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Exam Information
Official specifications published by AICPA
Exam Format
240 min
85 (78 MCQ + 7 TBS)
75
Professional
Registration
$266 USD
Prometric
Validity
30-36 months
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) - typically 120 hours over 3 years; Peer review requirements for public accounting firms; State-specific ethics courses
AUD Exam Topics and Domains
AUD is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with SOC 1 (SSAE 18), Attestation services, Audit services, Compilation services, and more.
1
Ethics, Professional Responsibilities, and General Principles
15-25%
Ethics, Independence, and Professional Conduct
AICPA Code of Professional ConductSEC and PCAOB RequirementsGAO and DOL Requirements
- Apply AICPA Code of Professional Conduct to audit scenarios
- Distinguish independence requirements across different regulatory bodies
- Identify and resolve ethical conflicts in professional practice
Professional Skepticism and Professional Judgment
Application of Professional SkepticismProfessional Judgment
- Demonstrate appropriate professional skepticism in audit situations
- Apply professional judgment to complex audit scenarios
- Document rationale for audit decisions
Nature and Scope of Audit Engagements
Audit EngagementsGAO Government Auditing StandardsOther Engagements
- Determine appropriate engagement type for client needs
- Understand scope differences across engagement types
- Apply relevant standards to each engagement type
Terms of Engagement and Engagement Letters
Preconditions for an EngagementEngagement Letters
- Establish appropriate preconditions before accepting engagement
- Prepare comprehensive engagement letters
- Communicate engagement terms clearly to client
Engagement Documentation Requirements
Documentation Standards
- Prepare complete and organized audit documentation
- Comply with documentation retention requirements
- Understand documentation ownership and access rights
Communication with Management and Those Charged with Governance
Planned Scope and TimingInternal Control Related Matters
- Communicate audit plan effectively to governance
- Report internal control deficiencies appropriately
- Maintain two-way communication throughout engagement
Audit and Assurance Quality
Quality Control Standards
- Apply quality control procedures to engagements
- Understand firm-level quality management
- Perform engagement quality reviews
2
Assessing Risk and Developing a Planned Response
25-35%
Planning an Engagement
Overall Engagement StrategyEngagement Plan
- Develop comprehensive audit strategy
- Create detailed engagement plan
- Allocate resources effectively
Understanding an Entity and Its Environment
External FactorsInternal Factors
- Obtain understanding of client's business environment
- Identify entity-specific risk factors
- Perform analytical procedures
Understanding Entity's Control Environment and IT Systems
COSO Internal Control FrameworkIT General Controls and Entity-Level ControlsBusiness Processes and Internal ControlsService Organizations (SOC Reports)Limitations of Controls and Management Override
- Evaluate internal control design and implementation
- Apply COSO framework to control assessment
- Understand IT control environment
- Assess service organization controls
Materiality
Materiality for Financial StatementsPerformance Materiality and Tolerable Misstatement
- Determine appropriate materiality levels
- Apply materiality in audit planning and evaluation
- Assess qualitative materiality factors
Assessing and Responding to Risks of Material Misstatement
Risk AssessmentFraud Risk AssessmentRisk Response
- Assess risks of material misstatement
- Identify and respond to fraud risks
- Design appropriate audit responses to identified risks
Planning for and Using the Work of Others
Internal AuditorsSpecialistsOther Auditors (Group Audits)
- Determine when to use work of others
- Evaluate competence and objectivity of others
- Supervise and review work performed by others
Specific Areas of Engagement Risk
Compliance with Laws and RegulationsAccounting EstimatesRelated PartiesSingle Audits (Uniform Guidance)
- Identify specific risk areas requiring special consideration
- Apply appropriate procedures to high-risk areas
- Understand specialized audit requirements
3
Performing Further Procedures and Obtaining Evidence
30-40%
Use of Data and Information
Requesting, Preparing, and Transforming DataReliability of Data and InformationData Analytics
- Obtain and validate audit data
- Assess reliability of information produced by entity
- Apply data analytics techniques to audit procedures
Sufficient Appropriate Evidence
Evidence Characteristics
- Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence
- Evaluate evidence quality and relevance
