Summary of Audit & Assurance Application Level - Interactive Questions With Immediate Answers

chapter 1
Reintroduction to audit and assurance

Interactive question 1: Benefits of assurance [Difficulty level: Exam standard]
During the night of 7 June 20X3 strong gales caused the brick chimney of the factory to crash through the
roof of Hancock Ltd’s assembly area. Production was severely disrupted for a period of two months.
In addition to claiming from its insurers for the cost of repairing the premises and for the equipment and
inventories destroyed in the accident, the company is also including a considerable claim under the loss of
profits provision of its policy. The directors have prepared detailed calculations of the loss of profit and have
requested the company’s auditors to review this claim and provide an assurance report which they will
submit with it to the insurers.
What advantages would the directors expect to gain from having this report?
Answer to Interactive question 1
Advantages of report regarding loss of profits
  Independent opinion from external source 

  Enhanced credibility of compilation of claim 
  Confirmation that data subjected to review and examination 
  Comfort to insurers that risk of inflated claim reduced 
 Could accelerate processing of claim 
active quest
Interactive question 2: Review and audit compared [Difficulty level: Exam standard]
The directors of Connelly Ltd are concerned about the reliability and usefulness of the monthly
financial management information that they receive.
As a result, the company’s auditors have been engaged to review the system and the
information it generates, and to report their conclusions.
Contrast this assignment with the statutory audit of the company’s financial statements with
regard to the scope of the assignment and to the report issued.
SCOPE
This assignment Statutory audit
 Agree between parties In accordance with Companies Act 1994

 Restricted to instructions  In accordance with audit regulations
 In accordance with BSAs
REPORT
This assignment Statutory audit
 Addressed to board  Addressed to members

 Format wholly discretionary On true and fair view
Saiful Islam Mozumder, Manager, Finance & Accounts, Organic Croup, Cell-
01711981920 E-mail:[email protected] Page 1
 Private report  Format prescribed
Report in public domain
Interactive question 3: Benefits of an audit [Difficulty level: Easy]
Acrylics Ltd was established in June 20X0 to produce acrylic products which are used as display units in
the retail industry. The shares are owned equally by two executive and two non-executive directors.
The company’s revenue increased steadily over the first two years of trading. The results for the first year
of trading indicated an operating profit margin of 15%, and the management accounts for the second year of
trading indicate that this has increased to 18%. The directors are currently negotiating a contract worth
CU600,000 to supply a major retailer which has over 100 outlets throughout the country. The company
will require an increased overdraft facility to fulfil the order.
The finance director of Acrylics Ltd has prepared a business plan for submission to the company’s
bankers in support of a request for a larger overdraft facility. The plan includes details of the company’s
products, management, markets, method of operation and financial information. The financial information
includes profit and cash flow forecasts for the six months ending 31 December 20X2, together with
details of the assumptions on which the forecasts are based and the accounting policies used in compiling
the profit forecast. The company’s bankers require this financial information to be reviewed and reported
on by independent accountants.
The company was required by its bankers to have an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30
June 20X1. Your firm conducted this audit in accordance with auditing standards and issued an unqualified
report.
Requirements
(a) Describe the benefits, in addition to continuance of its overdraft facility, to the company and its
directors and shareholders from having an audit of its annual financial statements.
(b) Explain how and why the level of assurance provided by a report on profit and cash flow forecasts
differs from the level of assurance provided by an audit report on annual financial statements.
(a) Benefits, additional to continuance of overdraft facility, of having an audit:
 Shareholders who are not involved in the day-to-day management of the company (non-
executives) will have assurance that their interests are protected (i.e. company assets are not
abused). 

 Financial information is likely to be more reliable, resulting in more informed decisions. 

 An audit improves a company’s governance – management benefits from: 

– Assurance that they are complying with their statutory responsibilities (including the
prevention and detection of fraud, as the audit may act as a deterrent) 

– By-products of the audit, such as the identification of weaknesses and recommendations for
improvement 

– Reducing risks and improving performance. 

 An audit imposes financial discipline which is useful for growing companies. 

 It may be easier to obtain credit, as suppliers and credit rating agencies regard the additional
assurance provided by an audit important. 
(b) How and why the level of assurance provided by a report on profit and cash flow forecasts
differs from the level of assurance provided by an audit report on annual financial statements.
 An audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards provides a high level of
assurance which is reasonable but not absolute. 

 The delay between the balance sheet date and the date of the audit report means that even
items such as provisions/estimates can often be substantiated. 

 A review of forecasts is only likely to provide a moderate level of assurance. 

 This is because financial statements are based on historical information, and forecasts are
based on assumptions which are subject to uncertainty. 
chapter 2
Responsibilities
Interactive question 1: Directors' responsibilities
You are finalising the audit of a company. The audit highlights memorandum indicates that the company has
failed to maintain proper books and records. This is because there is no non-current asset register and it
was not possible to draw up a register, as some of the invoices were missing. The director is furious that
the audit firm says this makes it impossible to give an unqualified audit opinion. He says that the audit firm
prepared the accounts and therefore it is simply a matter of the auditors' incompetence.
Explain the directors' responsibilities in relation to the books and records of the company.
Directors are responsible for:
  Keeping proper accounting records 

  Disclosing with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company 
 Ensuring that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1994. 
Interactive question 2: Limitations of internal control

What are some limitations of the controls over the receivables ledger at Happy Ltd, outlined above?

The key limitation is that Katie may not carry out the checks that she is in control of (for example, the
batch comparison) or that she may try and override the existing query controls.
Another limitation is that sometimes there may be unusual transactions which are outside the parameters set
for the controls, in which case it will be necessary to override the controls.
Interactive question 3: Fraud [Difficulty level: Exam standard]

During the course of your audit of Slipstream Ltd the credit controller asks for a private interview with you.
During this interview she makes it known that she suspects the chief accountant of misappropriating company
funds received from debtors and altering the books.
What steps would you take to enable you to assess whether the credit controller's suspicions are
reasonable?
 Review and obtain photocopies of documents which have aroused her suspicions 

 Enquire into reasons for altered pages in books/documents etc 

 Investigate any apparent override/circumvention of company procedure, e.g. cancelling a sales invoice
instead of raising a credit note 

 Review previous management letters for any weaknesses facilitating misappropriations 

 Consider credit controller's motives for putting chief accountant under suspicion, e.g. working
relationship/job threat 

Saiful Islam Mozumder, Manager, Finance & Accounts, Organic Croup, Cell-01711981920 E-
mail:[email protected] Page 1
 Take note of chief accountant's standard of living; appropriate to his status? 

 Consider whether past dealings with chief accountant have ever cast doubt on his integrity 

 Increase analytical procedures on revenue and receivables, e.g. monthly revenue/receipts of major
customers/extend circularisation if trade receivables collection period has increased 

 Discuss with engagement partner, who may wish to discuss with client (e.g. board of directors) 
Interactive question 4: Reporting fraud

During the course of the audit you discover that the wages clerk has been defrauding the client through not
deleting leavers from the payroll until two months after departure, and was pocketing the money herself.
What should you do with regard to:
(a) Informing the client?
(b) The audit report?

(a) Informing the client (BSA 240 paras 93 to 97)
 Report to appropriate level of management 

 If believe that management or employees with significant roles in internal control are involved or
fraud results in material misstatement in financial statements report to those charged with
governance (e.g. audit committee) 

 If integrity/honesty of management or those charged with governance is in doubt, seek legal
advice 

(b) Audit report
 If error is corrected, no need to qualify 

 If correction is made, then report should be appropriately qualified 

 If outcome of fraud is uncertain then a significant uncertainty paragraph should be included 

 If outcome can be determined and amount is not adjusted in the financial statement except
for/disagreement 
Interactive question 5: Related party transactions

The training partner in your office is aware that you have covered BSA 550 Related Parties in your Professional
Stage studies. He has asked you to help him prepare for a training session he is about to give.
Requirements
Prepare notes for a training session for junior staff on how to identify related party transactions. Your notes should
include
(a) A list of possible features which would lead you to investigate a particular transaction to determine
whether it is in fact a related party transaction.
(b) A summary of the general audit procedures you would perform to ensure that all material related party
transactions have been identified.

