The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has released
The Dodd-Frank Act amended the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to, among other things, give the PCAOB oversight authority for the audits of broker-dealers registered with the SEC.
“To enhance investor protection, broker-dealer auditors must now meet PCAOB requirements,” said PCAOB chairman James R. Doty in a statement. “This guidance is tailored to help auditors of smaller broker-dealers develop a cost-effective, scaled approach to their audits.”
Last July, the SEC amended Exchange Act Rule 17a-5 to require, among other things, that audits of broker-dealers be conducted in accordance with PCAOB standards. In October, the PCAOB adopted an auditing standard and two attestation standards that apply to broker-dealer audits. Then in February, the SEC issued an order granting approval of the PCAOB's new auditing and attestation standards for audits of brokers and dealers.
The SEC amendments and PCAOB standards are effective for fiscal years ending on or after June 1, 2014. Prior to the effective date, those broker-dealer audits were performed under generally accepted auditing standards.
To help auditors with the transition, the staff guidance highlights relevant requirements for SEC-registered broker-dealer audits and attestation engagements, and provides guidance on the application of PCAOB standards to these engagements, particularly for audits of smaller broker-dealers with less complex operations.
In addition, the publication highlights some of the significant provisions of SEC Rule 17a-5 and PCAOB standards and rules applicable to audits of broker-dealers.
“Auditors of broker-dealers are now subject to new requirements, including the requirement to apply PCAOB standards,” said PCAOB chief auditor Martin F. Baumann. This publication discusses how audits can be scaled, based on the size and complexity of the broker-dealer, to apply PCAOB standards and fulfill their important role of helping to protect customers of broker-dealers.”
The publication is available on the
