AUD CH 1 - Auditing Standards & Engagement Planning Flashcards
Basic Types of Audits
- Compliance Audit
- Operational Audit
- Financial Statement Audit (AFRF: Gen / Special Purpose)
What were are the clarity standards designed to do?
- Make the GAAS easier to follow & understand
- Increase convergence with ISA (int’l Standards on Auditing)
Which entities do the clarity standards apply to?
Non-Issuers (non-public)
* PCAOB (public) has NOT adopted the clarity standards
Who issued the clarity standards?
Auditing Standards Board (ASB) of the AICPA
What are the two levels of requirements for audits under GAAS?
- Unconditional Requirement (“must”, “is required to”)
- Presumptively Mandatory Requirement (“Should”…. if depart, must document reason)
*apply to both issuers and non-issuer audits
Clarity Project new terminology
- AFRF
- Emphasis of Matter paragraph
- Other Matter paragraph
- Group Financial audits (division of responsibility)
Clarity Project new requirements
- evaluate the acceptability of the AFRF (needs of users, meeting those needs, if most app. Framework)
- apply Quality Control procedures at engagement level
- Mgmt now has 2 major responsibilities
Clarity Project new format for each standard
- Introduction (purpose & scope)
- Objectives (what req. are expected to achieve, plan/performing audit, eval if obtained SA evidence)
- Definitions
- Requirements (presumptively mandatory & unconditional requirements)
- Applications and Other Explanatory Material (further guidance, ICORRIIA)
Significant Finding
the inability to achieve an audit objective, which the auditor must document
The only exceptions for requirements under clarity standards
- an entire section of GAAS does not apply (i.e. no internal audit dept.)
- no audit evidence because it does not exist (i.e. req. to communication SD and MW’s)
Which entities do the 10 GAAS apply to?
Public Entities (issuers) – PCAOB
* 10 GAAS were integrated into the AICPA clarity project’s “objectives” (non-issuers)
What are the categories of the 10 GAAS?
- General Standards (apply from acceptance to completion “TIP”)
- Fieldwork Standards (apply only to planning/gathering evidence “PIC”)
- Reporting Standards (apply only to manner for writing the audit report “ANOE”)
What are the 10 GAAS considered?
the overall measure of the quality of the auditor’s performance
TIPPICANOE
10 GAAS
(General)
T- Training and proficiency
I – Independence (immaterial indirect is OK // I&O)
P – due Professional Care
(Fieldwork)
P - Planning and supervision
I - Internal controls (RMM & det. N,T, E of Audit Procedures)
C - Corroborative audit evidence
(Reporting)
A - Accounting principles conform with GAAP
N - No new accounting principles applied (consistency)
O - Omitted Informative Disclosures – None
E – Expression of an Opinion
What is the purpose of the 2nd Fieldwork Standard – Internal Control?
auditor must obtain sufficient understanding of the entity and the environment (I/C) to:
- assess RMM (fraud or error)
- design the nature, timing, and extent of further audit procedures
Reporting Standards (10 GAAS) overall definition
- preparation and content of the audit report
- GAAS audit to check for GAAP
Which standards are implicit or explicit in the Reporting Standards (10 GAAS)?
- Accounting Principles in conformity with GAAP (EXPLICIT)
- No new accounting principles applied – consistent (IMPLICIT)
- Omitted informative Disclosures – adequate? (IMPLICIT)
- Expression of an Opinion (EXPLICIT)
General Standards (10 GAAS) overall definition
qualification of the auditor and quality of the work (TIP)
Fieldwork Standards (10 GAAS) overall definition
- how audit is planned
- how evidence is accumulated and evaluated
Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS)
SAS are interpretations of GAAS issued by the Auditing Standards Board (ASB) of the AICPA
Attestation Engagements
CARES/ERAS — MUST BE INDEPENDENT
C – Complications (unless lack of independence is indicated)
A – Agreed Upon Procedures (or other leading to findings)
R – Reviews
E – Examinations (Audits)
S – Special Reports
*are all considered ASSURANCE services as well
Engagements in which independence is not required
- Compilations (when lack of Independence is indicated)
- Taxes
- Consultations
- Other non attest services such as bookkeeping or payroll
* these are not considered assurance services either
Circumstances in which audit can be performed WITHOUT independence
- GAAS allows auditor to accept the engagement
Or
- Auditor is required by law or regulation to accept the engagement
Assurance Services (defined by AICPA Special Committee on Assurance Services)
aka Elliott Committee
- INDEPENDENT professional services that improve the quality of information, or its context, for decision makers
Assurance Services (definition)
an engagement in which an accountant issues a report designed to enhance the degree of confidence of third parties and management about the outcome of an evaluation or measure of F/S (subject matter) against an AFRF (criteria)
*all attestation engagements (ERAS) are considered assurance services
2 Key preconditions for an audit
- Acceptability of the financial reporting framework being applied (adequate accounting records for evidence)
- Management accepts responsibility (integrity, fair pres., DIM, & no client-imposed scope limit)
What should an auditor look for during a reaudit or first-year audit?
