Audit completion & review class notes

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION – DODOMA CAMPUS – AUDIT COMPLETION AND REVIEW
Audit Completion & Review | h.hangai@cbe.ac.tz: mobile: +255 767 410 594
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
▪ Explain the use of analytical procedures and checklists in evaluation and
review;
▪ Explain the auditor's responsibilities for corresponding figures, comparatives
and other information;
▪ Specify audit procedures designed to identify subsequent events;
▪ Identify and explain indicators that the going concern basis may be in doubt;
▪ Recommend audit procedures and assess the appropriateness of the going
concern basis; and
▪ Assess the adequacy of disclosures in financial statements relating to going
concern and explain the implications for the auditor’s report with regard to the
going concern basis.

Audit Completion & Review
Hangai H. +255 767 410 594. h.hangai@cbe.ac.tz 2
ISA 510 Initial Engagements – Opening Balances requires that when auditors take on a new client,
they must ensure that:
▪ Opening balances do not contain material misstatements;
▪ Prior period closing balances have been correctly brought forward or, where appropriate,
restated; and
▪ Appropriate accounting policies have been consistently applied, or changes adequately
disclosed.
Considerations:
▪ Were the previous financial statements audited?
▪ If the previous financial statements were audited, was the opinion modified?
▪ If the previous opinion was modified, has the matter been resolved since then?
▪ Were any adjustments made as a result of the audit? If so, has the client adjusted their
accounting ledgers as well as the financial statements?
If auditors are unable to satisfy themselves with regard to the preceding period, they will have to
consider modifying the current audit report.
Initial engagements – audit considerations [ISA 510]
Example
Difficulties may arise where the prior period audit report was modified and the matter remains
unresolved. If the matter is material to the current period's financial statements then the current
audit report will also need to be modified.
For example; if there was a modification on the grounds of a material misstatement of closing
inventory in the prior period, this will affect the current period’s income statement. This is
because last year’s closing inventory is this year’s opening inventory and the auditor may need
to modify this year's audit report on that basis.

Audit procedures:
Where the prior period was audited by another auditor or unaudited, the auditors will need to
perform additional work in order to satisfy themselves regarding the opening position. Such work
would include:
▪ Consulting the client’s management
▪ Reviewing records and accounting and control procedures in the preceding period
▪ Consulting with the previous auditor and reviewing (with their permission) their working
papers and relevant management letters
▪ Substantive testing of any opening balances where the above procedures are unsatisfactory.
Some evidence of the opening position will also usually be gained from the audit work performed
in the current period.
ISA 710 Comparative Information – Corresponding Figures and Comparative Financial
Statements requires that comparative figures comply with the identified financial reporting
framework and that they are free from material misstatement.
The IASB’s Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements both require that financial statements show comparatives.
Two categories of comparatives exist:
▪ Corresponding figures where preceding period figures are included as an integral part of
the current period financial statements; and
▪ Comparative financial statements where preceding period amounts are included for
comparison with the current period.
Corresponding figures
Audit procedures in respect of corresponding figures should be significantly less than for the
current period and are limited to ensuring that corresponding figures have been correctly reported
and appropriately classified. This involves evaluating whether:
Corresponding figures and comparative financial statements [ISA 710]

▪ Accounting policies are consistently applied; and
▪ Corresponding figures agree to the prior period financial statements.
Comparative financial statements
Sufficient appropriate evidence should be gathered to ensure that comparative financial statements
meet the requirements of an applicable financial reporting framework. This involves evaluating
whether:
▪ Accounting policies are consistently applied; and
▪ Comparative figures agree to the prior period financial statements.
The purpose of review procedures
It is the review process that enables the decision to be taken by the partner, whether:
▪ The plan was satisfactory in the light of the audit evidence raised
▪ The plan was properly flexed to meet any new circumstances
Corresponding figures and the audit report
The audit report only refers to the financial statements of the current period which
encompasses the prior period figures. If a matter in respect of which the prior period audit
report was modified is unresolved, the current audit report may also have to be modified in
respect of corresponding figures.
Comparative figures and the audit report
Where figures are presented as comparative financial statements the auditor should issue a
report in which the comparatives are specifically identified because the auditor's opinion is
expressed individually on the financial statements of each period presented.
It is therefore possible for the auditor to express a modified opinion with respect to one year
of financial statements while issuing a different report on the other financial statements.
Review procedures

▪ The audit work was carried out properly
▪ The evidence gathered has reduced the risk of material misstatement to a satisfactory level
▪ The audit opinion on financial statements is supported by the audit evidence gathered
▪ The financial statements comply with the appropriate financial framework.
Different levels of review:
(1) Detailed review
▪ Carried out by senior staff on all work submitted by more junior team members.
▪ Concerned with quality control.
- Are working papers properly prepared? – proper headings, dates, identity of
preparer, cross references, meaning of audit symbols etc.
- Has the right work been done in accordance with the audit plan?
- Is the amount of work sufficient?
- Are there any unresolved issues that can and should be resolved by the person
carrying out the work – incomplete tests, queries not followed up etc.
▪ Assessment of matters arising – ensuring that errors found and other issues uncovered are
summarised so that they can be brought to the partner’s attention.
▪ Enables a completion memorandum (as recommended by ISA 230) to be produced to
facilitate manager and partner reviews.
(2) Manager review
▪ Some quality control aspects:
- General review to ensure that working papers are properly prepared
- Checklists and programmes completed properly
- No obvious omissions or gaps
- Has the detailed review been conducted properly?
- Is the file in a fit state to be reviewed by the partner?
▪ What matters are arising?
- Are they fully understood?
- Can they be resolved by the manager?
- What course of action does the manager recommend?

