Audit 3 - Engagement Acceptance, Planning, and Risk Assessment Flashcards
What is the audit committee responsible for?
Selection and appointment of the independent external auditor
Who does the auditor report to under SOX?
The client’s audit committee
Who are ‘those charged with governance’ ?
Those who bear responsibility to oversee the obligations, financial reporting process, and strategic direction of an entity
When engaged to audit after year-end, what should the auditor consider?
Whether the late appointment will pose limitations on the audit that may lead to a qualified or disclaimer of opinion, and should discuss such concerns with the client
As a part of the PRE-ACCEPTANCE phase of the engagement, what should the auditor consider?
- Firm’s ability to meet reporting deadlines2. Firm’s ability to staff the engagement3. Independence4. Integrity of Client Management5. Group audits
What are the PRECONDITIONS for an audit?
- Applicable financial reporting framework2. Management responsibilties
What should the auditor do if the preconditions do not exist?
NOT ACCEPT the engagement, unless required to do so by law or regulation.
What do precondition management responsibilities include?
- Prep and fair presentation of F/S2. DIM of I/C3. To provide the auditor with access to all information relevant to prep/fair presenation and unrestricted access to persons within the entity
Management-Imposed Scope Limitation
Auditor should not accept engagement if, prior to acceptance, management/those charged with governance impose a scope limitation that will result in a disclaimer of opinion on F/S as a wholeIf scope limitation will result in a qualified opinion, or if the limitation is imposed by circumstances beyond management’s control, the auditor may still accept engagement
Required contents of an engagement letter
- Objective & Scope of audit2. Responsibilities of the auditor3. Responsibilities of management4. Statement that because of the inherent limitations of an audit, an unavoidable risk exists that some material misstatements may not be detected5. Identification of the applicable financial reporting framework6. Reference to the expected form and content of any reports to be issued and statement that they may differ if circumstances arrive that demand so
What is the purpose of an engagement letter?
To reduce the risk that either the auditor of the client may misinterpret to needs or expectations of the other party
Other contents of an engagement letter
- Elaboration of scope2. Form of any other communication3. Arrangements regarding planning and audit performance4. Expectation that mgt will provide written representations5. Agreement of mgt to make info available in a timely matter6. Agreement of mgt to inform auditor of subsequent events7. Fees and billing arrangements8. Arrangements concerning involvement of other auditors/specialists/internal auditors/other entity staff9. Arrangements to be made with predecessor auditor10. Any restriction on auditor’s liability11. Obligations of the auditor to provide audit documentation to other parties12. Additional services to be provided
Revising the terms of engagement on recurring audits
May need to revise if:1. Management misunderstands the objective/scope of audit2. Revised/special engagement terms3. Change in senior management4. Significant change in ownership5. Significant change in the nature or size of entity’s business6. Change in legal/regulatory requirements7. Change in financial reporting framework8. Change in other reporting requirements
What is an initial audit?
Engagement in which the F/S for the prior period were not audited or were audited by a predecessor auditor
Communication with predecessor auditor before engagement acceptance
REQUIRED in an initial audit. Client permission is required - if client is unwilling to agree, auditor should consider the implications and decide wither to accept the engagement
What should the auditor inquire about to the predecessor auditor?
- Information that might bear on mgt integrity2. Disagreements with management over acctng principles, auditing procedures, or other significant matters3. Predecessor’s understanding as to the reasons for the change of auditors4. Communication to mgt, audit committee, and those changed w/governance regarding fraud, noncompliance, and matters relating to I/CMust review prior CPAs workpapers (evidence)
What is the auditor’s responsibility regarding opening balances in an initial and reaudit engagement?
Whether:1. Opening balances contain misstatements that could materially affect the current period F/S2. Accounting policies reflected in the opening balances have been consistently applied in the current period F/S
In order to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding opening balances, the auditor should…(procedures)
- Read the most recent F/S and, if any, the predecessor auditor’s report (modified report - consider the effect on current period assessment of RMM)2. Request mgt to authorize the predecessor auditor to allow a review of his/her audit documentation related to the most recently completed audit
Discovery of Material Misstatements in opening balnaces
If the auditor obtains evidence that opening balance contain misstatements, he/she should determine the effect on the current period F/S
If current auditor determines that F/S reported on by the predecessor auditor require revision, the auditor should…
Ask the client to arrange a meeting (involving both auditors AND the client) to resolve the matter. If client’s mgt refuses or auditor is not satisfied with the resolution, the auditor should consider implications on current audit and wether to resign from engagement
The inability of the auditor to obtain sufficient audit evidence regarding opening balances may result in…
A qualified or disclaimer of opinion
If the opening balances contain a misstatement that materially affects the current period F/S…
A qualified or adverse opinion should be expressed
If the current period’s accounting policies are not consistently applied regarding opening balances, the auditor should…
Express a qualified or adverse opinion
If a change in accounting policy is not properly accounted for or adequately presented or disclosed, the auditor should…
Express a qualified or adverse opinion
During planning, the auditor is REQUIRED to..
