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Tutor’s hint: What your answer should demonstrate is that the date the detailed audit work is finished is irrelevant from the viewpoint of the
auditor?s responsibilities. What matters is the date the audit report is signed. The position after the audit report is signed may appear to be complicated, but you do need to be aware of the various possibilities and what the auditor should do in each set of circumstances. In (c) your answer should list various ways in which auditors can actively obtain evidence; they should not just rely on the representations of the directors.
Examiners comment: Candidates lost marks through discussing accounting for subsequent events rather than audit. Few candidates understood that auditors only have responsibilities after the audit report is signed if they become aware of any further subsequent events. Answers to (c) were poor.
(a)
(i) Between the year-end and the end of the performance of detailed audit work, auditors should identify and detect all material subsequent events which take place in that period. Such events which are non-adjusting should be disclosed in the notes to the accounts of the company, whereas all adjusting events should be incorporated in the accounts.
(ii) As the auditors? responsibility extends to the date on which they sign their report (which should be the same day as the directors signed the accounts), it follows that they must obtain reasonable assurance up to than date in respect of all significant events. Auditors should ensure that any such significant events are appropriately accounted for or disclosed in the financial statements. If not, a qualification of their report may be necessary. In other words, the auditors? responsibility is the same as it was during the detailed audit work.
(iii) Auditors? responsibilities after the date of the audit report are not as clear cut as they are in the period prior to the date of the audit report. After the date of the audit report auditors do not have a duty to search for evidence of subsequent events. However, auditors should ask the directors to let them know if any material post balance sheet events occur during this period. If, before the
AGM they become aware of information which might have made them give a different audit opinion had they known of it at the time, they should act as follows:
1. They should discuss the matter with the directors, carry out further procedures to obtain sufficient audit evidence and then consider whether the financial statements should be amended by the directors.
2. If the directors are unwilling to take action which the auditors consider necessary to inform the members of the changed situation, auditors should consider exercising their statutory rights to make a statement at the general meeting. They should also consider taking legal advice on their position.
3. If the directors wish to amend after the auditors have signed their report, the auditors will need to consider whether the proposed amendments affect their report. The audit report should not be dated before the date on which the amended financial statements are approved by the directors. Auditors should follow the procedures for auditing events after the balance sheet date before making their report on the amended financial statements.
(iv) If auditors become aware of subsequent events during this period that may affect the accounts, they should consider whether to withdraw their audit report. Legal advice may be required. As in (iii) the auditors should consider making a statement at the annual general meeting.
If the directors do decide to change the accounts, further post balance sheet work will be necessary to cover events up to the revised date of the audit report. In the later audit report, the auditors should refer to their original audit report, and to the note in the accounts which should give details of the changes.
(v) Auditors have no responsibility for identifying subsequent events during this period. If however the directors find material errors in the accounts and inform the auditors, similar procedures to those used in (iv) will be needed.
(b) The audit work for subsequent events will normally be concerned with balance sheet values at and after the year-end. The following procedures will be carried out.
ii) Fixed Assets
1. Check for any sales or proposed sales after the year-end which may mean a write down to net realizable value at the year-end.
2. Consider obsolescence of fixed assets, for example plant used to make a discontinued line, which might only become apparent after the year-end.
iii) Stock
1. Check post year-end selling price of major items of stock and compare to value in year-end accounts. Consider write-downs to net realizable value.
2. Consider the possible existence of obsolete, damaged or slow moving stock and the consequent value of any write down.
3. Perform a (limited) stock-take after the year-end if the existence of all stock is not known for certain.
iv) Debtors
1. Check sales ledger cash received after the year-end to determine realisability of debtors and highlight doubtful debts.
2. Take doubtful debts out of the provision and consider writing parts of the provision off for which no money has been received.
3. Review trade press and correspondence and consult the sales manager about any major customers who have become insolvent recently.
4. Check the issue of credit notes and return of goods after the year-end to determine the provision for credit notes required in the accounts.
v) Cash at bank
1. Check that outstanding items on the bank reconciliation have cleared promptly after the year-end (to spot teeming and lading and late payment to creditors).
2. Write back any stale cheques not cleared (over 6 months old).
3. Check all material payments and receipts around the year-end to check the completeness of both accruals and prepayments (including NI and PAYE sundry creditors).
vi) Trade Creditors
1. Check reconciling items on suppliers? statements have cleared promptly after the year-end.
2. If a creditors? circularisation has been carried out then verify balances by examining post year-end payments, in cases where there was no supplier?s statement and no reply.
vii) Going concern problems and other matters
1. Check profit and cash flow forecasts for evidence of future liquidity.
2. Review management accounts and reports after the year-end.
3. Review board minutes after the year-end.
4. Request any information on subsequent events and going concern matters from the directors and check their information.
5. The directors should also state they have given all such information in the letter of representation.
viii) Non-adjusting events
Look in board minutes and cash book for any matters which are non-adjusting but which should be disclosed in the accounts, for example, major sales of fixed assets, accidental losses and issues of shares and debentures.
d) I will check whether there have been any material subsequent events in this period, particularly if there is a significant delay between completing the detailed audit work and signing the report. I will not undertake such detailed enquiries as in (b) above, but I will perform the following procedures:
i) Ask the management or directors if any further material events have occurred which might affect my opinion on the accounts.
ii) Review the latest board minutes, reports and managements accounts issued since the end of the audit.
iii) Any matters which were uncertain at the end of the audit should be reviewed again to establish an outcome and any effect on the accounts. Examples would include doubtful debts, contingencies and stock obsolescence (perhaps due to new developments).
Consider any matters which have arisen in the industry or the economy which might affect the company.
johnson mwenjera answered the question on March 28, 2018 at 09:10
- (a) What is meant by the term "fraud"? Give four examples of fraudulent activities.(Solved)
(a) What is meant by the term "fraud"? Give four examples of fraudulent activities.
