The Auditing Standards Board (ASB), a standard-setting body of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants AICPA), has voted to invite public comment on proposed updates to US attestation standards.

The ASB will specifically seek input on sustainability-related information and other emerging assurance areas.

The organisation has not yet fixed the length of the consultation, but the comment period will run for at least 120 days from the date of publication.

The planned revisions are intended to reflect shifts in attestation practice, where accountants are increasingly being engaged for assurance beyond traditional financial statement audits.

This includes work linked to sustainability reporting, digital assets, cybersecurity, governance and associated internal controls.

According to the ASB, the exposure draft will feature two principal components.

The first will update the core attestation standards to align them with current practice developments.

The second will introduce two new AT-C sections specifically addressing engagements to report on sustainability information.

Subject to feedback received during the consultation and any resulting changes, the board expects to adopt the revised standards next year, following further discussion and formal approval.

An exposure draft outlining the proposed amendments is scheduled for online release on 26 February.

Once issued, the exposure draft will be accessible via the AICPA’s online resource page dedicated to public comments on standards proposals.

The ASB serves as the AICPA’s senior committee authorised by the AICPA Council to set auditing, attestation and quality management standards, as well as related practice guidance, for audits of non-issuers and for attestation engagements.

It is responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive framework that supports practitioners in delivering objective audit and attestation services.