Auditing and Assurance Chapter 11: Audit Report
CA Inter Auditing and Assurance Chapter 11, Audit Report, Important Solved Questions for May 2021 & November 2021 Exams.
Question 1
M/s Amitabh & Associates are the statutory auditors of Ringston Ltd. which is a company engaged in the business of manufacture of pen drives. The auditor has started drafting the audit report for the FY 2020-21. CA Amitabh, the engagement partner is of the view that the financial statements of Ringston Ltd. represent a true and fair view. Give the draft of the opinion paragraph of the audit report.
Solution
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Ringston Limited which comprise the Balance Sheet as at 31.03.2021 and the statement of Profit and Loss Account and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the aforesaid financial statements give the information required by the Act in the manner so required and give a true and fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs of the company as at 31.03.2021 and the Profit & Loss for the year ending on that date.
Question 2
M/s Kite Rite & Associates are the statutory auditors of Prime Deluxe Limited, for the FY 2020-21. At the time of finalising the audit report, one of the engagement team members, Mr. Robin, asked the engagement partner, CA Kite as to what all should be included in the Basis of Opinion Paragraph. The engagement partner CA Kite, explained the team in detail and asked Mr. Robin to draft such section for the auditor’s report of Prime Deluxe Limited. Help Mr. Robin to draft the Basis for opinion section.
Solution
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (SAs) specified under section 143(10) of the Companies Act, 2013. Our responsibilities under those Standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the Code of Ethics issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Rules thereunder, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Question 3
Diamond Shine Ltd. is a company engaged in the manufacture of detergent. M/s Bright & Associates are the statutory auditors of the company. Explain how the paragraph related to the management’s responsibility will come in the auditor’s report.
Solution
Management’s Responsibility for the Standalone Financial Statements
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the matters stated in section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 (“the Act”) with respect to the preparation of these standalone financial statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance, (changes in equity) and cash flows of the Company in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, including the accounting Standards specified under section 133 of the Act. This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate accounting policies; making judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls, that were operating effectively for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, relevant to the preparation and presentation of the financial statement that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. Those Board of Directors are also responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process.
Question 4
M/s Ajay Vijay & Associates are the statutory auditors of Sarovar Ltd. for the FY 2020-21. The company is engaged in the business of manufacture of water bottles. At the time of finalising the auditor’s report, one of the audit team members asked CA Ajay, the engagement partner to advise as to how the auditor’s responsibilities can be shown in an appendix to the auditor’s report. Draft the auditor’s responsibility paragraph so as to advise the audit team member.
Solution
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with SAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is included in appendix X of this auditor’s report. This description, which is located at [indicate page number or other specific reference to the location of the description], forms part of our auditor’s report.
Question 5
M/s TUV & Associates are the statutory auditors of Venus Ltd. for the FY 2020-21.
At the time of finalising the auditor’s report, one of the audit team members asked the engagement partner, CA Tarun, to explain as to how the auditor’s report will be signed. Help CA Tarun in explaining the same.
Solution
Question 6
Super Duper Ltd. is a company engaged in the manufacture of office furniture. M/s Young Old & Associates are the statutory auditors of the company for the FY 2020-21. During the year under audit, the engagement partner CA Young noticed that the company has not bifurcated its loans into long term and short term. CA Young understands that such misstatement is not pervasive though the same is material.
Explain the type of opinion that should be given by M/s Young Old & Associates in this case.
Solution
M/s Young Old & Associates should give a qualified opinion as the effect of the misstatement on account of the non bifurcation of loans into long term and short term loans, is material but not pervasive.
Question 7
M/s Taj Raj & Associates are the statutory auditors of Polex Ltd. engaged in the manufacture of premium watches, for the FY 2020-21. During the course of audit, CA Taj, the engagement partner found that the stocks and debtors of the company constituting about 80% of the total assets of the company are not realisable. Further, the cashier of the company has committed a fraud during the year under audit. Both the facts are not reflected in the financial statements for the year ending 31.03.2021. Accordingly, CA Taj is of the view that the impact of both the situations on the financial statements is material and pervasive and thus, the financial statements represent a distorted view of the state of affairs of the company. Explain the reporting requirements of CA Taj.
Solution
The auditor shall express an adverse opinion when the auditor, having obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence, concludes that misstatements, individually or in the aggregate, are both material and pervasive to the financial statements.