Notes for a training session for junior staff on how to identify related party transactions
Purpose of the training
To assist junior staff in the application of BAS 24 Related Party Disclosures and BSA 550 Related Parties, and specifically
on how to identify related party transactions.
Related parties
BAS 24 defines related parties as individuals or entities (e.g. companies) with more than a simple business relationship
with the client. This would be because they are directors, owners or major investors of the client and can include
family and close friends of the directors or owners.
At the start of each audit you will be provided with an up-to-date list of known related parties. It is important
that if you come across any transactions involving these parties during the audit you should record them on the
audit file.
The directors should provide us with a complete list of these related party transactions. However, we need to be
certain that their list is complete, and by comparing the transactions you find with the list from the directors we can
obtain evidence as to its reliability.
General audit procedures
Unless we determine that the risk of non-disclosure of related party transactions is high, we gain a significant
amount of evidence needed from general audit procedures. These are listed in (b) below.
Additionally, they may intentionally or otherwise leave out certain transactions from the list they provide and you
therefore need to be aware of indicators of potential undisclosed related party transactions. These are given in (a)
below.
If you notice any such transactions, record them on the audit file. If there is a significant number of such
transactions, immediately ask the manager for specific guidance on what action to take.
(a) List of possible features which would lead you to investigate a particular transaction to determine whether it
is a related party transaction.
 Transactions which have abnormal terms of trade, e.g. unusual prices, interest rates, guarantees and
repayment terms. 

 Transactions which appear to lack a logical business reason for their occurrence. 

 Transactions in which substance differs from form. 

 Transactions processed or approved in a non-routine manner or by personnel who do not ordinarily
deal with such transactions. 

 Unusual transactions which are entered into shortly before or after the end of the financial period. 

(b) Summary of the general audit procedures you would perform to ensure that all material related party
transactions have been identified.
 Obtain a list of current known related parties, e.g. directors, other companies with common directors, family
members of directors, significant private company investments of directors, associate or joint venture
companies, key personnel and significant investors (>20%). 

 Ensure that the permanent file is updated for related parties. 

 If it is the first year of the audit perform company search; otherwise review statutory records to confirm
directorships, other directorships and significant investors. 

 Discuss the list of related parties as disclosed by the directors as to its accuracy and
completeness. 

 Enquire of directors as to whether there have been any material transactions with the related party, e.g.
loans, purchase or sale of assets, consultancy fees. 
 List all transactions disclosed by the directors. 

 Review the accounting records before and after the year end for any large or round sum amounts;
investigate and analyse with reasons. 

 Analyse all loans receivable or payable, and seek confirmation of identity of lender or borrower. 

 Review board minutes and enquire as to whether the company has provided any guarantees. 

 Analyse the details of guarantees given and review the terms. 

 Include confirmation of all related party transactions or lack of them within the letter of
representation. 

 Check the accuracy of disclosure within the context of BAS 24. 
chapter 4
Professional ethics
Members should:
 Behave with integrity in all professional and business relationships 

 Strive for objectivity in all professional and business judgements 

 Not accept or perform work beyond own competence (unless obtain adequate advice and assistance) 

 Carry out work with due care, skill and diligence and follow expected technical and professional
standards 

 Respect the confidentiality of information acquired 

 Act professionally and comply with relevant laws and regulations 
Interactive question 2: Fee income

If an audit firm received a large portion of its total fees, such as CU500,000 out of total annual gross fees
income of CU2,000,000, from a single assurance client, what sort of threat will it create and why? Suggest the
safeguards to be applied in this circumstance.

Threats to objectivity and safeguards:
 Self-interest threat 
Safeguards to be applied are as follows:
 Discussing the extent and nature of fees charged with the audit committee, or others charged with
 governance; 
  Taking steps to reduce dependency on the client; 
  External quality control reviews; and 
 Consulting a third party, such as a professional regulatory body or another professional accountant. 

Threats to objectivity and safeguards:
Alpha Ltd
  Self-interest threat 
  Self-review threat 
  Firm may be susceptible to pressure for fear of losing work 
  Lack objectivity when checking VAT 
 Different staff should be used for VAT work and audit 
Beta Ltd
  Self-interest threat 
  Advocacy threat 
  Either company may be uncomfortable with arrangement and exert pressure 
  Beta could exert pressure re your knowledge of customer 
  Separate audit partners 
 Separate audit teams 

The auditor must obtain the client’s permission before removing any files from the client’s offices.
chapter 5
Quality control
Interactive question 1: Benefits of quality control procedures
[Difficulty level: Exam standard]
Your manager has been asked to brief your department on the new quality control procedures that the
firm has introduced. Your manager has asked you to prepare a list of the benefits of quality control
procedures in a firm, which he can use as part of his presentation.
The benefits of quality control procedures include:
  Standard of all audit work completed is high and consistent 

  Registered auditors are regarded as professionals who follow standards 
  Quality of the work completed can be measured against a standard 
 Individuals within firms know if the work they have completed is acceptable 
Interactive question 2: Quality control issues on an engagement

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]
You are an audit senior working for the firm Addystone Fish. You are currently carrying out the audit
of Wicker Ltd, a manufacturer of waste paper bins. You are unhappy with Wicker's inventory valuation
policy and have raised the issue several times with the audit manager. He has dealt with the client for a
number of years and does not see what you are making a fuss about. He has refused to meet you on
site to discuss these issues.
The former engagement partner to Wicker retired two months ago. As the audit manager had dealt
with Wicker for so many years, the other partners have decided to leave the audit of Wicker in his
capable hands.
Requirement
Comment on the situation outlined above.

Several quality control issues are raised in the scenario:
Engagement partner
An engagement partner is usually appointed to each audit engagement undertaken by the firm, to take
responsibility for the engagement on behalf of the firm. Assigning the audit to an experienced audit manager
is not sufficient.
The lack of an audit engagement partner also means that several of the requirements of BSA 220, about
ensuring that arrangements in relation to independence and directing, supervising and reviewing the
audit, are not in place.
Conflicting views
In this scenario the audit manager and senior have conflicting views about the valuation of inventory. This does
not appear to have been handled well, with the manager refusing to discuss the issue with the senior.
Saiful Islam Mozumder, Manager, Finance & Accounts, Organic Croup, Cell-01711981920
E-mail:[email protected] Page 1
BSA 220 requires that the audit engagement partner takes responsibility for settling disputes in
accordance with the firm's policy in respect of resolution of disputes required by BSQC 1. In this case, the
lack of engagement partner may have contributed to this failure to resolve the disputes. In any event, at
best, the failure to resolve the dispute is a breach of the firm's policy under BSQC 1. At worst, it indicates
that the firm does not have a suitable policy concerning such disputes as required by BSQC 1.
chapter 6
Accepting engagements
Interactive question 1: Disagreement with directors
[Difficulty level: Exam standard]
You have recently had a serious disagreement with the directors of one of your major audit clients who,
as a result, have threatened to recommend another firm of auditors for appointment at the next AGM.
What statutory rights do you have if they carry out their threat?
Rights
  To receive notice of the resolution to appoint another auditor 

  To have written representations circulated to all members, or read out at the meeting 
  To attend the meeting 
 To be heard at the meeting 
Interactive question 2: Engagement letter [Difficulty level:

Intermediate]
Mr Angry of Gonzo Animations Ltd has approached your audit firm to undertake the audit of his
company. When the partner held the initial meeting with Mr Angry, the client refused to sign the
engagement letter as he said that it was merely a means of the firm abdicating its responsibility for the
audit.
Requirement
Your partner has asked you to draft a letter to the client explaining the need for a letter of engagement.
ABC & Co Chartered Accountants
123 High Street
Bristol
BS6 7HJ
5 April 20X2
V Angry Esq
Gonzo Animations Ltd
Muppet Road
Bath
BA18 9LL
Dear Mr Angry
Engagement letters
We are required by Bangladesh Standards on Auditing to send you a formal engagement letter before
conducting the audit. All firms of auditors should abide by this procedure.
The letter is there as much to protect the client, as it is the auditor, and we would suggest that legal advice
is taken prior to you accepting the terms.
Purpose of engagement letter
The purpose of the letter is to:
 Define clearly the extent of the our responsibilities, and your responsibilities. 

 Minimise the possibility of any misunderstanding between ourselves and Gonzo Animations Ltd. 

 Provide written confirmation of our acceptance of appointment, the scope of the audit and the form of
the report. 
We believe that it is important for both parties to clearly understand their roles within the external audit
function.
Contents of engagement letter
The contents of the letter are set out below, together, where necessary, with the justification of the
inclusion of the section.
 Our respective relevant statutory and professional responsibilities (to avoid misunderstanding). 

 An explanation of the scope of the audit (so that we inform you of what we will do). This covers a
number of issues. 

