Engagement Planning Flashcards
What is the primary duty of an auditor?
An auditor provides users of financial information with reasonable assurance that the financial statements are not materially misstated.
What is the auditor’s responsibility for detecting theft or fraud?
Auditors are NOT responsible for detecting theft or fraud. Instead, they are responsible for providing REASONABLE ASSURANCE that the financial statements are not materially misstated.
When should an auditor be hired in relation to the balance sheet date for optimum audit planning and efficiency?
The earlier the auditor is hired, the better for audit planning and efficiency.
When can audit procedures be performed at interim dates?
If control risk for the accounts and/or transactions is low, audit procedures can be performed at interim dates. The auditor then reviews changes in the balances at year-end.
When can an auditor accept an engagement offered after the year is already closed?
The auditor can take the engagement if they are able to overcome the limitations of the engagement.
When can audit procedures be performed at interim dates?
If control risk for the accounts and/or transactions is low, audit procedures can be performed at interim dates. The auditor then reviews changes in the balances at year-end.
When can an auditor accept an engagement offered after the year is already closed?
The auditor can take the engagement if they are able to overcome the limitations of the engagement.
For what does an auditor use professional skepticism?
An auditor uses professional skepticism to:
-plan the scope of the audit
-plan the objectives of the audit
How can analytical procedures be performed in audit planning?
The auditor can compare actual versus forecasted numbers.
What must an auditor have in order to discuss issues relating to a predecessor auditor’s work?
If issues relating to predecessor auditor’s work on previous financial statements come up during the current audit, auditor must have client’s permission to discuss the issue.
What questions must an auditor ask with respect to procedures carried out by assistants?
The questions that auditor can ask regarding procedures performed by assistants are:
- Were they adequately performed?(Review the
working papers)
- Are the results consistent with the audit report?
How is audit strategy mapped out?
To map out an audit strategy, the auditor needs to:
- determine what the reporting objectives are.
- determine the scope of the audit.
Describe the key components of maintaining auditor independence.
- Auditor must be independent in fact and appearance.
- Honesty
- No direct financial interest
- No indirect material financial interest
Describe: Due Professional Care
- Technical abilities mirror those held by peers in the
profession - Follow GAAS standards
- Obtain a reasonable level of assurance
- Maintain a reasonable level of skepticism
-Supervise audit staff - Review judgment at every level
What should an auditor do prior to accepting an audit engagement?
- Review the previous financial statements.
- Speak to third parties.
- Contact predecessor auditor to evaluate whether
engagement should be accepted (must have client
permission).
What questions should be asked by an auditor prior to taking an engagement?
NOTE: must have permission of client to contact predecessor auditor (no permission = no engagement)
- Why the auditor change? - Any serious discussions with audit committee? - How is management integrity? -Disagreements? - How was internal control?
Understand industry or be willing to learn. Consider scope limitation. Limited evidence available = no engagement
What should be included in an audit engagement agreement?
NOTE: Must be written
- Objectives of engagement
- Limitations of engagement
- Responsibilities of management - provide written
assertions - Responsibilities of auditor - limited error/fraud
responsibility - Expectations of access to records
- Financial statements (and disclosures) are
management’s responsibility - Compliance with laws
- Internal control
What is management’s responsibility with respect to the financial statements?
Management is responsible for financial statements and adequacy of disclosures.
- Presentation & Disclosure
- Existence (Tests Overstatements)
- Rights & Obligations
- Completeness (Tests Understatements)
- Valuation & Allocation
What is the purpose of the audit committee?
- Responsible for hiring auditor
- Oversees internal control
- Must agree with auditor on responsibility of the
parties, audit fee, timing of the audit, and audit plan - Acts as liaison between the auditor and the Board of – Directors
- Communicates concerns about internal control
deficiencies, errors, fraud, and iIlegal activities
How is audit risk calculated?
Inherent Risk x Control Risk x Detection Risk
- Risk that material mistakes, errors, omissions, or fraud will result in an inaccurate audit report
- Based on auditor judgment
- Measured in both qualitative and quantitative
Describe: Control Risk
Control risk is the risk that internal control will not detect error or fraud. An auditor cannot control this.
Describe: Inherent Risk.
Some transactions inherently have a higher level of risk. Auditor CANNOT control.