Audit Reports

Chapter 3

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Learning Objective 1
Describe the parts of the standard unqualified audit report.

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Parts of the Standard Unqualified Audit Report

1. Report title 2. Audit report address 3. Introductory paragraph 4. Scope paragraph 5. Opinion paragraph 6. Name of CPA firm 7. Audit report date

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Parts of the Standard Unqualified Audit Report

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Learning Objective 2
Specify the conditions required to issue the standard unqualified audit report.

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Conditions for Standard Unqualified Audit Report

1. Includes all financial statements
2. Three general standards are met 3. Complies with the three standards of field work

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Conditions for Standard Unqualified Audit Report

4. Financial statements comply with GAAP 5. No circumstances require an explanatory paragraph or report modification

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Four Categories of Audit Reports

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Learning Objective 3
Understand reporting on financial statements and internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

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Reporting on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Auditors of public companies subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act must report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. PCAOB Auditing Standard 5 requires the audit of internal control to be integrated with the audit of the financial statements.
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Reporting on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

SarbanesOxley Sec.404
Accelerated Filer

ICFR Effectiveness Audits

2010 Legislation

Non-accelerated Filer

Permanent Exemption

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Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Separate Report on Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
1. Introductory paragraph 2. Scope paragraph 3. Definition paragraph 4. Inherent limitations paragraph 5. Opinion paragraph 6. Cross-Reference Paragraph

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Separate Report on ICFR

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Learning Objective 4
Describe the five circumstances when an unqualified report with an explanatory paragraph or modified wording is appropriate.

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Unqualified Report with Explanatory Paragraph

1. Lack of consistent application of generally accepted accounting principles 2. Substantial doubt about going concern 3. Auditor agrees with a departure from promulgated accounting principles 4. Emphasis of a matter 5. Reports involving other auditors

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Lack of Consistent Application of GAAP

Auditors must note circumstances in which accounting principles are not consistently applied
Auditor should modify the report when a material change occurs by adding an explanatory paragraph in the report

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Substantial Doubt About Going Concern

Significant recurring operating losses or working capital deficiencies. Inability of the company to pay its obligations as they come due. Loss of major customers, the occurrence of uninsured catastrophes. Legal proceedings, legislation that might jeopardize the entitys ability to operate.
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Auditor Agrees with a Departure from a Promulgated Principle

Departure may not require a qualified or adverse opinion
The auditor must separately explain in the audit report that adhering to the principle would have produced a misleading result. Circumstances are most unusual
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Emphasis of a Matter
Under certain circumstances, the CPA may want to emphasize specific matters regarding the financial statements, even though the CPA intends to express an unqualified opinion.
Subsequent Events Financial Statement Comparability
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Related Party Transactions

Material Uncertainties
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Reports Involving Other Auditors

1. Make no reference in the audit report 2. Make reference in the report (modified wording report) 3. Qualify the opinion

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Reports Involving Other Auditors

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Learning Objective 5
Identify the types of audit reports that can be issued when an unqualified opinion is not justified.

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Departures from an Unqualified Opinion

1. Scope limitation

2. GAAP departure
3. Auditor not independent

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Qualified Opinion
A qualified opinion report can result from a limitation on the scope of the audit or failure to follow generally accepted accounting principles.

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Qualified Opinion

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Adverse Opinion
Auditor believes the financial statements are not presented fairly in conformity with GAAP.

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Adverse Opinion

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Disclaimer of Opinion
It is issued when the auditor is unable to be satisfied that the overall financial statements are fairly presented.

It can arise only from a lack of knowledge by the auditor.

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Disclaimer of Opinion

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Learning Objective 6
Explain how materiality affects audit reporting decisions.

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Materiality
A misstatement in the financial statements can be considered material if knowledge of the misstatement would affect a decision of a reasonable user of the statements.

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Levels of Materiality
Amounts are immaterial. Amounts are material but do not overshadow the financial statements as a whole. Amounts are so material or so pervasive that overall fairness of the statements is in question.

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Materiality Decisions
Failure to follow GAAP Audit report

Unqualified

Qualified opinion only

Adverse

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Relationship of Materiality to Type of Opinion

Materiality Significance in Terms of Level Reasonable Users Decisions Users decisions are unlikely Immaterial to be affected. Material Highly material Users decisions are likely to be affected. Users decisions are likely to be significantly affected. Type of Opinion Unqualified Qualified Disclaimer or adverse
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Materiality Decisions
Dollar amount compared with a base

Measurability
Nature of the item

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Materiality Decisions
Scope limitation Audit report

Unqualified

Qualified scope and opinion

Disclaimer

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Learning Objective 7
Draft appropriately modified audit reports under a variety of circumstances.

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Discussion of Conditions Requiring Departure

Auditors scope has been restricted

Statements are not in conformity with GAAP

Auditor is not independent

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Learning Objective 8
Determine the appropriate audit report for a given audit situation.

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Auditors Decision Process

Determine whether any condition exists requiring a departure from a standard unqualified report.

Decide Materiality

Decide appropriate type of report

Write Audit Report

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More Than One Condition Requiring a Departure or Modification

The auditor is not independent. There is a scope limitation. Going concern uncertainty exists. Statements are not prepared in accordance with GAAP.
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Number of Paragraphs in the Report

Type of Report

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Learning Objective 9
Understand proposed use of international accounting and auditing standards by U.S. companies.

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Proposed Use of International Accounting and Auditing Standards by U.S. companies

Globalization of worlds capital markets are leading to calls for a single set of accounting standards to be used around the world.

SEC Developing Workplan

If plan is approved?

2015 Implementation of IFRS into U.S.

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End of Chapter 3

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