– The audit will be carried out in accordance with the Bangladesh Standards on Auditing issued by
ICAB. 
– We need to obtain an understanding of the accounting system in order to assess its adequacy as a
basis for the preparation of the financial statements.
– We need to obtain relevant and reliable evidence sufficient to enable us to draw reasonable
conclusions therefrom.
– The nature and extent of our procedures will vary according to the assessment of the accounting
system and, where we wish to place reliance upon it, the system of internal control.
– We will endeavour to plan the audit so that we have a reasonable expectation of detecting material
misstatements in the financial statements or accounting records resulting from fraud, error or
non-compliance with law or regulations but that the examination ought not to be relied upon to
disclose all frauds, errors or instances of non-compliance which may exist (as some may be
immaterial).
– Due to the test nature and other inherent limitations of an audit, together with the inherent
limitations of any system of internal control, there is an unavoidable risk that even some material
misstatement may remain undiscovered.
– An explanation that management representations may be required in writing during the audit
(this will only be in the case of audit areas where we have to rely on your representations).
– The fact that we may send a letter of comment, adding value to the audit, by outlining ways in
which we discussed the business may be improved.
 Other matters such as 

– Our billing arrangements 

– Any arrangements in the future concerning the involvement of 

 – Other auditors and experts 
 – Internal auditors 
– Previous auditors 

– Management's responsibility to detect and prevent fraud 

– Your complaints procedures 

– A proposed timetable for the engagement (which will vary each year). 
I hope this clarifies the need for the letter. Except for the timetable, we will only send out such letters in
future where absolutely necessary.
Yours sincerely
Mr A Accountant
chapter 7
Planning
Interactive question 1: The need to plan
State the reasons why auditors need to plan audits.
Purpose of planning:
 To enable the audit to be performed in an effective and timely manner 

 To ensure that: 

 – Appropriate attention is directed to important areas of the audit 
 – Potential problems are identified 
– Work is completed expeditiously 

 Assists in: 

 – Proper assignment of work to the team 
– Co-ordination of work done by others 

 Facilitates review 
Interactive question 2: Benefits and limitations of analytical procedures
Analytical procedures must be carried out at the planning stage of an audit to help identify
risk areas requiring extra work.
Set out the benefits and limitations of using analytical procedures to identify risk areas during audit
planning.

Benefits:
  Identifies items for attention that detailed tests may miss 

 Uses information outside accounting records, for example, budgets 
 Allows comparison of data from different
sources Limitations: 

 A good knowledge of the business is required to understand results 

 Consistency of results may conceal a material error 

 There may be a tendency to carry out procedures mechanically, without appropriate professional
scepticism 

 Requires an experienced member of staff to be done properly 

 Reliable data may not be available 
chapter 8
Understanding the entity and its environment

Interactive question 1: Sources of information
From what sources of information can auditors obtain a knowledge of the entity they are about to
audit and the industry in which that entity operates?
 Previous experience with entity and its industry 

 – Last year's file/audit team 
 – Permanent file 
 – Tax file 
– Correspondence file 

 Visits to entity's premises and plant facilities 

 Discussion with people within entity 

 Discussion with other auditors and with legal/other advisers who have provided services to the entity
or within the industry (e.g. industry specialists) 

 Publications related to the industry legislation and regulations that significantly affect the entity,
e.g. industry surveys 

 Industry publications such as trade journals and NBR publications for the relevant industry 

 Documents produced by the entity/entity website 

 Registrar of Joint Stock Companies searches 
Interactive question 2: What matters?

Auditors should use their knowledge of the business to assess the risks arising from fraud,
error and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
What matters should they consider in making this assessment?

Non-compliance (BSA 250 Appendix)
 Previous experience 
Incidents which call into question integrity or competence of management or other staff, e.g.
– Investigations
– Payment of fines/penalties
 Unusual transactions/payments 

 Payments for/of 

 – Unspecified services/loans 
– Excessive commission 

 Unauthorised/improperly recorded transactions 

 Accounting system which fails to provide adequate audit trail/sufficient evidence 
Fraud/error (BSA 240 Appendix 3)
 Unrealistic audit deadlines 

 Management reluctant to communicate frankly with third parties 

 Limitation of audit scope imposed by management 

 Identification of important matters not previously disclosed by management 

 Significant difficult-to-audit figures 

 Aggressive application of accounting principles 

 Conflicting/unsatisfactory evidence 
 Unusual 

 – Documentary evidence (e.g. alterations) 
– Transactions/recording thereof 

 Significant unrecorded differences 

 Incomplete/inadequate accounting records 
chapter 9
Risk assessment
Interactive question 1: Incentive scheme [Difficulty level: Exam standard]
While planning the audit of Raven Ltd for the year ending 31 March 20X3 the finance director informed you that
the company had introduced an incentive scheme under which the directors are entitled to a bonus on achieving
a certain level of profit. The bonus will be paid 30 days after the audited accounts are available.
Identify the audit risks in respect of the above matter, and state how you would address these risks.

  Deliberate overstatement of profits and consequent overstatement of bonus 
  Failure to accrue for bonus 
  Increased audit risk of management override 
 Pressure on auditors to complete audit quickly 
How to address risks
 Extended checks/increased sample sizes for 

 – Understatement of liabilities and expenses 
– Overstatement of assets and income 

 Check bonus included in liabilities 
Interactive question 2: Vax Ltd

You are the manager responsible for the audit of Vax Ltd which has a year end of 31 May. This is the first
year that your firm has undertaken the audit of Vax Ltd, having succeeded the previous auditors at the last
annual general meeting following a successful tender for the audit. Your firm has an office in Manchester
and in 25 other locations throughout the United Kingdom.
You have had preliminary discussions with the management of Vax Ltd and obtained some background
information about the company. The company produces fertiliser in a factory on the outskirts of
Liverpool. The head office is situated in Manchester. There are ten depots throughout the country which
hold large stocks of fertiliser so that local demand for its products can be met quickly. Inventory records
are not maintained and a full count is carried out at the year end.
You have also read a recent government press release that indicates that 'Liso', a product which forms
a major part of the company’s sales, contains a chemical that has been identified as being potentially
dangerous to those who handle it. An official government working party has been set up to review the
situation.
Requirements
(a) Identify the circumstances that should be taken into account when planning the audit of Vax Ltd,
and set out your outline audit approach in these areas.
(b) Explain the objectives of audit planning.
(a)
Circumstances Outline audit approach
This is the first year that the In order to be satisfied about the previous financial
firm has undertaken the audit statements
of Vax Ltd.
– Hold consultations with management
– Review client’s records, working papers and accounting
and control procedures for the previous period
– (Possibly) hold consultations with the previous auditor.
Familiarisation with the nature of the business, market,
accounting systems etc by
– Discussions with management
– Review of interim/management accounts.
Vax Ltd has Staff must be planned to carry out the audit from the firm’s
offices throughout the country.
– A head office in
Manchester They must all be adequately briefed and provided with a
copy of the audit plan detailing their specific tasks and
– A factory in Liverpool
deadlines.
– Ten depots throughout
the country.
 No inventory records have  It is vital that the auditors are satisfied with the inventory
been maintained but a full count. 
inventory count is to be 
 The written count instructions must be reviewed well in
carried out at the year end. 
advance of the year end, so that improvement can be
suggested by the auditors and incorporated into the
client’s instructions. 

 The auditors should ensure that sufficient staff with the
necessary experience are available to attend the count at all
material locations. 
Circumstances Outline audit approach
'Liso', a major product of the Ascertain

company, has been identified
– For how long Vax Ltd has been selling 'Liso' and in what
as being potentially
quantity
dangerous.
– How much 'Liso' the company now holds in inventory.
Ensure that the firm keeps up-to-date with the findings of
the government working party.
Consider whether any Vax Ltd employees may have been
harmed and, if so, the consequential liability of the company
to them.
(b) Objectives of audit planning

To ensure that appropriate attention is devoted to important areas of the audit
This is done via a formal written audit plan, laying down the objectives and the procedures to be
followed in order to meet those objectives.
To facilitate review
Work should be delegated to staff with the appropriate level of experience. All work should
be properly supervised and reviewed by a more senior member of staff.
To ensure that potential problems are identified
The auditor must ensure that resources are directed towards material/high risk areas.
To assist in the proper assignment of work
This may be to members of the audit team or to experts or other auditors. It helps the audit to
proceed in a timely and efficient manner.
chapter 10
Audit approach
Interactive question 1: Reliance on controls
List the factors that you would consider in deciding at the planning stage of the audit whether to seek
to rely on internal controls as part of the audit.

