Questions and answers on comfort letters

Or third party verification letters.   Solvency is just one item to be careful about.   This article and links therein provides guidance to accountants who are wondering about what they can do for or on behalf of their clients.

http://blog.aicpa.org/2013/08/that-comfort-letter-request-may-really-be-a-third-party-verification.html

Proposal to extend SEC statute of limitations

for fraud.   When to begin? Discovery or violation?  http://www.complianceweek.com/sen-reed-working-with-sec-to-craft-legislation-doubling-statute-of-limitations/article/307586/

Internal audit oversight

guidelines are discussed in this article.  http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2013/Aug/20137713.htm

Blame the internal auditor

That is in part what this report on the bankrupt city of Stockton CA contains.  Some blame for an internal auditor who retired prior to the bankruptcy.   However, let's not forget that one internal auditor is part of an overall city culture.   What about tone at the top!    http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130801/A_NEWS/308010320

Audit fees rise

as reported in this article, based on a sample of public and private companies.   Third straight year of reported fee increases.  http://journalofaccountancy.com/News/20138425.htm

Small companies exempt from internal control certification

pose more risk according to this source.    Increased restatement of financials for a large block of companies.   http://blogs.wsj.com/cfo/2013/07/23/audit-rule-exemptions-pose-risks/?mod=djemCFO_h

For internal auditors to succeed

in the future, check out what this survey results indicates to be necessary skills..   http://www.cgma.org/Magazine/News/Pages/20138328.aspx