Week 4 Flashcards
contigent fees’ safeguard = ?
fees based on the level of profits of the company aren’t allowed
compensation/evaluation safeguard = ?
audit partner can’t be evaluated on/compensated based on success in selling non audit services to the client
litigation safeguard = ?
- discuss with audit committee
- obtain external review
- withdraw from assignment
familiarity = ?
auditor becomes sympathetic to/trusting of a client & no longer applies professional scepticism
(e.g., long association, personal relationships, movement of staff between firm and client)
long association safeguard = ?
- if not a public company, rotate partner
- if it’s a public company, audit must be put up for bidding against other firms every 10 years
- audit partner must also be rotated every 7 years
family association safeguard = ?
remove the individual from the audit team if they’re associated through family
advocacy = ?
promoting the position of the client or representing them in some way
(representing, promoting & negotiating on behalf of the client)
self review = ?
auditor will be unlikely to admit to errors or trace errors in their work
relates to accounts preparation, internal audit, tax computations
auditor must keep confidentiality in all situations except ones where…
- disclosure is permitted by law & authorised by the client
- disclosure is required by law
- there’s a professional duty/right to disclose
when does conflict of interest arise?
when the same audit firm is used for 2 companies that interact with each
other
(either competitors or trade with each other)
firms work must be arranged to ensure neither party is negatively impacted & confidentiality isn’t breached
all parties must be notified & consent must be given prior to action
it’s advised, that for conflict of interest situations, the following measures take place…
- separate engagement teams are used
- procedures put into place to prevent information leakages
- engagement teams sign confidentiality agreements
- independent partner reviews safeguards
if adequate safeguards can’t be put into place to protect conflict of interest…
firm must decline or resign from one or more of the audit assignments
auditors should only accept a new client if…
the risk of the assignment is at an appropriate level
what must audit firms consider before auditing a company?
- professional competence
- fees
- client reputation
- professional clearance*
- preconditions for an audit*
how should ‘professional clearance’ and ‘preconditions for an audit’ be treated?
they are two considerations an audit firm should revisit annually
the prospective firm should… prior to auditing a company?
- ask the client for permission to contact the outgoing auditor
- outgoing auditor should also ask the client for permission
- if the client refuses permission, the outgoing firm should notify the new one
safeguard to ‘recruitment’ threat to independence?
if the company’s a plc, the audit firm can’t provide recruitment services for directors and senior management (if in a position to affect the financial statements)
professional clearance = ?
speaking to the previous auditors
auditors should only accept a new audit engagement if which preconditions are met?
- check FSs reporting framework is appropriate (international/national standards)
- ensure management understand and accept their responsibilities
management’s responsibilities in a company that should be acknowledged prior to an auditor accepting the audit engagement?
- to prepare FSs using appropriate framework
- ensure internal controls are in place to prevent material misstatements
- provide auditors with access to relevant information to conduct an effective audit