ACCA P7 (INT) Advanced Audit & Assurance - Study Text

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Chapter 11: Audit-related services

themselves. However using an accountancy firm to do the work has two potental

benefits:

 Hiring an accountancy firm to do the work saves management time for the

potential buyer. In additon, the accountants assigned to the due diligence work

should have suitable experience in this type of work. For large takeover, the

amount of time and resources required to carry out proper due diligence can be

substantial.

 Using a professional firm to do due diligence may help to reassure shareholders

in the potential buyer (or investors who wil lbe asked to provide loan finance for

the takeover) that the acquisition has been properly evaluated

1.4 International Standard on Review Engagements (ISRE) 2400

Objectives of ISRE 2400

ISRE 2400 Engagements to review financial information sets out the objective of a

review of financial statements as follows. The objective of such a review is:

‘…to enable an auditor to state whether, on the basis of procedures which do not

provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, anything has come to

the auditor’s attention that causes the auditor to believe that the financial statements

are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with an identified financial

reporting framework.’

(This quote is © International Federation of Accountants and is reproduced with

kind permission.)

Note that a review:

 requires less evidence than an audit, and

 has an opinion that is expressed in negative terms: (it gives ‘negative assurance’).

Because a review engagement provides a lesser form of assurance than an audit, the

work for the review will usually be limited to analytical review and other review

procedures. Detailed verification work (for example, substantive tests) will not

usually be carried out. This will usually mean that fewer accountancy staff, but

more experienced staff, will be required for a review engagement than for an audit.

Principles to apply to review engagements

ISRE 2400 set outs the following general principles that should be applied to a review

engagement. The accountant should:

 comply with relevant codes of ethics

 plan and perform the work with an attitude of professional scepticism,

recognising that material misstatements may exist in the information that is

subject to review

 obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence, primarily through enquiry and

analytical procedures.

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The actual terms of a review engagement should be agreed with the client, and set

out in an engagement letter.

Procedures for a review of financial statements

Procedures for the review of financial statements will usually include the following:

 The accountant should obtain an understanding of the entity’s business and the

industry in which it operates.

 The accountant should make enquiries into:

− the entity’s accounting policies, practices and procedures, including the

preparation of financial statements

− material assertions in the financial statements that are subject to the review

− decisions taken at board meetings and other meetings of the entity that may

affect the financial statements

− the completeness of the accounting records that were used to prepare the

financial statements.

 The accountant will use analytical procedures. These should be designed to

identify unusual relationships between items in the financial statements, and

individual items that appear unusual. Analytical procedures would include:

− comparing the financial statements under review with financial statements

for prior periods

− comparing the financial statements with the anticipated results and financial

position of the entity

− a study of the relationships between elements in the financial statements that

should be expected to conform to a predictable pattern (based on the entity’s

past experience or normal ratios/relationships for the industry as a whole).

 Other procedures that will usually be carried out in a review of financial

statements include:

− discussions with the company’s auditors (if the audit firm is not the firm of

accountants that is performing the review engagement)

− obtaining representations from management

− considering the appropriateness of the accounting policies employed by the

entity

− making enquiries into subsequent events (after the date of the statement of

financial position)

− making a review of the statements as a whole.

If the accountant finds information indicating that misstatements might exist in the

financial statements, the scope of the work should be extended.

1.5 Reporting at the end of a review engagement

The outcome of a review engagement will be a report from the accountant. The

report will be in one of two main forms, depending on whether:

Chapter 11: Audit-related services

 no matters have come to the attention of the auditor, which indicate that a true

and fair view is not presented

 some matters have come to the attention of the auditor, indicating that a true

and fair view might not be presented.

No matters have come to the attention of the auditor

In this situation the auditor will issue a report giving a clear expression of negative

assurance. An example of such a report, based on ISRE 2400, is given below.

REVIEW REPORT

We have reviewed the accompanying statement of financial position of ABC

Company at December 31

20X6, and the related statements of income and cash

flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of

the company’s management. Our responsibility is to issue a report on these

financial statements based on our review.

