What are the four general standards of GAGAS as applied to auditing agencies?

What are the four general standards of GAGAS as applied to auditing agencies?

• A. Professional Proficiency of staff; Independent or free from impairment; Use professional judgement; A quality control system in place
• B. Integrity; Objectivity; Confidentiality; Professional skepticism
• C. Planning; Supervision; Evidence; Reporting
• D. Risk assessment; Internal control; Monitoring; Evaluation

Answer: (A)

GAGAS defines four general standards that apply to government audits: independence (in fact and appearance) to keep objectivity intact; professional judgment to apply expertise and professional skepticism throughout the audit; competence (professional proficiency of staff) to ensure auditors have the necessary knowledge and skills; and a quality control system in place to ensure audits are planned, performed, and reported in accordance with standards. This is why the correct choice lists those four elements. The other options mix ethics attributes, common audit steps, or internal-control topics, but they do not represent the four general standards themselves.

GAGAS defines four general standards that apply to government audits: independence (in fact and appearance) to keep objectivity intact; professional judgment to apply expertise and professional skepticism throughout the audit; competence (professional proficiency of staff) to ensure auditors have the necessary knowledge and skills; and a quality control system in place to ensure audits are planned, performed, and reported in accordance with standards. This is why the correct choice lists those four elements. The other options mix ethics attributes, common audit steps, or internal-control topics, but they do not represent the four general standards themselves.