(3) Partner/final review
▪ Top level review, concerned with the significant issues (i.e. those identified as risks during
planning) and finalising the firm’s opinion on the financial statements.
▪ Clearly does have a quality control function, but procedural problems should all really have
been resolved by this stage.
(4) Cold review
▪ Takes place after the audit is finished and the audit report is signed.
▪ Therefore, is the one review dealt with here which is purely concerned with quality control.
▪ Is not concerned with detecting misstatements in the financial statements (because it is too
late), but with ensuring that the firm’s procedures were applied properly.
(5) “Hot” or “independent” reviews
▪ Compulsory per ISQC (International Standard on Quality Control) 1 for clients which
are:
- Listed
- Public interest
▪ Conducted before the audit report is signed.
▪ Conducted by a partner who is independent of the main audit team.
▪ Assesses whether:
- The firm’s independence and objectivity are impaired in any way
- The planning appears to have been carried out properly
- The file appears to have been reviewed satisfactorily
- If, in all the circumstances, the audit opinion has been based on valid evidence
- If, in all the circumstances, the audit opinion is appropriate.
The auditor must consider the effect of misstatements on both the audit procedures performed and
ultimately, if uncorrected, on the financial statements as a whole. Guidance on how this is
performed is given in the revised and redrafted ISA 450 Evaluation of Misstatements Identified
During the Audit.
Evaluation of misstatements [ISA 450]

In order to achieve this the auditor must accumulate a record of all identified misstatements, unless
they are clearly trivial. In the first instance they must consider if the existence of such
misstatements indicates that others may exist, which, when aggregated with other misstatements,
could be considered material. If so the audit plan and strategy may need to be revised.
All misstatements identified during the course of the audit should be reported to an appropriate
level of management on a timely basis. Importantly, the auditor should request that all
misstatements are corrected.
If management refuses to correct some or all of the misstatements the auditor should consider their
reasons for refusal and take these into account when considering if the financial statements are free
from material misstatement.
Evaluation of uncorrected misstatement
Before misstatements are evaluated the auditor should revisit their assessment of materiality to
determine whether, according to their judgement, it is still appropriate in the circumstances.
Following this they can then determine whether the unrecorded misstatements, either individually
or in aggregate, are material to the financial statements as a whole.
In so doing the auditor must consider both the size and nature of the misstatements and the effect
of misstatements related to prior periods (e.g. on corresponding figures, comparatives and opening
balances).
Following this consideration, the auditor should report the uncorrected misstatements to those
charged with governance and explain the effect this will have upon the audit opinion. At the same
time, they should request a written representation from those charged with governance that they
believe the effects of uncorrected misstatements are immaterial.
Before forming an opinion on the financial statements and deciding on the wording of the audit
report, the auditor should conduct an overall review.
Key methods used to carry out final review include:
▪ Final analytical procedures; and
Overall review of the financial statements

▪ Checklists.
The need for final analytical procedures:
Final analytical procedures have to be carried out because:
▪ They are compulsory according to ISA 520
▪ They assist the auditor when forming an overall conclusion as to whether the financial
statements are consistent with the auditor's understanding of the entity.
Checklists:
Many of the procedures to be dealt with at the completion stage of the audit are set out in checklists.
These are basically long lists of questions that the auditor must answer to ensure that the financial
statements are appropriately prepared. They usually concern financial reporting, regulatory and
administrative matters.
The main advantages of this approach are:
▪ It is clear to the person completing the checklist what needs to be done
▪ Tasks are less likely to be forgotten
▪ It is clear to the reviewer whether any tasks remain unticked and checklists can therefore
be reviewed quickly.
There are some disadvantages, however:
▪ Unexpected circumstances may not be dealt with
▪ Checklists are sometimes completed by rote in an unthinking way.
Example of key checklists at the completion stage:
▪ Financial statements disclosures.
▪ Subsequent events review.
▪ Going concern review.
▪ Management Representations.
Final analytical procedures [ISA 520]