We conducted our review in accordance with the International Standard on

Review Engagements 2400. This Standard requires that we plan and perform the

review to obtain moderate assurance as to whether the financial statements are

free of material misstatement. A review is limited primarily to enquiries of

company personnel and analytical procedures applied to financial data and thus

provides less assurance than an audit. We have not performed an audit and,

accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe

that the accompanying financial statements do not give a true and fair view in

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

AUDITOR

Date

Address

Note the negative assurance that is given in the report – nothing has come to the

attention of the accountant to indicate that a material misstatement exists.

Where such matters have come to the auditor’s attention

When matters have come to the accountant’s attention, suggesting that a material

misstatement exists, the reporting requirements are similar to those in ISA 700 for

qualified external audit reports. The auditor will need to:

 describe the matters involved

 assess the impact of the matter, as either material or pervasive/fundamental

 distinguish between ‘disagreement’ and ‘limitation on scope’ when presenting

the opinion in the report.

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The following example of a report dealing with a material disagreement is based on

ISRE 2400:

REVIEW REPORT

(First two paragraphs as for the previous unqualified report.)

Management has informed us that inventory has been stated at its cost which is

in excess of its net realisable value. Management’s computation, which we have

reviewed, shows that inventory, if valued at the lower of cost and net realisable

value as required by International Financial Reporting Standards would have

been decreased by $…, and net income and shareholders’ equity would have

been decreased by $...

Based on our review, except for the effects of the overstatement of inventory

described in the previous paragraph, nothing has come to our attention that

causes us to believe that the accompanying financial statements do not give a true

and fair view in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

AUDITOR

Date

Address

1.6 International Standard on Review Engagements (ISRE) 2410

ISRE 2410 Review of interim financial information performed by the independent auditor of

the entity deals with a more specific topic than ISRE 2400. It deals with the review

carried out by a company’s external auditors of the interim financial statements

(mid-year financial statements), where companies are required to produce interim

statements. The interim financial statements are not subject to a full audit; however,

they are subject to a review.

On the whole general auditing principles apply to this type of review, as set out

below.

The auditing firm that reviews interim financial information (IFI) is normally the

external auditor for the end-of-year accounts. The audit firm should:

 comply with the same ethical requirements as it does for the main audit

 implement appropriate quality control procedures

 plan and perform the review with an attitude of professional scepticism

 agree the terms of engagement with the client in an engagement letter

 prepare documentation sufficient to support the auditor’s review conclusions

and to provide evidence that the review was conducted in accordance with ISRE

2410.

Chapter 11: Audit-related services

1.7 Procedures for the review of interim financial information

Procedures for the review of interim financial information (IFI) should include the

following:

 The accountant should obtain an understanding of the entity and its

environment, including its internal controls, in order to:

− assess the risk of misstatement in the financial statements

− select appropriate ‘audit’ procedures for the review.

 The accountant should make enquiries and perform analytical procedures sufficient

to reach a conclusion for the review. This conclusion should be about whether

anything has come to the auditor’s attention to indicate that the IFI has not been

prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial

reporting framework. (As with ISRE 2400, the accountant’s opinion is expressed in

negative terms.)

 If any such matters come to the accountant’s attention, the accountant should

make additional enquiries or perform other procedures in order to obtain more

information.

 The accountant should check that the IFI agrees or reconciles to the underlying

accounting records.

 The accountant should discover whether management has:

− taken subsequent events into account, and

− made an assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 The accountant should evaluate any uncorrected misstatements in the IFI, both

individually and in aggregate. (This is the same as for the annual audit.)

 The accountant should obtain written representations from management that:

− they acknowledge their responsibility for internal controls

− the IFI has been prepared and presented in accordance with the applicable

financial reporting framework

− they believe the effect of any uncorrected misstatements are immaterial, both

individually and in aggregate

− there has been full disclosure of all significant facts, risk assessment, possible

or actual non-compliance with laws and regulations, and subsequent events.

