Audit Revision
Audit Revision
Audit Revision
1. Identify and explain FIVE ethical threats which may affect the independence of Pink
Partners & Co’s audit of Golden Finance Co.
The finance director is the sister-in-law of the audit engagement partner and hence
there is a family relationship. There is a familiarity and self interest threats as the
audit partner and the finance director both hold senior positions and therefore are able
to influence the outcome of the audit. The audit engagement partner should be
removed, and an alternative partner appointed.
A member of the audit team being seconded to Golden will pose a self-review threat
as they will be auditing work they have prepared. The request should be politely
decline or the team member should be removed from the audit of Golden.
Two members of the audit team have significant loans owing to the company. If either
of the loans has any preferential terms, then this would present a self-interest threat.
The terms of the loan should be reviewed to ascertain whether they are in any way
preferential. If not, no further action is required. If they do the two members should be
removed from the audit team.
Pink’s taxation department providing services to Golden poses a self-interest threat as
the total fees represent a significant proportion of Pink’s income and the firm could
become overly reliant on Golden. Pink should assess the fees and if they are likely to
be a significant amount over 15% of the income then they should decide which
engagement they will decline.
Pink representing Golden with negotiations to resolve some outstanding issues is a
potential advocacy threat where the firm pay promote an opinion on behalf of Golden
such that the independence of the firm is compromised. Pink should politely decline
the offer to represent in the negotiations of the tax.
The audit team attending the football match could be a self-interest or familiarity
threat as the acceptance is not permitted as it is seen as significant. This offer should
be politely declined as it is significant in value.
2.
a. Identify and explain TWO factors which would indicate that an engagement letter
for an existing audit client should be revised.
1. A recent change of senior management as they need to be made aware of what
the audit engagement letter includes.
2. A significant change in nature or size of the entity. The approach taken by the
auditor may need to change to reflect the change and this should be clarified in
the engagement letter.
3. A change in the financial reporting framework adopted in the preparation of
the financial statements. As this is mentioned in the letter this may need
updating.
b. List SIX matters which should be included within an audit engagement letter.
1. The objective and scope of the audit
2. The responsibilities of the auditor
3. The responsibilities of management
4. The expectation that management will provide written representations
5. Identification of the financial reporting framework for the preparation of the
financial statements
6. Arrangements to make available draft financial statements and any other
information
c. Identify FIVE sources of information relevant to gaining an understanding of
Milky Way Technologies Co and describe how this information will be used by
the auditor.
1. Prior year financial statements, this provides information in relation to size as
well as the key accounting policies, disclosure notes and whether the audit
opinion was modified or not.
2. Discussions with the previous auditors, this provides information on key
issues identified during the prior year audit as well as the audit approach
adopted.
3. Discuss with management, this provides information in relation to the
business, any important issues which have arisen or changes to accounting
policies from the prior year.
4. Review of board minutes, this provides an overview of key issues which have
arisen during the year and how those charged with governance have addressed
them.
5. Financial statements of competitors, this will provide information about their
competitors in relation to their financial results and their accounting policies
and will be important in assessing their performance in the year and going
concern review.
6. Current year budgets and management accounts, provides relevant information
for the year to date and it will help the auditor during the planning stage for
preliminary analytical review.
3.
a. Explain FIVE potential indicators that Mercury Motoring Co is a going concern.
During the year a number of Mercury’s significant customers have exeriend a fall in sales
hence they have purchased fewer items Mercury. There is a risk that if Mercury’s customers
continue to reduce the level of their purchases, this will reduce Mercury’s sales and future
cash flows.
Mercury has paid some of its suppliers later than usual and hence some of them have
withdrawn credit terms meaning the company must pay cash on delivery. This puts additional
pressure on the company’s cash flow. This is because the company has to pay for good in
advance but it may not receive cash from its receivables until some time later.
One of Mercury’s main suppliers is threatening legal action to recover the sums owing, if this
occurs then Mercury will have legal costs in addition to the amounts already owed and this
will further increase the pressure on cash flows.
The company’s current ratio has fallen below 1 to 0.9 for the time. The current ratio is
showing that the current assets are not sufficient to pay the current t liabilities. This is another
indication of worsening liquidity position of the company.
Mercury has produced a cash flow forecast to 30 June 2016 and this shows net cash flows
until May 2016. If this company continues to have cash outflows, then it will put further
pressure on the company’s cash flows and there is the risk that it will start to run out of
available cash.
Mercury has a significant loan which is due for repayment in full by 30 September 2016. The
company has nine months to raise the 203 million and with falling levels of sales and
negative cash flows forecast until May 2016 it is difficult to see how they will be able to raise
alternative finance to pay this amount.
Mercury is facing a possible change in legislation which will result in one of its top product
lines becoming obsolete. Whilst this is only a possible change in law, if it does come into
force then the inventory for this product may have to be scrapped, resulting in a large write
off and possible reduced sales, profit and cash flows.
b. Describe the audit procedures which you should perform in assessing whether Mercury
Motoring Co is a going concern.
1. Obtain a written representation confirming the directors’ view that Mercury is a going
concern.
2. Review post year end management accounts to assess if in line with cash flow forecast.
3. Discuss with the finance director whether the level of sales from its existing customers has
increased or if any new customers have been obtained.
4. Discuss with management the basis for their going concern review and request that hey
extend their cash flow forecast by three months to 30 September 2016.
5. Perform a sensitivity analysis on the cash flows to understand the margin of safety the
company has in terms of its new cash in/out flows.
6. Discuss with the directors whether they have contacted any banks for finance to assess
whether they have any other means of repaying the loan of 2.3m due in September 2016.
7. Evaluate management’s plans or future actions, including their contingency plans in
relation to ongoing financing and planes for generating revenue and consider the feasibility of
these plans.
4.Describe FIVE audit risks, and explain the auditor’s response to each risk, planning the
audit of Venus Magnets Co.
The increase in asset lives and decrease in Discuss with the directors the rationale for
depreciation may pose a risk that this any extension of asset lives and reduction of
reduction has occurred in order to achieve depreciations rates, they should also revise
profit targets and in this case plat and the useful life of a sample of assets
machinery is overstated. compared to how often these assets are
replaces, as this provides evidence of the
useful life of assets.
Due to staff availability the company is The audit team should increase the extent of
planning to undertake a full year-end audit inventory cut off testing at the year end.
count days before the year end and then They should also review the year-end
adjust for movements to the year end. There inventory adjustment listing in detail and
is a risk that these adjustments may not be supporting documentation obtained for all
done accurately then the year end inventory adjusting items.
could be under or overstated.
A fire damaged inventory such that it has Review whether any good were sold post
been written down from 0.9m to 0.2m year end and at what value, this should
which is its scrap value. If the good remain assess whether the attributed scrap value is
unsold after the year end, there is a risk that reasonable. If none have been sold discuss
the scrap value is overstated, and inventory with management, the possibility of further
overvalued. write downs.
An insurance claim for 0.7m has been Discuss with management whether any
submitted and the proceeds included within response has been received from the
profit or loss. The company has not received insurance company and review the related
a reply from the insurance company, and correspondence. If virtually certain, the
this therefore represent a possible treatment adopted is correct. If not,
contingent asset. With no response to date, management should be requested to remove
the inclusion of this sum overstates profit it from profit and receivables.
and receivables.
The bank reconciliations for October and Discuss this issue with the finance director
November both contain unreconciled and request that the December
amounts, and the finance director believes reconciliation is fully reconciled. The
the overall differences to be immaterial. reconciling items should be tested in detail
This could represent large errors which net and agreed to supporting documentation.
off to a small amount and this could result
in bank balances being under or overstated.
A directors’ bonus scheme was introduced Throughout the audit the team should be
which is based on achieving a target profit alert to this risk and maintain professional
before tax. There is a risk the directors skepticism.
might feel under pressure to manipulate the
results through the judgements take or using
provisions.
The finance director has requested that the The timetable should be confirmed with the
audit commence earlier than normal as he finance director. If it is to be reduced then
wishes to report results earlier. A reduction consideration should be given to performing
in the audit timetable will increase detection an interim audit in late December or early
risk and place additional pressure on the January this would then reduce the pressure
team in obtaining sufficient and appropriate on the final audit. The team needs to
evidence. maintain professional skepticism and be
alert to the increased risk of errors
occurring.
5.a. Identify and explain FIVE internal control Strengths in Bronze Industries Co’s payroll
system.
1. Factory staff are each issued a sequentially numbered clock card which details their
employee number and name . This should ensure that employees are only paid for the hours
they have worked and that the payroll records record completely all employees as any gaps in
the sequence would be identified.
2. The payroll system automatically calculates gross and net pay along with any statutory
deductions being incorrect as there is a reduced risk of errors occurring.
