Assurance engagement
An assurance engagement is an engagement in which a practitioner obtains evidence to express a conclusion designed to enhance intended users’ confidence in subject-matter information measured or evaluated against suitable criteria. A responsible party, intended users and practitioner have distinct roles. The conclusion and the work performed depend on the engagement’s agreed scope and applicable standard.
Worked example
A practitioner examines a company’s reported greenhouse-gas information against identified criteria and reports a conclusion to intended users.
Common mistake
Do not classify every service by an accountant as assurance: a compilation or agreed-upon procedures engagement does not itself give assurance.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | AA | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | AAA (INT) | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |