The purpose of this Briefing is to make chief financial officers, other senior management responsible for financial statement preparation, and staff directly involved in determining accounting estimates aware of matters to consider in preparing for the auditor’s requests pertaining to ISA 540 (Revised), Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures.

This Briefing provides an overview of:

• Management’s responsibilities in determining when accounting estimates are needed;
• Management’s responsibilities regarding the main components of an estimation process; and
• The impact on management because of changes to the auditor’s responsibilities, including broad questions auditors are likely to ask those involved in the detailed aspects of the estimation process.

This Briefing does not constitute an authoritative pronouncement of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), nor does it amend, extend or override the ISAs or other of the IAASB’s International Standards. It is not meant to be exhaustive and reading this Briefing is not a substitute for reading the ISAs.

Review the press release and Briefing on the IAASB's website.

In his speech, he also highlights on the types of information increasingly used by investors that are currently outside the audit, including alternative performance measures, or what I will call in this speech Non-GAAP financial measures, key performance indicators (KPIs), XBRL, and sustainability disclosure. Finally, it helps to start conversations among investors, audit firms, and other stakeholders about relevance and possible changes that will help prevent auditors from becoming the weavers of the 21st century.

Review the full speech on the PCAOB's website.

Review the guidance on the AASB's website.

“Accounting estimates and using the work of specialists are both prevalent areas of the audit,” said Chairman William D. Duhnke. “As auditors begin to plan and perform work on audits subject to new requirements in these areas, we are committed to proactively providing resources to them and supporting effective implementation.”

The staff guidance consists of:

1. Auditing Accounting Estimates
2. Auditing the Fair Value of Financial Instruments
3. Supervising or Using the Work of an Auditor's Specialist
4. Using the Work of a Company’s Specialist 

The first two documents highlight aspects of the new standard and enhancements made to integrate the Board’s risk assessment requirements when auditing accounting estimates, including fair value measurements. The other two documents highlight aspects of new requirements that apply when auditors use the work of specialists in an audit and when an auditor uses the work of a company specialist as audit evidence. 

As outlined on the implementation webpages for the new estimates standard and amendments for the auditor’s use of the work of specialists, the PCAOB is utilizing a variety of avenues to provide useful information to auditors. The Board and staff will continue to monitor firms’ implementation efforts and determine if further guidance is needed.

Review the press release on the PCAOB's website.

These resources advance the PCAOB’s strategic priority of cultivating effective communications with stakeholders, as well as providing timely, relevant, and useful information to them.

In May, Erin Dwyer joined the PCAOB as a direct point of contact for and liaison to investors, audit committees, and preparers. Erin shares some additional information about her role and these CAMs-related resources in this short video.

Review the resources on the PCAOB's website:

• Investor Resource: Critical Audit Matters
• Audit Committee Resource: Critical Audit Matters

Starting in the summer of 2019, auditors will be required to communicate CAMs in their auditor’s reports. Investors with questions about CAMs may turn to a company’s IR group for answers.

Review the publication on the CAQ's website.

The Brydon review is an independent review, established by the UK government in late 2018 and led by Sir Donald Brydon; it is looking at audits as a product and what audits should be in the future. It will address the audit expectation gap: the difference between what people think an audit does and what it actually does. It will also look at the scope of an audit, any changes that may need to be made to it and how it can better serve the public interest. The independent review will be supported by advisory groups that will provide advice and challenge emerging findings and recommendations.

Re­view the joint response on the IAASB’s website.

Re­view the overview of staff guidance  and the staff guidance specific to Rule 3526(b) on the PCAOB's web­site.

This document was informed by discussions with auditors regarding their experiences conducting dry runs of CAMs with their audit clients, the staff’s review of methodologies submitted by 10 U.S. audit firms that collectively audit approximately 85% of large accelerated filers, and other outreach efforts.

Review the staff guidance on the PCAOB's website.

The preview includes observations of U.S. and non-U.S. audit firms, inspected both annually and triennially.

Highlights of good practices observed include:

• Expanding accountability and revising training programs
• Establishing a network of specialized professionals to address emerging risks

Areas of deficiencies observed in 2018 include:

• Internal Controls of Financial Reporting and Revenue Risk Assessment
• Accounting estimates such as Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL)

Review the Staff Preview on the PCAOB's website.