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Glossary/Commissions and referral fees

What is Commissions and referral fees?

In short

A member in public practice may not accept a commission for recommending a product or service to a client while performing attest services for that client. For other clients, commissions are allowed if disclosed.

Key takeaways

  • The restriction covers the period of the attest engagement and the historical statements it covers.
  • Referral fees for recommending or referring a service of another accountant must be disclosed to the client.
  • Contingent fees follow a separate rule.

Where it's tested

AUD: Professional Ethics & Independence — study notes, a five-minute revision sheet and practice questions.

Practise: 3 questions

Question 1 of 3 · 0 answered

An audit senior on the engagement team owns 10 shares of the audit client's common stock, worth approximately $300. What is the effect on independence?

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