3. A sample of the calculations made by the automated system is checked by the payroll
supervisor to ensure the system is operating effectively; this tests the automated controls
within the system.
4. Bronze has a human resource department which is responsible for setting up new
permanent employees and leavers. Having a segregation of roles between human resources
and payroll departments reduces the risk of fictitious employees being set up and also being
paid.
5. The discretionary bonus is communicated in writing to the payroll department. As this is in
writing rather than verbal, this reduces the risk of the bonus being recorded at an incorrect
amount in the payroll records.
6. For employees paid by bank transfer, the list of the payments is reviewed in detail and
agreed to the payroll records prior to authorizing the bank payment. This reduces the risk of
fraudulent payments being made through the creation of fictitious employees and other
employees being omitted from the payment run.
b. Identify and explain SIX internal control DEFICIENCIES in Bronze Industries Co’s
payroll system and provide a RECOMMENDATION to address each of these deficiencies.
Employees swipe their cards at the The clocking in and out process should be
beginning and end of the eight-hour shift; supervised by a responsible official to
this process is not supervised. This could prevent one individual clocking in multiple
result in several employees being swiped in employees.
a present when they are not. This will result
in a substantially increased payroll cost for
Bronze.
Employees are entitled to a 30-minute break Employees should be allocated set break
and do not need to clock out to access the times and there should be a supervisor
dining area. Employees could be taking present to ensure that employees only take
excessive breaks resulting in a decrease in breaks they are entitled to.
productivity and an increase payroll costs.
Although there is a human resources All appointment of staff whether temporary
department, appointments of temporary or permanent, should only be made by the
employees are made by factory production human resources department.
supervisors. They can appoint unsuitable
employees and may not carry out all the
required procedures for new joiners. This
could result in these members not receiving
the correct pay and relevant statutory
deductions.
Overtime reports which detail the amount of All overtime should be authorized by a
overtime worked are sent out quarterly by responsible official prior to payment being
the payroll department to productions processed by the payroll department. This
supervisors for review. These reports are authorization should be evidenced in
reviewed after the payments have been writing.
made which could result in unauthorized
overtime or amounts being paid incorrectly
and Bronze’s payroll cost increasing.
Production supervisors determine the The bonus should be determined by a more
amount of the discretional bonus to be paid senior individual such as the production
to employees. Production supervisors are director and this should be communicated in
not senior enough to determine this as they writing to the payroll department.
could pay extra bonuses to friends or family
members.
The bonus is input by a clerk into the Once the clerk has input the bonus amounts,
payroll system. There is no indication that all entries should be double checked against
this input process is reviewed. This could the written confirmation from the
result in input errors or the clerk could production director by another member of
fraudulently change the amounts leading to the team to identify any amounts entered
incorrect bonus payments. incorrectly.
The payroll manager review the bank The payroll manager should not be able to
transfer listing prior to authorizing the process changes to the payroll system as
payments and also amends the payroll well as authorize payments. The
records for any changes. There is a lack of authorization of the bank transfer listing
segregation of duties as it is payroll team should be undertaken by an individual
which processes he amounts and the payroll outside of the payroll department such as
manager who authorizes payments. The the finance director.
manager could fraudulently increase the
amounts to be paid to certain employees,
process this payment as well as amend the
records.
A payroll clerk distributes cash pay packets The payroll clerks should be informed that
to employees without requesting proof of all cash wages can only be paid upon sight
identity. Even if most employees are known of the employees’ clock card and
to the clerk, there is a risk that without photographic identification as this confirms
identity check wages could be paid to proof of identity.
incorrect employees.
c. Describe substantive ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES you should perform to confirm
Bronze Industries Co’s payroll expense.
Compare the total payroll expense to the prior year and investigate any significant
differences.
Review monthly payroll charges, compare this to the prior year and budgets and
discuss with management any significant variances.
Compare overtime pay as a percentage of factory normal hours pay to investigate
whether it is at a similar level to the prior year and within an acceptable range.
Investigate any significant differences.
Perform a proof in total of total wages and salaries, incorporating joiners and leavers
and any pay increase. Compare this to the actual wages and salaries in the financial
statements and I investigate any significant differences
b. Describe audit procedures you would perform during the audit of Andromeda Industries
Co:
1. BEFORE the inventory counts
- Review the prior year files to identify whether there were any particular warehouses where
significant inventory issue arose last year.
- Discuss with management whether any of the warehouses this year are new, or have
experience significant control issues.
- Decide which of the 12 warehouses the audit team members will attend, basing this on
materiality and risk of each site.
- Obtain a copy of the proposed inventory count instructions, review them to identify any
control deficiencies and if any are noted discuss them with management prior to the counts.
DURING the inventory counts
Observe the counting teams to confirm whether the inventory count instructions are
being followed.
- Select a sample of inventory and perform test counts from inventory sheets to
warehouse aisle and from warehouse aisle to inventory sheets.
Obtain a photocopy of the completed sequentially numbered inventory sheets for
follow up testing on the final audit.
Observe the procedures for movements of inventory during the count, to confirm that
all movement have ceased.
In relation to research and development expenditure
Obtain a schedule of intangible assets detailing opening balances amount capitalized
in the current year, amortization and closing balances.
Agree opening balances to prior year financial statements
For those expensed as research agree the costs incurred to invoices and supporting
documentation and to inculsion in p&l
For those capitalized as development, agree costs incurred to invoices and confirm
technically feasible by discussion with development managers or review of feasibility
reports.
C. Discuss the issue and describe the impact on the audit report, if any, if the issue remains
unresolved.
One of the projects Andromeda has developed in the year does not meet the recognition
criteria under IAS 38 but has been included within intangible assets. This project is research
expenditure and should be expensed to profit and loss.
PBT = 980,000/8.3M = 11.8% = Material
If management does not amend the financial statements a qualified except for opinion will be
given since it is material but not pervasive, in the basis of opinion paragraph which comeafter
the opinion paragraph the auditor will explain the misstatement and explain the impact on the
financial statement.
ACCA Audit and Assurance 2016
16 a.
Narrative notes consist of a written description of the system; they would detail what occurs
in the system at each stage and would include any controls which operate at each stage.
Advantages
They are simple to record; after discussion with staff members, these discussions are
easily written up as notes.
They can facilitate understanding by all members of the audit team, especially mor
ejunir members who might find alternative methods too complex.
Disadvantages
Thye may prove to be too cumbersome, especially if the system is complex or
heaving automated.
This method can make it more difficult to identify missing internal controls as the
notes record the detail but do not identify control exceptions clearly.
Questionnaires contain a list of questions and are used to assess whether controls exist or the
effectiveness of the controls in place.
Advantages
They are quick to prepare, which mean they are a timely method for recording the
system.
They ensure that all controls present within the system are considered and recorded;
hence missing controls or deficiencies are clearly highlighted by the audit team.
Disadvantages
It can be easy for the staff members to overstate the level of controls present as they
are asked a series of questions relating to potential controls.
A standard list f questions may miss out unusual or more bespoke control used by the
company.
Flowcharts are graphic illustration of the internal control system for the sales ystem. Lines
usually demonstrate the sequence of events and standard symbols are used to signify controls
or documents.
Advantages
It is easy to view the system in its entirety as it is all presented together in one
diagram.
Due to the use of standard symbols for cotrols, it can be effective in identifying
missing controls.
Disadvantage
They can sometimes by difficult to amend, as any amendments may require the whole
flowchart to be redrawn.
There is still the need for narrative notes to accompany the flowchart and hence it can
be time-consuming.
B. Identify and explain SEVEN deficiencies in the sales system of Heraklion Co and provide
a recommendation to address each of these deficiencies.
New customers’ creditworthiness is asses by New customers should complete a credit
a sales person who sets the credit limit, application which should be checked
which is authorized by the sales director. through a credit agency with a credit limit
The sales staff have sales targets and hence set. Once authorized by the sales director,
may suggest that new customers are credit the limit should be entered into the system
worthy simply to meet their targets. This by a credit controller.
could result in sales being made to poor
credit risk.
Sales staff have discretion to grant sales All discounts to be granted to customers
discounts to customers of up to 10%. This should be authorized in advance by a
could result in a loss of revenue as they may responsible official, such as the sales
award unrealistic discounts simply to meet director, if not practical then the supervisors
sales targets. The discounts granted by sales of the sales staff should undertake this role.
staff are note being reviewed and could
result in unauthorized discounts allowed.
Sales staff are able to make changes to the Sales staff should not be able to access the
customer master data file, in order to record master file to make amendments. Any such
discounts allowed and these changes are not amendments should be restricted so that
reviewed. There is a risk that these only supervisors and above can make
amendments could be made incorrectly in a changes. An exception report of changes
loss of sales revenue or overcharging of made should be generated and review by a
customers. The sales staff are not senior responsible official.
enough to be given access to changing the
master file data as this could increase the
risk of fraud.