 The accountant should ensure that any other information issued with the IFI is

materially consistent with the IFI.

1.8 Reporting on the review of interim financial information

The auditor should issue a written report on the review of the IFI. This report

should consist of the following elements:

 Title: Review of the IFI

 Addressee.

 Identification of the IFI that has been reviewed. This should include the title of

each of the financial statements in the set of financial statements subject to

review, and the end-of-period date and the period covered by the IFI.

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 A statement that management is responsible for preparing the IFI in accordance

with the applicable financial reporting framework, and for its fair presentation.

 When the IFI consists of a complete set of general-purpose financial statements

that should be prepared in accordance with a financial reporting framework,

and the statements are designed to achieve fair presentation, the review report

should include an accountant’s conclusion. This conclusion should state whether

anything has come to the auditor’s attention that causes him to believe that the

IFI does not give a true and fair view in accordance with the applicable financial

reporting framework.

 A statement that the accountant is responsible for expressing a conclusion on the

IFI, based on the review that the accountant has carried out.

 A statement that the review of the IFI was conducted in accordance with ISRE

2410, and a statement that that this review consisted of making enquiries and

applying analytical procedures and other review procedures.

 A statement that a review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in

accordance with ISAs. Consequently the review does not enable the accountant to

obtain assurance that he would become aware of all significant matters that might

be identified in an audit. Accordingly, no audit opinion is expressed (and the

accountant expresses a negative opinion rather than a positive opinion).

 Date of the report

 Location in the country or jurisdiction where the accountancy firm practises

 Signature of the accountant/auditor.

Example

Shown below is an example of an unmodified report, based on ISRE 2410. The

report relates to IFI comprising a complete set of general purpose financial

statements prepared in accordance with IFRSs. (In other words, the report relates to

a review of IFI that uses a financial reporting framework designed to achieve fair

presentation.)

REPORT ON REVIEW OF INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Appropriate addressee)

Introduction

We have reviewed the accompanying statement of financial position of ABC

Entity as of March 31

, 20X8 and the related statements of income, changes in

equity and cash flows for the three-month period then ended, and a summary of

significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes.. Management is

responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of this interim financial

information in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Our

responsibility is to express a conclusion on this interim financial information

based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review

Engagements 2410. A review of interim financial information consists of making

enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters,

Chapter 11: Audit-related services

and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially

less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards

on Auditing and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we

would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit.

Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe

that the accompanying interim financial information does not give a true and fair

view of the financial position of the entity as at March 31

, 20X8, and of its

financial performance and its cash flows for the three-month period then ended in

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Auditor

Date Address

A qualified or adverse opinion should be given where the auditor/accountant

believes that the IFI has not been prepared in accordance with the applicable

financial reporting framework.

If a limitation on scope is imposed, the auditor should:

 communicate to the appropriate level of management, and to those charged with

governance, the difficulty the auditor has in reaching an opinion, and

 consider whether he can issue a report.

If there are uncertainties surrounding going concern, then the auditor should modify

his report in a manner consistent with ISA 570 Going concern.

Paper P7: Advanced audit and assurance (International)

Agreed-upon procedures

 The nature of agreed-upon procedures

 International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4400

2 Agreed-upon procedures

2.1 The nature of agreed-upon procedures

In an agreed-upon procedures engagement, the client that engages also decides the

procedures that the accountant will follow.

This is very different from an audit engagement, where the auditor decides the

procedures to be followed in order to reach an audit opinion.

 The accountant provides a report on factual findings from the procedures

performed. No assurance is provided.

 It is left to the user to assess the procedures and findings and to draw their own

conclusions.

The report issued at the end of an agreed-upon procedure should be made available

only to those who have agreed the procedures with the auditor/accountant. This is

because other people who are unaware of the agreed-upon procedures may

misinterpret the meaning of the report.

