Audits Performed Under Government Auditing Standards

Government Auditing Standards (also referred to as the Yellow Book), are issued by the Comptroller General of the United States of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and apply to audits of governmental entities, programs, activities, and functions, and of governmental assistance administered by contractors, not-for-profit organizations (NPOs), and other nongovernmental entities, when required by statute or other mandates or when auditors hold themselves out as following those standards. The standards contain requirements and guidance for financial audits, attestation engagements, and performance audits. This section includes the following topics:

Applicability and Overview of Key Components Summary of 2003 Revisions to Government Auditing Standards General Standards Additional Fieldwork and Reporting Responsibilities Specifically Related to Internal Control, Compliance, Fraud, and Abuse Other Additional Fieldwork and Reporting Responsibilities Common Engagement Deficiencies Noted of Audits Performed Under Government Auditing Standards Noted in Peer Reviews and Ethics Investigations Attestation Engagements under Government Auditing Standards Illustrative Auditor's Reports