New Standard Proposed for Forensic Services Engagements

by Michael Ploskonka, CPA, CFE | Selden Fox

Earlier this week, the AICPA Forensic and Valuation Services Executive Committee (FVSEC) issued an exposure draft outlining a new proposed standard for forensic service engagements. The FVSEC plans to issue the standard to protect the public interest by improving the consistency and quality of practice among AICPA members performing forensic services.

Currently, a majority of forensic engagements, including litigation support and investigations, are provided in accordance with the Statement on Standards for Consulting Services or in some cases Standards for Valuation Services promulgated by the AICPA, or professional standards of other professional associations, such as the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Therefore, the proposed standard would be the first of its kind and would establish tailored authoritative guidance to AICPA members who perform forensic services.

Proposed Standard’s Applicability

The proposed standard would apply to all AICPA members and member firms (and their employees), who provide either “litigation” or “investigation” services, as defined by the standard. In the context of the proposal, “litigation” is defined as an actual or potential legal or regulatory proceeding before a trier of fact or a regulatory body as an expert, consultant, neutral, mediator, or arbitrator in connection with the resolution of disputes between parties. Litigation does not need to be formal and includes alternative dispute resolution forums. An “investigation” is defined as a matter that is not a litigation but which may involve using the same skills and the services are being performed in response to concern(s) of wrongdoing in which the member is engaged to perform procedures to collect, analyze, evaluate, or interpret evidence to assist in reaching a conclusion on the merits of the concerns.

Proposed Standards

The proposed standard lays out a number of general rules for AICPA members to follow when performing forensic services, which are as follows:

• Professional competence. Undertake only those professional services that the member or the member’s firm can reasonably expect to be completed with professional competence.
• Due professional care. Exercise due professional care in the performance of professional services.
• Planning and supervision. Adequately plan and supervise the performance of professional services.
• Sufficient relevant data. Obtain sufficient relevant data to afford a reasonable basis for conclusions or recommendations in relation to any professional services performed.

In addition, the proposed standard establishes that practitioners should:

• Serve the client interest by seeking to accomplish the objectives established by the understanding with the client while maintaining integrity and objectivity.
• Establish with the client a written or oral understanding about the responsibilities of the parties and the nature, scope, and limitations of services to be performed, and modify the understanding if circumstances require a significant change during the engagement.
• Inform the client of: (a) conflicts of interest that may occur pursuant to the “Integrity and Objectivity Rule” of the Code (ET § 1.100.001 and 2.100.001), (b) significant reservations concerning the scope or benefits of the engagement, and (c) significant engagement findings or events.
• Only be an advocate of their professional opinions.

Lastly, the proposed standard would explicitly prohibit a member from opining as to the ultimate conclusion of fraud or other legal determinations or providing legal opinions and performing certain forensic services for a contingent fee. Note that the proposed standard would not restrict a member’s ability to provide expert opinions relating to whether evidence is consistent with certain elements of fraud or of other laws based on objective evaluation.

The FVSEC is seeking comments from members and stakeholders. The comment period ends on February 28, 2019. The proposal would take effect for new engagements accepted on or after May 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted.

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Michael Ploskonka, CPA, CFE