CPA Exam — AUDForming Conclusions and ReportingMedium

A practitioner is engaged to report on an entity's compliance with specified requirements. The engagement is structured to provide a high level of assurance. What type of report conclusion should the practitioner provide?

  1. AA disclaimer of assurance.
  2. BA summary of findings only.
  3. CA conclusion of negative assurance.
  4. DAn opinion on the entity's compliance.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. An opinion on the entity's compliance.

When an attestation engagement provides a high level of assurance (an examination), the practitioner expresses an opinion on the subject matter, in this case, the entity's compliance with specified requirements.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. A disclaimer of assurance is issued when no assurance can be provided, or the practitioner is not independent.
  • B. A summary of findings only is provided in agreed-upon procedures engagements, which offer no assurance.
  • C. Negative assurance is provided in review engagements, which offer limited assurance.

Compliance Engagement (Examination)

An attestation engagement providing a high level of assurance on an entity's compliance with specified requirements, resulting in a positive opinion.

  • Provides high level of assurance.
  • Conclusion is an opinion (positive assurance).
  • Involves extensive procedures to obtain sufficient evidence.

Memory trick: ARE You Concluding Right? (Agreed, Review, Examination)

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