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Assurance Guidance and Standards

Assurance Guidance and Standards

This course is part of CPA Licensure Prep: Advanced Auditing and Attestation Specialization

Instructor: William Karalius

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Analyze how professional ethics, independence rules, and regulatory oversight shape auditor responsibilities.
Compare U.S. and international audit standards and explain how they apply across public, private, and internal audit engagements.

Skills you'll gain

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This course is part of the CPA Licensure Prep: Advanced Auditing and Attestation Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to identify and apply the core regulatory and professional standards that govern modern auditing and assurance engagements. You’ll evaluate auditor responsibilities under the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, understand independence and integrity requirements, and distinguish between standards issued by the PCAOB, IAASB, and the Institute of Internal Auditors.

This course explores the regulatory framework that shapes audit practice in both U.S. and international contexts. You’ll examine the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the role of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the structure of International Standards on Auditing, and the evolution of internal audit standards under the IIA framework. What makes this course unique is its integrated, cross-framework approach. Rather than studying standards in isolation, you’ll compare how they interact across public company audits, private engagements, internal audit functions, and multinational contexts. By the end, you’ll have a clear, structured understanding of how audit oversight bodies and professional standards collectively safeguard financial reporting integrity in global capital markets.

In this module, you'll be introduced to the AICPA Code of Conduct and learn how it applies to accountants in the profession. You'll explore key rules such as the integrity rules, the objectivity rules, and the independence rules. By the end of this module, you'll have a more clear understanding about how the AICPA Code of Professional conduct assists the accounting profession by setting high standards for those providing services to clients.

What's included

5 videos4 readings2 assignments

5 videos Total 31 minutes

Instructor Introduction and Course Overview 4 minutes
AICPA Code of Professional Conduct 7 minutes
Integrity and Objectivity Rules 7 minutes
Independence Requirements 6 minutes
Other Key Requirements 8 minutes

4 readings Total 60 minutes

Course Outline 5 minutes
Integrity and Objectivity 30 minutes
Auditor Independence 20 minutes
Review: Module Key Concepts 5 minutes

2 assignments Total 30 minutes

Graded Assessment: Module 1 20 minutes
Practice Assessment: AICPA Code of Conduct 10 minutes

In this module, you'll explore three of the more significant sets of standards that CPAs comply with when working on assurance and attestation engagements. You'll learn about the Statements on Auditing Standards, the Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements, and the Statements on Quality Management Standards. By the end of this module, you'll become familiar with the key standards CPAs find themselves complying with when performing various engagements.

What's included

3 videos2 readings1 assignment

In this module, you'll explore the key standards that apply to other engagements beyond the scope of the AICPA's nonissuers including issuers, internal audit engagements, and international engagements. You'll learn about how those standards impact the work CPAs and internal auditors perform on clients. By the end of this module, you'll have more clarity on other applicable standards accountants may face that are relevant to the services being provided.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment

This final module brings everything together. You’ll review key concepts from the course and apply what you’ve learned to real-world business situations. By stepping back and looking across the different sets of applicable standards, you’ll strengthen your ability to assess and perform various engagements appropriately —skills that are essential for accountants and business professionals alike.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

William Karalius

University of California, Santa Barbara

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University of California, Santa Barbara

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Frequently asked questions

This course is part of a CPA Licensure Preparation series and is designed to support learning and exam readiness. Completing this course does not by itself qualify you for CPA licensure or guarantee eligibility to sit for the CPA Exam. CPA licensure requirements vary by state and are determined by individual state boards of accountancy. Learners should consult their state board to confirm education and exam requirements.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.