Exposure Drafts
The AICPA issues a variety of exposure drafts to solicit input on its standards-setting activities that include the areas listed below.
Auditing and Attestation
The Auditing Standards Board (ASB) develops and issues standards in the form of Statements on Auditing Standards, Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements, and Statements on Quality Control Standards. The ASB utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed statements, and a formal vote. The Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) also develops and issues Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements through the same process. Exposure drafts of these statements are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard. A public file containing drafts of proposed pronouncements, comment letters received during public exposure periods, and summaries of research data are retained for 10 years for public reference.
Preparation, Compilation and Review
The Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) develops and issues standards in the form of Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services. The ARSC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed statements, and a formal vote. Exposure drafts of these statements are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard. A public file containing drafts of proposed pronouncements, comment letters received during public exposure periods, and summaries of research data are retained for 10 years for public reference.
Peer Review
The AICPA Peer Review Board (PRB) is responsible for developing and issuing the AICPA Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews (Standards) and Interpretations to the Standards and for monitoring those standards and making revisions as needed. The PRB utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed standards and a formal vote. Exposure Drafts of these Standards are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard.
Personal Financial Planning
The Personal Financial Planning Executive Committee (PFP EC) is responsible for developing, issuing, monitoring and revising as needed the AICPA Statement on Standards in Personal Financial Planning Services and interpretations of those standards. The PFP EC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, when deemed to be beneficial to the process, public exposure of proposed standards, and a formal vote. Exposure drafts of these standards are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard.
Professional Ethics
The Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) is responsible for promulgating new ethics interpretations and rulings, and for monitoring those standards and making revisions as needed. The PEEC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed standards, and a formal vote. Exposure Drafts are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard. Once adopted, the standard becomes effective the last day of the month in which the standard is published in The Journal of Accountancy, unless stated otherwise.
Tax
The Tax Executive Committee (TEC) is responsible for developing and issuing the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services and interpretations of those standards and for monitoring those standards and interpretations and making revisions as needed. The TEC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed standards and interpretations, and a formal vote. Exposure Drafts of these standards and interpretations are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard or interpretation.
The Auditing Standards Board (ASB) develops and issues standards in the form of Statements on Auditing Standards, Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements, and Statements on Quality Control Standards. The ASB utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed statements, and a formal vote. The Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) also develops and issues Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements through the same process. Exposure drafts of these statements are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard. A public file containing drafts of proposed pronouncements, comment letters received during public exposure periods, and summaries of research data are retained for 10 years for public reference.
Preparation, Compilation and Review
The Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) develops and issues standards in the form of Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services. The ARSC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed statements, and a formal vote. Exposure drafts of these statements are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard. A public file containing drafts of proposed pronouncements, comment letters received during public exposure periods, and summaries of research data are retained for 10 years for public reference.
Peer Review
The AICPA Peer Review Board (PRB) is responsible for developing and issuing the AICPA Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews (Standards) and Interpretations to the Standards and for monitoring those standards and making revisions as needed. The PRB utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed standards and a formal vote. Exposure Drafts of these Standards are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard.
Personal Financial Planning
The Personal Financial Planning Executive Committee (PFP EC) is responsible for developing, issuing, monitoring and revising as needed the AICPA Statement on Standards in Personal Financial Planning Services and interpretations of those standards. The PFP EC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, when deemed to be beneficial to the process, public exposure of proposed standards, and a formal vote. Exposure drafts of these standards are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard.
Professional Ethics
The Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) is responsible for promulgating new ethics interpretations and rulings, and for monitoring those standards and making revisions as needed. The PEEC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed standards, and a formal vote. Exposure Drafts are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard. Once adopted, the standard becomes effective the last day of the month in which the standard is published in The Journal of Accountancy, unless stated otherwise.
Tax
The Tax Executive Committee (TEC) is responsible for developing and issuing the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services and interpretations of those standards and for monitoring those standards and interpretations and making revisions as needed. The TEC utilizes a process that includes deliberation in meetings open to the public, public exposure of proposed standards and interpretations, and a formal vote. Exposure Drafts of these standards and interpretations are issued by the AICPA to invite public comment before a final pronouncement is issued. The public exposure time varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the circumstances surrounding the need for a new standard or interpretation.
