CONTENT SPECIFICATION OUTLINES (CSOs) The outline portions of the content specifications identify the extent of the technical content to be tested on each of the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination. The outlines list the areas, groups, and topics to be tested in the following manner: I. (Roman numeral) Area A. (Capital letter) Group 1. (Arabic numeral) Topic
Each outline is followed by information about selected publications that candidates may study to prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination. Weights The percentage range following each area represents the approximate percentage of total test questions associated with the area. The ranges are designed to provide flexibility in building the examination, and the midpoints of the ranges for all areas in each section total 100%. The examination questions will be selected from each area to fall within the percentage allocation range. No percentages are given for groups or topics. The presence of several groups within an area or several topics within a group does not imply equal importance or weight will be given to these groups or topics on an examination. Auditing and Attestation (AUD) The Auditing and Attestation section tests knowledge and understanding of the following professional standards: Auditing standards promulgated in the United States of America (related to audits of an “Issuer” (a public company), a “Nonissuer” (an entity that is not a public company), governmental entities, not-for-profit entities, and employee benefit plans, standards related to attestation and assurance engagements, and standards for performing accounting and review services. Candidates are expected to demonstrate an awareness of: (1) the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and its role in establishing International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), (2) the differences between ISAs and U.S. auditing standards, and (3) the audit requirements under U.S. auditing standards that apply when they perform audit procedures on a U.S. company that supports an audit report based upon the auditing standards of another country, or the ISAs. This section also tests knowledge of professional responsibilities of certified public accountants, including ethics and independence. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate an awareness of: (1) the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and its role in establishing requirements of the International
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Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, and (2) the independence requirements that apply when they perform audit procedures on a U.S. company that supports an audit report based upon the auditing standards of another country, or the ISAs. In addition to demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the professional standards, candidates are required to demonstrate the skills required to apply that knowledge in performing auditing and attestation tasks as certified public accountants. The outline below specifies the tasks and related knowledge in which candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency: Candidates are also expected to perform the following tasks: • Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the process by which standards and professional requirements are established for audit, attestation, and other services performed by CPAs, including the role of standard-setting bodies within the U.S. and those bodies with the authority to promulgate international standards. Differentiate between audits, attestation and assurance