▪ Communication with those charged with governance.
'Other information' refers to documents and reports contained within the annual report and
financial statements that are not subject to audit. For example:
▪ The Chairman's Report;
▪ The Operating and Financial Review;
▪ Employee reports; and
▪ Five-year summaries.
ISA 720 The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Other Information in Documents Containing
Audited Financial Statements requires that auditors should read the other information to identify:
▪ Areas of material inconsistency between the unaudited information and the audited
financial statements; and
▪ Obvious misstatements of fact to other information, unrelated to matters appearing in the
audited financial statements.
Statutory requirements and accounting policies
▪ The auditor will review the compliance with statutory requirements in relation to the
presentation of the financial statements.
▪ Usually focused on disclosures made within the financial statements.
▪ A checklist approach is often used by the auditor to ensure all areas have been
considered.
▪ The auditor should review the accounting policies adopted by the enterprise to
determine whether they:
- Comply with relevant accounting standards
- Are consistent with those of the previous period
- Are consistently applied throughout the enterprise.
Other Information [ISA 720]

Material inconsistency:
Upon discovering a material inconsistency, the auditor should determine if the audited accounts or
the other information needs amending.
The auditor should seek to resolve the matter with those charged with governance.
If, upon further examination, amendment is necessary to the audited financial statements and the
entity refuses to make the amendment, the auditor should consider the implication on the audit
opinion and whether a modification is necessary. If so, this would usually be in the form of a
qualified opinion.
If, however, the other information is incorrect and the entity refuses to amend it then the auditor
should consider including an ‘Other Matter paragraph’ in the audit report describing the
inconsistency, in accordance with ISA 706.
Material misstatement of fact:
If the auditor concludes that the other information contains a material misstatement of fact then
once again, they should seek to resolve the matter with those charged with governance.
If, following such discussions, the auditor still considers that there is an apparent material
misstatement of fact the auditor shall request management consult with a qualified third party.
If the auditor eventually concludes that there is a material misstatement of fact that management
refuses to correct the auditor shall notify those charged with governance and take appropriate
further action, which is likely to include seeking legal counsel.
.
Further definitions:
A material inconsistency is a statement in the unaudited reports that contradict and therefore
undermine the contents of the audited financial statements.
Misstatements of fact are statements in the unaudited reports that the auditor knows to be
untrue, whether intended or erroneous

The term 'events after the reporting period' refers to both events occurring between the period end
and the date of the auditor's report, and facts discovered after the date of the auditor's report.
To adjust or not to adjust?
IAS 10 identifies two types of event after the reporting period:
▪ Adjusting; and
▪ Non-adjusting.
Discussion of adjusting and non-adjusting events
Adjusting events
These are events that provide additional evidence relating to conditions existing at the reporting
date. Such events cast doubt on whether the period end accounts are correct and, hence, require
adjustment.
Non-adjusting events
These are events concerning conditions which arose after the reporting date, but which may be of
such materiality that their disclosure is required to ensure that the financial statements are not
What next?
Depending on the circumstances, the significance of the issue in question and the advice of any
legal counsel sought, the auditor may take further, more severe action, such as:
▪ Not issuing the auditor’s report;
▪ Withdrawing/resigning from the engagement and making an appropriate statement; and
▪ Enforcing the auditor’s right to be heard at a general meeting of the members.
When taking such action, the auditor must consider the severity of the action and the possible
financial and reputational repercussions.
Events after the reporting period [IAS 10/ISA 560]

misleading. Such events, therefore, will not have any effect on items in the statements of financial
position or comprehensive income for the period.
However, in order to prevent the financial statements from presenting a misleading position, some
form of additional disclosure is required, by way of note, indicating what effect the events may
have.
Auditor’s responsibilities:
Active duty – up to the date of the audit report:
▪ The auditor should perform procedures to identify events that might require adjustment or
disclosure in the year-end financial statements;
Examples of adjusting events include:
▪ Provisions for damaged inventory and doubtful debts
▪ Amounts received or receivable in respect of insurance claims which were being
negotiated at the balance sheet date
▪ The determination of the purchase or sale price of non-current assets purchased or sold
before the year end
▪ Agreement of a tax liability
▪ Discovery of errors/ fraud revealing that the financials are incorrect.
Examples of non-adjusting events include:
▪ The issue of new share or loan capital
▪ Major changes in the composition of the group (for example, mergers, acquisitions or
reconstructions)
▪ Financial consequences of losses of non-current assets or inventory as a result of fires
or floods.
▪ Strikes, government action such as nationalisation, and declines in the value of non-
current assets or investments
▪ Purchases/sales of significant non-current assets

▪ If the identified adjustments or disclosures are necessary but not adjusted in the financial
statements then the auditor should consider the impact on the audit report and whether a
modification is necessary to the audit report.
Passive duty – after the date of the audit report:
▪ The auditor does not have a duty to search for evidence of events after the reporting period;
▪ However, if after the audit report is signed and the auditor becomes aware of information
which might have led him to give a different audit opinion, he should discuss the matter
with the directors and take appropriate action;
▪ This will normally be in the form of amending the accounts, reviewing the amendments
and re-issuing the audit report;
▪ If, however the directors refuse to make necessary amendments the auditor should take
necessary steps to prevent reliance on their report. Such action depends upon the advice
given by the auditor's lawyer but could involve:
- Resigning from the engagement and issuing a statement;
- Using the auditor's right to make a statement at a general meeting of the members.
Procedures:
Procedures include:
▪ Enquiring into management procedures/systems for the identification of events after the
reporting period;
▪ Reading minutes of members’ and directors’ meetings;
▪ Reviewing accounting records including budgets, forecasts, cash flows, management
accounts and interim information;
▪ Reviewing the progress of known ‘risk’ areas and contingencies;
▪ Making enquiries of directors to ask if they are aware of any events, adjusting or non-
adjusting, that have not yet been included or disclosed in the financial statements;
▪ Considering relevant information which has come to the auditor’s attention, from sources
outside the enterprise, including public knowledge, or competitors, suppliers and
customers
▪ Obtaining a letter of representation.