Read most recent F/S And the Predecessors report:
Opening balances
Disclosures (Contingencies And Commitments)
Consistency
What should an auditor request if there is a predecessor auditor?
The auditor should request that management authorize the predecessor to allow the successor to:
- review PA’s documentation (If modified opinion, evaluate effect on current period Financial statements)
- respond to inquiries by the successor (RID-C)
RID-C
*Inquiries of predecessor Auditor*
Reasons for change of Auditor
Integrity of management
Disagreements during audits
Communication with Management for those charged with governance (DISAPPROVE)
DISAPPROVE
*Should be communicated to those charged with governance – (rid-C)*
Disagreements with management
Illegal acts (Noncompliance)
Significant accounting policies
Adjustments (Adjusting JE’s & Reclassifying JE’s)
Prior discussions with management Before acceptance
Problems during audit (Obtaining evidence & Employee cooperation)
Responsibilities Of the auditor under GAAS
Other info regarding responsibilities
Views of other accountants (Contacted by management)
Estimates (& Process Used)
DISAPPROVE (Explanation)
- Certain matters should be communicated to those charged Governance
- May be oral or in writing (During audit or after the Audit report is issued)
- If oral, Auditor should document
- No need to repeat matters notified in previous audits
What shouldn’t The Auditor discuss with management or Governance?
The detailed audit plan
OR
specific audit procedures
(might reduce the effectiveness of the audit)
PCAOB Requirements for communication with the audit committee
- Significant issues discussed with managementAbout appointment or retention of the auditor
- Overall audit strategy And timing
- Audit results And Auditors evaluation of the results
- New Accounting pronouncements
- Outside consultation sought by the auditor
- Going concern issues
DISAPPROVE
Overall strategy Communicated with governance
Knowledge/Specialized skill
Internal auditor usage
Principal auditor basis
Info about other accounting firms expected to perform audit procedures
What is the difference between communication with governance under GAAS versus PCAOB?
Under PCAOB, will be the auditors is REQUIRED to submit the communication to governance prior to issuance of the auditors report
Engagement letter
When the auditor has made the decision to accept the engagement, the AUDITOR IS REQUIRED to send a written engagement letter (Or comparable written agreement) to client
*Engagement letter form is recommended - Not required*
- Confirms the Scope and nature of the engagement
- confirms the Responsibilities Of the various part
FACSIMILE
Auditors responsibilities (Engagement letter)
- accordance with GAAS audit (Doesn’t guarantee that errors And fraud will be detected)
- informing the client of Any improvements
Clients responsibility (Engagement letter)
- Making available all records
- Not limiting the scope
- paying agreed-upon fee
FACSIMILIE
*Elements of an engagement Letter*
F – Fees
A – Auditor’s responsibility (GAAS)
C - Confirmation of engagement
S - Scope and objectives engagement (Statements auditing // Objective=Opinion on F/S)
I - Internal control (SD & MW in I/C)
M - Managements Responsibility (fair pres, DIM, info access)
I – Irregularities – Fraud
L – iLlegal Acts
E - Errors
Break down the engagement letter (paragraphs)
- Objective and scope of the audit (Statements audited and to give opinion on F/S)
- Auditor responsibilities (Reasonable assurance, Fraud or error, Inherent Limitations of audit and I/C, D.Risk)
- Management responsibilities and ID AFRF
- Other Relevant information (List of schedules, Fees)
- Reporting (Expected form versus actual form of report)
*Signed by both parties
What does audit planning involve?
Developing overall strategy with the expected conduct and scope of the audit
- To be responsive to the assessment of RMM Based on the auditors understanding (entity & enviro)
Auditor Appointment
- Early appointment is preferred And advantageous
- Maybe appointed at or near year end as well
Why does the nature, extent ,and timing of planning an audit vary?
- Size and complexity of the entity
- Auditors experience with Entity
- Knowledge of the entity’s Business and industry
- Knowledge of the entity and its environment including Internal control
What are the preliminary engagement activities?
- Acceptance
- Ethics
- Engagement letter (understanding with client)
What is the importance of a detailed audit plan/audit program?
It is required (GAAS) in order to achieve the objectives of the audit, which relate to management’s assertions
- Step by step list Necessary for procedures to Support Opinion)
- Describes the nature, timing, and extent of
1. RMM
2. Further audit procedures (list of sub. tests)
3. Other procedures in order to comply with GAAS
What are key considerations In the development of the audit program?
- Materiality (Smallest Aggregate dollar amount Selected)
- RMM – prelim. Assessment (IR x CR)
- Business and industry considerations (diff biz/diff transactions, reg, acctg)