Inventory availability does not appear to be Prior to the salesperson finalizing the order,
checked by the salesperson at the time the the inventory system should be checked in
order is places. In addition, Herakin Co order for an accurate assessment of the
markets itself on being able to dispatch all availability of goods to be notified to
orders within three working days. There is a customers.
risk that where good are not available the
customer would not be made aware f this
prior to placing their order, leading to
unfulfilled orders and customer
dissatisfaction which would impact the
company’s reputation.
Customer orders are recorded on a two-part The order form should be amended to be at
pre-printed form, one copy is left with the least four-part. The third part of the order
customer and one with the sales person. The should be sent to the warehouse department
sales department of Herakin Co does not and the fourth sent to the finance
hold these orders centrally and hence would department.
not be able to monitor if orders are being
fulfilled one a timely basis. This could
result in a loss of revenue and customer
goodwill.
Customer orders are given a number based Sales orders should be sequentially
on the salesperson’s own ID. These numbered, on a regular basis, a sequence
numbers are not sequential. Without check of orders should be undertaken to
sequential numbers, it is difficult for them identify any missing orders.
to identify missing orders and to monitor if
all orders are being dispatched in a timely
manner, leading to a loss of customer
goodwill.
The salesperson is given responsibility to A credit controller should be appointed and
chase customers directly for payment once it should be their role, rather than the sales
an invoice is outstanding for 90 days. This person, to chase any outstanding sales
is considerably more than the company’s invoices which are more than 30 days old.
credit terms of 30 days which will lead to
poor cash flow.
c) In relation to the payroll fraud, identify and explain THREE controls Heraklion Co should
implement to reduce the risk of this type of fraud occurring again and, for each control,
describe how it would mitigate the risk.
The HR department should initiate the This control introduces segregation of duties
process for setting up new joiners by asking as in order to set up employees both the HR
new employees to complete a joiner’s form and Payroll departments are involved.
which will be approved by the relevant Without collusion with an HR employee,
manager and HR. This request should then the payroll supervisor would be unable to
be forwarded to the payroll department, who set up fictitious employees.
should set up the employee.
Where possible, employees who are related This should reduce the risk of related staff
should not be allowed to undertake colluding and being able to commit fraud.
processes which are interrelated whereby
they can breach segregation of duty control
for key transaction cycles. A regular review
of job description of related employees
should be carried out by HR.
A count should be undertaken of the number This would identify if there are extra
of employees in each department of employees on the payroll system, which
Heraklion Co; this should be reconciled to could then be investigated further.
the number of employees on the payroll
system.
D) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to Heraklion Co’s revenue.
- Compare the overall level of revenue against prior years and budget and investigate any
significant fluctuations.
- Obtain a schedule of sales for the year broken down into the main product categories and
compare this ot the prior year breakdown and for any unusual movements discuss with
management.
- Calculate the gross profit margin and compare this to the prior year and investigate any
significant fluctuations
- Select a sample of sales invoices and agree the sales price back to the price list.
- Select a sample of credit notes raised, trace through to the original invoice and ensure the
invoice has been correctly removed from sales.
17. a) Describe substantive procedures you should perform to obtain sufficient, appropriate
audit evidence relation to the above three matters.
Revaluation of PPE
Obtain a schedule of all PPE revalued during the year and cast to confirm
completeness and accuracy of the revaluation and agree to trial balance and financial
statements.
Agree the revalued amounts to the valuation statement provided by the valuer
Agree the revalued amounts for these assets are included correctly in the non-current
assets register.
Recalculate the depreciation charger for the year to ensure that for the assets revalued
during the year, the depreciation was based on the correct valuation and was for 12
months.
Review the financial statements disclosures relating ot the revaluation to ensure they
comply with accounting standards.
Inventory Valuation
Obtain a schedule of all raw material, finished goods and wip inventory and cast to
confirm completeness and accuracy of the balance and agree to tb and financial
statements
Review the financial statements disclosures relating to inventory and wip to ensure
they comply with the accounting standards.
Obtain the breakdown of WIP and agree a sample assessed during the count to the
wip schedule agreeing the percentage completion as recorded at the inventory count.
For a sample of inventory items obtain the relevant cost sheets and confirm raw
material costs to recent purchase invoices, labor costs to time sheets or wage records
and overheads allocated are of a production nature.
Review agreed inventory reports and identified any slow moving goods, discuss with
management why these items have not been written down or if an allowance is
required.
For defective chemical compound E243, discuss with management their plans for
disposing of these goods, and why they believe these goods have a NRV of $400,000.
Bank Loan (Short term non current liabilities)
- Agree the opening balance of the bank loan to the prior year financial statements.
- Review bank correspondence to identify whether any late payment penalties have been
levied and agree these have been charged to P&L account as a finance charge.
- Obtain direct confirmation at the year end from the loan provider of the outstanding
balance, agree confirmed amounts to the financial statements.
- Agree closing balance of the loan to the draft financial statements.
b) Describe the procedure which the auditor of Elounda Co should perform in assessing
whether or not the company is a going concern.
- Obtain cah flow forecase ad review the cash in and outflows, assess the assumptions for
reasonableness and discuss the findings with management to understand if the company will
have sufficient cash flows to meet liabilities as they fall due.
- Discuss with management their ability to settle the next installment due for repayment to the
bank and the lumpsum payment of 800k in jan 2007 and ensure these have been included in
the forecast
- Enquire of the lawyers as to the existence of litigation and claims, if any exist then consider
their materiality and impact on the going concern basis.
- Review the post year end board minutes to identify any other issues which might indicate
financial difficulties for the company.
- Obtain a written representation confirming the directors’ view that Elounda Co is a going
concern.
18 a)
Helping the auditor to devote appropriate attention to important areas of the audit.
Helping the auditor to identify and resolve potential problems on a timely basis.
Helping the auditor to properly organize and manage the audit engagement so that it is
performed in an effective and efficient manner
Assisting where applicable in coordination of work done by experts.
Assisting in the selection of engagement team members with appropriate levels of
capabilities and competence to respond to anticipated risks and the proper assignment
of work to them.
B) Describe SIX audit risks and explain the auditor’s response to each risk, in planning
the audit of Sitia Sparkle.
Sitia Sparkle Co purchases their goods The audit team should undertake detailed
from suppliers in Afirca and the goods are cut-off testing of purchase of goods at the
in transit for up to three weeks. At the year year end and the sample GRNs from
end there is a risk that the cut-off of before and after the year end relating to
inventory, purchases and payables may goods from suppliers in Africa should be
not be accurate and may be increased to ensure that cut-off is
under/overstated. complete and accurate.
Research costs should be expensed to Obtan a breakdown of the expenditure and
profit or loss and development costs to be verify that it relates to the development of
capitalized as an intangible asset. If the the new products. Undertake testing to
company has incorrectly classified determine whether the costs relate to the
research costs as development research and development state.
expenditure, there is a risk the intangible
asset could be overstated, and expense
understated.
The costs include purchase price, Obtain a breakdown of the 0.9
installation, and training costs, it should expenditure and undertake testing to
only include purchase prices and confirm the level of training csts which
attributable costs. Therefore, PPE and have been included within non-current
profits are overstated. assets. Discuss the accounting treatment
with the finance director and the level of
any necessary adjustment to ensure
treatment is in accordance with the
accounting standard.
The bonus scheme for senior management Throughout the audit, the team will need
and directors of Sitia Sparkle Co has been to be alert to this risk and maintain
changed; it is now based on the value of professional skepticism.
year-end total assets. There is a risk that
management might be motivated to
overstate the value of assets through the
judgement taken or through the use of
releasing provisions.
The finance director of Sitia Sparkle Co Discuss with the finance director the
believes that an allowance for receivable rationale for not maintaining an allowance
is excessive and unnecessary and therefore for receivables ad releasing the opening
has not provided for it at the year end and provision.
has credited the opening balance to P&L.
There is a risk that receivable will be
overstated; some balance may be
irrecoverable and so will be overstated if
not provided for.
A new general ledger system was The auditor should document and test the
introduced in May 2006 and the old new system. They should review any
systems were run in parallel until August. management reports run comparing the
There is a risk of the balances in May old and new system during the parallel run
being misstated and loss of data if they to identify any issues with the processing
have not been transferred from the old of accounting information.
system completely and accurately.
The purchase ledger of Sitia Sparkle Co The audit team should undertake testing
was closed on 8 August rather than at the of transactions posted to the purchase
year end 31 July. There is a risk that the ledger between 1 and 8 August to identify
cut-off may be incorrect with purchases whether any transactions relating to the
and payable over or understated. 2007 year end have been included or any
2006 balances removed.
