1. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) have positioned the auditing professions to become assurance professions. What is the difference between assurance services, attestation services, and auditing services? What are the economic issues that drive the increased demand for assurance services? What is one assurance engagement and one attestation engagement other than an audit of financial statements? What are the differences between the two engagements?
2. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been described as the most far-reaching legislation affecting business since the passage of the 1933 Securities Act. What are the specific portions of the legislation that affect the external audit profession, and how do they affect the profession? How does the legislation affect the internal audit profession? What are some activities that are implied in the legislation, as well as activities that will likely emerge as companies implement various provisions of the act? Do you believe the legislation enhances the power and prestige of the audit profession, or alternatively, does it decrease both the power and prestige of the profession? Explain.
3. Access the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Web site,https://www.sec.gov. What is the most recent litigation brought by the SEC against a public firm or against an accounting firm? Read the abstract of the complaint and download the document filed with the court. Comment on the nature of the litigation. What is the most recent Staff Accounting Bulletin that provides guidance to the profession? What was the guidance?