ISA 570 Going Concern states that the objectives of an auditor are:
▪ To obtain sufficient appropriate evidence regarding the appropriateness of management's
use of the going concern assumption;
▪ To conclude, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists;
and
▪ To determine the implications for the audit report.
Responsibilities
Management
The going concern is a fundamental principle in the preparation of financial statements, which
management are responsible for preparing.
Some financial reporting standards (for example IAS 1) contain an explicit requirement for
management to make a specific assessment of the entities ability to continue as a going concern.
This requires management to make judgements about the future outcome of events or conditions
which are inherently uncertain.
The auditor
The auditor's responsibilities can be listed as follows:
▪ To consider the appropriateness of management's use of the going concern assumption;
▪ To consider whether there are adequate disclosures regarding the going concern basis in
the financial statements;
▪ To consider the entity's ability to continue for the foreseeable future.
Procedures
The auditor should consider whether there are, and remain alert for evidence of, any events,
conditions or risks that cast significant doubt on the entity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Going concern [ISA 570]

When events or conditions have been identified which may cast significant doubt on the entity’s
ability to continue as a going concern, the auditor should:
▪ Review management’s plans for future actions based on its going concern assessment
▪ Gather sufficient appropriate audit evidence to confirm or dispel whether or not a material
uncertainty exists – this is done by carrying out procedures considered necessary, including
considering the effect of any plans of management and other mitigating factors
▪ Seek written representations from management regarding its plans for future action.
Indicators of going concern risk
Auditors should consider the following indicators as possible reasons for doubt over the going
concern presumption:
▪ Rapidly increasing costs;
Example procedures
▪ Analysing and discussing cash flow, profit and other relevant forecasts with
management
▪ Analysing and discussing the entity’s latest available interim financial statements
▪ Reviewing the terms of debentures and loan agreements and determining whether any
have been breached
▪ Reading minutes of the meetings of shareholders, the board of directors and important
committees for reference to financing difficulties
▪ Enquiring of the entity’s lawyer regarding the existence of litigation and claims and the
reasonableness of management’s assessments of their outcome and the estimate of their
financial implications
▪ Confirming the existence, legality and enforceability of arrangements to provide or
maintain financial support with related and third parties and assessing the financial
ability of such parties to provide additional funds
▪ Considering the entity’s plans to deal with unfilled customer orders
▪ Reviewing events after the period end to identify those that either mitigate or otherwise
affect the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

▪ Shortages of supplies;
▪ Adverse movements in exchange rates;
▪ Business failures amongst customers or suppliers;
▪ Loan repayments falling due in the near future;
▪ High gearing;
▪ Nearness to present borrowing limits;
▪ Companies financed by loans from directors;
▪ Loss of key staff;
▪ Loss of key suppliers/customers;
▪ Technical obsolescence of product range
▪ Impact of major litigation; and
▪ Other fundamental uncertainties.
The foreseeable future:
The auditor should remain alert to the possibility of events or conditions that will occur beyond
management's period of assessment that may bring into question the appropriateness of the going
concern assumption. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding such distant events, the indicator
needs to be significant to prompt the auditor into further action. If such an event is identified the
auditor should request that management consider the significance of the event of condition.
Other than enquiry, the auditor has no other responsibility to perform any other procedures to
identify events or conditions beyond the period assessed by management (i.e. at least 12 months
from the financial statements date).
Going Concern requires management to assess going concern for a period of at least one year from
the (expected) date of approval of the financial statements (rather than 12 months from the
reporting date).
Audit conclusions and reporting:
As seen previously, representations do not relieve the auditor of any responsibility. Based on the
audit evidence obtained, the auditor should determine if, in their judgement:

(a).The basis of preparing the financial statements is or is not appropriate in the circumstances;
and
(b).A material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the entity's ability to
continue as a going concern.
If, in the auditor’s opinion, the going concern assumption is inappropriate then the accounts should
be re-stated on an alternative ('break up') basis. Under this basis of accounting all assets and
liabilities are re-classified as ‘current’ and revalued at net realisable value. Further provisions for
liquidation, such as redundancy and legal costs, may also be required.
If management were to refuse then a modified opinion would be issued. Given the severity and
pervasiveness of the potential misstatements it is likely that an adverse opinion would be issued in
these circumstances.
Where there is a material uncertainty (but the going concern, basis is still considered appropriate)
then the financial statements should contain disclosures describing the conditions that give rise to
the significant doubt. If those disclosures are adequate then the auditor should express an
unmodified opinion but modify the audit report by including an emphasis of matter paragraph
that highlights the disclosure of uncertainty in the financial statements to users of the financial
statements.
According to ISA 570 the auditor should consider the same period reviewed by management as
required by financial reporting requirements. If that period is less than twelve months from the
statement of financial position date then the auditor should request that management extend their
review to cover that period. If management is unwilling to do so, a qualified opinion or a disclaimer
of opinion in the auditor’s report may be appropriate, because it may not be possible for the auditor
to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the use of the going concern assumption.