In the case Polex Ltd., CA Taj found that the stocks and debtors of the company constituting about 80% of the total assets of the company are not realisable. Further, the cashier of the company has committed a fraud during the year under audit. Such situations are not reflected in the financial statements of the company despite having a material and pervasive impact on the financial statements. As such, CA Taj should give an adverse opinion.
Further, CA Taj should also consider the reporting responsibilities under CARO 2016 and section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013.
Question 8
Delightful Ltd. is a company engaged in the production of smiley balls. During the FY 2020-21 the company transferred its accounts to computerised system (SAP) from manual system of accounts. Since the employees of the company were not well versed with the SAP system, there were many errors in the accounting during the transition period. As such the statutory auditors of the company were not able to extract correct data and reports from the system. Such data was not available manually also. Further, the employees and the management of the company were not supportive in providing the requisite information to the audit team. Explain the kind of audit report that the statutory auditor of the company should issue in this case.
Solution
When the statutory auditor of the company is unable to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, the auditor should give disclaimer of opinion as per SA 705.
In the present case, the statutory auditor of the company is unable to extract correct data and reports from the SAP system for conduct of audit. Also, such data and reports are not available manually. As such, the statutory auditor of Delightful Ltd. should give a disclaimer of opinion.
Question 9
M/s Daisy & Associates are the statutory auditors of Zebra Ltd. for the FY 2020-21. CA Daisy, the engagement partner wants to verify the cash in hand as on 31.03.2021. The cash balance of the company as on 31.03.2021 is Rs. 1,00,000/- and the turnover of the company for the year is Rs. 6 crores. The management of the company informs CA Daisy that such cash verification is not possible as the cashier is on leave for his marriage and no other employee of the company is available as all are busy in year ending activities. Explain the relevant provisions to deal with such a situation.
Solution
If, after accepting the engagement, the auditor becomes aware that management has imposed a limitation on the scope of the audit that the auditor considers is likely to result in the need to express a qualified opinion or to disclaim an opinion on the financial statements, the auditor shall request that management remove the limitation.
In the present case CA Daisy, the statutory auditor is unable to verify the cash in hand of Zebra Ltd. as on 31.03.2021. The same is due to a limitation imposed by the management of Zebra Ltd. which is due to the non availability of the cashier. In such situation, CA Daisy should perform alternate procedures to verify the cash on hand of the company. Further, CA Daisy should consider the impact on the auditor’s report and may consider issuing a qualified opinion in this case.
Question 10
Lomaxe Ltd. is a company engaged in the business of manufacture of candles. CA Kamalnath is the statutory auditor of the company for the FY 2020-21. During the year under audit, there was a fire in the company’s factory as a result of which, some of the company’s plant and machinery was destroyed. The same was disclosed by the company in the notes to accounts annexed to the financial statements for the year ending 31.03.2021. CA Kamalnath decided to communicate this matter in the auditor’s report as he is of the view that the matter is of such importance that it is fundamental to the user’s understanding of the financial statements. Help CA Kamalnath to deal with this situation in the auditor’s report.
Solution
In the present case there is a need to add Emphasis on Matter Paragraph in the Auditor’s Report. The draft of the same is as under:
Emphasis of Matter – Effects of Fire in Company’s Factory
We draw attention to Note Y of the financial statements, which describes the effects of a fire in the Company’s factory. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
Question 11
In considering the qualitative aspects of the entity’s accounting practices, the auditor may become aware of possible bias in management’s judgments. The auditor may conclude that lack of neutrality together with uncorrected misstatements causes the financial statements to be materially misstated. Explain and analyse the indicators of lack of neutrality with examples, wherever required.
Solution
In considering the qualitative aspects of the entity’s accounting practices, the auditor may become aware of possible bias in management’s judgments. The auditor may conclude that lack of neutrality together with uncorrected misstatements causes the financial statements to be materially misstated. Indicators of a lack of neutrality include the following:
(i) The selective correction of misstatements brought to management’s attention during the audit.
Example
- Correcting misstatements with the effect of increasing reported earnings, but not correcting misstatements that have the effect of decreasing reported earnings.
- The combination of several deficiencies affecting the same significant account or disclosure (or the same internal control component) could amount to a significant deficiency (or material weakness if required to be communicated in the jurisdiction). This evaluation requires judgment and involvement of audit executives.
