Chapter 3 Flashcards
gaining an understanding of the client, identifying risk factors, developing an audit strategy, and assessing materiality
Planning stage
information that impacts the decision-making process of the users of the financial statements
Materiality
a strategy that sets the scope, timing, and direction of the audit and provides the basis for developing a detailed audit plan
Audit strategy
detailed testing of controls and substantive testing of transactions and accounts
Execution stage
evaluating the results of the detailed testing in light of the auditor’s understanding of their client and forming an opinion on the fair presentation of the client’s financial statements
Reporting stage
the quantity and quality of the evidence that has been gathered
Sufficient appropriate evidence
the viability of a company to remain in business for the foreseeable future
Going concern
an intentional act through the use of deception to obtain an unjust or illegal advantage
Fraud
the rules, systems, and processes within companies used to guide and control
Corporate governance
processes used by a client when finalizing the books for an accounting period
Closing procedures
At the outset of every audit, an auditor must gain an understanding of their client. The purpose of this procedure is to assess the risk that the financial statements contain a material misstatement due to:
the nature of the client’s business
the industry in which the client operates
the level of competition within that industry
the client’s customers and suppliers
the regulatory environment in which the client operates.
Some examples of related party transactions that require disclosure are listed below:
purchase and sales transactions between companies under common control or when one party has significant influence over another
rent paid from one related party to another
loans made to shareholders or senior management
loan guarantees provided by a shareholder of the company.
CAS 550 Related Parties requires the auditor to do the following:
discuss with the engagement team the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement due to fraud or error that could result from the entity’s related party relationships and transactions
ask management to identity all related parties and to provide an explanation as to the nature, type, and purpose of transactions with these entities
obtain an understanding of the processes and procedures management has in place to ensure all related party transactions are identified, authorized, accounted for, and disclosed in accordance with the chosen financial reporting framework
remain alert when inspecting documents such as bank confirmations, unusual sales and purchase invoices, minutes of board of director and shareholder meetings, and contracts for indicators that related party transactions may not have not been identified or disclosed to the auditor
identify and assess the risk that transactions may not be in the normal course of operations. For such transactions, inspect any underlying documents and determine the business rationale for such transactions to ensure that they are not an attempt to fraudulently misstate the financial results.
maintaining an attitude that includes a questioning mind, being alert to conditions that may indicate possible misstatement due to error or fraud, and a critical assessment of audit evidence
Professional scepticism
An auditor can use red flags to alert them to the possibility that a fraud may have occurred. Red flags include:
a high turnover of key employees
key finance personnel refusing to take leave
overly dominant management
poor compensation practices
inadequate training programs
a complex business structure
no (or ineffective) internal auditing staff
a high turnover of auditors
unusual transactions
weak internal controls.
Financial reporting frauds
- Improper asset valuations
- Unrecorded liabilities
- Timing differences—bringing forward the recognition of revenues and delaying the recognition of expenses
- Recording fictitious sales
- Understating expenses
- Inappropriate application of accounting principles
Misappropriation of assets frauds
- Using a company credit card for personal use
- Employees remaining on the payroll after ceasing employment
- Unauthorized discounts or refunds to customers
- Theft of inventory by employees or customers
- Using a company car for unauthorized personal use
Examples of incentives and pressures that increase the risk of a client committing fraud include:
- operation in a highly competitive industry
- a significant decline in demand for products or services
- falling profits
- a threat of takeover
- a threat of bankruptcy
- ongoing losses
- rapid growth
- poor cash flows combined with high earnings
- pressure to meet market expectations
- planning to list on a stock exchange
- planning to raise debt or renegotiate a loan
- about to enter into a significant new contract
- a significant proportion of remuneration tied to earnings (that is, bonuses, options)
Examples of opportunities that increase the risk that a fraud may have been perpetrated include:
- accounts that rely on estimates and judgement
- a high volume of transactions close to year end
- significant adjusting entries and reversals after year end
- significant related party transactions
- poor corporate governance mechanisms
- poor internal controls
- a high turnover of staff
- reliance on complex transactions
- transactions out of character for a business (for example, if a client leases its motor vehicles it should not have car registration expenses).
Examples of attitudes and rationalizations used to justify a fraud include:
- a poor tone at the top (that is, from senior management)
- the implementation of an effective internal control structure not seen as a priority
- an excessive focus on maximization of profits and/or share price
- a poor attitude to compliance with accounting regulations
- rationalization that other companies make the same inappropriate accounting choices.
the use of computers to store and process data and other information
Information technology
When gaining an understanding of the client, the auditor will identify the geographic location of the client because:
more spread-out clients are harder to control.
the auditor will need to visit the various locations to assess processes and procedures at each site.
the auditor will plan to use staff from affiliated offices to visit overseas locations.
When gaining an understanding of the client’s sources of financing, the auditor:
will assess if the client is meeting interest payments when they are due.
When gaining an understanding of the client at the industry level the auditor:
will not ignore information about the client’s industry.
