SSARS No. 16 describes degrees of accountant's responsibility.

• Position: Accounting & auditing news

In serving the public interest, the Accounting and Review Services Committee aims to set high-quality standards for compilation and review engagements for nonissuers that are understandable, clear and capable of consistent application, thereby serving to enhance the quality and uniformity of practice. In doing so, the committee seeks to balance the needs of a wide range of users, including accountants, management, third-party users of compiled or reviewed financial statements, and the public in general.

In Dec. 2005, the Auditing Standards Board issued Statement on Auditing Standards No. 102, Defining Professional Requirements in Statements on Auditing Standards (AICPA, Professional Standards, vol. 1, AU sec. 120). SAS No. 102 expressly defined imperatives used to describe different degrees of the auditor's responsibility when conducting audit engagements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The ARSC believes that by...