GAO provides temporary exemptions, guidance in response to hurricanes.

• Position: Regulatory matters

Audit organizations that audit entities in the Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas should be aware that on Dec. 15, 2005, the Government Accountability Office released a document that provides temporary exemptions to certain provisions of Government Auditing Standards in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The document also provides additional guidance to protect the public interest related to accountability for public funds in the relief efforts.

Specifically, the GAO provides temporary exemptions for the areas of Independence (management, accounting and bookkeeping services), Peer Review, Continuing Professional Education, and Lost of Destroyed Records and Documentation. However, throughout the GAO document, there are reminders to audit organizations that they...