- Obtain a knowledge of the client’s business and industry2. Develop the audit strategy3. Develop the audit plan4. Perform risk assessment procedures to obtain an understanding of the entity and its environment (including I/C) sufficient to assess the RMM and design further audit procedures
The auditor plans the audit to be responsive to the initial assessment of the RMM, but should…
be prepared to revise the audit strategy and audit plan based on the results of audit procedures
What is the engagement partner responsible for?
- Planning the audit2. Supervising the work of engagement team members3. Compliance with relevant auditing standards
Why does GAAS require proper supervision of assistants during the course of an audit?
To ensure that the work performed is adequate to accomplish the objectives of the examination is consistent with conclusions presented in the report.Should be provided regarding both technical and personnel aspects of the audit.
What is the NET?
Nature, Extent, and Timing
What does the NET include?
- Size and complexity of the entity2. Nature of the work assigned3. Assessed risks of material misstatement4. Qualifications of the assistants
What happens if there are disagreements between auditors?
If differences still exist among the team after consulting with the audit partner, dissenting staff members should be allowed to disassociate themselves from the resolution by documenting their disagreement.
Once engagement is accepted, the auditor must obtain an understanding of…
The client’s industry and business.
Common sources of industry information
- AICPA accounting and audit guides2. Trade pubs and professional trade associations3. Government pubs4. AICPA Accounting Trends and Techniques
To obtain knowledge of the client’s business, the auditor may…
- Tour client facilities2. Review the financial history of the client3. Obtain an understanding of client accounting4. Inquire of client personnel
Developing the Audit Strategy Components
- Overall audit strategy2. Scope of the audit (extent)3. Reporting objectives, audit timing, and require communications (timing)4. Factors that determine the focus of the audit (nature)5. Materiality and tolerable misstatement6. Small Entities7. Communication w/those charged with governance
What does the overall audit strategy include?
NET. Also includes a preliminary assessment of materiality and tolerable misstatement.
Why should an auditor develop the strategy early in the audit process?
Helps auditor determine the resources needed to complete the audit, including:1. involvement of other auditors/specialists/internal auditors2. assignment of staff3. timing of testing4. budget house to assign5. extent, location, and timing of reviews of audit work
What defines the scope of the audit?
- characteristics of the engagement, including the basis of reporting, reporting currency, and locations of entity2. Industry-specific, regulatory, and statutory reporting requirements3. Size and Complexity of entity4. Effect of IT on the audit5. knowledge gained from prior experience w/entity6. use of service organizations by the entity
What determines the focus of the audit?
- Prelim. evals. of materiality, audit risk, and internal control2. material locations and account balances3. areas where there is a higher RMM4. significant business and industry developments and accounting changes5. mgt’s commitment to the design/operation of I/C
PCAOB requirements on overall audit strategy include
- knowledge of the company’s I/C2. matters affecting the industry3. extent of recent changes in the company4. auditor’s prelim judgments about materiality, and risk5. control deficiencies previously communicated6. legal or regulatory matters7. the relative complexity of the company’s operations
At which levels must materiality be determined?
When establishing the audit strategy, auditor should determine materiality for the F/S as a whole, performance materiality, and (if necessary) materiality levels for particular classes of transactions, account balances, or disclosures
Definition of materiality:
If there is a substantial likelihood that the fact would have been viewed by the reasonable investor as having significantly altered the ‘total mix’ of information available - Supreme Court
Materiality for the F/S as a whole
The auditor should use the SMALLEST LEVEL of misstatement that could be material to any one of the F/S
Why would an auditor determine performance materiality?
for purposes of assessing the RMM and determining the NET of further audit procedures
What is the audit plan based on?
The audit strategy and outlines the NET of the procedures to be performed during the audit.A written plan is REQUIRED
What are audit procedures performed for?
to obtain evidence on which to base the audit opinion.
Categories of audit procedures
- Risk assessment procedures2. Further audit procedures3. Other audit procedures4. Timing of audit procedures
Risk assessment procedures
used to obtain an understanding of the entity and its environment, including I/C, in order to assess the RMM. do not alone provide audit evidence sufficient to support an opinion