The factors are:
 The approach that has been taken in previous years 

 Whether a substantive approach would be more effective 

 The results of walk-through tests on the systems (that is, do the systems operate as the auditor
has been lead to believe, if so, it may be possible to rely on internal controls) 

 The results of preliminary evaluations of the effectiveness of the controls 

 Improvements made to the system of control (perhaps as a result of a management letter in
prior years) 

Interactive question 2: Reliance on internal controls
In the course of planning an audit several internal controls in the company‟s systems have been
identified. List the conditions that each control must satisfy if it is to be relied upon in reducing the
extent of substantive procedures to be performed.

The conditions are as follows:
 Whether the controls have operated throughout the year 

 Whether the control has been evidenced and tested 

 Whether reliance on the control assists audit objectives, that is, whether it is relevant to the validity
of a financial statement assertion, such as that sales are complete 

 Whether it is cost-effective to test controls 

 Whether the results of tests of controls are satisfactory 
Interactive question 3: Bix Ltd

You are the senior auditor in charge of the audit of Bix Ltd, a manufacturing company. You have
been talking with the payroll supervisor who has commented on the strength of the company‟s
payroll internal control system. She has assumed that this internal control system guarantees the
completeness, accuracy and validity of the payroll accounting records.
Requirements
(a) State whether you agree with the supervisor‟s assumption that an internal control system can
guarantee the completeness, accuracy and validity of the records, supporting your answer by
using examples from a payroll system.
(b) The supervisor has also asked you to explain some internal control terminology which she does
not understand.
Explain the meaning of the following terms, using payroll examples different from those you have
given above.
(i) Segregation of duties
(ii) Approval and control of documents

(a) Supervisor’s assumptions Objectives and
limitations
Due to inherent limitations (including human error/misunderstanding, collusion and override),
an internal control system can only provide reasonable confidence that internal control
objectives (including completeness, accuracy and validity) are met.
(i) Completeness
To ensure that all workers who should be paid are included on the payroll
 Payroll expense could be reconciled to production output records, and 

 Management could review exception reports of employees having personnel records
but not included on the payroll. 
However,
Cost/benefit
The expense of setting up computerised personnel records may outweigh the benefit to the
company. (Risk is of over payment as employees entitled to pay are likely to bring non-
payment to management‟s attention promptly!)
Changes in conditions
A reduction in the ratio of production to support staff may limit the usefulness of
production output records as a basis of comparison.
(ii) Accuracy
To prevent errors in payroll deductions
 Calculations of PAYE, NICs etc can be checked prior to processing, and 

 Non-statutory deductions (e.g. pension contributions, union subscriptions) should
require prior authorisation in writing. 
However,
Human error/misunderstanding
Errors in deductions may not be detected, due to fatigue, distraction,
misjudgement or misinterpretation.
Non-routine transactions
Systematic checking procedures may be directed at routine deductions (e.g.
withholding tax) rather than non-routine transactions (e.g. give as you earn,
maintenance payments).
(iii) Validity
To ensure that employees are only paid for work done
 Hours worked per time sheets (or clock cards) can be approved by a departmental
manager (or supervisor), and 

 The duties of payroll preparation and payment should be segregated. 
However,
Abuse or override
Authorisation could be given for a new employee to be added to the payroll without the
proper checks being carried out by the authoriser.
Collusion
The person responsible for paying wages could collude with the person
responsible for accounting for wages to perpetrate and conceal a theft of wages.
(b) Internal control terminology
(i) Segregation of duties
Meaning
Segregation of duties is a factor reflected in the control environment (the overall
attitude, awareness and actions of management regarding internal controls in the
entity).
If one person has responsibility for the recording and processing of a complete
transaction, he may also have the power to falsify the records or to misappropriate
money or assets without being discovered.
Separation of these responsibilities will reduce the risk of intentional or unintentional
errors occurring.
The functions that should normally be separated include authorisation, execution,
custody and recording.
Examples
 Calculations of withholding tax and pension deductions should be reviewed and
authorised by the payroll supervisor who is not actually involved in performing the
calculations. 

 Unclaimed wages should be kept by someone (e.g. the cashier) other than the
person responsible for recording payroll entries, otherwise there could be a
temptation to falsify the figures and pocket some of the wages. 
(ii) Approval and control of documents Meaning
Approval and control of documents is a specific control procedure (aimed at preventing
or detecting and correcting errors).
Approval is concerned with ensuring that transactions are properly authorised prior
to execution.
Control of documents is aimed at ensuring that all, and only valid transactions, are
promptly recorded.
Examples
 Overtime pay should be approved by a manager or director prior to payroll preparation,
to ensure that employees are paid at authorised rates. 

 Clock cards should be batched and control totals established (e.g. number of cards, total hours
worked, hash total of employee number) prior to submission to payroll department, to
prevent (or detect for early investigation) any omissions (or unauthorised insertions). 

 The numerical sequence of forms for new joiners should be checked periodically to
detect omissions (or unauthorised insertions). 
Interactive question 4: Substantive testing

10
King Ltd is a new audit client of your firm. The finance director has attended a seminar on „Understanding
how your auditors work‟, and has come away convinced that you will be able to rely on the internal controls
within the company to reduce the overall amount of work done.
Identify the circumstances in which this approach may not be possible, leading you to undertake full
substantive testing.
Full substantive testing will be used when:
  The auditors‟ initial assessment is that controls are not strong 

  There is a lack of evidence that controls are in operation 
  The controls are tested and results show that the controls are not strong 
 It is not cost-effective to test controls 
Interactive question 5: Hydra Ltd [Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Your firm acts as auditor to Hydra Ltd, which manufactures and bottles non-alcoholic drinks in Bangladesh
under licence from a Swiss company.
Hydra Ltd has two products only: 'Eau Vital', a sparkling cold drink made from fruit juices, herbal extracts and
mineral water, and 'Glowvine', which is to be served hot, made from grape juices, herbs and spices.
Royalties are payable to the Swiss company, which is not related to Hydra Ltd, at the rate of 20p per bottle of
Eau Vital or Glowvine sold. Royalties are included in cost of sales, and Hydra Ltd expects to make an average
mark-up on total cost of 150% for Eau Vital and 120% for Glowvine.
To reflect environmental concerns the customer is charged a deposit of 10p, which is reimbursed on return of
the bottle. This scheme was introduced during the year. The theme of concern for the environment is echoed
in Hydra Ltd‟s advertising, which emphasises the natural ingredients.
The final audit is scheduled to commence in two weeks‟ time. You have recently received a copy of Hydra
Ltd‟s management accounts, which reflect the position for the current year.
20X6 20X5
CU'000 CU'000
Revenue 3,280 1,876
Gross profit 1,940 1,042
Profit from operations 1,345 807
Requirements
(a) Prepare a schedule that indicates the analytical procedures which would form part of your year end
substantive procedures. Where relevant, suggest possible reasons for the changes between 20X6 and
20X5.
(b) Explain what impact the new scheme involving deposits on bottles will have on the audit of liabilities at the
year end.

(a)
Analytical procedures Possible reasons for change
 Analyse revenue per product type by A difference in the rate of increase would
month.  indicate a switch from one product to the other.
Seasonal variations are expected as Glowvine is
largely a winter product and Eau Vital a
summer product.
 Analyse gross profit per product type by GP margin has increased from 55.5% to 59.1%.
month.  The higher margin indicates a move from
Glowvine to Eau Vital (possibly due to a mild
winter in 20X5/X6).
 Analyse cost of goods sold per product Cost of goods sold only increased by 60.6%, while
type by month.  revenue increased by almost 75%. Again, a possible
reason could be the switch from one product to
the other. It does seem a disproportionately small
increase, especially as royalties are included in cost
of goods sold and remain constant per bottle sold,
regardless of product.
However, recycling of glass bottle returns could
account for the slower rate of increase.
Analytical procedures Possible reasons for change
 Analyse distribution and These have increased by 153%, contributing to

administrative costs into:  the fall in net profit margin from 43% to 41%. The
increase in these costs could have been caused by:

– Administrative cost (especially deposit  Implementation of the deposit scheme (unlikely
scheme)  to account for the whole increase as not
operational for the whole year) 
– Advertising costs Increased advertising costs to promote the
deposit scheme and “environment friendly”
nature of the products (this could also have
contributed to the increase in revenue)
– Transport costs Increased transport costs in proportion to the
75% increase in revenue
– Labour costs Increased labour costs, again in proportion to
the rise in revenue
 Analysis of nature, valuation and The disproportionately smaller increase in cost of
consistency of treatment of closing goods sold could be caused by an error in the
inventories. Compare with inventories counting or valuation of closing inventories, causing
held at end of previous years. The them to be overstated and thus cost of goods sold
disproportionately smaller increase in cost reduced.
of goods sold could be caused by an error
in the counting or valuation of closing
inventories, causing them to be overstated
and thus cost of goods sold reduced. 
(b) Impact of deposit scheme on audit of liabilities

