Audit Framework And Regulation, Rights, Duties, Appointment, Resignation & Removal Flashcards
What is assurance
-positive declaration intended to give confidence
-an assurance engagement in one which a practitioner aims to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence in order to express a conclusion designed to enhance the degree of confidence of the intended users other than the responsible party about the outcome of the evaluation.
Five key elements of assurance engagement (IMPORTANT)
- Three party relationship
- Appropriate subject matter
- Suitable criteria
- Evidence
- Report
Three party relationship
- Practitioner = responsible for determining the nature, timing and extent of procedures and must pursue any doubts and queries (auditor)
- Responsible party = the person responsible for the info and assertions (directors)
- Intended users = persons whom the assurance report is prepared for (shareholders or directors)
Appropriate subject matter
-provided by reasonable party which needs assurance on
-identifiable + capable of consistent evaluation or measurement against the identifiable criteria
Suitable criteria
Benchmarks used to evaluate or measure subject matter. Without this individual interpretation and misunderstanding occurs.
-relevance
-completeness
-reliability (evaluation)
-neutrality (no bias)
-understandability (clear, comprehensive)
Evidence
-attitude of professional scepticism to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence on if subject is free of material misstatement
-questions validity of evidence + reliability
-collect evidence to support everything being claimed
Report
-reasonable assurance
-Limited assurance
(IMPORTANT)
Reasonable assurance
- is where there is sufficient evidence that the subject matter agrees to certain criteria
-high level of assurance
-positive assurance
-external audit
Limited assurance
-is where there is sufficient evidence that the subject matter is plausible in the circumstances
-moderate level of assurance
-negative assurance
-review engagement
Who uses financial statements (IMPORTANT)
- Shareholders = to keep up with performance
- Lenders/investors = confidence in financial position
- Employees = confirm corporate objective & future strategic direction
- Customers = assurance for long term relationships
- Suppliers = confidence in liquidity position and new products
- Competitors = review margins and future strategic options
- Government = confirm results before tax
Benefits of assurance engagement (IMPORTANT)
- Enhanced credibility of info
- Reduced risk of management bias, errors, fraud
- Draws attention to any deficiencies
- Professional, objective, unbiased opinion
Never absolute (IMPORTANT)
- Judgement
- Sample testing
- Inherent limitations of internal control
- Evidence persuasive over conclusive
- Impracticality of examining all items
- Fraudulent collusion or misinterpretation
What is an audit
- The independent examination of and expression of opinion on the financial statements of an entity by a duly appointed auditor in pursuit of that appointment
- True and fair
- Activity designed to check whether the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with an applicable financial reporting framework
True v Fair (IMPORTANT)
-> free from material misstatement, free from bias, neutral, accurate, representation of actual state of affairs, compliant with accounting standards and legislations
True
-factual
-complies with legislation
-correctly transferred data
Fair
-clear, impartial, unbiased
Who needs an audit (IMPORTANT)
-companies act 2006, companies must appoint external auditor
-qualify for an exemption if it has 2 of below
1. Annual turnover > £10.2m
2. Total asset turnover > £5.1 (half of turnover)
3. Not more than 50 employees
Adv of an audit (IMPORTANT)
- Gives shareholders positive assurance
- Identify matters that improve the business
- Third parties more willing to lend money
- Limited liability
- More acceptable to tax authorities
Expectations gap (IMPORTANT)
-> difference between how auditors see their role and how clients and other stakeholders perceive the auditors role
-> resolution is the assurance engagement letter that will define what is required from both sides to reduce misunderstanding