Concept of and need for assurance Flashcards
Elements of assurance (5)
3-Cats-MEW
- 3 party involvement
- Suitable CRITERIA
- Subject MATTER
- EVIDENCE
- WRITTEN report
What is the 3-party relationship?
PIR
- Practitioner; e.g. auditor, assurance firm
- Intended user
- Responsible party; e.g. directors
Examples of subject matter (3)
Financial statements, financial data, systems
Examples of criteria (2)
- Accounting standards
2. UK Corporate Governance Code
What are the two levels of assurance
Limited and reasonable
Describe limited assurance (3)
- Moderate/low level of assurance
- Conclusion expressed negatively
- Less evidence
Describe reasonable assurance (3)
- High but not absolute level of assurance
- Conclusion expressed positively
- More evidence
Define statutory audit
Audit of a company’s financial statements
Examples of what governs statutory audits? (2)
- Companies Act 2006
2. International Standards on Auditing
Objectives of the auditor, per ISA 200 (4)
COMF
- To COMMUNICATE with those charged with governance
- To express an OPINION on the financial statements
- To obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT
- To obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with an applicable financial reporting FRAMEWORK
What must an auditor do to comply with the requirements set out in ISA 200? (4)
JEES:
- Exercise professional JUDGEMENT
- Comply with relevant ETHICAL requirements
- Obtain audit EVIDENCE that is sufficient and appropriate on which to base their opinion
- Plan and perform the audit with professional SCEPTICISM
Define professional scepticism
An attitude that includes a questioning mind, being alert to conditions which may indicate possible misstatement due to error or fraud, and a critical assessment of audit evidence.
Define professional judgement
The application of relevant training, knowledge, and experience in making informed decisions about the courses of actions that are appropriate in the circumstances of the audit
According to Companies Act 2006, what are the requirements that exempt small private limited companies from a mandatory audit? (3)
Must satisfy three of the following criteria:
TET
1. TURNOVER does not exceed £10.2 million
2. No more than 50 EMPLOYEES
3. TOTAL ASSETS do not exceed £5.1 million
What period does Companies Act 2006 apply to?
Periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016