Liabilities at the 20X6 year end will have increased, as this is the first year in which the scheme
has been implemented. This should be evident in analytical procedures on sundry payables.
The amount may be material as the number of bottles sold and not returned per annum could be high.
It is necessary to ascertain and evaluate the client‟s procedure for recording
  The number of bottles (or cases) sold 

  The number of bottles returned 
 The number outstanding. 
As this is the first year of the scheme there will be no opening liability to provide added assurance.
Consideration should be given to the length of time the client intends to keep the provision in place. It
may be that, each year, the previous year‟s provision can be written back.
Because of the uncertainty in calculating the liability required and the fact that the final figure may rest
on an estimate of the number of bottles likely to be returned, the auditor‟s main concern will be that
liabilities are not understated.
The auditor therefore needs to be satisfied that returns are recorded with reasonable accuracy.
Records of returns will be received from retailers (mainly supermarkets and off-licences) and the
auditor will need to be satisfied that the client can reasonably rely on these records. Since the
retailers will be requesting a refund of money paid by them with the returns, there is a risk that the
number of returns may be overstated.
In summary, the principal impact on the audit of liabilities will be
  An additional year end liability in 20X6 

  Uncertainty in the calculation of the liability, and therefore 
 The risk that this liability may be understated. 
Interactive question 6: Extensions Ltd
Extensions Ltd is a retailer of fashion accessories. It has a turnover of CU54 million and
150 shops throughout the United Kingdom. It also has six regional warehouses from
which the shops are supplied with goods.
The company has an internal audit department which is based at the company‟s
head office in London. Internal auditors make regular visits to the shops and
warehouses.
This is the first year that your firm has acted as auditor for Extensions Ltd. The
partner in charge of the audit has expressed his opinion that the internal audit
department might be able to assist the external audit team in carrying out its work.
Requirements
(a) State, with reasons, the information that you would require to make an
assessment of the likely effectiveness and the relevance of the internal
audit function.
(b) Describe four typical procedures that might be carried out by the internal
auditors during their visits to the shops and warehouses, and on which you
might wish to rely.
(c) Assuming that you intend to rely on the work of the internal audit
department of Extensions Ltd, describe briefly the effect this will have on
your audit of the company‟s financial statements.

(a)
Information Reasons
The organisational status and reporting The degree of objectivity is increased when
responsibilities of the internal auditor and internal audit
any constraints and restrictions thereon.
– Is free to plan and carry out its work and
communicate fully with the external auditor
– Has access to the highest level of
management
Areas of responsibility assigned by Not all areas in which internal audit may
management to internal audit, such as operate will be relevant to the external auditor.
review of
– Accounting systems and internal (Relevant)
controls
– Implementation of corporate plans (Not relevant)
Routine tasks carried out by internal audit In these respects staff are not functioning as
staff such as authorisation of petty cash internal audit (simply as an internal control).
reimbursements.
 Internal auditor‟s formal terms  Internal auditor‟s role will be most
of reference.  relevant where it 
– Has a bearing on the financial statements
– Involves a specialisation
 Internal audit documentation such as  It is more likely that due professional care is
an audit manual and audit plans.  being exercised where the work of internal
audit is properly planned, controlled, recorded
and reviewed. 
Professional membership and practicalUnless internal audit is technically competent it
experience (including computer auditing is inappropriate to place reliance on it.
skills) of internal audit staff.
 Internal audit reports generated  How the company responds to internal audit
and feedback thereon.  findings may be regarded as a measure of the
department's effectiveness. 
 Number of staff, computer facilities and  The effectiveness of internal audit (and hence
any other resources available to the reliance placed thereon) will be limited if
internal audit.  the department is under-resourced.
(b) Typical procedures (four only)

(i) Inspection of tangible non-current assets
Assets seen at the warehouses (e.g. delivery vehicle fleet) should be noted and subsequently agreed to
the fixed asset register maintained at head office (HO). Assets recorded in the register (e.g. shop
fixtures and fittings) should be selected for inspection prior to visits to ensure their existence.
(ii) Attendance at inventory counts
Periodic counts (e.g. monthly) should be attended
  On a rotational basis 
 At warehouses and larger shops 
to ensure adherence to the company‟s procedures. Test counts should be made to

confirm the accuracy and completeness of the inventory counts.
(iii) Cash
Cash counts should be carried out on cash register takings (and petty cash floats)
whenever shops (and warehouses) are visited on a 'surprise' basis.
(iv) Goods despatch
Internal control procedures should be observed to be in operation, for example, to ensure
that all despatches are documented and destined for the company‟s retail outlets.
(v) Employee verification
Payroll procedures are likely to be carried out at HO, warehouses and shops informing HO
on a weekly basis of hours worked by employees, illness and holiday etc. However, new
employees, especially in the shops (and probably also in the warehouses) will be recruited
locally and their details notified to HO.
Internal audit will be able to select a sample of employees from HO records and ensure on
their visits to shops and warehouses that these represent bona fide employees.
(c) Effect on audit
Saiful Islam Mozumder,

Manager, Finance & Accounts,
Organic Croup, Cell-
01711981920 E-
mail:[email protected]
(i) Systems documentation
The accuracy of systems documentation which has been prepared by internal audit need
only be confirmed using 'walk-through tests'. This saves time (if the systems documentation
is correct) since only copies will be required for the audit file.
(ii) Tests of controls
The level of independent testing (i.e. by the external auditor) can be reduced where controls
have been satisfactorily tested by internal audit, especially if error rates are found to be
similar. In particular, attendance at stocktaking at the year end may be limited to those
locations with the highest stockholdings.
(iii) Substantive procedures
Internal audit‟s evidence (e.g. concerning the existence of tangible non-current assets) will
reduce sample sizes for year end verification work. Substantive procedures may also be
reduced where the internal audit checks reconciliations (e.g. of suppliers‟ statements to
ledger balances, receivables and payables control accounts and bank reconciliations).
Interactive question 7: Using the work of other auditors

You are the principal auditor of Golden Holdings Ltd, a listed company, which has subsidiaries in
Bangladesh and overseas, many of which are audited by other firms. All subsidiaries are involved in the
manufacture or distribution of metal goods and have the same accounting period as Golden Holdings
Ltd.
Outline why you would wish to review the work of the other auditors of subsidiaries not audited by
your firm and detail the work you would carry out in that review.

Reasons for reviewing the work of other auditors
The main consideration which concerns the audit of all group accounts is that the parent company's
auditors (the 'principal' auditors) are responsible to the members of that company for the audit
opinion on the whole of the group accounts.
It may be stated (in the notes to the financial statements) that the financial statements of certain
subsidiaries have been audited by other firms, but this does not absolve the principal auditors from any
of their responsibilities.
The auditors of a parent company have to report to its members on the truth and fairness of the view
given by the financial statements of the company and its subsidiaries dealt with in the group accounts.
The principal auditors should have powers to obtain such information and explanations as they
reasonably require from the subsidiary companies and their auditors, or from the parent company in
the case of overseas subsidiaries, in order that they can discharge their responsibilities as parent
company auditors.
The auditing standard BSA 600 Using the Work of Another Auditor clarifies how the principal
auditors can carry out a review of the audits of subsidiaries in order to satisfy themselves that,
with the inclusion of figures not audited by themselves, the group accounts give a true and fair
view.
The scope, standard and independence of the work carried out by the auditors of subsidiary companies (the
'other' auditors) are the most important matters which need to be examined by the principal auditors
before relying on financial statements not audited by them. The principal auditors need to be satisfied that
all material areas of the financial statements of subsidiaries have been audited satisfactorily and in a manner
compatible with that of the principal auditors themselves.
Work to be carried out by principal auditors in reviewing the other auditors' work
(i) Send a questionnaire to all other auditors requesting detailed information on their work, including:
 An explanation of their general approach (in order to make an assessment of the standards
of their work) 

 Details of the accounting policies of major subsidiaries (to ensure that these are
compatible within the group) 

 The other auditors' opinion of the subsidiaries' overall level of internal control, and the
reliability of their accounting records 

 Any limitations placed on the scope of the auditors' work 

 Any qualifications, and the reasons for them, made or likely to be made to their audit reports 

(ii) Carry out a detailed review of the other auditors' working papers on each subsidiary whose results
materially affect the view given by the group financial statements. This review will enable the principal
auditors to ascertain whether (inter alia):
 An up-to-date permanent file exists with details of the nature of the subsidiary's business, its
staff organisation, its accounting records, previous year's financial statements and copies of
important legal documents. 

