Plain English guide to independence
This guide discusses in plain English the independence requirements of the principal rule-making bodies in the United States, so you can understand and apply them with greater confidence and ease.
The AICPA rules require a member to comply with more restrictive independence provisions, if applicable, of certain regulators, such as state boards of accountancy and the SEC, the Government Accountability Office, and the Department of Labor.
The guide is intentionally concise; it does not cover all the rules (some of which are complex), nor does it cover every aspect of the rules. Nonetheless, this guide should help you identify independence issues that may require further consideration. Therefore, you should always refer directly to the rules, in addition to your firm’s policies on independence, for complete information.