidance in TIS sections 5100.38-.76. Readers can monitor the status of the proposed statement at www.fasb.org/draft/index.shtml.

FASB ASC represents a major shift in the organization and presentation of U.S. GAAP. For more information refer to the FASB ASC Web site at http://asc. fasb.org/home and the FASB ASC project status page at www.fasb.org/project/ codification&retrieval_project.shtml. To read more about it, including recent developments and updates, please also see the AICPA's dedicated FASB ASC Web site at www.aicpa.org/Professional+Resources/Accounting+and+Auditing/ FASB+Accounting+Standards+Codification/.

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