Whether a financial statement preparer or auditor, it is critical to understand the complexities of the specialized accounting and regulatory requirements for investment companies. This guide supports practitioners in a constantly changing industry landscape. It provides authoritative how-to accounting and auditing advice, including implementation guidance and illustrative financial statements and disclosures. Packed with continuous regulatory developments, this guide has been updated to reflect certain changes necessary due to the issuance of authoritative guidance since the guide was originally issued, and other revisions as deemed appropriate. The updates for this 2017 edition include extensive changes to the illustrated financial statements for registered investment companies that result from SEC's issuance of the release Investment Company Reporting Modernization and related amendments to Regulation S-X. Other updates to the 2017 edition include changes to illustrated attestation reports that result from AICPA's issuance of Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 18, Attestation Standards: Clarification and Recodification. Further updates include: References to appropriate AICPA Technical Questions and Answers that address when to apply the liquidation basis of accounting Appendixes discussing the new standards for financial instruments, leases, and revenue recognition Appendixes discussing common or collective trusts and business development companies

Author Biography

Founded in 1887, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) represents the CPA and accounting profession nationally and globally regarding rule-making and standard-setting, and serves as an advocate before legislative bodies, public interest groups and other professional organizations. The AICPA develops standards for audits of private companies and other services by CPAs; provides educational guidance materials to its members; develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination; and monitors and enforces compliance with the accounting profession's technical and ethical standards. The AICPA's founding established accountancy as a profession distinguished by rigorous educational requirements, high professional standards, a strict code of professional ethics, a licensing status and a commitment to serving the public interest.