Review
The supervisor would be required to review the work completed by the assistants and
consider whether this work has been
performed in accordance with professional standards and other regulatory requirements and if
the work performed supports the conclusions reached and has been properly documented.
The supervisor should also consider whether all significant matters have been raised for
partner attention or for further
consideration and where appropriate consultations have taken place, whether appropriate
conclusions have been
documented.
Audit and Assurance Dec 2022
C) Bank Balances
Obtain a bank confirmation letter from the bank for all its bank accounts.
Obtain the year-end bank reconciliation and cast to ensure mathematical accuracy.
Agree the balance per the bank reconciliation statements to the year end bank
confirmation and bank statements.
Review the cash book and bank statements for any unusual or large items.
Agree the list of bank balances to the bank reconciliation to ensure completeness.
D)
Fred Johnson, who is currently the chief Fred Johnson should resign as the Chair and
executive, took over the chair role. If he has only carry out the role of executive. A non-
both roles, he will have too much power. executive should be appointed to fill the
chair’s roles.
The chair recently wrote to all shareholders Regular engagement with shareholders
to inform them that any questions or should be made such as meetings to update
comments they have could only be raised at shareholders on the company’s position and
the company’s AGM. This could result in to hear their requests on the company.
the board making decisions which are not in
line with the wishes of the major
shareholders.
Non-executive director’s remuneration They should not be paid based on the
should no be based on pre-determined profit company’s performance, they should be
targets as their pay should not be based on paid based on time committed and
how the company performs as this would responsibilities of the role.
reduce their independence.
A) Explain the PURPOSE of an audit engagement letter and list FOUR items which
should be included in an audit engagement letter.
The audit engagement letter outlines the nature of the contract between the audit firm
and the audit client. Its purpose is to minimize the risk of misunderstanding of the
terms of the engagement between the auditor and the client and it confirms acceptance
of the engagement.
Scope
Identification of the applicable financial reporting framework being used
Time frame of the audit
Expectation that management will provide all needed information affecting financial
statements
The auditor’s responsibilities
Management’s responsibilities
Arrangements to make available draft financial statements
B) Using the table below, calculate the following TWO ratios, for BOTH years to assist
you in planning the audit of Magpie Co. operating profit margin and payable payment
period.
Magpie Co is a new client for Crow & Crow & Co should ensure it has suitably
Co. This means that the audit team is not experienced persons on the team and
familiar with the accounting policies, that adequate time is allotted to obtain
transactions and balances of Magpie and an understanding of the company and
therefore will be an increased detection the risk of material misstatement.
risk on the audit.
During the year, the company has spent Obtain a schedule of costs which have
0.7m on refurbishing its stores. This been capitalized as part of the
expenditure has been recognized as PPE refurbishing. Review supporting
in the statement of financial position. documentation such as invoices to
There is a risk that some items of establish that they are capital in nature.
revenue expenditure may have been
capitalized which would mean that PPE
is overstated, and expenses understated.
During the year a sales system was The auditor should fully document and
installed but it was not felt necessary to test the new systems. They should also
run the old and the new parallel. perform substantive tests over the
Opening balances from the old systems opening balances to ensure they have
may not have been transferred correctly. been correctly transferred from the old
In addition, further errors could have system.
arisen if there are issues with the
operation of the new system. As a result,
sales and receivables may be misstated.
Daily cash taking reports sent to head Discuss with the directors whether these
office show an increasing number of cash shortages may be indicative of
cash shortages at each store when fraud. The audit team should apple
comparing the contents of the cash professional skepticism throughout the
registers to the reports. The differences audit recognizing that fraud may have
have not been investigated or reconciled arisen as a result of the cash shortages.
as they are only small amounts. There is
a risk that these discrepancies are the
result of fraud, and several small
amounts can become material when
grouped. An increase in control risk
arises when internal controls detect a
problem but it is being ignored.
The payables ledger clerk has carried Review the supplier statement of
out supplier statement reconciliations reconciliation and discuss with he
and a number of supplier statements payables ledger clerk why they have
indicate a higher balance is owing by the been included as reconciling items on
company than is shown on the payable the supplier statement reconciliation
ledger. The differences have been rather than being investigated.
included as reconciling items rather than
being investigated and the payables
period has decreased from 81 to 64
days. There is a risk that cut off may be
incorrect resulting in trade payables,
cost of sales and expenses being
understated.
Inventory of 0.1m has been noted as Discuss with the finance director
being damaged due to containing whether the damaged inventory will be
contaminated soil. In addition, the written down to its NRV and agree this
inventory holding period has increased write down to the final inventory
from 28 days to 54 days meaning the valuation.
company is retaining inventory longer
than the prior year. If the contaminated
soil is not written down to its net
realizable value, inventory will be
overstated and cost of sales understated.
A) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to the COMPLETENESS of Pacific Co’s trade
payables and accruals.
Calculate the payable payment period for Pacific Co, compare to prior years and
investigate any significant differences, in particular any decrease this year due to
inclusion of the payment run on 1 June.
Review the journal entry processed to correct the misstatement of trade payables due
to the payment run to ensure all errors have been included.
Select a sample of purchase invoices received around the year end. Ascertain through
reviewing goods received notes, if the goods were received pre or post year end. If
post year end, then confirm that they have been excluded from the ledger.
Compare the total trade payables or significant supplier balances and good received
not invoiced accrual against prior year and investigate any significant differences.
Compare the list of accruals this year to the prior year to identify any missing items or
unusual fluctuations and discuss with management.
B) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to Pacific Co’s provision for the legal claims.
Discuss with directors how the mislabeling of ingredients have occurred and whether
it is likely that any other customers have been affected.
Inspect board minutes to ascertain whether payment is probable.
Review correspondence with Pacific Co’s lawyers or with the clients permission
contact the lawyers and obtain confirmation regarding the claim to assess whether a
provision should be recognized and whether the amount of the provision is material.
Review correspondence or discuss with lawyers the likelihood and amount of other
potential future claims.
If evidence indicates that it is only possible that the claim will be successful, inspect
the financial statement for contingent liability disclosures.
Obtain a written representation from management confirming their view that they
have an obligation at the year end in respect of the claim and that it is appropriate to
include a provision.
C) Describe SUBSTANTIVE ANALYTICAL procedures the auditor should perform to
obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence in relation to Pacific Co’s revenue.
Compare the overall level of revenue against prior years and discuss the reasons for
the 9.4% increase with management and agree to supporting documentation.
Compare the overall level of revenue to the budget for the year and investigate any
significant fluctuations.
Calculate the gross profit margin for Pacific Co and compare this to the prior year and
investigate any significant fluctuations.
Obtain a schedule of sales for the year broken down into the eight product lines and
compare this to the prior year breakdown to understand what impact the new products
have has on revenue. For any unusual movements, discuss with management.
D) Discuss the issue and describe the impact on the auditor’s report. If any should this
issue remain unresolved.
The financial statements contain a provision for legal claims of 0.5m, however, audit
work has identified that the provision should be 0.8m, hence the provision is understated
and profits overstated by 0.3m. The argument that the provision is a reasonable estimate
is not valid.
The error of 0.3m represents 7.3% of PBT (0.3/4.1) and hence is a material matter.
If the finance director refuses to increase the provision, the audit opinion will be modified
due to a material misstatement. As provisions are understated and the error is material but
not pervasive, a qualified opinion would be necessary.
A basis for qualified opinion paragraph would be needed after the opinion paragraph and
would explain the material misstatement in relation to the understated provision for the
legal claims and the effect on the financial statements. The opinion paragraph would be
qualified “except for”.
June 2022 CBE Paper
Question 1
A) Describe the PRECONDITION for an audit that Bannock & Co should have
establishes prior to accepting the audit of Esk Co.
Bannock & Co should determine whether the financial reporting framework to be
applied by Esk Co in the preparation of its financial statements is acceptable.
Obtain the agreement of the management of Esk Co that they acknowledge and
understand their responsibility;
For the preparation of the financial statement in accordance with he applicable
reporting framework
For the design and implementation of internal controls which management considers
necessary to enable Esk Co to prepare financial statements which are free from
material misstatements
To provide Bannock Co with access to all information which is relevant to the
preparation of financial statements such as records documentation and other matters.
B) Using the table below, calculate the following FOUR ratios for BOTH years, to
assist you in planning the audit of Esk Co: gross profit margin, inventory holding
period, receivable collection period and payable payment period.
2005 2004
Gross profit margin 8.4/22.5 = 27.2% 7.6/19.9 = 27.6%
Inventory holding period 8.3/22.5 x 365 = 135 6.4/19.9 x 365 = 117
days days
Receivables collection 7.2/30.9 x 365 = 85 days 4.9/27.5 x 365 = 65 days
period
Payable payment period 2.4/x 22.5x 365 = 39 3.5/x22.5x 365 = 64
days days
C) Using the information provided and the ratios calculated describe EIGHT audit
risks and explain the auditor’s response to each risk, in planning the audit of Esk
Co.
