ICAN ADVANCED AUDIT AND ASSURANCE MOCK EXAM SOLUTION PART I MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS 1.E 2.E 3.D 4.B 5.B 6.D 7.D 8.D 9.C 10.D 11.C 12.C 13.E 14.B 15.B 16.C 17.B SOLUTIONS TO SECTION A STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 1
18.C 19.C 20.D STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 2
PART II SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS 1. Recognize/Derecognize/Measure/Reclassify/Revalue 2.Performance 3.Assurance Engagement 4.Integrated/Embedded Audit Facilities 5.Subject to 6.Password 7.Impairment 8.Joint Venture 9.Financial Instrument 10.Cash and Cash Equivalent 11.Local Area Network (LAN) 12.Lead Schedule 13.Audit Risk 14.Statutory Deposit 15.Liability 16.Occurrence 17.Dilemma 18.Audit Sampling 19.Disclaimer 20.Analytical Review STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 3
SECTION C: 1.(a)The auditors liabilities in relation to the findings will be as follows: (i)if the work in progress and debtors balances were truly overstated in the financial statements, the auditor will be liable since standard of care and caution has not been exercised by him in the performance of his duty, (See Re-West Minster Road Construction & Engineering Co. Ltd-1939). (ii) Where the financial statements were hurriedly audited, there is probability that the standard of care, caution and diligence would not have been exercised and as a result the auditor will be liable for any negligence that may likely occur. However, even though the audit was concluded in a short period, this does not mean that it would not be thorough. (iii) Verification is an important audit procedure, especially in the audit of assets and liabilities of a business entity. Where this is not carried out, it will be obvious that the auditor is professionally incompetent and as a result will be liable for negligence. (iv) If the client is a privately owned company, the auditor is not liable for staying this long, However, there is no law limiting the tenure of an auditor, subject to the provisions of Code of Corporate Governance relevant to the industry sector. (v) Material information must be verified by auditor. He must not rely solely on director s information otherwise he will be held liable for professional negligence. However, where such information cannot be verified, he should obtain letter of representation from the management of the company. b.steps to be taken to authenticate the correctness of the value of work in-progress include: (i)test the reliability of work-in-progress by examining the costing system in force. Ensure that: -Methods of accounting and control over stores issues and labour usage are adequate STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 4
- Method of allocation of overhead is reasonable. Confirm by calculation that the amount added is in line with the actual rate incurred during the year under review unless the factory operated below normal capacity in which case the normal activity rate should be used. -Method of valuation of work-in-progress is consistent with previous years and has not been distorted by changes in the level of production. - Physical verification of work-in-progress is carried out or followed through (ii) Compare the prices of the selected items of Work In Progress (WIP) with the selling price by adding estimate of the cost required to complete. The projected/actual final cost should be compared with selling price and anticipated losses provided for. (iii)for long term contracts, determine whether the basis for the calculation of WIP is permissible and in accordance with the relevant accounting standard. (iv)obtain or prepare a schedule summarizing the stock and WIP by general category, showing the comparative figures for the previous year. Reconcile the total with the amount shown in the balance sheet and with the final stock sheets. -State on the schedule the basis of valuation used and the nature of the evidence obtained to verify the quantity of stock. -State on the schedule of stock and work in progress the amount and proportion of value which were subject to observation at a stock count and other audit tests. (v) Compare the ratios of stock and WIP to sales, raw material to cost of sales, WIP to cost of sales, and finished goods to cost of sales with those for the previous period. Prepare a schedule stating reasons for significant changes in the above ratios and evidence obtained to verify the explanations given. (vi) Review the stock valuation on a current cost basis. If materially different, discuss possible disclosure with the directors. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 5
Steps to be taken to authenticate the correctness of the value of Debtors (i) Examine sample of ledger accounts and all accounts with balances equal to or over the materiality factor and trace balances to summary lists. (ii) Check additions of the lists of balances and cross cast. Trace total to lead schedule. (iii) Check that the total balances agree with the balances on the control account. (iv) Examine control account for the year and verify unusual items (v)select balances for direct confirmation through debtor s circularisation. Investigate discrepancies and reconcile. (vi)if no circularization of debtors has been carried out, select a sample of balances and check receipts thereon after year end date. Trace such receipts to pay-in-slips. (vii)examine accounts with credit balances and ensure that payments in respect of credit balances are authorized by responsible officials. (viii) Ensure that credit balances in debtors ledger are transferred to creditors schedule (ix) Verify that provision for doubtful debts and discount are both reasonable and adequate. (x) Examine the credit control procedures and consider if any recommendations should be made. Check for compliance with credit policy of the entity with respect to credit limits, credit period, cash discounts, etc. (xi)verify that bad debts written off during the period were properly authorized and all reasonable recovery procedures have been taken prior to write-offs. (xii) Examine ledger for transfer between accounts throughout the year. Verify reasons for this and check authorization. (xiii)examine credit notes issued after the year end and verify whether they relate to genuine sales. (xiv) Test returns during the period and ensure that credit notes are raised and posted accordingly. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 6
