Single Audit Act of 1984, as Amended—The Single Audit Act is applicable to state and local governmental entities that have expenditures of federal assistance (grants) aggregating at least $750,000 in a given year. It imposes certain requirements on such entities and their auditors that go beyond GAAS and even GAGAS.
1. Efficiency—A single coordinated audit of the aggregate federal financial assistance provided to a state or local governmental entity (with emphasis on the entity's major programs) is intended to result in greater efficiency compared to the alternative, which would be having multiple audits of the entity conducted on a grant-by-grant basis.
2. Added requirements—A single coordinated audit of the aggregate federal financial assistance involves more than just a financial statement audit. Additional testing of internal control is required for major programs, and additional testing is also required for major programs regarding the entity's compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or other requirements applicable to major programs.
3. Multiple reports—The auditor should issue reports on (a) the fairness of the entity's financial statements (and schedule of expenditures of federal assistance); (b) internal control over financial reporting (with emphasis on major programs); and (c) compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and other requirements. If audit findings were identified, the auditor should also prepare a Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs.
GAGAS Requirements on Significant Deficiencies vs GAAS
An auditor is responsible for assuring that management communicates significant deficiencies to specific legislative and regulatory bodies when reporting under Government Auditing Standards. Government Auditing Standards require that each significant deficiency noted be identified.
Reporting—The auditor may issue (1) a separate report on compliance only; (2) a combined report on compliance and on internal control over compliance; or (3) a separate report on internal control over compliance
Reporting—The auditor may issue (1) a separate report on compliance only; (2) a combined report on compliance and on internal control over compliance; or (3) a separate report on internal control over compliance