Difference between Accounting Standards and Auditing Standards
The distinction between accounting standards and auditing standards is often overlooked, even though they are both very important in the financial world. Accounting standards refer to the rules and regulations that govern the preparation and presentation of financial statements, while auditing standards are the standards and guidelines used by auditors to evaluate whether financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards.
Accounting standards are important for setting the groundwork for the preparation of financial statements. They provide guidance on the recording and reporting of financial transactions, and establish the principles and definitions that guide the recording of financial information. For example, the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are the standards that must be followed when preparing financial statements.
Auditing standards, on the other hand, serve to ensure that financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards. They provide guidance to auditors on the procedures they should follow in order to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the financial statements. Auditing standards also provide guidance on how to detect and report any discrepancies or irregularities in the financial statements.
The distinction between accounting standards and auditing standards is important to keep in mind because they can have a significant impact on the accuracy and reliability of the financial statements. Therefore, ensuring that both accounting and auditing standards are followed is essential to maintaining the validity of financial statements. Additionally, auditors play an important role in the accounting process by verifying that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards.
In conclusion, accounting standards are important for the preparation of financial statements, while auditing standards are used to ensure that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards. It is important for professionals to be aware of the differences between these two sets of standards in order to ensure accuracy and reliability in the financial statements.