Audit-3 Flashcards
After accepting the engagement, what communication between predecessors and successor auditor can be made?
The successor auditor may:
- make specific inquiries regarding matters that may affect the conduct of the audit ( e.g. Audit problems)
- review the predecessor’s audit documentation related to matters of continuing accounting and auditing significance.
NOTE that the successor should not make reference to the work of the predecessor as the basis for the opinion.
Before the successor accepts the engagement, what communication between predecessor and successor auditor should be made?
- Obtain clients permission to make inquiries of the predecessor auditor.
- Specific inquiries include:
- Information that might bear on management integrity.
- Disagreement with management over accounting principles, auditing procedures, or other similarly significant matters.
- The predecessor’s understanding as to the reasons for the change of auditor’s and.
- Communication to audit committees/those charged with governance regarding fraud, illegal acts by clients, and matters relating to internal control.
What should the auditor assess when considering the firm’s client acceptance and continuance policies?
The auditor should assess
- The firm’s ability to meet reporting deadlines.
- The firm’s ability to staff the engagement.
- Independence.
- Integrity of client management
What factors affect the “audit ability” of a client?
The following factors affect the “audit ability” of a client.
- The availability and adequacy of accounting records.
- Management’s attitude toward the internal control environment.
What topics should be included in an understanding between the auditor and the client? What is the purpose of establishing such an understanding?
An understanding should include:
- Objectives.
- Management’s responsibilities.
- Auditor’s responsibilities.
- Limitations of the engagement.
- Other matters, such as timing, client assistance, fees and billing, etc.
- the purpose of establish an understanding is to reduce the risk of misunderstanding. Note that an engagement letter documenting the understanding is a presumptively mandatory requirement under GAAS.
What are presented by management in financial statement about which the auditor gathers evidence?
The financial statement are not statements of fact. They percent management’s assertions or claims, made implicitly or explicitly, about the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of information in the financial statements.
Name the six main financial statement assertions for nonissuer and issuers.
“COVER U and COVERD”
NONissuer: Cut-Off; Valuation, allocation, and accuracy; Existence and occurrence; Right and obligations; Understandability and Classification.(COVERU)
ISSUER: Completeness; Valuation or allocation; Existence and occurrence; Rights and obligations; and presentation and Disclosure(COVERD)
Name the relevant assertions for “transactions and events”
- Completeness
- (proper Period) Cutoff
- Accuracy
- Classification
- Occurrence
Name the relevant assertions for “Account balances”
- Completeness
- Allocation and Valuation
- Rights and Obligations
- Existence
Name the relevant assertions for “presentation and disclosure”
- Complereness
- understandability and classification
- Rights and Obligations, Occurrence
- Valuation and Accuracy
What is the audit strategy?
The audit strategy outlines the scope of the audit engagement objective, Timing of the audit, and required communications, and the factors that determine the focus of the audit. The audit strategy also includes a preliminary assessment of materiality and tolerable misstatement.
What does materiality and tolerable misstatement mean with respect to the independent audit?
Materiality: is the amount of error or omission that would affect the judgment of a reasonable person. Materiality is reflected in the auditor’s report by the phrase “present fairly in all material respects.” The auditor uses judgment to set an initial level of materiality, and to revise it appropriately throughout the audit.
Tolerable Misstatement: is the maximum error in a population that the auditor is willing to accept.
What is an audit Plan?
A written audit plan (required for every audit) is a listing of audit procedures that the auditor believes are necessary or accomplish the objectives of the audit.
What should be included in each step of the audit plan? we cast our NET over the audit
Each step of the audit plan should set out the procedure in detail, specifying the Nature, Extent, and Timing of the work to be performed and including a reference to the assertion under consideration. Nature, Extent, Timing.
List the three types of audit procedures and tell why each is used?
- Risk assessment Procedures: to obtain an understanding of the entity and its environment, including control.
- Tests of controls: to evaluate the operating effectiveness of internal control in preventing or detecting material misstatements.
- Substantive Procedures: to detect material misstatements in the financial statements.
What are the responsibilities of assistants when there are disagreements?
Assistants have a responsibility to exercise due professional care and to observe the standards of fieldwork. they should bring any disagreement with the conduct of the audit to the attention of the auditor-in-charge.
The assistant also has the right to document the disagreement and to be disassociated from the opinion.
What factors determine the amount of reliance an independent auditor may place on the work of internal auditors?
The following factors affect the amount of reliance:
- The objectivity of internal auditors (level of reporting within the organizational structure)
- The competence of internal auditors
- An evaluation of the work performed by internal auditors
Note that external auditor remains solely responsible for the audit report, and may not share judgment responsibility with the internal auditor.
Should an auditor refer to the work of a specialist in the auditor’s report?
Generally, in the case of a standard, unqualified opinion, no reference is made to the work of a specialist. If however the auditor chooses to add an explanatory paragraph or must depart from an unqualified opinion due to the work of the specialist, reference to the specialist may be made.
-Under the ISAs, the auditor should obtain permission form the specialist before making reference to the specialist in the report.
Under PCAOB standards, what factors affect nature and extent of necessary planning activities?
- The Size and complexity of the company
- The auditor’s previous experience with the company.
- Changes in circumstances that occur during the audit.
According to PCAOB standards, What factors indicate less complex operations?
- Fewer business lines
- Less complex business processes and financial reporting systems.
- More centralized accounting functions
- Extensive involvement of senior management in day to day operations.
- Fewer levels of management