 The systems examination has been properly completed, documented and reported on
to management after discussion. 

 Tests of controls and substantive procedures have been properly and appropriately carried
out, and audit programmes properly completed and signed. 

 All other working papers are comprehensive and explicit. 

 The overall review of the financial statements has been adequately carried out, and adequate
use of analytical procedures has been undertaken throughout the audit. 

 The financial statements agree in all respects with the accounting records and comply with
all relevant legal requirements and accounting standards. 

 Minutes of board and general meetings have been scrutinised and important matters noted. 

 The audit work has been carried out in accordance with approved auditing standards. 

 The financial statements agree in all respects with the accounting records and comply with
all relevant legal and professional requirements. 

 The audit work has been properly reviewed within the firm of auditors and any laid-down
quality control procedures adhered to. 

 Any points requiring discussion with the parent company's management have been noted
and brought to the principal auditors' attention (including any matters which might warrant a
qualification in the audit report on the subsidiary company's financial statements). 

 Adequate audit evidence has been obtained to form a basis for the audit opinion on both
the subsidiaries' financial statements and those of the group. 
If the principal auditors are not satisfied as a result of the above review, they should arrange for
further audit work to be carried out either by the other auditors on their behalf, or jointly with
them. The other auditors are fully responsible for their own work; any additional tests are those
required for the purpose of the audit of the group financial statements.
chapter 11
Audits of different types of entity

Interactive question 1: Obtaining evidence
Your firm acts as auditors to Xantippe Ltd, a manufacturer of industrial components. You have been
presented with the financial statements for the year to 31 December 20X6, which include the
following information in connection with property, plant and equipment.
At 1 January At 31 December
20X6 Additions Disposals 20X6
Cost CU CU CU CU
Freehold property 80,000 – – 80,000
Plant and machinery 438,000 62,000 (10,000) 490,000
Motor vehicles 40,500 13,000 – 53,500
558,500 75,000 (10,000 ) 623,500
At 1 January Charge for At 31 December

20X6 year Disposals 20X6
Depreciation CU CU CU CU
Freehold property 8,000 1,600 – 9,600
Plant and machinery 139,500 47,000 (3,000) 183,500
Motor vehicles 20,200 10,200 – 30,200
167,700 58,800 (3,000 ) 223,300
Requirements
(a) Explain the factors that should be considered in determining an approach to the audit of
property, plant and equipment of Xantippe Ltd.
(b) State the procedures you would perform in order to reach a conclusion on property, plant
and equipment in the financial statements of Xantippe Ltd for the year ended 31 December
20X6.
(a) Factors to consider
Materiality
Property, plant and equipment (PPE) is likely to constitute a material proportion of the assets in
the balance sheet of a manufacturing company. In addition, the depreciation charge may be material
to profit.
Depreciation of plant and machinery is charged to cost of sales, and therefore has a direct impact
on the gross profit margin of the business.
Inherent risk
Although PPE is generally regarded as having low inherent risk, the following factors may increase
the level of risk for Xantippe Ltd.
 Additions to plant may be misclassified as repairs and written off in the income statement. 

 Repairs expenditure may be capitalised in error. 

 Depreciation has a direct impact on profit and can potentially be manipulated by changing
the expected useful lives of assets. 
Control risk
To determine the degree of reliance that can be placed on internal controls, the following will need
to examined.
  Authorisation of expenditure on new PPE 

  Client procedures for periodic review of renewals/repairs accounts 
 Client reconciliations between the PPE register and nominal ledger account balances 
If reliance can be placed on the above controls, assurance will be obtained that PPE additions are:
  Valid business items 

  Capital expenditure has been included in PPE 
 Revenue expenditure written off PPE has been accurately recorded 
Strong controls, as confirmed by tests of controls, will enable the level of substantive procedures to
be reduced.
(b) Audit procedures
Freehold
property
 Agree opening balances to prior year working papers/financial statements. 

 Inspect the title deeds to the property (or obtain assurance that they are held by the bank)
in order to confirm continuing ownership. 

 Enquire whether any valuations have been carried out in the year. 

 If any valuation shows a fall in value, propose adjustment (if material). 

 Inspect the property to confirm (existence) that no provision for fall in value is necessary. 

 Confirm from the bank letter (and discussions with management) any charges on the property. 

 Confirm all charges are properly disclosed in a note to the financial statements. 

 Discuss with directors the reasonableness of their estimate of the useful life of the
freehold buildings. 

 Reperform the calculation of depreciation, ensuring that the freehold land is not depreciated. 
Plant and machinery and motor vehicles

 Confirm opening balances to prior year financial statements. 

 Obtain a list of additions in the year which reconciles with the total in the financial statements. 

 For a sample of additions – trace to purchase invoices to confirm ownership – review
board minutes/capital expenditure requisition for authorisation. 

 Review the list of additions to ensure that all items are of a capital nature. 

 For a sample of assets on the register, physically inspect to confirm existence. 

 Inspect invoice(s) for motor vehicle addition(s) to confirm that capital cost includes
VAT but excludes road tax. 

 If motor vehicle additions involved a trade-in/part-exchange, discuss financial
statement adjustments required with directors (since no disposals accounted for). 

 Inspect vehicle registration documents to confirm ownership. 

 Compare the depreciation charge (as a percentage of cost) on a category by category basis
with that in the prior year to assess reasonableness. 

 Reperform depreciation calculations for a sample of assets on the register. 

 Obtain a list of disposals in the year which reconciles with the total in the financial statements. 

 For a sample of disposals – trace sales proceeds to sales invoice and cash book –
reperform calculation of profit on disposal and trace to profit and loss account. 

 Review repairs and renewals accounts to ensure that no items of a capital nature have
been written off. 



Interactive question 2: Links Famine Relief [Difficulty level: Exam
standard]
You have recently been appointed to audit Links Famine Relief, a small registered NGO which
receives donations from individuals to provide food in worldwide famine areas.
The NGO is run by a voluntary management committee, which has monthly meetings, and it
employs the following full-time staff:
(a) A director, Mr Roberts, who suggests fund raising activities and payments for relief of
famine, and implements the policies adopted by the management committee; and
(b) A secretary (and bookkeeper), Mrs Beech, who deals with correspondence and keeps the
accounting records.
Links Famine Relief is required by its constitution to have an annual external audit of its financial
statements.
You are planning the audit of income of the NGO for the year ended 5 April 20X7 and are
considering the controls which should be exercised over income.
The previous year's accounts, to 5 April 20X6 (which have been audited by another firm)
show the following income.
CU CU
Gifts under non-taxing arrangements 15,335
Tax reclaimed on gifts under non-taxing arrangements 4,325
19,660
Postal donations 63,452
Autumn Fair 2,671
Other income
Legacies 7,538
Bank deposit account interest 2,774
10,312
96,095
Notes
(a) Income from gifts under non-taxing arrangements is stated net. Each person who pays
by gift aid has filled in a special tax form, which is kept by the secretary, Mrs Beech.
(b) All gifts under non-taxing arrangements are paid by banker's order – they are credited
directly to the NGO's bank account from the donor's bank. Donors make their
payments by gift aid either monthly or annually.
(c) The tax reclaimed on these gifts is 28.2% (22/78) of the net value of the gifts, and relates
to income received during the year – as the tax is received after the year-end, an
appropriate amount recoverable is included in the balance sheet. The treasurer, who is a
voluntary (unpaid) member of the management committee, completes the form for
reclaiming the income tax, using the special tax forms (in (a) above) and checks to the
full-time secretary's records that each donor has made the full payment in the year
required by the arrangement.
(d) Donations received through the post are dealt with by Mrs Beech. These donations are
either cheques or cash (bank notes and coins). Mrs Beech prepares a daily list of
donations received, which lists the cheques received and total cash (divided between the
different denominations of bank note and coin). The total on this form is recorded in the
cash book. She then prepares a paying-in slip and banks these donations daily. When
there is a special fund-raising campaign, Mrs Beech receives help in dealing with these
donations from voluntary members of the management committee.
(e) The Autumn Fair takes place every year on a Saturday in October – members of the
management committee and other supporters of the NGO give items to sell (for
example food, garden plants, clothing) – a charge is made for entrance to the fair and
coffee and biscuits are available at a small charge. At the end of the fair, Mrs Beech
collects the takings from each of the stalls, and she banks them the following
Monday.
(f) Legacies are received irregularly, and are usually sent directly to the director of the
NGO, who gives them to Mrs Beech for banking – they are stated separately on the
daily bankings form (in (d) above).
(g) Bank deposit account interest is paid gross of income tax by the bank, as the Links
Famine Relief is an NGO.
Requirement
List and briefly describe the work you would carry out on the audit of income of the NGO,
the controls you would expect to see in operation and the problems you may experience
for the following sources of income, as detailed in the income statement above.
(a) Gifts under non-taxing arrangements
(b) Tax reclaimed on gifts made under non-taxing arrangements
(c) Donations received through the post
(d) Autumn Fair

