4. Planning An Audit (Basics) Flashcards
Key considerations for audit strategy (OBT)?
- The entity and its environment
- Materiality
- Preliminary analytical procedures
- Risk assessment
- Audit approach
- Coordination of the audit (timing, team, locations, budgets and deadlines).
What should an audit plan include?
Nature, extent and timing of:
1. Risk assessment
2. Further audit procedures (assertion level)
Audit plan: Why can’t individual account balances be audited at the start?
Haven’t completed (detailed) risk assessment procedures yet
Can the audit plan be changed?
Yes
The audit plan should be modified where necessary in response to new information,
or the results of audit testing carried out
4 ways an understanding of the entity is obtained?
-
Firm
Partner
Manager briefing
Industry experts
Last year’s team -
Client
Discussion
Observation
Website/brochures
Analytical procedures -
Me
Past experience -
Other
Industry surveys
Credit reference
agencies
Companies House
Internet search
Understanding the entity and environment: Environment examples
Laws and regulations
Industry conditions (e.g.
competition, technology,
seasonality)
Data protection regulations
(e.g. GDPR)
Understanding the entity and environment: Entity examples
Operations
Ownership and governance
Investments
Structure and finance
Accounting policies
Objectives and strategies
System of internal control
Use of outsourcing
Applicable financial reporting framework
Understanding an entity’s accounting policies: Where should attention be paid?
- Methods applied to unusual transactions
- Controversial areas/emerging issues
- Environment changes
- New financial reporting standards/laws and regulations
Understanding the entity: Climate risks to consider
- Business model/supply chain
- Industry
- Regulation (climate laws)
Is materiality a matter of professional judgement?
Yes
Materiality percentages: What can be used?
- Revenue
- Profit before tax
- Total assets
- Gross profit
- Net assets
- Profit after tax
Materiality percentages: Revenue
(0.5-) 1%
Materiality percentages: Profit before tax
5%
Materiality percentages: Total assets
(1-) 2%
Materiality percentages: Gross profits
(0.5-) 1%
Materiality percentages: Net assets
(2 - ) 5%
Materiality percentages: Profit after tax
(5-) 10%
Things that are material by nature
- Misleading descriptions
-
Critical points
E.g. profit to loss threshold
company size - Transactions with directors
- Related party transactions
Why have PM?
To reduce aggregate small misstatements Could become material
Can climate disclosures be material?
Yes
(If important to users)
When MUST analytical procedures be used?
- Planning
- Forming overall conclusion
When CAN analytical procedures be used?
As a substantive procedure
Analytical procedures: Limitations
- Require good knowledge/experience
- Require experienced staff
- Depends on reliability of source data
Analytical procedures: Steps
- Understand the business
- Develop an expectation
- Compare to actual
Any unexpected variations = risk
Can you use ratios in APs?
Yes
Ratios: Performance
- Gross profit margin
- Operating margin
- ROCE
Ratios: Short-term liquidity
- Current
- Quick
Ratios: Solvency
- Gearing
- Interest cover
Ratios: Efficiency
- Tr Re Coll Period
- Inv hold period
- Tr Pay payment period
Ratios: Gross profit margin calculation
Gross profit/Revenue * 100
Ratios: Operating margin calculation
Operating profit/Revenue * 100
Ratios: ROCE calculation
Operating profit/(Equity + debt) * 100
Ratios: Current ratio calculation
Current assets/Current liabilities
Ratios: Quick ratio calculation
(Current assets - inventory)/Current liabilities
Ratios: Gearing ratio calculation
Net debt/equity
Ratios: Interest cover calculation
Profit before interest payable/Interest payable