Auditing Flashcards
Accounting
Accounting is the recording, classifying, and summarizing of economic events
for the purpose of providing financial information used in decision making.
Purpose of financial reporting
Nature of Auditing
Auditing is the accumulation and evaluation
of evidence about information to determine
and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria.
Auditing should be done by a competent, independent person.
Information and Established Criteria
To do an audit, there must be information in a verifiable form and some standards (criteria) by which the auditor can evaluate the information.
Accumulating Evidence and Evaluating Evidence
Evidence is any information used by the auditor to determine whether the information being audited is stated in accordance with the established critera.
Competent, Independent Person
The auditor must be qualified to understand the criteria used and must be competent to know the types and amount of evidence to accumulate to reach the proper conclusion after the evidence has been examined.
The competence of the individual performing the audit is of little value if he or she is biased in the accumulation and evaluation of evidence.
Audit Report
The final stage in the auditing process is preparing the Audit Report, which is the communication of theauditor’s findings to users.
Distinguish Between Auditing and Accounting
Accounting is the recording, classifying, and summarizing of economic events
for the purpose of providing financial information used in decision making.
Auditing is determining whether recorded information properly reflects the economic events that occurred during the accounting period.
Economic Demand for Auditing
-Explain the importance of auditing in reducing information risk.
Information risk reflects the possibility that the information upon which the business risk decision was made was inaccurate.
Auditing can have a significant effect on information risk.
Causes of Information Risk
Remoteness of information
Biases and motives of the provider
Voluminous data
Complex exchange transactions
Reducing Information Risk
User verifies information
User shares information risk with management
Audited financial statements are provided
Describe assurance services and distinguish audit services from other assurance and nonassurance services provided by auditors.
Definitions
Attestation
Audit
Review
Agreed-upon procedures
Compilations
Assurance
Assurance and Assurance Services
The overall need of individuals and organizations for credible information, combined with changes currently taking place in information technology, is leading to rapid changes in the role of the public accounting profession
Auditor firms are already embracing a broader concept of the attest function that is being referred to as the assurance function , which includes providing assurance on a broad variety of types of financial or non-financial information
Trust Services (SysTrust and WebTrust)
PrimePlus/Elder Care Services
XBRL Services
An assurance service is an independent professional service that improves the quality of information for decision makers.
Assurance services can be performed by auditors or by a variety of other professionals.
Attestation Services
An attestation service is a type of Assurance service in which the audit firm issues a report about the reliability of an Assertion that is the responsibility of another party.
In an attest engagement a Auditor is engaged to issue or does issue an examination (audit), a review, or an agree-upon procedures report on subject matter, or an assertion about subject matter, that is the responsibility of another party
The attest function adds value to information by having a third party (the Auditor) provide assurance over subject matter prepared by a party responsible for that information
Example: Compliance Report, Due Diligence Report, Valuation Report,
Attestation Services
Five Categories:
- Audit of historical financial statements
- Attestation of internal control over financial reporting
- Review of historical financial statements
- Attestation services on information technology
- Other attestation services
Other Attestation
Examination (Audit)
Review
Agree-upon procedures
Audit
An examination, referred to as an audit when it involves financial statements, normally results in a positive opinion, the highest form of assurance provided
– Positive assurance: the auditor confirms that the subjects matter follows in all material respects the appropriate criteria
When performing an examination, the Auditors select from all available evidence a combination that limits to a low level of risk the chance of material misstatement
Review
Is substantially less in scope than an audit and consists primarily of
(1) Application of analytical procedures
(2) Making inquiries of management
(3) Obtaining representations from management relating to the financial statements
Results in a report with limited assurance (or negative assurance)
– Negative assurance the reviewer concludes that he or she is not aware of any material misstatements
Agreed-upon Procedures
An Auditor and a specified party that wishes to use the information may mutually decide on specific agreed upon procedures that the Auditor will perform
Result in a report that describes the procedures performed and related findings.