The audit consideration in relation to the various sources of income of the Links Famine Relief NGO
would be as follows.
(a) Gifts made under non-taxing arrangements
This type of income should not present any particular audit problem as the donations are
made by banker's order direct to the NGO's bank account and so it would be difficult for such
income to be 'intercepted' and misappropriated.
Specific tests required would be as follows.
(i) Check a sample of receipts from the bank statements to the cash book to ensure that the
income has been properly recorded.
(ii) Check a sample of the receipts to the special tax forms to ensure that the full amount
due has been received.
Any discrepancies revealed by either of the above tests should be followed up with Mrs Beech.
(b) Tax reclaimed on gifts made under non-taxing arrangements
Once again this income should not pose any particular audit problems. The auditors should
check the claim form submitted to the tax authorities.
(c) Donations received through the post
There is a serious problem here as the nature of this income is not predictable and also because
of the lack of internal check with Mrs Beech being almost entirely responsible for the receipt of
these monies, the recording of the income and the banking of the cash and cheques received. The
auditors may ultimately have to express a qualified opinion relating to the uncertainty surrounding
the completeness of income of this type.
Notwithstanding the above reservations, specific audit tests required would be as follows.
(i) Check the details on the daily listings of donations received to the cash book, bank statements
and paying-in slips, ensuring that the details agree in all respects and that there is no evidence
of any delay in the banking of this income.
(ii) Check the donations received by reference to any correspondence which may have
been received with the cheques or cash.
(iii) Consider whether the level of income appears reasonable in comparison with previous years
and in the light of any special appeals that the NGO is known to have made during the course of
the year.
(iv) Carry out, with permission of the management committee, surprise checks to vouch
the completeness and accuracy of the procedures relating to this source of income.
(d) Autumn Fair
Once again there is a potential problem here because of the level of responsibility vested in one
person, namely Mrs Beech.
Specific work required would be as follows.
(i) Attend the event to observe the proper application of laid down procedures and count the
cash at the end of the day.
(ii) Check any records maintained by individual stallholders to the summary prepared by Mrs Beech.
(iii) Check the vouchers supporting any expenditure deducted from the proceeds in order to
arrive at the net bankings.
(iv) Agree the summary prepared by Mrs Beech to the entry in the cash book and on the
bank statement.
chapter 12
Audit completion
Interactive question 1: Opening balances
Your firm has just been appointed auditors of Cross Ltd after the previous auditors
were removed following a dispute with the directors. This dispute related to certain
costs capitalised by the directors, which the auditors believed should have been
written off. (Last year's audit report was qualified because of the disagreement.)
State the procedures you would carry out regarding the opening balances.
Regarding all opening balances
 Check prior year closing balances have been correctly brought forward; or 

 Where appropriate, restated 

 Consider impact of current year work on opening balances (e.g. bad debts write off in current
year compared to opening provision) 

 Review management's working papers, accounting and internal control systems for prior year 
For capitalised costs
  Agree amounts capitalised to supporting documentation (to confirm amount) 

  Discuss with previous auditors reason for the qualification 
 Decide whether opening balances need amendment 
Interactive question 2: Gamston Burgers Ltd

You are the auditor of Gamston Burgers Ltd, whose principal activities are haulage and
warehousing services and the repair of lorries.
During the current year the company has suffered a significant fall in revenue and gross profit, which
has led to a trading loss. The company is also experiencing cash flow problems.
You have been informed by the managing director that the fall in revenue is due to:
  The loss, half way through the year, of a long-standing customer to a competitor, and 
 A decline in trade in the lorry repair business. 
Due to the reduction in the repairs business the company has decided to close the workshop and
sell the inventory of equipment and spares.
During the year the company replaced a number of vehicles, funding them by a combination of
leasing and an increased overdraft facility. The facility is to be reviewed early next year after the
audited accounts are available.
The draft accounts show a loss for the current year but the forecasts indicate a return to profitability
in 20X6, as the managing director is optimistic about generating additional revenue from new
contracts.
Requirements
(a) Explain why an auditor attaches so much importance to considering an entity's ability to
continue as a going concern.
(b) Describe the audit work you would undertake in order to ascertain whether Gamston Burgers
Ltd is a going concern.
(c) Explain the effect on your auditors' report on the financial statements of Gamston Burgers Ltd if
you:
(i) Agree with the director's assertion
(ii) Conclude that trading conditions will not improve

(a) Importance of going concern
 'Going concern' is an accounting concept. It is presumed to apply to any financial
statements, unless contrary disclosure is given. 

 The amount at which assets and liabilities are included in the balance sheet may be
significantly different where the company is not a going concern. For example, 

 – Assets will be valued on a break-up basis 
– Additional provisions (e.g. for closure costs) may be required 

 The classification of items will differ where financial statements reflect a break-up basis.
For example, non-current assets/liabilities reclassified as current. 

 The risk of failure is a real threat to many businesses and the failure of the auditor to give
any warning may result in litigation/adverse publicity. 

(b) Audit work regarding going concern
To ascertain whether Gamston Burgers Ltd can meet its debts as they fall due
 Obtain a written statement (management representation) from the managing director
confirming his considered view that the company is a going concern. 

 Review management's profit and cash flow forecasts for the next financial year to ascertain,
inter alia, the company's working capital requirements. 

 Confirm the appropriateness of relevant assumptions (e.g. average trade receivables
collection period) by comparison with ratios obtained from analytical procedures. 

 Request a statement of borrowing facilities to be included in the bank confirmation letter. 

 Review the day-to-day utilisation of the bank overdraft facility and its proximity to the
current limit. 

 Obtain a loan confirmation from the leasing company and confirm that all instalments to
date have been met. 

 Discuss with the credit controller (or financial accountant) the current pressures under which the
company is being placed by larger customers who may be seeking extended credit terms. 
 Undertake sensitivity analysis on client's forecasts to variable factors both within
the managing director's control and outside it. 

 Review the level of trade and other payables (including VAT and withholding
tax/ pension deductions, and whether any penalties are being incurred) after the
balance sheet date and the extent to which they are financing short-term needs. 
To ascertain whether Gamston Burgers Ltd can otherwise continue in business
(i.e. return to profitable trading)
 Obtain a copy of tenders submitted/correspondence to date concerning any
new contracts currently being negotiated and monitor all subsequent
developments. 

 Review drivers' logs, reports on warehouse utilisation etc and discuss with
management how current spare capacity will be utilised by new contracts
obtained. 

 Review the terms of the contract with the long-standing customer which
was lost and the grounds on which it was lost to a competitor. 

 Verify reasonableness of estimates arising from closure of workshop (e.g.
concerning costs of external servicing of the transport vehicle fleet). 

 Obtain written confirmation from the company's legal adviser as to whether or not
there are any pending legal claims (e.g. in respect of inventory losses from
warehouses, late deliveries, damage to goods in transit etc). 

(c) Effect on audit report
(i) Agree with director's assertion
If doubt surrounding the going concern status of the company is minimal,
disclosure in the financial statements would not be required in order to give a true
and fair view. The audit report would therefore be unqualified.
If the branch is so material that its inability to trade could affect the going
concern status of the company (unlikely), the matter should be disclosed in the
financial statements. If adequate disclosure is made in the financial statements, the
auditor should express an unqualified opinion but modify his report by adding an
emphasis of matter paragraph that
 Highlights the existence of a material uncertainty relating to the event or
condition that may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue
as a going concern, and 

 Draws attention to the note in the financial statements that discloses these matters. 