2. (a)the board should exercise its powers under the following circumstances:- (i)filling a casual vacancy in the board (ii)recommending payment of dividend. (iii)appointing directors to fill casual vacancy. (iv)appointment of first auditors (v)when strategic decisions are to be taken (vi)when setting up the internal control procedures in an entity. (vii)the board can also use its power to make discretionary payments to any staff of the company for welfare purposes or make some sort of donation to the community in which its company operates. (b)the functions of the Board of Directors as specified in the Code of Best Practices on Corporate Governance in Nigeria include the following: (i) Communication with shareholders (ii) Succession planning (iii)ensuring that ethical standards are maintained and the company complies with applicable laws in Nigeria relevant to its operations. (iv)strategic planning. (v)ensuring the integrity of financial controls and reports and (vi)selection, performance, appraisal and compensation of senior executives. (c) The terms of reference of the corporate governance committee are to: (i)examine practices in other jurisdictions with a view to adoption of international best practices in corporate governance in Nigeria. (ii)identify weaknesses in the current corporate governance practices in Nigeria with respect to public companies. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 7
(d)audit committee should be established in accordance with CAMA Section 359 (3) with not more than one executive director. A non-executive director nominated by members of the audit committee should be the chairman of the audit committee. (e)ways through which a director can be removed from office before the expiration of his tenure include: (i)a company may by ordinary resolution remove a director before the expiration of his period of office. (ii)a removal could be effected by special notice (iii) By special resolution. 3. (a) The financial crisis of recent years sparked a new debate into the appropriateness of the use of the going concern assumption by management, and into whether the auditor s report contains sufficient information about going concern matters. Many users of financial statements have argued that going concern is such a critical issue that it should be discussed in more detail,and in an understandable way in the auditor s report. The current audit report has been criticized as containing insufficient information regarding going concern, adding to the perceived expectation gap. It has been suggested that the auditor s report should include an auditor s conclusion on the appropriateness of management s use of the going concern assumption, and a statement as to whether material uncertainties in relation to going concern have been identified. However, many people argue that these implied statements are not transparent enough, and that to make the auditor s report as user-friendly and transparent as possible, explicit statements should be made. Auditors making an affirmative statement regarding going concern is likely to add more credibility to the financial statements, which will provide a level of comfort for all users of financial statements. Specifically for users such as providers of finance, they may be more willing to make lending decisions based on financial statements on which an affirmative statement in respect of going concern has been given by the auditor. A potential problem is that auditors may be reluctant to make an explicit statement on going concern, for fear that they may become legally liable should the reporting entity subsequently collapse causing financial loss to those who have relied on the auditor s opinion. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 8
Another issue is that users of the financial statements may see an explicit statement on going concern as a guarantee of the reporting entity s financial health. This detracts from the fact that the audit opinion is one of reasonable assurance, and without extensive disclosures to explain the subjective nature of the going concern conclusion in some cases, users may confuse the auditor s opinion with a statement of certainty regarding the sustainability of the company. Overall, the recent suggestions to improve the auditor s report should go some way to bridge the expectation gap but users of financial statements will need to treat statements made in relation to going concern with some caution, due to its highly subjective nature. The danger is that the auditor s affirmations may be seen as a guarantee of a company s future sustainability, which is clearly not their purpose. It can be argued that the requirements of ISA 570 (UK and Ireland) Going concern are sufficiently robust, and that including going concern as a specific matter in the auditor s report only when it is an issue provides the best clarity for users of the financial statements. (b) In terms of structure, the basis of opinion and opinion paragraphs should not be combined together. ISA 705 (UK and Ireland) Modifications to the opinion in the independent auditor s report requires that when the auditor modifies the opinion on the financial statements, the auditor shall include a paragraph