This guide has been updated as of May 1, 2007 to reflect new relevant auditing standards and other guidance issued over the past year. Key clarifications have been added to the Guide to address practice issues that have arisen recently, including:
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Note: In July 2007, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued the Government Auditing Standards, July 2007 Revision. This revision supersedes the 2003 version of these standards. The 2007 revision is effective for financial audits and attestation engagements for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2008. This guide does not include revisions necessary to comply with the Government Auditing Standards, July 2007 Revision as they are not yet effective. However, because certain AICPA Statements on Auditing Standards (SASs) that affect the Government Auditing Standards, July 2007 Revision have earlier implementation dates, the effective dates of these new AICPA standards apply to financial statement audits performed under Government Auditing Standards. (See the Notice to Readers section of this guide.)
Purpose and Applicability
1.01 This Audit Guide (guide) has a two-fold purpose.
1.02 As discussed in Chapter 2, "Planning Considerations of Government Auditing Standards," of this guide, Government Auditing Standards applies to the audits of governmental entities, programs, activities, and functions, and of governmental assistance administered by contractors, NPOs, and other nongovernmental entities, when required by statute or other mandates or when auditors hold themselves out as following those standards. Entities for which an auditor may need to apply Government Auditing Standards when auditing financial statements include federal, state, and local governments, NPOs, health care organizations, and organizations with mortgage banking, real estate, or student lending and servicing activities. The Single Audit Act and Circular A-133 require the use of Government Auditing Standards. As discussed in Chapter 5, "Overview of the Single Audit Act, Circular A-133, and the Compliance Supplement," of this guide, the Single Audit Act and Circular A-133 apply to nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more of federal awards in a fiscal year.
1.03 Paragraph .05 of AU section 150, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (AICPA, Professional Standards, vol. 1), states that the auditing guidance included in this guide is an interpretive publication. That is, that guidance provides recommendations on the applications of SASs to audits performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and to single and programspecific audits under Circular A-133. The OMB, GAO, and AICPA promulgate applicable standards and requirements; users of this guide should refer to those organizations' original standards and requirements.
1.04 This guide is organized into two parts that discuss important considerations for audits under Government Auditing Standards and for single and program-specific audits under Circular A-133. Each part presents chapters with topics relating to planning, performing, evaluating the results of, and reporting on those audits. See the table of contents for the specific topics addressed in each part and chapter.
1.05 This guide is not a complete manual of procedures, nor should it supplant the auditor's judgment about the auditing procedures required in particular situations. Because of the variety and complexity of the laws and regulations that govern audits performed under Government Auditing Standards and Circular A-133, the procedures included in this guide cannot cover all the circumstances or conditions that would be encountered in the audits of every entity. The auditor should use professional judgment to tailor procedures to meet the conditions of the particular engagement, so that the audit objectives may be achieved.
1.06 Certain states have imposed additional audit requirements related to state or local financial assistance. Further, pass-through entities may impose additional audit requirements on their subrecipients related to the financial assistance passed through. The guidance in this guide generally does not discuss or extend to those requirements.
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