A) Describe FOUR matters the auditor may consider in determining whether a deficiency
in internal control is significant.
- The amounts exposed to the deficiencies
- The volume of activity which has occurred or could occur in the account balance
or class of transaction exposed to the deficiency.
- The cause and frequency of the exceptions identified as a result of the deficiencies
in the controls.
- The interaction of the deficiency with other deficiencies in internal control.
B) In respect of SALE system of Whittaker Co
- Identify and explain THREE DIRECT CONTROLS on which the auditor may
seek to place reliance; and Describe a TEST OF CONTROL the auditor should
perform to assess if each of these direct control is operating effectively.
C) Identify and explain FIVE DEFICIENCIES in Whittaker Co’s PAYROLL and BANK
systems and provide a control recommendation to address each of these deficiencies.
When additional staff are required at A joiner form should be completed for
short notice, joiners forms are not all new staff whether temporary or
completed. Instead, they are added to permanent. The authorized joiner form
payroll following email notification should then be sent to payroll on the day
from the production supervisor. The the employee commences employment.
production supervisor may not include Payroll should then sign the form as
all the relevant details on the email to being actioned. They should not set up
payroll. This could result in the employees without this form.
temporary employees not receiving the
correct pay or not being paid on time
resulting in a loss of employee goodwill.
Staff are paid overtime on a monthly The production supervisor should
basis but the overtime worked reports review and authorize overtime worked
are only reviewed every quarter after the reports before they are passed to payroll.
overtime has been paid. There is a risk This will ensure that the correct times
that employee are being paid for hours worked are paid to the correct
they haven’t worked which increases employees.
expenses or there are not paid for all
hours worked leading to loss of
employee goodwill.
No checks are performed on the Review a sample of employees’ gross to
monthly payroll calculations. There is a net pay workings and compare these
risk that any system errors which occur calculations to the system. Any
during the payroll processing would not discrepancies should be investigated.
be identified and persons being paid
more or less which can either lead to
higher costs or loss of employee
goodwill.
The bonuses were input into the system The bonuses should be reviewed to agre
and a number of employees they are in line with documentation
subsequently notified the payroll provided by HR. The bonuses should be
department of errors in their pay. It inputted by one clerk and checked by
appears that bonuses were input without someone else for errors. Any changes
any additional review from a supervisor. should be authorized by a senior
This increased risk of errors arising member.
within payroll.
The reconciling items on the bank The reconciling items should be
reconciliation are only investigated by reviewed by the financial controller on a
the financial controller if the sum of weekly basis, even if they are not
reconciling items is significant. There is significant and they should evidence
a risk that there might be errors within their review by way of signature.
the sum which could be net off by each
other.
A) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient
and appropriate audit evidence in relation to Spinach Co’s Revenue.
- Cast a listing of revenue and agree to the general ledger, TB and draft financial
statements.
- Compare the total revenue to the previous year’s total revenue and assess any
significant fluctuations
- Calculate the current year’s gross profit margin compare to the previous year to
check for any significant differences.
- Obtain a listing of revenue and compare it to the supporting documentation to
ensure accuracy in the journals/ accounts.
- Review the companies aged receivables listing to check to make sure how fast
customers are paying their orders.
- Review a sample of the sales order invoices to the goods dispatched notes to
inclusion in the sales day book and revenue accounts in the general ledger to
confirm completeness.
- Select a sample of dispatch notes both pre and post year end and follow these
through to sales invoices in the correct accounting period to ensure that cut-off has
been correctly applied.
B) Describe the audit procedure the auditor should perform as part of the audit of
Spinach Co BEFORE and DURING the inventory count.
- Review the prior year audit files to identify whether there were any particular
warehouses where significant inventory issues arose last year.
- Discuss with management whether any of the warehouses this year are new,
whether any significant changes have occurred this year with regards to inventory
items or if warehouses experienced significant control issues.
- Decide which of the six warehouses the audit team member will attend, basing
this on materiality and risk of each site.
- Obtain a copy of the proposed inventory count instructions, review them to
identify any control deficiencies and if any are notes discuss with management
- Show up to the inventory count and ensure that the procedures are being followed.
- Obtain a listing of the inventory and compare it to the physical inventory to ensure
completeness and quality of stock.
- Review the supervisor over the count and the person doing the count
- Review the process for recording stock movements in the warehouse during the
stock taking and ensuring that it has stopped.
- Compare physical stock to supporting documentation to confirm ownership
- Compare physical stock and listing to the goods received notes and inventory
account for completeness.
- Recalculate the inventory journal entries to ensure that the 9.3m is accurate.
- Review the inventory pre and post year end dispatch and received notes to ensure
cut-off is accurate.
- Check the area where the third party inventory is held to ensure that no inventory
belonging to the company is there, discuss with management what the procedures
are for ensuring that third party inventory is omitted from the counts.
C) Describe substantive procedure the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to Spinach Co’s issue of share capital.
- Review board minutes to confirm of additional shares issued in May 2005 and the
issue price.
- Agree the issue of shares is permitted form a review of any statutory constitution
agreement in place.
- Review legal documentation, correspondence or share issue prospectus to confirm
the details of the share issue.
- Agree the issue of new shares to the share register.
- Inspect the cash book and bank statements for evidence of the amount of cash
received from the share issue.
- Review the disclosure of the share issue in the draft financial statements and
ensure it is in line with relevant accounting standards and local legislation.
D) Describe the factors which the audit engagement partner would have considered in
determining that this issue is a KAM and describe the content of the KAM section
of the auditor’s report for Spinach Co.
As Spinach Co is listed, a key audit matters section will be required in the
auditor’s report. The audit partner would have considered whether the matter was
communicated to those charged with governance as KAM are selected from
matters communicated to those charged with governance. The audit partner would
have also considered the level of risk in relation to the valuation of incentory and
as determining he NRV is an accounting estimate the level of judgement involved.
The audit partner would have also considered whether in their professional
judgement, the matters regarding the valuation of inventory were of most
significance in the audit of Spinach Co’s financial statements for the year ended
31 July 2005.
The KAM section of the auditor’s report should include a reference to the audit
risk in relation to the valuation of inventory and the level of judgement required in
making this assessment. It should detail why this issue was an area of significance
in the audit and therefore determined to be a KAM. It should also explain how the
matter was addresses in the audit and the auditor should provide a brief overview
of the audit procedures adopted as well as detailing that a review was undertaken
of any related disclosures.
December 2021 Paper
1) Describe EIGHT audit risks, and explain the auditor’s response to each risk, in
planning the audit of peach Co.
A new accounting system was The audit team should undertake
introduced in March 2005 and post detailed testing to confirm all balances
implementation testing has not been have been completely and accurately
conducted. There is risk of opening transferred to the new accounting
balances on the new system being system.
misstated and loss of ongoing data if
they have no been transferred from the
old system correctly. Also if the new
system is not operating correctly, there
is a risk of misstatement of accounting
records.
Peach Co has been developing a new A detailed review of the costs
production process and 0.8m was capitalized and supporting
capitalized in the year as development documentation should be carried out to
expenditure. There is a risk that research determine the nature of the expenditure.
costs might be included and recognized
as development expenditure resulting in
overstating intangible assets and
understate research expenses.
Peach Co holds inventory of 227,000 The audit team should discuss with the
that it can no longer sell and they directors their belief that the inventory
believe it can be sold to an international can be sold
customer but there are significant costs
that will incur. There is a risk that the
NRV of the inventory is less than cost
and therefore the inventory is overstated,
and cost of sales understated.
A member of Peach Co’s finance team When testing non-current assets, they
fraudulently purchased assets for should obtain a list of all non-current
personal use. There is a risk that non- assets capitalized in the year and agree
current assets are overstated as they may to the new assets to an authorized
include the personal assets purchased. purchase order. Select a sample of assets
from the non-current assets register t
confirm the existence of the assets and
that they are used in the business.
The directors have not accounted for any The audit team sould review the terms
costs under the new contract for bottles of the contract to understand the
as no amounts are due to be paid until amounts payable and terms of payment.
after the year end. There is a risk that the They should review the goods received
costs incurred to date have not been not invoiced accrual listing to ensure
recognized and therefore costs and that amounts payable to the supplier for
liabilities are understated and profit bottles received have been accrued
overstated. despite not being invoiced.
