Professional Ethics Resources

Independence rules comparison: AICPA and Government Auditing Standards

It can be daunting to keep track of the requirements of different standard-setting bodies, so we put together this comparison of GAO and AICPA standards to assist you in complying with both sets of independence requirements when both are applicable.

Practice aid: Independence considerations for information systems services

Do you know how the technology-related service an attest client asked you to provide will affect your independence under the newly revised “Information Systems Services” interpretation (ET sec. 1.295.145)?

This practice aid can help you determine just that. Along with questions for consideration, you’ll find factors to consider, examples of permitted and prohibited activities, and references to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (code), as well as other nonauthoritative guidance to help you maintain your independence.

Practice aid: Understanding circumstances that may compromise your integrity and objectivity

The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct provides guidance on offering or accepting of gifts or entertainment.

But what about other circumstances that may create threats to our integrity or objectivity? The examples and case studies in this practice aid focus on other circumstances that may influence your behavior with respect to compliance only with the “Integrity and Objectivity Rule” — that is, matters that fall under the “Independence Rule” are not specifically addressed in this practice aid. This practice aid applies to all professional services that a member provides to clients or employers.

Implementation Guide: State and local government client affiliates

This implementation guide will help you understand which entities are affiliates of your state and local financial statement attest clients. Related tools include

• Interactive SLG affiliate matrix an excel template that allows you to populate the entities that have relationships with your client and based upon your responses to yes/no questions, will identify whether an affiliate exists and if so, what type.
• SLG affiliate calculator: Entities a survey tool that, based upon your responses, will identify whether an entity is an affiliate of your financial statement attest client and if so, what type.
• SLG affiliate calculator: Investments a survey tool that, based upon your responses, will identify whether an investment is an affiliate of your financial statement attest client and if so, what type.

Conceptual Framework Toolkit for Independence

This toolkit assists members in the implementation of the Independence Conceptual Framework. It includes among other things, a worksheet to aid members with applying the steps of the conceptual framework that could also be used to satisfy the documentation requirement found in paragraph .09 in the framework.

Conceptual Framework Toolkit for Members in Public Practice

This toolkit assists members in the implementation of the Conceptual Framework for Members in Public Practice. It includes among other things, a worksheet to aid members with applying the steps of the conceptual framework that could be used to document your assessment.

Conceptual Framework Toolkit for Members in Business

This toolkit assists members in the implementation of the Conceptual Framework for Members in Business. It includes among other things, a worksheet to aid members with applying the steps of the conceptual framework that could be used to document your assessment.

Nonattest Services Toolkit

This toolkit assists members in understanding the independence requirements related to providing nonattest services and with evaluating threats to independence when providing these services. It includes among other things, a checklist to aid members with evaluating whether independence would be impaired when providing these services.