PCAOB Audits (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board)
The objective of the ordinary audit of financial statements by the independent auditor [under PCAOB standards] is the expression of an opinion on the fairness with which they present, in all material respects, financial position, results of operations, and its cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The auditor's report is the medium through which he expresses his opinion or, if circumstances require, disclaims an opinion. In either case, he states whether his audit has been made in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These standards require him to state whether, in his opinion, the financial statements are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to identify those circumstances in which such principles have not been consistently observed in the preparation of the financial statements of the current period in relation to those of the preceding period.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, directs the [Public Company Accounting Oversight Board] to establish, by rule, auditing and related professional practice standards for registered public accounting firms to follow in the preparation of audit reports for public companies and other issuers, and broker-dealers.