Staff Guidance

The PCAOB staff develop guidance to assist in the implementation of PCAOB standards and rules. The documents represent the views of PCAOB staff and not necessarily those of the Board. The documents are not rules, policies, or statements of the Board.

For publications on PCAOB staff observations, please visit the staff publications page in the Resources section.

Summary Table of Contents

• Implementation Guidance
• Staff Audit Practice Alerts
• Staff Questions and Answers
• Other Board Releases
• Auditing Interpretations

Implementation Guidance

Implementation guidance documents set forth the staff's views on issues related to the implementation of the standards of the PCAOB. 

• Form AP, Auditor Reporting of Certain Audit Participants, and Related Voluntary Audit Report Disclosure Under AS 3101, The Auditor’s Report on an Audit of Financial Statements When the Auditor Expresses an Unqualified Opinion (Nov. 21, 2023)
• Evaluating Relevance and Reliability of Audit Evidence Obtained from External Sources (Oct. 7, 2021)
  
• Auditing Accounting Estimates (Aug. 22, 2019)
  
• Auditing the Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Aug. 22, 2019)
• Supervising or Using the Work of an Auditor's Specialist (Aug. 22, 2019)
• Using the Work of a Company’s Specialist (Aug. 22, 2019)
• Rule 3526(b) Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence (May 31, 2019)
• Implementation of Critical Audit Matters: A Deeper Dive on the Communication of CAMs (May 22, 2019)
• Implementation of Critical Audit Matters: The Basics (March 18, 2019)
• Implementation of Critical Audit Matters: Staff Observations from Review of Audit Methodologies (March 18, 2019)
• Implementation of Critical Audit Matters: A Deeper Dive on the Determination of CAMs (March 18, 2019)
  
• Annotated Example Auditor’s Report for the Audit of a Broker or Dealer (Dec. 18, 2018)
• Staff Guidance – Changes to the Auditor's Report Effective for Audits of Fiscal Years Ending on or After Dec. 15, 2017 (updated Aug. 23, 2018)
• Staff Guidance for Auditors of SEC-Registered Brokers and Dealers (June 26, 2014)
• Staff Views –  An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting That Is Integrated with An Audit of Financial Statements: Guidance for Auditors of Smaller Public Companies (Jan. 23, 2009)

Staff Audit Practice Alerts

Staff Audit Practice Alerts highlight new, emerging, or otherwise noteworthy circumstances that may affect how auditors conduct audits under the existing requirements of PCAOB standards and relevant laws.

• Alert No. 15: Matters Related to Auditing Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Oct. 5, 2017)
• Alert No. 14: Improper Alteration of Audit Documentation (April 21, 2016)
• Alert No. 13: Matters Related to the Auditor's Consideration of a Company's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Sept. 22, 2014)
• Alert No. 12: Matters Related to Auditing Revenue in an Audit of Financial Statements (Sept. 9, 2014)
• Alert No. 11: Considerations for Audits of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Oct. 24, 2013) 
• Alert No. 10: Maintaining and Applying Professional Skepticism in Audits (Dec. 4, 2012) 
• Alert No. 9: Assessing and Responding to Risk in the Current Economic Environment (Dec. 6, 2011) 
• Alert No. 8: Audit Risks in Certain Emerging Markets (Oct. 3, 2011) 
• Alert No. 7: Auditor Considerations of Litigation and Other Contingencies Arising from Mortgage and Other Loan Activities (Dec. 20, 2010) 
• Alert No. 6: Auditor Considerations Regarding Using the Work of Other Auditors and Engaging Assistants from Outside the Firm (July 12, 2010) 
• Alert No. 5: Auditor Considerations Regarding Significant Unusual Transactions (April 7, 2010) 
• Alert No. 4: Auditor Considerations Regarding Fair Value Measurements, Disclosures, and Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (April 21, 2009) 
• Alert No. 3: Audit Considerations in the Current Economic Environment (Dec. 5, 2008) 
• Alert No. 2: Matters Related to Auditing Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments and the Use of Specialists (Dec. 10, 2007) 
• Alert No. 1: Matters Related to Timing and Accounting for Option Grants (July 28, 2006) 

Staff Questions and Answers

Staff Questions and Answers set forth the staff's opinions on issues related to the implementation of the standards of the PCAOB.

• Auditing Standard No. 7, Engagement Quality Review (Feb. 19, 2010) 
• References to Authoritative Accounting Guidance in PCAOB Standards (Sept. 2, 2009) 
• Ethics and Independence Rules Concerning Independence, Tax Services, and Contingent Fees (April 3, 2007) 
• Auditing the Fair Value of Share Options Granted to Employees (Oct.17, 2006) 
• Adjustments to Prior-Period Financial Statements Audited by a Predecessor Auditor (June 9, 2006) 
• Attest Engagements Regarding XBRL Financial Information Furnished Under the XBRL Voluntary Financial Reporting Program on the EDGAR System (May 25, 2005) 
• Audits of Financial Statements of Non-Issuers Performed Pursuant to the Standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (June 30, 2004)