Exam focus
In the exam you may be asked to consider issues that are likely to have some or all of the
following conditions in common:
▪ A critical area of the financial statements
▪ The subject of an accounting standard which has specific disclosure requirements and
recognition and measurement principles
▪ A contentious or subjective accounting area which has alternative treatments
▪ A high risk matters
▪ An area involving a high degree of judgement
▪ An area where the main source of evidence is that from management.
Many of these conditions will draw upon your detailed knowledge of financial reporting
standards from B2/C1 – Corporate Reporting. You should use the financial reporting
revision chapter at the end of this text to recap the basic principles.

Question 01: [ACCA-Adopted]
You are the manager responsible for the audit of Phoenix, a private limited liability company,
which manufactures super alloys from imported zinc and aluminium. The company operates three
similar foundries at different sites under the direction of Troy Pitz, the chief executive. The draft
accounts for the year ended 31st
March 2017 show profit before taxation of TZS. 1.7 billion (2016
– TZS. 1.5 billion).
The audit senior has produced a schedule of ‘Points for the Attention of the Audit Manager’ as
follows:
(a).A trade investment in 60,000,000 TZS. 1 ordinary shares of Pegasus, one of the company’s
major shipping contractors, is included in the balance sheet at cost of TZS. 80,000,000. In
May 2017, the published financial statements of Pegasus as at 30th
September 2016 show
only a small surplus of net assets. A recent press report now suggests that Pegasus is
insolvent and has ceased to trade. Although dividends declared by Pegasus in respect of
earlier years have not yet been paid, Phoenix has included TZS. 15,000,000 of dividends
receivable in its draft accounts as at 31st
March 2017. (06 marks)
(b).Current liabilities include a TZS. 500,000,000 provision for future maintenance. This
represents the estimated cost of overhauling the blast furnaces and other foundry
equipment. The overhaul is planned for August 2017 when all foundry workers take two
weeks annual leave. (07 marks)
(c).All industrial waste from the furnaces (‘clinker’) is purchased by Cleanaway Ltd, a
government-approved disposal company, under a five-year contract that is due for renewal
later this year. A recent newspaper article states that ‘substantial fines have been levied on
Cleanaway for illegal dumping’. Troy Pitz is the majority shareholder of Cleanaway.
(07 marks)
Required:
For each of the above points:
(i) Comment on the matters that you would consider; and

(ii) State the audit evidence that you would expect to find, in undertaking your review of
the audit working papers and financial statements of Phoenix.
(Total: 20 marks)
Answer
‘Matters’ will often encompass considerations of ‘risk’, ‘materiality’ and ‘accounting treatment’
(i.e. the omission of recognition and/ or disclosure as well as benchmark and alternative
treatments). A good working knowledge of various accounting standards is essential to the
production of a good answer as well as a clear understanding of the relevant financial statement
assertions and audit testing techniques as regards the audit evidence.
(a).Trade investment
(i) Matters
Assuming that Pegasus is insolvent (e.g. a receiver or liquidator has been appointed)
this is an adjusting post balance sheet event (IAS 10).
As the recoverable amount is likely to be TZS. nil, TZS. 80,000,000 impairment loss
should be recognised in the income statement for the year to 31st
March 2017 (IAS 36).
As the likelihood of any distribution of the declared dividends is remote, the TZS.
15,000,000 dividends receivable should be written off.
The total expense of TZS. 95,000,000 represents 5.6% of draft profit before tax and is
therefore material. As is it not expected to recur, separate disclosure (IAS 1) may be
appropriate to explaining Phoenix’s performance for the year.
Before deciding whether or not an ‘except for’ modified opinion would be reported, if
adjustments are not made, materiality should also be assessed in relation to the balance
sheet.
The post balance sheet event may also be described in the directors’ report with a cross-
reference to the investments note.
(ii) Audit evidence
- A copy of the press report.
- The audited accounts of Pegasus for the year ended 30th
September 2016 showing
whether there are assets with market values in excess of book values.

