The Auditing and Attestation (AUD) CPA Exam section tests your knowledge of the entire audit process, as well as preparation, compilation, and review engagements and other non-attestation services. It also tests ethics, so you will have to become familiar with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO TO PASS AUD
To pass AUD, you’ll need to study diligently and take a lot of practice quizzes. The AUD section of the exam will be mostly conceptual: asking you to apply your judgment to questions about best practices, ethics, and proper procedure. So you’ll need to be able to comfortably put yourself in the shoes of an auditor in the field.
CPA AUD Exam format
The AUD CPA Exam section consists of five testlets: two testlets of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and three testlets of task-based simulations (TBSs). The MCQ portion of AUD accounts for 50% of your CPA Exam score, and the TBS portion accounts for the other 50%.
CPA AUD Exam content
AUD covers every part of the audit process. The AUD section will test engagements in accordance with professional standards and/or regulations by the:
American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:
Audits of issuer and nonissuer entities
Attestation engagements for issuer and nonissuer entities
Preparation, compilation, and review engagements for nonissuer entities
Reviews of interim financial information for issuer entities
1
Corporate Governance Structure and Regulations
2
COSO Frameworks
3
Microeconomics
4
Macroeconomics
5
International Economics
6
Risk Return Principles
7
Financial Risk Management
8
Corporate Capital Structure
9
Working Capital I: Cash and Receivables
10
Working Capital II: Inventory and Short-Term Financing