in the auditor s report which provides a description of the matter giving rise to the modification. The auditor shall place this paragraph immediately before the opinion paragraph in the auditor s report and use the heading Basis for Qualified Opinion, Basis for Adverse Opinion, or Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion, as appropriate. Therefore the audit report needs to be amended to include two separate paragraphs. The paragraph states the materiality used during the audit. Although ISA 700 (UK and Ireland) The auditor s report on financial statements does require the auditor to include a paragraph outlining the auditor s responsibility including a description of the scope of the audit, there is no requirement to specifically state the materiality level which has been applied. This should be removed from the draft auditor s report. The paragraph states that audit procedures have proven conclusively in respect of trade receivables. This term is misleading, implying that every transaction has been tested. Audit procedures provide a reasonable, but not STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 9
absolute, level of assurance on the financial statements, and conclusive proof is not an appropriate term to be used in the auditor s report. The amount of the potential adjustment to trade receivables and its financial impact should be included in the paragraph. ISA 705 requires that if there is a material misstatement of the financial statements which relates to specific amounts in the financial statements (including quantitative disclosures), the auditor shall include in the basis for modification paragraph a description and quantification of the financial effects of the misstatement, unless impracticable. The relevant financial reporting standard should also be referred to. The paragraph uses unprofessional wording by naming the finance director. The auditor s report should refer to management collectively and not single out one person as being responsible for the financial statements. In addition, it should not state that she refused to make an adjustment. The incorrect type of modified audit opinion seems to have been given. The trade receivables balance is material at 2 5 million, which is in excess of the materiality threshold of 1 5 million used in the audit and so a qualification due to material misstatement seems necessary. The auditor s report uses a disclaimer of opinion, which is used when the auditor cannot form an opinion, usually due to lack of audit evidence, which does not appear to be the case here. In addition, the level of modification seems incorrect. The matter is material but is unlikely to be pervasive to the financial statements based on the level of profit of 11 million. Therefore a qualified opinion is sufficient. The use of an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in respect of the court case is not appropriate. ISA 706 (UK and Ireland)Emphasis of matter paragraphs and other matter paragraphs in the independent auditor s report states that an Emphasis of Matter paragraph is used to refer to a matter appropriately presented or disclosed in the financial statements which, in the auditor s judgement, is of such importance that it is fundamental to users understanding of the financial statements. The court case and its potential legal consequences are not material, being well below the materiality threshold of 1 5 million. The matter is certainly not fundamental to users understanding of the financial statements. Due to the immaterial nature of the matter, it need not be referred to in the auditor s report at all. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 10
The auditor has reached the conclusion that the court case has not been accounted for correctly. The Emphasis of Matter paragraph should only be used to highlight matters which have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed within the financial statements, and its use to describe non-compliance with the relevant financial reporting standard is not appropriate. 4. (a) Factories producing agricultural chemical Matters to consider: The factories are a class of assets which is material to the statement of financial position, representing 25% of total assets. The factories manufacturing the chemical which is to be phased out are half of the total class of assets, representing 12 5% of total assets and therefore material. The new government regulation indicates that the products made in these factories will be phased out by 2017. According to IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, this is an indicator of potential impairment of the assets. IAS 36 gives examples of indicators that an asset may be impaired in value, one of which is significant adverse changes which have taken place or are expected to take place in the technological, market, economic or legal environment in which the entity operates. Management should have conducted an impairment review to determine the recoverable amount of the factories, which would be the greater of the fair value less cost to sell and the value in use of the assets. The new government regulation is potentially going to detrimentally affect the revenue generating ability of the factories, and hence their value in use to Cooper Ltd. This means that the recoverable amount of the factories may be less than their carrying value of 30 million, and that an impairment loss should be recognised. If any necessary impairment loss is not recognised, then property, plant and equipment, and operating profit will be overstated. However, sales are still buoyant and may continue to be so until the product is discontinued, so an impairment test may reveal that there is no impairment to be recognised. This is likely to be the case if the factories can be used to produce an alternative product, possibly the new product which is being researched. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 11