(b) What do you consider to be the auditor?s responsibilities in the course of
the normal annual audit in relation to the detection of fraud?
(c) Explain the way in which the auditor should approach and perform his work in order to meet these responsibilities.
Date posted: March 28, 2018. Answers (1)
- Emali Co. Ltd. has undergone a period of substantial growth following its establishment five years ago. At the last annual general meeting Smith &...(Solved)
Emali Co. Ltd. has undergone a period of substantial growth following its establishment five years ago. At the last annual general meeting Smith & Co. Associates, a tow-partner firm of Certified Public Accountants were re-appointed as auditors. However, Smith & Co. Associates have decided that they do not have the necessary resources to audit the enlarge company.
Required:
a) Briefly, explain how Smith & Co. Associates may resign from its appointment before the next annual general meting.
b) How any a casual vacancy arising from the resignation of present auditors be filled and what procedures are necessary before the company‟s next annual general meeting at which the appointment will be presented for ratification?
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Date posted: March 28, 2018. Answers (1)
- (a) Explain why auditors carry out circularisation of debtors. (b) Distinguish between positive and negative debtors circularisation procedures. (c) Describe in...(Solved)
(a) Explain why auditors carry out circularisation of debtors.
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(c) Describe in detail the work you would carry out in scrutinizing the replies to the debtors circularisation and in confirming whether the debtors balances are collectable in the following situations:
i. where the debtor does not agree with the balance and states a difference; (6 marks)
ii. where the debtor reports that he cannot confirm the balance
iii. where no reply is received from the debtor
Date posted: March 28, 2018. Answers (1)
- You have been asked by the partners of your firm to prepare a draft memorandum on materiality which will provide guidance to members of...(Solved)
You have been asked by the partners of your firm to prepare a draft memorandum on materiality which will provide guidance to members of staff in conducting the audit of the accounts of limited companies.
Required:
a)Define materiality.
b) Explain the importance of this concept to the auditor.
c) Suggest some criteria for determining cut-off point in order to assess the materiality of an error.
Date posted: March 28, 2018. Answers (1)
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John Mutiso bought shares of Sh.2 million six months ago in Kenya Company Limited which has since gone into liquidation. He intends to sue XYZ & Co. Certified Public Accountants for the imminent loss of Sh. 2 million which he is likely to suffer. XYZ & Co. had audited the Kenya Company Ltd. The previous year and issued an unqualified report. John Mutiso claims that he solely relied on the audit report when he took that investment decision.
Required:
a) Do the auditors, XYZ & Co. have any liability to Mr. John Mutiso?
b) What circumstances must Mr. John Mutiso demonstrate if he has to succeed against the auditors?
c) State the measures XYZ & Co. should undertake to minimize potential liability for professional negligence.
Date posted: March 28, 2018. Answers (1)
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Date posted: March 23, 2018. Answers (1)
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Date posted: March 23, 2018. Answers (1)
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The auditing guideline on ‘recording’ requires audit working papers to be sufficient complete and detailed so that an experienced auditor who has no previous connection with the audit is able to subsequently ascertain from working papers the work performed and to further support the conclusions reached thereon.
Required:
(a) State four benefits that the auditor will obtain from the working papers that meet the above requirements.
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(i) Current audit file;
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Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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You are the audit manager in charge of Car Alarms Ltd. Whose financial year ended on 31 March 1993. Due to the tight schedule of your programmes you are unable to devote anytime at the client‟s premises. Therefore you have delegated the responsibility to the audit senior.
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Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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ii. Internal Audits;
iii. Private Audits;
iv. Management Audits;
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i. Statutory Audits;
ii. Internal Audits;
iii. Private Audits;
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Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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In addition to shareholders, many different parties are interested in the audited accounts of a company. Name FOUR such parties and state the significance of audited accounts to each one of them.
Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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Discuss the 4 main methods of determining depreciation.
Date posted: March 22, 2018. Answers (1)
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Date posted: March 21, 2018. Answers (1)
- “Action must be specifically taken to prevent the occurrence of frauds involving the assets of the company”, Finance Director of Food All Limited addressing accounting...(Solved)
“Action must be specifically taken to prevent the occurrence of frauds involving the assets of the company”, Finance Director of Food All Limited addressing accounting staff of the company. Of particular interest to the directors are:
1. The safety of unclaimed wages
2. The receipt of cash from customers.
3. The company’s cheque books
4. Issue of credit notes to debtors.
Required:
a. For each of the above, explain how a fraud can occur in the area.
b. What controls should be in place to prevent the occurrence of each of the frauds described in (a) above?
Date posted: March 16, 2018. Answers (1)
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Required:
a. State four situations under...(Solved)
The Companies Act (Cap.486) sets out the duties of the auditors for a company in respect of his report and other matters.
Required:
a. State four situations under which the Act requires auditors to qualify their report.
b. State two circumstances in which the auditors may qualify their report owing to inherent uncertainty.
c. State four types of circumstances in which the auditors may qualify their report as a result of disagreement with the directors
Date posted: March 16, 2018. Answers (1)
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The principle objective of the verification of liabilities, commitments and contingencies is to form an opinion as to their completeness, existence, valuation and presentation in the financial statements.
Required:
a. Why does the auditor examine statements received from suppliers of goods and services?
b. How would the auditor ensure that at the year end all goods received by a client were included in both inventories and creditor balances?
c. How would the auditor ensure that the amounts accrued for wages and salaries due but unpaid were properly calculated and recorded in the books?
d. What tests would the auditor need to undertake in order to ensure that capital commitments at the year end were fairly stated in the books?
Date posted: March 16, 2018. Answers (1)