- The receiver’s (or liquidator’s) statement of affairs indicating whether any distribution
is possible.
- If a meeting of the shareholders of Pegasus has been held to consider the company’s
state of affairs, a copy of the minutes (may be obtained by Phoenix).
- Discussion with client who, if anyone, has replaced Pegasus as one of their major
shipping contractors. Also, whether any consignments have been held up while
negotiating for an alternative shipping contractor.
(b).Future maintenance
(i) Matters
The provision represents 29% of draft profit before tax and is therefore material.
The accounting treatment of maintenance costs should be consistent with prior years.
However, IAS 37 does not permit the recognition of a provision that does not meet the
recognition criteria for liabilities.
Overhaul expenditure to restore or maintain the future economic benefits expected from
the plant and equipment should normally be recognised as an expense when it is
incurred. However, blast furnaces are of a type of plant and equipment that require
relining after a specified period. The components (blast furnace interiors) which require
replacement are separate assets that should be depreciated over the replacement cycle.
To the extent that the TZS. 5,000,000 includes the cost of replacing separate assets, it
represents future capital cost.
Prudence does not permit the creation of hidden reserves and excessive provisions. This
‘provision’ does not meet the IAS 37 definition:
- There is no uncertainty about the timing (August);
- There may be relatively little uncertainty about the amounts involved;
- There is no liability as at 31st
March 2017.
If the provision is not ‘unmade’, as being unnecessary, the audit opinion should be qualified
‘except for’ on grounds of non-compliance with IAS 37.
Draft profit before tax (TZS. 1.7bn) shows a 13% increase on the previous year. If
adjustments are made for points (1) and (2), profit will be increased by at least TZS.

400,000,000 (i.e. (1) TZS. 95,000,000 decrease plus (2) TZS. 500,000,0000 increase).
Profit before tax of TZS. 2.1bn would be a 40% increase on the prior year.
The management of Phoenix may have decided that TZS. 1.7bn is what is to be reported.
Management may have made the future maintenance provision (which may have been
permitted in previous years) as a way of ‘setting aside’ a reserve. For example, in
anticipation of increased costs expected to arise in respect of waste disposal in (3).
Tutorial note: It is a ‘higher skill’ to be able to demonstrate an ability to stand back from
the individual items and take an overall view – in this part of the question, considering the
overall impact on the draft PBT.
(ii) Audit evidence
- Client’s schedule showing make-up of provision.
- Discussion with senior management their reasons for having made the provision and
whether any costs have been contracted for.
- External tenders or quotes for sub-contracted work (and/or internal costings).
- Prior year working papers (and/or the permanent audit file) showing the cost and frequency
of overhauls in previous periods (whether all sites done at once or on a cyclical basis).
(c).Cleanaway
(i) Matters
The matter is likely to be material as ALL Phoenix’s industrial waste is disposed of by
Cleanaway.
Whether Phoenix has been implicated in Cleanaway’s illegal dumping (e.g. by
Phoenix’s clinker having been dumped, or by Troy Pitz’s relationship with the two
companies).
Whether the integrity of Troy Pitz has been questioned (either by the media or other
key personnel in Phoenix) and, if so, its impact on the audit. For example, any
assessment of control risk as less than high should be reassessed in the light of his role
in the control environment.
Possible consequences for Phoenix of the contract not being renewed:
- A legal alternative will need to be found for disposal of clinker, e.g.:
- Another approved provider of waste disposal services

- A suitable landfill site (taxes may be substantial), otherwise
- There may be doubts about going concern.
Possible consequences for Phoenix of the contract being renewed:
- A substantial increase in costs of disposal, e.g. because:
- Terms were last agreed five years ago
- Cleanaway will need to pass on the costs of penalties to its customers
- Loss of customers’ goodwill through associations with Cleanaway
- Risk of investigation by a government agency into the company’s environmental
practices.
Even if doubts about the going concern assumption are resolved, whether or not the
contract is renewed in the future amounts to a ‘significant uncertainty’. An emphasis of
matter paragraph in the auditor’s report is likely to be appropriate. The matter must
therefore be adequately disclosed (e.g. in the notes to the financial statements).
Cleanaway is a related party. Troy Pitz has authority and responsibility for Phoenix’s
operational activities (as chief executive) and a controlling interest in Cleanaway. The
financial statements of Phoenix should disclose (IAS 24):
- The nature of the related party relationship;
- An indication of the services received including:
- Amount (or proportion) of costs involved
- Pricing policy (per contract)
- Amount outstanding (trade creditor balance)
- Credit terms, etc.
(ii) Audit evidence
- The terms of the contract, in particular whether:
- Early termination could be an option for Phoenix (in the light of Cleanaway’s illegal
activities);
- Any clauses are relevant to its renewal (e.g. restricting price increases).
- Newspaper articles, including any editorial comment or letters from Cleanaway or Troy
Pitz.