- Select appropriate audit procedures
Sampling Techniques
Statistical and Nonstatistical SamplingAttribute SamplingVariable Sampling
- Design and execute audit sampling plans
- Apply appropriate sampling techniques
- Evaluate sampling results and draw conclusions
Procedures to Obtain Sufficient Appropriate Evidence
Tests of ControlsTests of DetailsAnalytical ProceduresExternal Confirmations
- Select and perform appropriate audit procedures
- Execute tests of controls effectively
- Design and perform substantive procedures
- Perform and evaluate analytical procedures
Specific Matters Requiring Special Consideration
Accounting EstimatesInvestments in SecuritiesInventoryLitigation, Claims, and AssessmentsGoing ConcernSingle Audits - Compliance Testing
- Apply specialized audit procedures to complex areas
- Audit accounting estimates and fair values
- Evaluate loss contingencies and going concern
- Test compliance with federal award requirements
Misstatements and Internal Control Deficiencies
Evaluating MisstatementsInternal Control Deficiencies
- Evaluate detected misstatements
- Classify internal control deficiencies
- Communicate deficiencies appropriately
Written Representations
Management Representation Letter
- Obtain appropriate written representations
- Understand purpose and limitations of representations
- Address management refusal to provide representations
Subsequent Events and Subsequently Discovered Facts
Subsequent EventsSubsequently Discovered Facts
- Perform subsequent events procedures
- Distinguish between subsequent events and subsequently discovered facts
- Take appropriate action when facts are discovered
4
Forming Conclusions and Reporting
10-20%
Reports on Audit Engagements
Unmodified Audit OpinionsModified Audit OpinionsEmphasis-of-Matter and Other-Matter Paragraphs
- Prepare appropriate audit reports
- Determine correct opinion type
- Understand report modification requirements
Reports on Attestation Engagements
Examination EngagementsReview EngagementsAgreed-Upon Procedures
- Understand different attestation engagement types
- Prepare appropriate attestation reports
- Distinguish assurance levels
Accounting and Review Service Engagements
Preparation EngagementsCompilation ReportsReview Reports (SSARS)
- Distinguish preparation, compilation, and review services
- Prepare appropriate SSARS reports
- Understand independence requirements
Reporting on Compliance
Single Audit Reporting
- Prepare compliance audit reports
- Report findings and questioned costs
- Understand single audit reporting requirements
Other Reporting Considerations
Comparative Statements and ConsistencyOther Information in DocumentsReview of Interim Financial InformationSupplementary InformationYellow Book Reporting RequirementsSpecial-Purpose Frameworks
- Report on various types of financial information
- Address special reporting situations
- Understand alternative reporting frameworks
How do I earn this certification?
Passing AUD earns the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. It sits in the CPA Evolution Model (3 Core + 1 Discipline) track.
Current Level Exams
- FAR - Financial Accounting and Reporting
- REG - Taxation and Regulation
- DISCIPLINE - Choose ONE: BAR, ISC, or TCP
Next Level Options
State CPA License
Alternative Paths
- CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) Complementary internal audit credential; AUD knowledge overlaps with CIA content
- CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) Natural progression for ISC Discipline takers; focuses on IT audit and controls
- CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) Fraud detection and prevention expertise; complements AUD fraud risk assessment knowledge
- CMA (Certified Management Accountant) Management accounting and strategy focus; complements CPA financial expertise
- EA (Enrolled Agent) Federal tax authority credential; beneficial for tax-focused CPAs
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the PlanetCert practice test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for AUD.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01-01
- Announcement date: 2023-01-04
Updates
- SpreadJS Latest Replaced Microsoft Excel in task-based simulations • Release date: 2024-01-01
- Research Task-Based Simulations New format New TBS type assessing research and critical thinking skills related to professional standards • Release date: 2025-01-01
- AICPA Quality Management Standards (SQMS) Effective 2025 New quality management standards replace quality control standards (SQCS) • Release date: 2024-12-15
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Accounting graduates and Public accountants.
- Completion of accounting degree or equivalent coursework
- Understanding of US GAAP
- Knowledge of auditing standards
- Familiarity with professional ethics