Legal Definitions - GAAS

Definition: GAAS (gas) is an abbreviation for Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. These are a set of guidelines and rules that auditors follow when conducting audits of financial statements. The purpose of GAAS is to ensure that audits are conducted in a consistent and thorough manner, and that the resulting financial statements are reliable and accurate.

Examples: Some examples of GAAS include:

• Independence: Auditors must be independent of the company being audited, meaning they have no financial or personal interest in the company's success or failure.
• Adequate planning: Auditors must plan their audit work carefully, including identifying areas of risk and determining the appropriate audit procedures to use.
• Evidence: Auditors must gather sufficient and appropriate evidence to support their conclusions about the financial statements.
• Reporting: Auditors must issue a report on their findings, including any material weaknesses or deficiencies in the company's internal controls.

These examples illustrate how GAAS provides a framework for auditors to follow when conducting audits. By adhering to these standards, auditors can ensure that their work is consistent, thorough, and reliable, which helps to maintain the integrity of financial reporting.