- Discussions with senior management (Troy Pitz and others) whether a suitable alternative
service provider exists.
- Concerning related parties and related party transactions:
- Prior year working papers and financial statements;
- Review of Phoenix’s procedures (e.g. keeping of registers and requiring board approval of
certain transactions)
- Inquiries of directors, key management and the company secretary
- An extract of principal shareholders from the share register
- Minutes of shareholder and board meetings;
- Relevant statutory books and records (e.g. register of directors’ interests)
- Relevant returns supplied to regulatory agencies (e.g. income tax returns)
- Extracts from all significant contracts
- Third party replies (e.g. bank reports for audit purposes and loan confirmations identifying
guarantees)
- A post-year-end review, up to the date of signing the auditors’ report, must support the
validity or otherwise of the going concern assumption. In particular:
- Board minutes should indicate what action, if any, management propose to take to mitigate
the adverse publicity surrounding Cleanaway
- Order books may reveal the loss of major customers (e.g. if delays experienced consequent
on the demise of Pegasus)
- Successful negotiations with existing or new shipping contractors, to take on the work of
Pegasus, should result in signed contracts
- Discussions with management, to ascertain their plans to secure Phoenix’s future, may be
confirmed by written management representations (assuming there is neither corroborative
nor conflicting alternative evidence).
Tutorial note: Taking an overall view on something like the going concern assumption is another
example of the higher skill of ‘standing back’ from the individual items.

Question 2: [CPA Nov. 2014]
(a).You are auditing the financial statements of Bigresults Trading, a listed company, for the year
ended 31st
December 2012. The Senior Partner of your audit firm has asked you to consider
the auditor’s responsibilities for identifying subsequent events. Also, he has asked you to
describe the audit procedures which examine subsequent events. He has suggested that an
example of one point in answer to part (b) below would be: ‘checking cash received from
accounts receivable after the year end to determine the reliability of accounts receivable
balances at the year-end and highlight doubtful balances on the accounts receivable ledger.
The detailed audit work was completed on Friday 7th
February 2013. It is proposed that:
(i) The audit report is signed on Friday 15th
February, 2013
(ii) The financial statements are sent to shareholders on Monday 25th
February, 2013 and
(iii)The Company annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday 20th
March, 2013. At
this meeting the shareholders vote for approving the financial statements.
Required:
Considers the auditor’s responsibilities for detecting material subsequent events in the
periods:
(i) 31st December – 7th February 2013
(ii) 7th February 2013 – 15th February 2013
(iii)15th February 2013 – 25th February 2013
(iv)25th February 2013 – 20th March 2013
(v) After 20th March 2013
(07 marks)
(b).Identify and explain appropriate audit work you will carry out in period (a) (ii) above.
(03 marks)
(c).Among of the remarkable development in the public audits were the enactment of the Public
Audit Act in 2008 and Amendment of the Finance Act 2010 for the establishment of office of
Internal Auditor General.
Required:
Prepare a presentation which indicates the following:

The difference of reporting responsibilities of the Internal Auditor General and the
Controller and Auditor General. (10 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
Question 03: [CPA May. 2015]
An Accountant of Kiwira prepares the financial statements for the year ended 30th
September 2014.
The financial Statements are expected to be approved in the Annual General Meeting, to be held
on 29th
November 2014. Assume that today’s date is 22nd
November 2014. The following matters
have been revealed:
(i) On 14th
October 2014, a material fraud was discovered by the book keeper. The payable ledger
assistant had been diverting funds into a fictitious supplier bank account, set up by the
employee, which had been occurring for the past six months. The employee was immediately
suspended pending legal proceeding against him. His salaries have been withheld as part of
reimbursement back to the company.
(ii) On September 2014, a customer initiated legal proceedings against the company in relation to
breach of contract. On 29th
September 2014, the company legal advisor informed the directors
that it was unlikely the company would be found liable; therefore, no provision has been made
in the financial statements, but disclosure as a contingent liability has been made. On 29th
October 2014, the court found the company liable on a technicality and it is now required to
pay for damages amounting to a material sum.
(iii)On 19th
November, 2014 one of Kiwira’s customers ceased trading due to financial difficulties
owing TZS. 4 million. As the financial statements are needed for the Board of Directors
meeting on 25th
November 2014, the Accountant of Kiwira decided that because the amount is
immaterial, no adjustment is required. The auditors have also confirmed that this amount is
immaterial to the Draft Financial Statement.
Required:
(a).For each of the three events above, you are required to assess and conclude whether the
financial Statements require adjustment. (10 marks)

(b).Identify and describe the audit procedures that should be performed to obtain sufficient
appropriate evidence that the subsequent events have been appropriately treated in
Financial Statements. (10 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
(a).ISA 710 has been restructured under the clarity project to indicate that the auditor’s procedures
are the same in respect of corresponding figures and comparative financial statements.
Required:
Explain the following terms as applied in the ISA 710:
(i) Corresponding figures (01 marks)
(ii) Comparative Financial Statements (02 marks)
(iii)The auditor’s responsibilities for corresponding figures (03 marks)
(b).Explain any four generally accepted objectives for statement of financial position/balance sheet
audit (04 marks)
You are the audit senior in Rafiki Associates, and you have just concluded the audit of one of your
audit clients, Zuberi Ltd, whose year end is 31st
December 2016. The Financial Statements have
recently been issued to the shareholders and the annual general meeting has been slated for 26th
March 2017. The meeting will, in accordance with the memorandum and articles of Association
of Zuberi Ltd, be chaired by Mukubwa who is the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of the company. Mukubwa is vested with a wealth of experience in the industry. Mukubwa
has also been very instrumental to growing the company from its infancy stage to its current level.
Before the annual general meeting, you discovered that inventory which existed at the end of
period valued at cost at TZS. 50,000,000 was sold for TZS. 38,520,000 in February 2017.
Materiality for the audit has been set at TZS. 10,000,000.
Required:
(i) Explain what is meant by subsequent events in the audit of financial statement of Zuberi
Limited whose year end is 31st December 2016. (03 marks)