(ii) Disagree with director's assertion
The form of audit report will depend upon the materiality of the branch and
extent to which the uncertainty has been disclosed in the financial statements.
As the director appears confident about the future of this branch, it is unlikely that
adequate (if any) disclosure has been made. The audit report would therefore be
qualified on the grounds of disagreement due to the inadequate disclosure of the
uncertainty.
Interactive question 3: Subsequent events review [Difficulty level: Exam

standard]
You are the auditor of Weekly Ltd, which derives half its revenue from sales to one large national
company. During your audit you notice that the sales ledger balance of this customer has nearly
doubled during the year, although sales to it have increased only marginally.
Note down the main elements of your subsequent events review programme relating to this
receivable balance.
 Monitor post year end customer receipts (to confirm recoverability) 

 Review of customer correspondence (to ascertain problem, e.g. dispute) 

 Calculation of trade receivables collection period, by month, after year end (to
determine whether situation is deteriorating further) 

 Consider likely effectiveness of any reservation of title clause/other security (to assess
possible extent of recovery if customer liquidated) 

 Review latest available audited accounts of customer (for indications of going concern problems) 

 Review level of post year end sales and orders (to determine whether
situation is continuing unchecked) 
chapter 13
Reporting
Interactive question 1: Reporting to those charged with governance
BSA 260 Communication of Audit Matters with those Charged with Governance is written primarily in the
context of reporting matters which arise from the audit.
What additional matters should be reported to those charged with governance?
Listed/other public interest entities (BSA 260 para 11-5)
  Report significant facts and matters which bear upon auditor's objectivity/independence 
  Disclose relationships which have a bearing on objectivity/independence 
  Related safeguards 
  Total fees charged by auditor for provision of other services 
  Confirm in writing that auditor is independent, or 
 Confirm that there are concerns which seek to discuss with audit committee 
All entities (BSA 260 para 11-7)
 Communicate outline of nature/scope of work propose to undertake and form of report expect to make 
Interactive question 2: Mouse and Ratty Ltd

You are currently undertaking an assurance engagement for Mouse and Ratty Ltd, a large firm of PR
consultants in Leeds.
During the course of the work you have found a number of issues on which you need to report. These can be
summarised as follows.
(1) You have found a total of CU18,000 of unauthorised expenditure on IT equipment. Any IT
expenditure in excess of CU150 has to be authorised by a director.
(2) The IT expenditure for the year is 65% in excess of budget. There does not appear to have been an
investment project which was not budgeted for. There seems to be little reason for the rise.
(3) Large sums for travelling expenses are not being authorised when in excess of nightly limits set. Four
executives spent a total of CU25,000 in excess of nightly limits throughout the year.
(4) When examining work in progress, it became clear that there were sums which have been there for more
than six months without being billed. These total CU56,000. There appears to be no explanation for this.
(5) When overtime forms are submitted, any amounts of more than three hours per month need to be
authorised. This is rarely done. The company paid out CU180,000 in unauthorised overtime.
(6) There are no controls over non-chargeable time. The proportion of non-chargeable time for individual
executives varies from 5% to 34%.
Requirement
Identify
(a) The internal control weaknesses arising from the above
(b) The risks to which each identified weakness exposes the company
(c) Actions that the company should take to mitigate those risks.
(a) Weakness (b) Risks arising (c) Action to mitigate
There has been a breakdown of That IT expenditure is Purchasing department to be
controls over expenditure. uncontrolled and warned that no IT expenditure
investment is not always should be incurred without
clearly for the benefit of authorisation; otherwise
the company. disciplinary action could result.
Excessive amounts are being spent IT expenditure is not IT expenditure must only be
on IT, adversely affecting profit. planned properly, which undertaken under the budget, unless
means that investment authorised by two directors. Also, if
may not be as beneficial as additional investment is required the
it should be. budget should be flexed.
Travelling expenses in some cases Loss of profits due to Travelling expenses should not be
are excessive, with CU25,000 being excessive expenditure. reimbursed when limits are
spent in excess of set limits. exceeded, unless the prior consent
of two directors has been received.
The executives involved need to be
informed of the problem.
Work-in-progress is not always being Items involved are not Monthly billing meetings should be
billed on a timely basis. This is to the being billed. This has an held at director level and within
extent that CU56,000 has been held adverse effect on cash teams, where they should be told
for more than six months. flow, and eventual that any amounts more than two
recovery may be difficult. months' old must be billed.
The authorisation controls on Excessive costs, adversely Overtime over one hour per week
overtime are not being exercised. affecting profits. should be authorised prior to the
This has resulted in the company work being undertaken, and should
paying CU180,000 of excess then be authorised once the
overtime. Some may be genuine, but timesheet is submitted.
controls will reduce this amount.
There is no control over non- With some staff, an Individual staff to be set targets for
chargeable time. This leads to a excessive amount of the non-chargeable time, depending on
variable amount of non-chargeable time that they are spending their other responsibilities.
time by executives. This varies from at work is not being Adherence to their targets must be
5% to 34%. charged to clients, thus monitored.
having an adverse effect on
turnover, and hence profits.
Interactive question 3: Audit report

You are the auditor of Purity Ltd, a manufacturer of water filters for domestic use. The
company headquarters are in Wapping but it also has ten regional branches to organise
the sales effort in each geographical area.
Head office issued instructions for all inventories to be counted at the year end. However,
due to an administrative error, the new branch in Newcastle did not receive any
instructions and no physical inventory count took place. The inventories were material,
estimated at CU50,000 and included in the financial statements. No alternative procedures
could be applied.
(a) How will your auditor's report be qualified?
(b) What additional statement(s), if any, will need to be made in the audit report?

(a) 'Except for' limitation of scope because
(i) Matter is material but not so pervasive
(ii) Scope of the audit has been limited
(b) (i) State all information and explanations not received
(ii) State proper accounting records have not been kept
Interactive question 4: Modified audit report
An auditor is considering possible qualification of his audit opinion on the financial statements of
three separate companies.
(1) Watkins Ltd is being sued by a customer for material damages. Legal opinion is divided as to
the outcome of the case, and all relevant information has been included in the notes.
(2) Pope Ltd suffered a flood at its head office and a significant number of accounting records have
been destroyed.
(3) Tilden Ltd has included a provision of CU100,000 for doubtful debts in the year end
accounts. Obviously the provision cannot be estimated with complete accuracy but the
reporting partner believes it should be materially higher.
Recommend, giving reasons, whether the opinion should be modified in each case.
Recommended opinion Reasons
(1) Unqualified but modified by an emphasis  Significant uncertainty, properly disclosed, does
of matter paragraph regarding the legal not require a qualification
case if considered significant
(2) Qualified – probably disclaimer  Loss of records results in limitation of scope
 'Significant number' implies that auditors will
probably be unable to form an opinion
(3) Qualified – disagreement 'except for'  Audit partner disagrees with size of provision
necessary
 Problem limited to one area – unlikely to require
adverse opinion

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chapter 1

Reintroduction to audit and assurance

  Independent opinion from external source 

This assignment Statutory audit

 Agree between parties In accordance with Companies Act 1994

This assignment Statutory audit

 Addressed to board  Addressed to members

  Keeping proper accounting records 

Interactive question 2: Limitations of internal control

Answer to Interactive question 2

Interactive question 3: Fraud [Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Interactive question 4: Reporting fraud

Answer to Interactive question 4

Interactive question 5: Related party transactions

Answer to Interactive question 5

Interactive question 2: Fee income

Answer to Interactive question 2

Safeguards to be applied are as follows:

Answer to Interactive question 3

Answer to Interactive question 4

  Standard of all audit work completed is high and consistent 

Interactive question 2: Quality control issues on an engagement

Answer to Interactive question 2

  To receive notice of the resolution to appoint another auditor 

Interactive question 2: Engagement letter [Difficulty level:

Interactive question 2: Benefits and limitations of analytical procedures

Answer to Interactive question 2

  Identifies items for attention that detailed tests may miss 

Understanding the entity and its environment

Interactive question 2: What matters?

Answer to Interactive question 2

Answer to Interactive question 1

Interactive question 2: Vax Ltd

Circumstances Outline audit approach

'Liso', a major product of the Ascertain

(b) Objectives of audit planning

Answer to Interactive question 1

Answer to Interactive question 2

Interactive question 3: Bix Ltd

Answer to Interactive question 3

Interactive question 4: Substantive testing

  The auditors‟ initial assessment is that controls are not strong 

Interactive question 5: Hydra Ltd [Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Answer to Interactive question 5

 Analyse distribution and These have increased by 153%, contributing to

(b) Impact of deposit scheme on audit of liabilities

  The number of bottles (or cases) sold 

  An additional year end liability in 20X6 

Answer to Interactive question 6

(b) Typical procedures (four only)

to ensure adherence to the company‟s procedures. Test counts should be made to

Saiful Islam Mozumder,

Interactive question 7: Using the work of other auditors

Answer to Interactive question 7

Audits of different types of entity

At 1 January Charge for At 31 December

  Authorisation of expenditure on new PPE 

  Valid business items 