A previous supplier has launched a legal The audit team should review
claim against Peach Co. The claim has correspondence with Peach Co’s lawyer
not been settled but Peach Co’s lawyers to understand the likely hood of the
believe that they are likely to have to supplier winning the case and the
pay an estimated 0.3m. As it appears amount of the payments to be made to
probable that Peach Co will have to pay, them.
a provision is required. There is a risk
that provisions and expenses are
understated if the company has not
recognized a liability in respect of this
legal claim.
Peach Co obtained a new interest- The audit team should undertake a
bearing bank loan in the year repayable review of the loan agreement to confirm
over three years. There is a risk that the the details and reperform the company’s
loan has not been correctly allocated calculations to confirm that the loan has
between current and non-current been correctly classified between current
liabilities which would give rise to a and non current liabilities.
classification error and liabilities being
misstated.
B) Describe Apricot & Co’s responsibilities in relation to the prevention and detection
of fraud and error.
- Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements
due to fraud.
- Obtain sufficient appropriate aduit evidence regarding the assessed risk of
material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing
appropriate responses.
- Respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.
- Ensure that the whole engagement team is aware of the risk and responsibilities
for fraud and error (discuss with the team).
C. Identify and explain TWO ethical threats which may affect the independence of
Apricot & Co’s audit of Peach Co and for each threat recommend an appropriate safe
guard to reduce the threat to an acceptable level.
The managing director of Peach Co has Since the weekend away has a
this year suggested that instead of a significant value, this offer should be
meal, all the audit staff and client staff politely declined.
go away for the weekend to a luxury
hotel at Peach Cos Expense. This is a
familiarity and self interest threat, as the
trip and hotel is not in the acceptable
value.
Peach Co has suggested that the audit Apricot Co should not agree to the
fee is renegotiated to be based on a proposed basis for the fees and should
percentage of Peach Co’s net profit. communicate with those charged with
This is a contingent fee and leads to a governance to explain that the audit fee
self-interest threat. If the fee is based on needs to reflect the level of work and the
profits the audit team may feel to allow experience of the team required to
incorrect accounting treatments in order obtain reasonable assurance.
to maximize profits.
D) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate evidence in relation to Peach Co’s development expenditure.
- Obtain a schedule of capitalized costs within intangible assets, cast it and agree
the closing balance to the general ledger, TB and financial statements
- Obtain a listing of the company’s development expenditure to ensure that no
research expenditure has been incorrectly classified. If so request that
management remove these and include within P&L.
- Check the company’s intangible asset register to ensure that the development
costs have been recorded correctly.
- Compare a sample of capitalized costs to the company’s purchase orders to check
for completeness.
- Discuss with directors the decision to capitalize the costs from 1 November 2004
onwards and assess whether this is based on the project meeting all of the
conditions for capitalization.
- Review the disclosures for intangible assets in the draft financial statements in
order to confirm that they are in accordance with audit standards.
Credit Limits set by the sales director Credit limits should continue to be set
are only changed when a customer by the sales director however these
requests an increase. If credit limits are limits should be reviewed and amended
not reviewed regularly they could be out as appropriate on a regular basis by a
of date, resulting in limits being too high responsible official.
and therefore sales being made to poor
credit risks or alternatively too low and
therefore losing potential revenue.
Goods dispatch notes are sent to the The copies of the GDNs should be sent
finance department on a weekly basis. If to the finance department on a more
the finance department does no promptly frequent basis, such as daily.
receive GDNs this could result in goods
being dispatched but being invoiced late.
This could result in revenue cut-off
issues and understated receivables.
The company’s credit controller is During the period of the maternity leave
currently on maternity leave for six an alternative member of the finance
months and no one has taken over her department should be trained in the
duties. Therefore, during this period no credit control role and assigned
one has been responsible for monitoring responsibility for reviewing the aged
and chasing aged receivables. There is receivbales listing and following up on
an increased risk of irrecoverable any overdue customers.
receivables and lead to customers not
paying their outstanding balances on
time or at all leading to reduced cash
flows.
The monthly receivables ledger control The reconciliation should be reviewed
account reconciliation is only reviewed by the financial controller on a monthly
by the financial controller if there are basis , even if there are no exceptions
any unreconciled differences. There and the review should be evidenced by
could be errors that cancel each other way of signature.
out or it may been incorrectly prepared
or manipulated and this would not be
identified. If the reconciliation is not
reviewed, then this significantly reduces
its effectiveness.
The IA department undertakes physical IA should review its programme of
verification of assets each year. It is visits to assess if additional resources
supposed to verify all assets over a three could be devoted to ensure that all 11
year cycle, however in the current year sites are visited in line with the policy of
IA will only complete the relevant three years. During visits any assets
procedures at one factory and one which cannot be located should be
warehouse. If the non-current assets investigated fully to identify where they
register is not physically verified on a could be, if they cannot be located they
regular basis, there is a risk of assets should be written off.
being misappropriated or obsolete assets
still being included in the register as
there is no check that the assets still exist
in good working order.
The warehouse manager at each of the The inventory should be supervised by
sites is responsible for supervising the an independent person such as a
monthly perpetual inventory counts and member of the IA department.
ensuring that the counting teams are
following their instructions, they may
wish to hide inefficiencies and inventory
discrepancies so that their departments
are not criticized. This could result in
inventory count records being inaccurate
as well as an increase in inventory
frauds.
Access to the master file data for The monthly exception report of
suppliers is available to all those in the changes to the master file should be
purchasing department and the monthly reviewed by a responsible official, who
exception report of the changes to the should evidence this review. Any
master file data is not reviewed. All unauthorized or unexpected changes
members could amend data and should be investigated and appropriate
potentially add new suppliers to the action taken.
payabls ledger system and as the
exception report is not reviewed It is
unlikely that this would be identified.
This leads to an increased risk of fraud
as clerks could add fictitious suppliers
and then place fraudulent orders without
detection.
Purchase invoices are not agreed to the All purchase invoices should be
relevant good received notes prior to matched to both the purchase order and
authorization and input. This could the related GRN. The details should be
result in invoices being paid for goods agreed prior to the invoice being
which were not received, resulting in authorized and logged in the payable
increased costs. ledger.
- Obtain a schedule of all land and buildings, cast and agree to the TB and financial
statements.
- Obtain a listing of the PPE and compare to supporting documentation to ensure
ownership.
- Compare the total PPE to the prior year and check for any significant fluctuations.
- Recalculate the recordings for PPE to ensure that they follow the new policy of
the revaluation model.
- Consider the competence and capability of the valuer, by assessing through
enquiry their qualification, membership of a profession body and experience in
valuing these types of assets.
- Recalculate the valuation of land and building and compare it to the valuers
calculations confirm reasonableness and compliance with standards.
- Review the correspondence between the valuer to see how and why they valued
certain assets the way they did
- For a sample of land and buldings from the non-current assets register, physically
verify to confirm existence.
B) Describe the procedures the auditor should perform in relation to the exceptions
noted during the trade receivables circularization in respect of Nile Co and Congo
Co.
Nile Co
- For the non-response from Nile Co, with the client’s permission, the team should
arrange to send a follow-up confirmation request.
- If there are multiple failed attempts, detailed testing should be done to confirm the
balance owing to Nile. Review after date cash receipts and agreeing to sales
invoices and goods dispatched notes.
Congo Co
- For the response from Congo co, the auditor should investigate the difference of
$14,132 and identify whether this relates to timing differences or whether there
are possible errors in the records of Danube Co.
- If the difference relates to goods in transit, then detais should be agreed to a pre
year end GDN
- Timing such as cash in transit should be agreed to post year end cash receipts in
the cash book.
The audit partner would have considered whether the matter was communicated to
those charged with governance as KAM are selected from matters communicated
with those charged with governance. Also whether the issue relating to the claims
was an area of higher assessed risk of material misstatement or a significant risk
and as it is an accounting estimate the level of judgement involved. Whether the
matters regarding the claim and counter claim were of most significance in the
audit of Danube Co’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2005
therefore requiring significant auditory attention.
The KAM section of the auditor’s report should provide a description of the issue.
It should detail why this issue was an area of most significance in the audit and
therefore determined to be a KAM. It would include a reference to the audit risk
of completeness of the provision and recognition of the receivable and the level of
judgement required in making this assessment. It should also explain how the
matter was addressed in the audit and the auditor should provide a brief overview
of the audit procedures adopted as well as making a reference to any related
disclosure.
A) Describe the following methods for documenting internal control systems and
for each explain a DISADVANTAGE of using this method.
All staff members are required to For a sample of key cards and data
clock in and out using a sequentially recorded in the clocking-in system,
numbered key card which contains carry out a sequence check to
their unique employee number and identify if there are any gaps in the
name. This ensures that management sequence
can track who clocks in and
employees are paid for hours worked
and that all hours are recorded.