(ii) Discuss the action that Rafiki Associates will take in view of the above event discovered
after the issue of the financial statements but before the annual general meeting.
(05 marks)
(iii)Evaluate the matter of Mukubwa being both Board Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Zuberi Ltd and provide your advice to the company. (04 marks)
Question 06: [CPA May 2018]
(a).You are an audit team leader in the audit of Kibao Limited and you are about to complete the
audit for the year ended 31st
December 2017. The financial statement and the audit report are
due to be signed next week. The following two material events have however come to your
attention on 3rd
March 2018.
Event 1 – Occurred on 10th
January, 2018:
The chemical in a new type of fertilizer (CAN4) has been found to be substandard making the
fertilizer unsafe for use. There have been no sales of this fertilizer as promotion activities were
to be conducted in the next few weeks before selling activities were to be launched. The
company’s insurers estimate that inventories to the value of TZS. 825 million has been affected
and hence, reducing value down to only TZS. 315 million. No claim can be made against the
supplier of raw materials as this company is in liquidation with no prospect of any amount
being paid to third parties. The insurers will not pay Kibao for the fall in value of the
inventories as the company was underinsured. All of these inventories were in the finished
goods store at the end of the year and no movements of these inventories have been recorded
at the post year-end.
Event 2 – Occurred 5th
February 2018:
Production at the Shaurimoyo factory was halted for one day when a truck carrying chemicals
used in manufacturing of fertilizer reversed into a wall, puncturing the vehicle allowing
chemical to spread across the factory premises and into a local river. The National Environment
Management Council (NEMC) is currently considering whether the release of chemical was
in breach of environmental legislation. The company’s insurers have not yet commented on
the event.
Required:
For each of the two events above:

(i) Explain whether they are adjusting or non-adjusting events according to IAS 10
Events After Reporting Period. (10 marks)
(ii) Describe the auditor’s responsibility and the audit procedures and actions that
should be carried out according to ISA 560 Subsequent Events. (10 marks)
(b).Discuss the meaning of “management representative” and list four (4) items that could be
included in a management representation letter. (06 marks)
(c).Distinguish between ‘management expert’ and ‘auditor expert’ stating clearly the extent of
responsibility the auditor expert has over the audit opinions. (06 marks)
(d).Bibiana, a Certified Public Accountant, has been appointed to examine the Prospective
Financial Information (PFI) of one of her clients. Since she has not conducted such an
assignment before, she seeks advice from you who is one of her colleagues regarding the
procedures that need to be followed while examining PFI.
Required:
Give a brief outline about the procedures that need to be followed while examining the
PFI (10 marks)
(Total: 40 marks)
Question 07:
You are the manager responsible for the audit of Aspersion, a limited liability company, which
mainly provides national cargo services with a small fleet of aircraft. The draft accounts for the
year ended 30th
September 2016 show profit before taxation of TZS. 2.7 million (2015 – TZS. 2.2
million) and total assets of TZS. 10.4 million (2015 – TZS. 9.8 million).
The following issues are outstanding and have been left for your attention:
(a).The sale of a cargo carrier to Abra, a private limited company, during the year resulted in a
loss on disposal of TZS. 400,000. The aircraft cost TZS. 1.2 million when it was purchased in
October 2007 and was being depreciated on a straight-line basis over 20 years. The minutes of
the board meeting at which the sale was approved record that Aspersion’s finance director, Iain
Joiteon, has a 30% equity interest in Abra. (07 marks)
(b).As well as cargo carriers, Aspersion owns two light aircraft which were purchased in 2013 to
provide business passenger flights to a small island under a three-year service contract. It is

now known that the contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of March 2017.
The aircraft, which cost TZS. 450,000 each, are being depreciated over 15 years.
(07 marks)
(c).Deferred tax amounting to TZS. 570,000 as at 30th
September 2016 has been calculated relating
to tangible fixed assets at a tax rate of 30% using the full provision method (IAS 12, Income
Taxes). On 1st
December 2016, the government announced an increase in the corporate income
tax rate to 34%. The directors are proposing to adjust the draft accounts for the further liability
arising. (06 marks)
Required:
For each of the above points:
(i) Comment on the matters that you should consider; and
(ii) State the audit evidence that you should expect to find, in undertaking your review of
the audit working papers and financial statements of Aspersion.
(Total: 20 marks)

Audit completion & review class notes

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