How do auditors obtain evidence in relation to management’s assessment of going concern?
- Risk assessment procedures to understand the entity and its environment
- The entity’s system of internal control; how it defines and addresses business risks which have a bearing on going concern
- Specific consideration over risk of management bias
What are some possible financial indications of going concern problems?
- Net liability position
- Borrowing reaching maturity without viable repayment options
- Excessive reliance on short term borrowing
- Negative cash flows
- Substantial operating losses
- Inability to pay creditors on due dates
- Inability to comply with loan agreement terms
- Change from credit to cash on delivery terms with suppliers
What are some possible operating indications of going concern problems?
- Loss of key management without replacement
- Loss of major customer/supplier
- Supply shortages
- Highly successful competitor
What are some possible general indications of going concern problems?
- Non compliance with regulations
- Legal proceedings
- Uninsured or underinsured
- Decrease in share price
What do the auditors have to do to test Going Concern?
- Obtain written representations of management about their assessment of the going concern status
- Test the assumptions made
- Review disclosures made in relation to going concern to ensure the financial statements are true and fair
What should the auditor do if they have specific doubts over going concern?
Additional analytical procedures that should be performed:
* Discuss cash flows and profit forecasts
* Read terms of debentures and loan agreements to determine if any are breached
* Board minute review
* Enquire of legal claims and assessment of potential outcome
How do auditors test management override?
- Journals testing
- Review of accounting estimates
- Scrutinising significant and unusual transactions
What are some risk factors to look for when analysing journals?
- Entries made to unusual accounts
- Journals posted by unauthorised individuals
- Journals posted out of hours
- Journals posted without sequential numbers
- Round number entries
What are some audit procedures that respond to the risks relating to revenue recognition?
- Analytical procedures of revenue by month
- Customer confirmations
- Cut off testing
- Review any unusual terms
- Test controls over sales recording
Why are audits planned?
To ensure the right work is carried out and the right conclusions drawn