The clocking in process is monitored Review a sample of recordings to
by a camera on entry to the identify who reviewed that week’s
distribution center and video footage footage to ensure it has been
is reviewed by HR every week. This reviewed by a member of the HR
will prevent staff from fraudulently department.
clock in for other employees and
hence employees will only be paid
for actual hours worked.
The payroll clerk confirms the Review a sample of the calculations
transfer of hours and calculations has of gross to net pay for evidence that
been done accurately by the calculations have been
recalculating, for a sample of performed. Confirm the signature of
employees, their gross pay. This the payroll supervisor as evidence
check is also reviewed by the payroll that they have reviewed the report.
supervisor who evidences their
review. This will ensure that errors
do not occur in the automated
transfer and calculations during the
payroll processing. Any errors would
be identified on a timely basis to
prevent salaries being over or under
paid.
The payroll system is password- Attempt to login the payroll system
protected and the payroll manager using a password which should be
changes the password on a monthly out of date. Confirm that the system
basis using a random password has rejected access.
generator. This reduces the risk of
fraud by preventing unauthorized
changes being made to the standing
data and unauthorized access to
sensitive payroll information.
C) Identify and explain SIX DEFICINCIES in Castle Courier Co’s payroll system
and provide a control recommendation to address each of these deficiencies.
Department managers are required Employees should receive written
to approve all employee’s holiday confirmation when their holiday has
forms, however, this does not been approved and should be
always occur. This could result in informed that they will not be able to
employees taking unauthorized take holiday without this
leave which could lead to notification.
operational difficulties if there are
shortages of staff at critical periods.
In addition, payments for untaken
holiday may be made in error as
holiday records may be incorrect.
The financial controller prepares the Once the bank transfer has been
bank transfers for the payroll and prepared by the financial controller,
also authorizes these to be paid. it should be passed to the finance
There is a lack of segregation of director to be reviewed and
duties which increases the risk of authorized for payment. The review
fraud/error as the financial controller and authorization should be evidence
could pay themselves or certain by the finance director.
employees more that they are due
without this being detected.
The payroll clerk amends the payroll The payroll supervisor or a member
and an edit report of changes is of the finance team should review all
produced but this report is not edit reports and agree changes made
reviewed. As the edit report is not to the details on the joiner/leaver
checked, errors made by the payroll forms. Any discrepancies should be
clerk when updating the system will investigated promptly and the
not be identified promptly. This may payroll system updated for any
result in new employees not being errors or omission.
paid at all, errors being made in
payments to new employees or
leavers being paid after they have
left the company. This could lead to
loss of employee goodwill and
errors in accounting records for
wages and salaries.
The HR department is responsible All staff appointments, including
for processing joiners and leavers, temporary staff, should only be
but due to staff illness, the processed by the HR department to
operations manager has processed ensure that the correct procedures
temporary new drivers and notified are followed.
payroll. There is a risk that the
employees may not be set up
correctly in payroll records,
resulting in the late payment of
wages, incorrect statutory
deductions being calculated and
incomplete payroll records.
Only overtime in excess of five All overtime including that below
hours per week needs authorization five hours should be authorized by a
by the operations manager. This responsible official before being
means that employees could claim to processed in the payroll. This
have worked up to five hours authorization should be evidenced
overtime without authorization by signature.
resulting in payments being made to
employees for hours not worked and
additional payroll costs.
Where cash wages are paid, the All drivers collecting cash payments
driver is only required to provide should provide a form of
their name to collect their pay identification to the finance staff
packet. Payment of wages without member before the pay packet is
proof of identity or signature handed to them. The driver should
increases the risk that wages could also be required to sign for their pay
be paid to incorrect employees either packet.
in error or due to fraud resulting in a
loss of cash.
B) Describe SEVEN audit risks and explain the auditor’s response to each risk in
planning the audit of Corley Appliances Co.
The company has a returns policy Compare the level of post year-end
allowing a customer to return goods returns to the refund liability and discuss
within 28 days of purchase if they are any significant differences with
dissatisfied with the product. The management
company should recognize a refund
liability for goods which are expected to
be returned. If the company has not
correctly accounted for the refund
liability, revenue will be overstated, and
the refund liability understated.
The company provides a six-month Review the calculation of the warranty
warranty on its products which require and assess its reasonableness in light of
defects to be repaired at the company’s the value of claims received.
own costs. The directors have reduced
this provision during the year on the
grounds they feed the products they sell
are built to high standards. The
company does not manufacture the
goods and therefore this is not a
reasonable reason for reductions, hence
if the company has reduced the warranty
provision excessively at the year end,
liabilities and expenses may be
understated.
The company purchases their goods Discuss with management the point at
from its main supplier in Asia and has which inventory is recorded and review
responsibility for goods at the point of the contract with the supplier to verify
dispatch, the goods are in transit for up the requirements in place.
to one month. There is a risk that the
cut-off of purchases may not be accurate
as they may not correctly recognize the
goods from the point of dispatch. There
is also a risk that inventory and trade
payables are understated at the year end.
The company’s central warehouse and The audit team should assess which of
all 20 branches will be carrying out an the inventory counts they will attend.
inventory count at the year-end date of This should include the count for the
31 August. It is unlikely that the auditor central warehouse and a sample of
will be able to attend all sites which branch which contain the most material
increases detection risk. balances of inventory and those which
have historically had exceptions
reported during the inventory.
Over the last six months, the receivables Discuss with the finance director
collection period has increased from 42 whether an additional allowance for
days to 55days and the allowance for receivables will be required against
receivables will be at the same level as balances older than the company’s credit
the prior year. Some receivables may terms.
not be recoverable and if an additional
allowance for receivable is not included
in the financial statements, receivables
will be overstates and the allowance for
receivables understated.
The payables ledger supervisor was Discuss with the finance director the
dismissed in June 2005 due to a fraud. details of the fraud perpetrated by the
The value of this fraud has been payable ledger supervisor and what
recognized as an expense in the draft procedures have been adopted to date to
statement of P&L. If additional frauds identify and further adjustments which
committed by the payables ledger are needed in the financial statements. In
supervisor are not discovered, this could addition, discuss with the finance
result in expenses being understated and director what additional controls have
payables being overstated. Control risk been put in place to prevent similar
is also increased if the fraud has gone frauds.
undetected for a period.
Since the dismissal of the payable’s Review the unprocessed invoices file at
ledger supervisor, purchase invoices the year end to identify any invoices
have yet to be logged onto the payables which relate to the supply of pre-year-
ledger. There is a risk that the purchases end goods and ensure they have been
and trade payables balance at the year properly accrued for in the year-end
end will be understated if these invoices financial statements and recognized as a
are not logged onto the payables ledger liability.
before it is closed for the year.
C) Define the term professional skepticism and explain TWO examples from the audit of
Corley Appliances Co where the auditor should apply professional skepticism.
A) Describe substantive procedure the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to the matters identified regarding the inventory
valuation of Vego Dog products.
- Obtain a list of the total inventory and compare to previous year and check for any
fluctuations
- Recalculate a sample of inventory valuations and compare to financial statements
for completeness and accuracy
- Compare the listing quantity to the physical inventory or inventory count records
and check for quality
- Review the disclosure of inventory disclosure to ensure it is in accordance with
accounting standards
- Obtain and cast the inventory listing and agree the total cost of 2.4m to inventory
records.
B) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to the receivable balance due from Ellah Co.
- Discuss with management how they plan to account for this possible bad debt and
why no allowance has been made and assess justification
- Review correspondence with Ellah Co to establish if there was a discussion about
payment difficulties and whether Ellah Co intends to fully settle the outstanding
payment
- Review the age of the outstanding debt with Ellah Co and discuss with the credit
controller the circumstances to establish if it has exceeded the agreed credit terms
and consider if an allowance is required.
- Review post year-end receipt from Ellah Co to establish how much of the debt
was recovered by the audit completion date and to assess how much of the year-
end balance remains outstanding
- Inspect board minutes ot identify whether there are any significant concerns in
relation to payments by Ellah Co.
C) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to the legal claims following the contamination
- Review correspondence or with the client’s permission contact the lawyer to hear
their thoughts on the possibility of the customer winning the case or the
outcomeof the claims
- Discuss with lawyers the likelihood and amount of potential future claims
- Discuss with management the possibility of any other customers suing with
regards to this contamination
- Review the disclosure for the legal claim in the draft financial statements to
ensure it is in accordance with he financial reporting framework
- Review customer correspondence to establish the details of the claims and the
amounts being claimed.
- Review board meeting to establish detail of the circumstances of the
contamination and to ascertain management’s view as to the likely hood that
existing claim will be successful and the extent of possible future claims
- Obtain written representations from management that there have been no other
contamination incidents and no other product liability claims of which
management are aware and for which provision may be required.
D) Discuss the issue and describe the impact on the auditor’s report of Purrfect Co of
both adequate AND inadequate disclosure of the contingent liability.