Compilation
- Accountants may also provide services to clients in the form of compilation.
- The objective of a compilation of financial statements is to present, in the form of financial statements, information that is the representation of management without expressing any assurance on the statements
Relationships Among Auditors, Client, and External Users
Other Assurance Services
- Most of the other assurance services that auditors provide do not meet the formal definition
- of attestation services.
- The auditor is not required to issue a written report.
- The assurance does not have to be about thereliability of another party’s assertion aboutcompliance with specified criteria.
Nonassurance Services Provided by auditors
- Accounting and bookkeeping services
- Tax services
- Management consulting services
Other Assurance Services Examples
Types of Audits
Operational
Compliance
Financial Statement
Operational Audit
Compliance Audit
Audit of Historical Financial Statements
Terms
1.3 Legal Requirements
European Union
Germany
United States Of America
European Union
European Law Audit Requirements
German Law Audit Requirements
Ch-2 Objective of Conducting an Audit of Financial Statements
The objective of the ordinary audit of financial statements is the expression of an opinion of the fairness with which they present fairly, in all respects, financial position, result of operations, and its cash flows in conformity with GAAP.
Steps to Develop Audit Objectives
- Understand objectives and responsibilities for the audit
- Divide financial statements into cycles
- Know management assertions about financial statements
- Know general audit objectives for classes of transactions and accounts.
- Know specific audit objectives for classes of transactions, accounts and disclosures.
Management’s Responsibilities
- Management is responsible for the financial statements and for internal control.
- he German Law states management’sresponsibility for the financial statements.
- The German Commercial Code requires the Board of Directors of public companies to certify the annual financial statements submitted to the Stock Exchange.
Auditor’s Responsibilities
- Material versus immaterial misstatements
- Reasonable assurance
- Error versus fraud
- Professional skepticism
- Fraud resulting from fraudulent financial reporting versus misappropriation of assets
Auditor’s Responsibilities for Discovering Illegal Acts
2.2 Financial Statements Cycles
Audits are performed by dividing the financial statements into smaller segments or components.
Business Processes
Transaction Processing Cycles
Financial Statement Assertions
In preparing financial statements management implicitly or explicitly makes assertions to
- Classes of transactions and events (transaction classes)
- Year-end (account balances)
- Presentations and disclosures(disclosures)
General Transactions-related Audit Objectives
General Balance-related Audit Objectives
How Audit Objectives Are Met
The auditor must obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to support all management assertions in the financial statements.
An audit process has specific phases
Diagram of an Audit
Audit Risk
Inherent Risk
- Refers to the likelihood of material misstatement of an assertion, assuming no related internal control
- Differs by account and assertion
Control Risk
- Is the likelihood that a material misstatement will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control
- Is assessed using the results of tests of control
Detection Risk
- Is the likelihood that an auditor‘sprocedures leads to an improper conclusion that no material misstatement exists in an assertion when in fact such a misstatement does exist
- The auditor‘s substantial procedures areprimarily relied upon to restrict detection risk.
Risk Relationship
2.3 Objective
The objective of the auditor is to accept or continue an audit engagement only when the basis upon which it is to be performed has been agreed, through:
a. Establishingwhetherthepreconditionsforanaudit are present; and
b. Confirmingthatthereisacommonunderstanding between the auditor and management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance of the terms of the audit engagement.
Engagement
IFAC Ethical Requirements
Rules of Conduct-Independence
- A member in public practice shall be independent in the performance of professional services as required by standards and national requirements.
The value of auditing depends heavilyon the public’s perception of theindependence of auditors.
- Independence in fact
- Independence in appearance
Prohibited Services
- Financial Interest
- Bookkeeping and other accounting services
- Financial information systems design and
implementation - Appraisal or valuation services
- Actuarial services
- Internal audit outsourcing
- Management of human resource functions
- Broker, dealer, or investment adviser
or investment banker services - Legal and expert services unrelated to the audit
- Any other service that is impermissible by
law or regulation
Ownership Interests
- rules on financial relationships take an engagement perspective.