2.2 International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4400

The conduct of agreed-upon procedures is regulated by ISRS 4400 Engagements to

perform agreed-upon procedures regarding financial information.

Key points in ISRS 4400 are as follows:

 The terms of engagement for agreed-upon procedures should be set out in an

engagement letter. The engagement letter should include:

− the nature and purpose of the engagement, including a specific clarification

that it is not an audit and it is not a review

− the procedures to be carried out by the accountant, and the information to

which the accountant is required to apply these agreed-upon procedures

− the form of the report to be issued at the end of the engagement, and agreed

limitations on the distribution of the report.

 The processes undertaken by the accountant to perform agreed-upon procedures

may be similar to those involved in an audit:

− planning and documentation will be required

− evidence must be collected

− conclusions must be reached

Chapter 11: Audit-related services

− a report must be prepared.

However, since there is no assurance attached to the assignment, it is likely that the

volume of work undertaken by the accountant will be significantly less than for an

audit of similar financial information.

Example: Report at the end of an engagement with agreed-upon procedures

An example of an appropriate report is set out below.

To: The Board of Directors, C B R Manufacturing Company

Report: Title

At your request, we have applied certain agreed-upon procedures, as detailed

below, to the inventory records of G S, as at 31

August 20X6, solely to assist you

in connection with the proposed acquisition of that company. Our engagement

was conducted in accordance with the International Standard on Related Services

applicable to agreed-upon procedures engagements.

The procedures are summarised as follows:

[Insert a list of agreed upon procedures]

We report our findings as follows:

[Insert findings resulting from each of the procedures, with details of

‘ exceptions’ as relevant]

Because the above procedures do not constitute an audit or a review conducted in

accordance with International Standards on Auditing, we do not express any

assurance on the inventory as at 31

August 20X6.

Had we performed additional procedures or had we conducted an audit or

review of the financial statements in accordance with International Standards on

Auditing, matters might have come to our attention that would have been

reported to you.

Our report is solely for the purpose set out in the first paragraph of this report

and for your information and is not to be used for any other purpose or to be

distributed to any other parties. The report relates only to the items specified

above and does not extend to any financial statements of G S, taken as a whole.

Auditor

Date

Address

Paper P7: Advanced audit and assurance (International)

Compilation engagements

 Nature of a compilation engagement

 International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4410

3 Compilation engagements

3.1 Nature of a compilation engagement

In a compilation engagement, the accountant is engaged to prepare financial

statements or other information, and not to audit or review the financial statements

or other information that has been prepared by someone else.

An example is the preparation of financial statements for a sole trader or a club or

association.

 The accountancy firm is engaged for its accounting expertise, not its auditing

expertise.

 No assurance is provided by the accountant who carries out the work.

 The work normally involves the collection and summarising of information.

 A ‘compilation report’ may be issued at the end of the assignment, but some

compilation assignments (such as doing a tax calculation for the client) do not

require a report.

3.2 International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4410

ISRS 4410 Engagements to compile financial information regulates the conduct of

compilation engagements.

No assurance is given by the accountant about the information that has been

compiled. However the client gains some assurance from the requirement that the

accountant for a compilation assignment must comply with professional codes of

conduct. The accountant is therefore obliged to exercise due care and technical

competence in carrying out the work.

The key points of ISRS 4410 are as follows:

 An engagement letter is required, confirming:

− that the work to be carried out is not an audit and is not a review

− that the engagement cannot be relied upon to disclose error, fraud or other

irregularities

− the information on which the assignment will be based (for example, its

accuracy) is the responsibility of the client’s management

− the intended use and distribution of the information that will be provided at

the end of the engagement.

 Planning and documentation will be required for the engagement.

ACCA P7 (INT) Advanced Audit &amp; Assurance - Study Text - 2010 (Emile Woolf Publishing)

Подождите немного. Документ загружается.

ACCA P7 (INT) Advanced Audit & Assurance - Study Text - 2010 (Emile Woolf Publishing)