B) Describe EIGHT audit risks and explain the auditor’s response to each risk in
planning the audit of Hart Co.
Hart Co is a new client and the audit Morph Co should ensure it has a suitably
team is not familiar with the accounting experienced team assigned to the audit
policies, transactions and balances so and that adequate time is allowed for
therefore, there will be an increase team members to obtain an
detection risk on the audit. understanding of the company and the
risks of material misstatement, including
a detailed team briefing to cover the key
areas of risk.
The directors are paid a bonus based on The audit team should be aware of the
a percentage of profit before tax. There increased risks of manipulation and
is a risk that the directors will try to should assign more experienced audit
overstate the profit, and there fore their members to significant estimates and
bonuses by increasing the revenue and judgmental areas. The team needs to
income recorded and decreasing maintain professional skepticism and be
expenses. alert to the increased risk of
manipulation. Increased testing should
be performed relating to adjusting
journal entries.
Customers pay a 25% deposit on signing During the final audit, the audit team
the contract, it should not be recognized should undertake increased testing over
as revenue immediately and instead the cut-off of revenue and the
should recognized as deferred income completeness of deferred income.
within current liabilities until the
performance obligations as per the
contracts, have been satisfied. There is a
risk that revenue might be overstates
and current liabilities understated.
The audit team will only attend the WIP The auditor should assess which
counts at five of the 16 sites. As the inventory counts the team will attend,
audit team is not attending all sites, mostlikely with the most material WIP
detection risk is increased as the team balances or which are assessed as having
will be unable to directly obtain the greatest risk of misstatement. For
evidence relating to WIP. those not attended, the audit team will
need to obtain and review
documentation relating to the controls
surrounding the counts and any
exceptions notes during the count and
discuss with management any issues
which arise during the count.
Hart Co offers its customers a warranty The audit team should compare the prior
at no extra costs, which guarantees the year provision with the actual level of
playgrounds will function as expected claims in the year, to assess the
for three years. The provision is reasonableness of the judgements made
calculated as 2% of revenue in the by management.
current year against 6% in the prior
year, despite there being no changes in
the construction techniques or the level
of claims. There is a risk that the
warranty provision could be
understated, leading to understated
expenses and liabilities.
Hart Co has recognized 0.6m of The audit team should obtain a
research expenditure in P&L with the breakdown of the research expenditure
remaining 1.2m having been capitalized recognized in P&L and of the
as development expenditure. If research development costs capitalized and
costs have been incorrectly classified as review supporting documentation to
development expenditure there is a risk determine whether they have been
of intangible assets being overstated and correctly classified.
research expenses understated.
Hart Co placed an order for 2.4m of Review the non-current asset register to
machinery, paying 1m in advance. The determine if the 1m paid in advance has
machinery was due to be received in been capitalized and discuss with
July 2005 but will now be delivered post management the correct accounting
year end. Only assets which physically treatment.
exist at the year end should be
capitalized as PPE. The 1m deposit
should be recognized as a prepayment.
If the deposit of 1m has been capitalized
within PPE then prepayments are
understated and PPE overstated.
Hart’s Co payroll function is outsourced Discuss with management any changes
to an external service organization. A to the extent of records maintained at
detection risk arises as to whether Hart Co since the prior year audit and
sufficient and appropriate evidence is any monitoring of control which has
available at Hart co to confirm the been undertaken by management over
completeness and accuracy of control payroll.
over the payroll cycle .
C) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence in relation to Hart Co’s directors’ bonuses.
- Obtain a schedule of the directors’ bonus and cast the schedule to ensure its
accuracy. Agree the amount to that disclosed in the financial statements.
- Agree the individual bonus payments to the post year-end payroll records.
- Compare the PBT used in the bonus calculation to the final profit before tax figure
to confirm whether any adjustments is required to the bonus paid and discuss any
differences with management.
- Review the board minutes to identify whether any additional payments relating to
this year have been agreed for any directors.
- Review the disclosures made regarding the bonus paid to directors and assess
whether these are in compliance with local legislation.
D) Explain the safe guards which Morph Co should implement to ensure that this conflict
of interest is appropriately managed.
A) For each of the THREE methods identified in the table describe the method
for documenting internal control systems and explain an ADVANTAGE of
using this method.
Description Advantage
Narrative notes Consists of a written Easy to record after
description of the discussion with staff
system. They detail members these
what occurs in the discussion are easily
system at each stage written up as notes.
and include details of
any controls which
operate at each stage.
Flowcharts Flow charts are a With flowcharts it is
diagrammatic easy to view the system
illustration of the in its entirety as it is all
internal control system. presented together in
Lines usually one diagram
demonstrate the
sequence of events and
standard symbols are
used to signify
controls.
Questionnaires Contain a list of Questionnaires are
questions for each quick to prepare, which
major transaction means they are timely
cycle; ICQs are used to method for recording
assess whether controls the system.
exist whereas ICEQs
assess the effectiveness
of the controls in place.
B) In respect of the internal control system of Swift Co, identify and explain
SEVEN KEY CONTROL which the auditor may seek to place reliance on and
describe a TEST OF CONTROL the auditor should perform to assess if each
of these key control is operating effectively.
D) Discuss the issue and describe the impact on the auditor’s report, if any
should this issue remain unresolved.
The restructuring provision of 2.1 million includes $270,000 of costs included did not meet
the criteria for inclusion. Hence by including this amount the provision and expenses for this
year are overstated and profits understated.
Hence the finance director should adjust the financial statements by removing this cost from
the provision and instead expensing it to P&L as it is incurred. If the finance director refuses
to amend the error the audit opinion will be modified due to a material misstatement. A basis
for qualified opinion paragraph except for would be included after the opinion paragraph and
would explain the material misstatement in relation to the incorrect treatment of the
restructuring provision and he effect on the financial statement.
A) Explain the PURPOSE of an audit engagement letter and list FOUR items which
should be include in an audit engagement letter.
C) Describe EIGHT audit risks, and explain the auditors response to each risk, in planning the
audit of Scarlet Co.
Scarlet Co is a new client of the firm. The Orange Co should assign suitab.ly
audit team will be unfamiliar with the experienced team on the audit and allocate
company’s policies, transactions and sufficient time for the team members to
balances, hence there will be a increased become familiar with the new client,
detection risk. document its systems and controls and
understand the risk of material
misstatement.
The company’s financial accountant was ill Discuss with management the technical
and a temporary accountant has been competency and experience of the
drafted in to help prepare the financial temporary financial accounting. In addition,
statements. There is a risk that the the audit engagement team should ensure
temporary accountant may not be familiar that increased substantive procedures are
with the company’s processes and so undertaken on the material areas of the
error/omissions may go unnoticed. financial statements.
The year-end financial statements have The audit engagement team should
to be prepared by the end of September maintain professional scepticism
20X5 in order to secure bank finance throughout the course of the audit.
and management wish to report strong Detailed cut-off testing on areas such as
results. revenue, inventory and payables should be
performed to ensure that cut-off has been
This increases the risk that the directors correctly applied and substantive
may manipulate the financial statements, procedures performed on estimates and
by overstating profits and assets and judgements to ensure accuracy.
understating liabilities.
A specialised machine was acquired and staff Discuss the accounting treatment with the
members had to be trained in the machine’s use
at a cost of $15,000 which has been capitalised
directors and request that an adjustment is
as part of the cost of the machine. therefore made to ensure appropriate treatment of
profits and property, plant and equipment will be the training costs.
overstated, and expenses understated if the
training costs are not written off to the statement
of profit or loss.
The delivery time of three weeks from Discuss with management the point at
the company’s international supplier is which inventory is recorded and review the
likely to result in goods in transit at the contract with the supplier to verify the
year end. The company has advised that requirements in place.
the contract with the supplier means
that Scarlet Co will be responsible for
goods from dispatch and therefore
inventory should be recorded when the
products are sent by the supplier.
D) Describe substantive procedures the auditor should perform to obtain sufficient appropriate
audit evidence in respect of the redundancy costs.
Review the board minutes for evidence of the decision to discontinue the brand of chemicals
prior to the year-end.
•
Review supporting documentation to confirm that the decision to discontinue the brand was
notified to the four members of staff prior to the year end.
•
Obtain details of the redundancy calculated by employee, cast the schedule and agree to the
trial balance/financial statements.
•
Recalculate the redundancy provision to confirm completeness and agree components of
the cost to supporting documentation such as employee contracts.
•
Agree the redundancy payments made in July 20X5 to the cash book/payroll records and
compare these to the provision in the financial statements.
•
Obtain a written representation from management confirming the completeness of the
costs.
•
Review the disclosures included in the financial statements to verify they are in compliance
with requirements of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Assets and Contingent Liabilities.