Audits provide essential accountability and transparency over government programs. Given the current challenges facing governments and their programs, the oversight provided through auditing is more critical than ever. Government auditing provides the objective analysis and information needed to make the decisions necessary to help create a better future. The professional standards presented in this 2018 revision of Government Auditing Standards (known as the Yellow Book) provide a framework for performing high-quality audit work with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence to provide accountability and to help improve government operations and services. These standards, commonly referred to as generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS), provide the foundation for government auditors to lead by example in the areas of independence, transparency, accountability, and quality through the audit process. This revision contains major changes from, and supersedes, the 2011 revision.

Do you perform engagements in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS) as presented in the Yellow Book? This book provides an excellent baseline of information for accountants to better understand governmental auditing foundations, ethics, general audit standards, financial audit standards, attestation engagement standards, and fieldwork and reporting standards for performance audits. It is essential that all auditors planning and conducting audits in accordance with GAGAS understand and discern these concepts and standards in executing their responsibilities. In addition to a chapter covering the key points in a Uniform Guidance compliance audit, this book also includes content from AICPA Guide Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits related to a Uniform Guidance compliance audit, including appendixes for example auditor's reports and sampling guidance. This book will prepare you to do the following: Identify the types of engagements that are performed under Government Auditing Standards. Recognize Yellow Book requirements related to independence, peer review, and more. Identify the additional requirements for performing a financial audit under GAGAS. Recognize the additional GAGAS reporting requirements for financial audits. Recall the requirements for performing attestation engagements and performance audits under the Yellow Book.

It is essential all auditors performing Yellow Book audits understand the recently revised concepts and standards of generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS). This book provides a baseline of information for accountants to gain an understanding of the new Yellow Book (2018 revision of Government Auditing Standards). Featuring new guidance related to independence and peer review, this book will increase your knowledge of the requirements and application guidance related to: Ethics Independence Standards for financial audits Attestation engagements Performance audits Key topics covered include: Foundation and principles for the use and application of generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS) General requirements for complying with the Yellow Book Ethics, independence, and professional judgment Competence and continuing professional education Quality control and peer review Standards for financial audits Standards for attestation engagements and reviews of financial statements Fieldwork standards for performance audits Reporting standards for performance audits

Government Accountability Office GAO "Yellow Book" Government Auditing Standards 2018 Revision By the Comptroller General of the United StatesAudits provide essential accountability and transparency over government programs. Given the current challenges facing governments and their programs, the oversight provided through auditing is more critical than ever. Government auditing provides the objective analysis and information needed to make the decisions necessary to help create a better future. The professional standards presented in this 2018 revision of Government Auditing Standards (known as the Yellow Book) provide a framework for performing high-quality audit work with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence to provide accountability and to help improve government operations and services. These standards, commonly referred to as generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS), provide the foundation for government auditors to lead by example in the areas of independence, transparency, accountability, and quality through the audit process. This revision contains major changes from, and supersedes, the 2011 revision. These changes, summarized below, reinforce the principles of transparency and accountability and strengthen the framework for high-quality government audits. - All chapters are presented in a revised format that differentiates requirements and application guidance related to those requirements. - Supplemental guidance from the appendix of the 2011 revision is either removed or incorporated into the individual chapters. - The independence standard is expanded to state that preparing financial statements from a client-provided trial balance or underlying accounting records generally creates significant threats to auditors' independence, and auditors should document the threats and safeguards applied to eliminate and reduce threats to an acceptable level or decline to perform the service. - The peer review standard is modified to require that audit organizations comply with their respective affiliated organization's peer review requirements and GAGAS peer review requirements. Additional requirements are provided for audit organizations not affiliated with recognized organizations. - The standards include a definition for waste. - The performance audit standards are updated with specific considerations for when internal control is significant to the audit objectives.

Newly revised in 2011. Contains the auditing standards promulgated by the Comptroller General of the United States. Known as the Yellow Book. Includes the professional standards and guidance, commonly referred to as generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS), which provide a framework for conducting high quality government audits and attestation engagements with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence. These standards are for use by auditors of government entities and entities that receive government awards and audit organizations performing GAGAS audits and attestation engagements.

This United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) manual, GAO "Yellow Book" Government Auditing Standards Technical Update April 2021, is effective for financial audits, attestation engagements, and reviews of financial statements and for performance audits. This revision contains major changes from, and supersedes, the 2011 and 2018 revisions.

Policymakers and program managers are continually seeking ways to improve accountability in achieving an entity's mission. A key factor in improving accountability in achieving an entity's mission is to implement an effective internal control system. An effective internal control system helps an entity adapt to shifting environments, evolving demands, changing risks, and new priorities. As programs change and entities strive to improve operational processes and implement new technology, management continually evaluates its internal control system so that it is effective and updated when necessary. Section 3512 (c) and (d) of Title 31 of the United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Managers? Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA)) requires the Comptroller General to issue standards for internal control in the federal government.