Professional Standards and Roles

Laying the groundwork for success as a forensic practitioner

Forensic services are increasingly in demand as the subspecialty grows. Knowing the professional standards, roles, and responsibilities of the forensic practitioner is paramount to success in forensic accounting.

You’ll explore key topics to help you deliver valuable and compliant forensic services, including:

• Applying the appropriate guidance for forensic engagements
• Differentiating forensic services from other engagements
• Expressing opinions or conclusions

Understanding the standards applicable to forensic engagements

Knowing the key components of SSFS No. 1 will help you establish a foundation for successful forensic engagements. You’ll learn:

• What forensic services are
• The standards that apply to various types of forensic engagements
• Valuable information for executing forensic services

Detailed scenarios to increase your comprehension

Real-world examples help increase your comprehension of the authoritative and nonauthoritative guidance for forensic service engagements. You’ll be empowered to properly identify which standards to apply to forensic engagements.

Achieving your professional goals

You’ll take steps toward augmenting your professional knowledge and expanding your service offerings by:

• Acquiring knowledge essential to a burgeoning subspecialty within the accounting profession
• Earning CPE credit to maintain licensure
• Working toward your CFF® credential to expand your service offerings

Who Will Benefit

• Members of the AICPA who are interested in earning the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF®) credential
• Accounting, managerial, legal, and international business professionals who are interested in forensic and fraud risk management services

Key Topics

• Authoritative and nonauthoritative guidance for forensic services
• Integrity, objectivity, and the public trust
• Conflicts of interest
• Expressing expert opinions
• Conclusions on fraud-related matters
• Forensic services definition under FS section 100
• Types of services subject to FS section 100
• Other standards pertinent to forensic services

Learning Outcomes

• Distinguish forensic services from other types of professional services and determine the applicable body of authoritative guidance.
• Distinguish those forensic services that involve business valuation and apply the AICPA standards appropriately.
• Apply SSFS No. 1 and the AICPA Code of Conduct in the execution of forensic services engagements.
• Apply SSFS No. 1 prohibition on expression of ultimate opinion about fraud.
• Identify the definition of forensic services under FS section 100.
• Recognize the scope of forensic services under FS section 100.
• Recall other AICPA standards pertinent to forensic services under FS section 100.