For an entity’s financial statements to be presented fairly in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the principles selected should
1) be prepared in accordance with the identified financial reporting framework;
2) be appropriate in the circumstances;
3) provide information about matters that may affect the use, understanding, and interpretation of the financial statements;
4) classify and summarize information in a reasonable manner; and
5) reflect transactions in a manner that presents the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows stated within a range of reasonable and practicable limits.
GAAS require the auditor’s report to contain either an expression of opinion regarding the financial statements or an assertion to the effect that an opinion cannot be expressed.
The objective of this requirement is to prevent
Misinterpretations regarding the degree of responsibility the auditor is assuming.
When financial statements contain a departure from GAAP because, due to unusual circumstances, the statements would otherwise be misleading, the auditor should explain the unusual circumstances in a separate paragraph and express an opinion that is
Unmodified.
When strict adherence to GAAP would result in misleading financial statements, the auditor may issue an unmodified opinion accompanied by an emphasis-of-matter paragraph describing the GAAP departure.
If an auditor is satisfied that there is only a remote likelihood of a loss resulting from the resolution of a matter involving an uncertainty, the auditor should express a(n)
Unmodified opinion.
If there is only a remote likelihood of a loss resulting from an uncertainty, GAAP does not require adjustment or disclosure. The auditor should express an unmodified opinion.
When issuing an unmodified opinion, the auditor who evaluates the audit findings should be satisfied that the
Estimate of the total likely misstatement is less than a material amount.
In order to issue an unmodified opinion, the auditor must be confident that no material misstatements exist in the financial statements. While misstatements may exist, in total they must be believed to be less than a material amount.
Clarified Standards—Under the AICPA’s Clarified Standards, the auditor’s unmodified report has been reformatted and expanded to reflect four main sections:
Signature Block—The AICPA now requires identification of the CPA’s city/state, in addition to the signature and date.
Auditor’s Responsibility, which consists of three separate paragraphs.
Alternative Audit Reports
Form AP, which must be filed with the PCAOB for every audit of an issuer, addresses each of the following matters
Which of the following statements is correct about the auditor’s report under PCAOB auditing standards?
Under PCAOB auditing standards, every audit report must include a section on critical audit matters, except for
A disclaimer of opinion due to a scope limitation that is material and pervasive.
A disclaimer of opinion due to a scope limitation that is material and pervasive.
Critical audit matters (CAMs)
Any matter arising from the audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex auditor judgment
In the group auditor’s report, the group engagement partner decides not to make reference to a component auditor who audited a client’s subsidiary. The group auditor could justify this decision if, among other requirements, the group engagement partner
The group engagement partner can elect to take full responsibility for the financial statements, so long as satisfaction with the independence, and professional reputation, and competence of the component auditor is obtained and the additional requirements for assuming responsibility have been met.
The group engagement partner decides not to refer to the audit of a component auditor who audited a subsidiary of the group auditor’s client. After making inquiries about the component auditor’s professional reputation and independence, the group engagement partner most likely would
Contact the component auditor and review the audit programs and documentation pertaining to the subsidiary.
When the group engagement partner decides not to accept responsibility for the work performed by a component auditor, the group engagement partner must disclose this fact in the audit report.
Which of the following procedures would the group auditor most likely perform after deciding to make reference to a component auditor who audited a subsidiary of the reporting entity?
When part of the audit is performed by a component auditor, the group auditor is required to make inquiries concerning the professional reputation, independence, and competence of the component auditor.
AICPA Professional Standards, specifically Terms of Engagement (AU-C 210.A26), identify five considerations that may influence the decision to obtain a separate engagement letter when the auditor audits the parent nonissuer and the component:
(1) who engages the component auditor;
(2) whether a separate auditor’s report is to be issued on the component;
(3) legal requirements regarding the appointment of the auditor;
(4) the degree of ownership by the parent; and
(5) the degree of independence of the component management from the parent entity.
Green, CPA, concludes that there is substantial doubt about JKL Co.’s ability to continue as a going concern.
If JKL’s financial statements adequately disclose its financial difficulties, Green’s auditor’s report should
Emphasis-of-Matter Paragraph
A paragraph that refers to a matter appropriately presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor’s judgment, is of such importance that it is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements.
Other-Matter Paragraph
A paragraph that refers to a matter other than those presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor’s judgment, is relevant to users’ understanding of the audit, the auditor’s responsibilities, or the auditor’s report.
Matters for which an emphasis-of-matter paragraph is required:
Circumstances for which an auditor may consider it necessary to add an emphasis-of-matter paragraph
(1) an uncertainty as to the outcome of unusually important litigation or regulator action;
(2) a major casualty having a significant effect;
(3) significant transactions with related parties; or
(4) unusually important subsequent events.
Circumstances for which an Auditor May Consider it Necessary to Add an Other-Matter Paragraph:
An auditor was unable to obtain audited financial statements or other evidence supporting an entity’s investment in a foreign subsidiary.
Between which of the following opinions should the entity’s auditor choose?
Qualified and disclaimer.
The auditor’s inability to obtain audited financial statements or other evidence supporting an entity’s investment in a foreign subsidiary represents a scope limitation. Either a qualified opinion or a disclaimer would be issued.
In which of the following circumstances would an auditor usually choose between issuing a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion?
Inability to obtain sufficient appropriate evidential matter (scope limitation or GAAP departure)