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Key Accounting and Auditing Organizations

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
http://www.aicpa.org Since 1936, the AICPA has represented and provided certification for all Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). It participates in the standards setting process for both accounting and auditing through its many publications. For auditing, the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), Statements on Auditing Standards and Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements and their Interpretations are compiled into one guide.

Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
http://www.gasb.org Organized in 1984, GASB establishes standards for state and local governmental organizations. The AICPA recognizes the pronouncements produced by GASB as authoritative. Summaries of GASB statements can be found on the web site.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
http://www.fasb.org Established in 1973 as an independent, private sector organization, FASB establishes standards of financial accounting and reporting for private sector organizations such as public companies and non-profit groups. FASB and GASB determine Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The SEC and AICPA consider these standards, which guide accounting practices and procedures, authoritative.

International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
http://www.iasb.org.uk/ Established in 2001 from the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), the IASB is an independent, global standard setter, which provides financial reporting standards to serve global financial markets. The IASB is an independent, privately funded organization based in London, UK. Board Members come from nine countries and have a variety of functional backgrounds.

Securities and Exchange Commission
http://www.sec.gov To fulfill its primary mission to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities markets, the SEC works closely with FASB and other standard setting bodies to ensure correct disclosure of financial information. Although the function of standards legally resides with the SEC, historically it has instead relied heavily on FASB to establish accounting and auditing standards.