AICPA calls for assurance research proposals

The AICPA's Assurance Research Advisory Group (ARAG) issued a request for proposals on Thursday, concerning research on assurance-related topics for the benefit of the CPA profession.

The research will look to support the private company standard-setting process, as well as the AICPA’s Enhancing Audit Quality (EAQ) initiative.

“The AICPA will again provide funding and resources to support academic research related to the most relevant private company audit issues,” stated Susan Coffey, AICPA executive president for public practice. “Our first year of research shed light on some critical matters, including group audits and tone at the top. I’m confident the academic community is up to the challenge of examining this year’s areas of interest, led – as always – by audit quality.”

The ARAG, comprised of academics and professionals working in tandem with the American Accounting Association, will review and approve the proposals. Research topics were brought about by various AICPA and state CPA society committees, and include:

• Audit Quality
• Risk Assessment and Response
• Materiality
• Sufficiency and Appropriateness of Audit Evidence
• Limited Assurance
• Evolving Skillsets

Approved proposals will receive up to $15,000 in funding and if applicable, access to the AICPA Peer Review Program. All accounting educators are eligible to submit a proposal. Teams are urged to check the ARAG proposal template to ensure all required items are included in their proposals.

The deadline for submission will be 12:00 midnight EDT, Friday, October 6, 2017. The ARAG stated that they plan to announce research grant recipients no later than February 28, 2018.

For more information on proposals and ARAG, head to the AICPA's site here.