- rules prohibit ownership in audit clients by those persons who can influence the audit.
Financial Interests
Rules prohibit covered members from owning any direct investments in audit clients.
- Covered members
- Direct versus indirect financial interest
- Material or immaterial
Related Financial Interests Issues
- Former practitioners
- Normal lending procedures
- Financial interests and employment of immediate and close family members
- Joint investor or investee relationship with client
- Director, officer, management, or employee of a company
Bookkeeping and Other Services
- Client must accept full responsibility for the financial statements.
- The auditor must not assume the role of employee or of management.
- The audit must conform to use of auditing standards.
The rules do not allow audit firms to provide bookkeeping services to public company audit clients.
- Consulting and other nonaudit services
- Unpaid fees
Litigation Between Audit Firm and Client
- A lawsuit or intent to start a lawsuit between an audit firm and its client, the ability of the audit firm and client to remain objective is questionable.
- The interpretations regard such litigation as a violation independence.
Audit Committees
- An audit committee is a selected number of members of a company’s board of directorswhose responsibilities include helping auditors remain independent of management.
- Most audit committees are made up of three to five or sometimes as many as seven directors who are not a part of company management.
Partner Rotation
The rules requires that the lead and concurring audit partner rotate off the audit engagement after a period of seven years.
Audit Committees
The law requires that all members of the audit committee be independent.
Companies must disclose whether or not the audit committee includes at least one financial expert.
Other Issues
- Shopping for accounting principles
- Engagement and payment of audit fees by management
Agreement on Audit Engagement Terms
The written agreement shall include:
(a) The objective and scope of the audit of the financial statements;
(b) The responsibilities of the auditor;
(c) The responsibilities of management;
(d) Identification of the applicable financial reporting framework for the preparation of the financial statements; and
(e) Reference to the expected form and content of any reports to be issued by the auditor and a statement that there may be circumstances in which a report may differ from its expected form and content.
2.4 Fraud - Definition
An intentional act by one or more individuals among management, those charged with governance, employees, or third parties, involving the use of deception to obtain an unjust or illegal advantage
Characteristics of Fraud
- Misstatements in the financial statements can arise from either fraud or error.
- The distinguishing factor between fraud and error is whether the underlying action that results in the misstatement of the financial statements is intentional or unintentional.
Error
- Error is unintentional misstatement (mistake)
- E.g. wrong calculation
Types of Fraud
- Fraudulent financial reporting
- Misappropriation of assets
The Fraud Triangle
Examples of Risk Factors for Fraudulent Reporting
Examples of Risk Factors for Misappropriation of Assets
Assessing the Risk of Fraud
- ISA 240 provides guidance to auditors in assessing the risk of fraud.
- In exercising professional skepticism,an auditor “neither assumes that management is dishonest nor assumes unquestioned honesty.”
Sources of Information Gathered to Assess Fraud Risks
Documenting Fraud Assessment
- Discussion
- Procedures
- Specific risks
- Reasons
- Other conditions and analytical relationships
- Nature of communications
Corporate Governance Oversight to Reduce Fraud Risks
- Culture of honesty and high ethics
- Management’s responsibility to evaluate risks of fraud
- Audit committee oversight
Example Elements for a Code of Conduct
- Organizational code of conduct
- General employee conduct
- Conflicts of interest
- Outside activities, employment, and directorships
- Relationships with clients and suppliers
- Gifts, entertainment, and favors
- Kickbacks and secret commissions
- Organization funds and other assets
- Organization records and communications
- Dealing with outside people and organizations
- Prompt communicationsPrivacy and confidentiality
Responding to the Risk of Fraud
Change the overall conduct of the audit to respond to identified fraud risks.
Design and perform audit procedures to address identified risks.
Design and perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls.
Specific Fraud Risk Areas
- Revenue and accounts receivable fraud risks
- Inventory fraud risks
- Purchases and accounts payable fraud risks
- Other areas of fraud risk