Chapter 2 Flashcards
What is a piecemeal opinion? And how should it be expressed?
Piecemeal opinions are opinions on parts of the financial statements, when those parts constitute a major portion of the financial statements. Piecemeal opinions are not appropriate if the auditor has disclaimed an opinion or issued an adverse opinion, because they may overshadow the auditor’s opinion on the financials as a whole. An opinion on specified elements that does not constitute a piecemeal opinion may be expressed, but should not accompany the disclaimer of opinion or adverse opinion.
An auditor may report on summary financial statements that are derived from complete financial statements if he or she indicates:
(1) the auditor has audited or expressed an opinion on the complete financial statements; (2) the date of the auditor’s report; (3) the type of opinion expressed; and (4) that the information contained in the summary financial statements is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the complete financial statements from which it has been derived.
How should financial statements prepared in accordance with a comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP that are not suitably titled be expressed in an auditor’s report?
Financial statements prepared in accordance with a comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP that are not suitably titled require a qualified opinion with a basis for modification paragraph.
How would a report using the special purpose framework be expressed?
A report using the special purpose framework required by the regulatory agency would be issued and include an opinion paragraph that contains an unmodified opinion on the special purpose financial statements and a reference to the special purpose framework used to prepare the financial statements. The report would also contain an other-matter paragraph restricting the use of the auditor’s report.
When is it appropriate for the auditor to report on one basic financial statement and not the others?
When the auditor obtains an understanding of the purpose for which the single financial statement is prepared, the intended users, and the steps taken by management to determine that the applicable financial reporting framework is acceptable in the circumstances.
What type of assurance would a report on compliance in connection with audited financial statements provide?
Only negative assurance on compliance. This type of report differs from a separate compliance audit and attestation engagement.
What type of assurance would a special-purpose report provide?
A positive opinion may be rendered in some types of special reports.
A description of how a basis for financial statements differed from GAAP should be included in the:
Notes to the financial statements.
Which professional standards would be applied to a review of the interim financial statements of a publicly held company?
PCAOB standards apply.
What is not a required procedure in an engagement to review the interim financial information of a publicly held entity?
A review of interim financial information is not designed to provide information regarding an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Even if such information comes to the accountant’s attention, the accountant is not required to corroborate with it.
If a report on a review of interim financial information is presented in a registration statement, the prospectus should include:
a statement that the report is not a “report” or “part of” the registration statement. The accountant should also read the other portions of the registration statement to ensure that his or her name is not mentioned in a way that indicates greater responsibility than he/she intends.
What should an auditor do when audited financial statements are presented in comparative form with unaudited financial statements from a prior year?
The auditor should either reissue the report on the unaudited financial statements or include a separate paragraph in the current year report describing the responsibility assumed for the unaudited statements.
What is a comfort letter?
A comfort letter is a letter containing negative assurance from the CPA to the underwriter or certain other requesting parties just before the registration of the client’s securities.
Are prospective financial statements appropriate for general use?
A financial forecast is appropriate for general use, but a financial projection is not.
Which four areas do auditors address in special consideration engagements?
Special consideration engagements include:
- Audits of financial statements prepared in accordance with a special purpose framework
- Audits of single financial statements and specific elements, accounts, or items of a financial statement
- Reporting on compliance with aspects of contractual or regulatory requirements associated with audited financials
- Engagements to report on summary financial statements
Give examples of special purpose frameworks.
Cash basis, tax basis, regulatory basis, contractual basis, and any other basis of accounting that uses a definite set of logical, reasonable criteria that is applied to all material items appearing in the financial statements
Which of the following elements should be included in the auditor’s report when financial statements are prepared on the cash or tax basis?
- Description of purpose for which special purpose financial statements are prepared
- Emphasis-of-matter paragraph alerting readers about the preparation in accordance with a special purpose framework
- Other-matter paragraph restricting the use of the auditor’s report
An emphasis of matter paragraph alerting readers about the preparation in accordance with a special purpose framework should be included in the auditor’s report for financial statements prepared on the cash or tax basis.
Which of the following elements should be included in the auditor’s report when financial statements are prepared on the regulatory basis (not for general use) and contractual basis?
- Description of purpose for which special purpose financial statements are prepared
- Emphasis-of-matter paragraph alerting readers about the preparation in accordance with a special purpose framework
- Other-matter paragraph restricting the use of the auditor’s report
An auditor’s report for financial statements prepared on the regulatory basis (not for general use) or contractual basis should include:
- Description of purpose for which special purpose financial statements are prepared
- Emphasis-of-matter paragraph alerting readers about the preparation in accordance with a special purpose framework
- Other-matter paragraph restricting the use of the auditor’s report
Which of the following elements should be included in the auditor’s report when financial statements are prepared on the regulatory basis (for general use)?
- Description of purpose for which special purpose financial statements are prepared
- Emphasis-of-matter paragraph alerting readers about the preparation in accordance with a special purpose framework
- Other-matter paragraph restricting the use of the auditor’s report
An auditor’s report for financial statements prepared on the regulatory basis for general use should include the description of purpose for which special purpose financial statements are prepared.
What should be included in an emphasis-of-matter paragraph included in a special purpose framework (other than regulatory basis financial statements intended for general use)?
The auditor’s report should include an emphasis-of-matter paragraph that:
- indicates that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable special purpose framework
- refers to the note to the financial statements that describes that framework
- states that the special purpose framework is a basis of accounting other than GAAP
What type of information should an auditor gather prior to auditing a single financial statement or a specific element of a financial statement?
The auditor should obtain an understanding of the:
- purpose for preparing the single financial statement or specific element of a financial statement;
- intended users; and
- steps taken by mgmt. to ensure that the applicable financial reporting framework is acceptable under the circumstances
What are some of the limitations surrounding an auditor’s report on a single financial statement, or a specified element, account, or item of a financial statement?
- If the item is based on stockholder’s equity, the auditor should perform procedures necessary to express an opinion about financial position.
- If the item is based on net income, the auditor should perform procedures necessary to express an opinion about financial position and results of operations.
- If an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion was issued, the auditor may not report on items that constitute a major portion of the financial statements (The auditor may report on non-major items, but such reports should not accompany the report on the financial statements).
Under U.S. auditing standards, when may an auditor issue a special report on a client’s compliance with contractual agreements or regulatory requirements?
Under U.S. auditing standards, the auditor:
- must have audited the client’s financial statements and expressed an unmodified or qualified opinion (i.e., no adverse opinion or a disclaimer); and
- may only give negative assurance on the compliance