The 1 million which has been spent on the feasibility study into a new product must be treated as an operating expense. There is a risk that management has capitalised the expenditure as an intangible asset, which is not appropriate. Under IAS 38 Intangible Assets, research costs must not be capitalised. In the longer term, if a replacement chemical cannot be developed to replace the one being discontinued, there may be going concern issues for Cooper Co. However, this does not impact the financial statements for this year. Evidence: A copy of the government regulation stating that the product made by the factories is to be phased out in 2017. Agreement of the carrying value of the factories making this product to the non-current asset register and nominal ledger at an amount of 30 million. A review of forecast financial statements and management accounts to confirm the amount of revenue still being generated by the factories. A copy of management s impairment test, including an assessment of the validity of any assumptions used and confirmation that they are in line with auditor s understanding of the business. A discussion with management regarding the potential future use of the factories, and whether the potential new product can be produced by them. Confirmation that the research costs are included in operating expenses, and have not been capitalised. Hannah Osbourne is a related party of Cooper Ltd. This is according to IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, which states that a member of key management personnel is a related party of the reporting entity. ISA 550 (UK and Ireland) Related parties requires that the auditor evaluates whether identified related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. In addition, ISA 550 requires that where a significant related party transaction outside the entity s normal course of business is identified, the auditor shall: inspect the underlying contracts or agreements, if any, and evaluate whether: The business rationale (or lack thereof) of the transactions suggests that they may have been entered into to engage in fraudulent financial reporting or to conceal misappropriation of assets; STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 12
The terms of the transactions are consistent with management s explanations; and The transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. The auditor shall also obtain audit evidence that the transactions have been appropriately authorised and approved. IAS 24 states that a related party transaction should be disclosed if it is material. Based on monetary value, the amount of the transaction is not material, based on either the book value or the market value of the car, as it represents less than 1% of total assets and of profit using either measure of value. However, the materiality should also be judged based on the significance of the transaction to the person involved. The car s market value of 75,000 could be deemed significant to Hannah, especially if she is not going to settle the amount, meaning effectively that she has been given the car for free by the company. And, because the transaction is with a member of key management personnel, it is effectively material by nature, regardless of monetary amount. Therefore disclosure of the transaction in the notes to the financial statements will be necessary to avoid a material misstatement. In relation to a material related party transaction, IAS 24 requires disclosure of the nature of the related party relationship along with information about the transaction itself, such as the amount of the transaction, any relevant terms and conditions, and any balances outstanding.. If the related party transaction has not been disclosed, the auditor should consider the implications for the audit report, which may need to be modified on the grounds of material misstatement. Finally, the auditor should consider the recoverability of the 50,000 which is outstanding, given that the invoice was raised several months before the year end and the amount has not yet been paid. If the amount is not recoverable and needs to be written off, this will not be material in monetary terms for Cooper Ltd but an adjustment would be advisable to avoid overstatement of receivables and operating profit. Evidence: A review of the notes to the financial statements to confirm that sufficient disclosure has been made to comply with the requirements of IAS 24. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 13
A copy of the invoice raised, and agreement to the receivables ledger to confirm the amount of 50,000 which is outstanding. A copy of any contract or other document pertaining to the sale of the car to Hannah, and a review of its terms and conditions, e.g. specification of when the amount is due for payment. A post year-end review of the bank statement and cash books to confirm if the amount has been received in the subsequent events period. Confirmation that the carrying value of 50,000 has been removed from the non-current asset register and nominal ledger. Confirmation that any profit or loss recognised on the disposal has been recognised in profit for the year. A review of board minutes to confirm the transaction was appropriately authorised. A written representation from management stating that management has disclosed to the auditor the identity of the entity s related parties and all the related party relationships and transactions of which they are aware, and that management has appropriately accounted for and disclosed such relationships and transactions in accordance with the requirements of IAS 24. STARRY GOLD ACADEMY +2348023428420, +2347038174484, info@starrygoldacademy.com, www.starrygoldacademy.com Page 14