(ii) Possible management bias in the making of accounting estimates.
Question 12
The first section of the auditor’s report shall include the auditor’s opinion, and shall have the heading “Opinion.” The Opinion section of the auditor’s report shall also identify the entity whose financial statements have been audited. Apart from the above, explain the other relevant points to be included in opinion section.
Solution
The first section of the auditor’s report shall include the auditor’s opinion, and shall have the heading “Opinion.”
The Opinion section of the auditor’s report shall also:
(a) Identify the entity whose financial statements have been audited;
(b) State that the financial statements have been audited;
(c) Identify the title of each statement comprising the financial statements;
(d) Refer to the notes, including the summary of significant accounting policies; and
(e) Specify the date of, or period covered by, each financial statement comprising the financial statements.
Question 13
Define Emphasis of Matter Paragraph and how it should be disclosed in the Independent Auditor’s Report?
Solution
Emphasis of Matter paragraph: A paragraph included in the auditor’s report that refers to a matter appropriately presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor’s judgment, is of such importance that it is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements.
When the auditor includes an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report, the auditor shall:
(i) Include the paragraph within a separate section of the auditor’s report with an appropriate heading that includes the term “Emphasis of Matter”;
(ii) Include in the paragraph a clear reference to the matter being emphasized and to where relevant disclosures that fully describe the matter can be found in the financial statements. The paragraph shall refer only to information presented or disclosed in the financial statements; and
(iii) Indicate that the auditor’s opinion is not modified in respect of the matter emphasized.
Question 14
“An auditor is required to make specific evaluations while forming an opinion in an audit report.” State those evaluations.
Solution
Specific Evaluations by the auditor: In particular, the auditor shall evaluate whether :
(i) The financial statements adequately disclose the significant accounting policies selected and applied;
(ii) The accounting policies selected and applied are consistent with the applicable financial reporting framework and are appropriate;
(iii) The accounting estimates made by management are reasonable;
(iv) The information presented in the financial statements is relevant, reliable, comparable, and understandable;
(v) The financial statements provide adequate disclosures to enable the intended users to understand the effect of material transactions and events on the information conveyed in the financial statements; and
(vi) The terminology used in the financial statements, including the title of each financial statement, is appropriate.
Question 15
The auditor’s report shall include a section with a heading “Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements.” SA 200 explains the premise, relating to the responsibilities of management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance, on which an audit in accordance with SAs is conducted. Explain
Solution
Responsibilities for the Financial Statements: The auditor’s report shall include a section with a heading “Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements.”
SA 200 explains the premise, relating to the responsibilities of management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance, on which an audit in accordance with SAs is conducted. Management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance accept responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements. Management also accepts responsibility for such internal control as it determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The description of management’s responsibilities in the auditor’s report includes reference to both responsibilities as it helps to explain to users the premise on which an audit is conducted.
This section of the auditor’s report shall describe management’s responsibility for:
(a) Preparing the financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error;[because of the possible effects of fraud on other aspects of the audit, materiality does not apply to management’s acknowledgement regarding its responsibility for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control (or for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting) to prevent and detect fraud.] and
(b) Assessing the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and whether the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate as well as disclosing, if applicable, matters relating to going concern. The explanation of management’s responsibility for this assessment shall include a description of when the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate.
Question 16
Communicating Key Audit Matter is not a substitute for disclosure in the Financial Statements rather Communicating key audit matters in the auditor’s report is in the context of the Auditor having formed an opinion on the financial statements as a whole. Analyse.
Solution
Communicating key audit matters in the auditor’s report is not:
(i) A substitute for disclosures in the financial statements that the applicable financial reporting framework requires management to make, or that are otherwise necessary to achieve fair presentation;
(ii) A substitute for the auditor expressing a modified opinion when required by the circumstances of a specific audit engagement in accordance with SA 705 (Revised);
(iii) A substitute for reporting in accordance with SA 570 when a material uncertainty exists relating to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern; or
(iv) A separate opinion on individual matters.
Question 17
The auditor’s report shall include a section, directly following the Opinion section, with the heading “Basis for Opinion”. Explain what is included in this “Basis for Opinion” section.
Solution
Basis for Opinion: The auditor’s report shall include a section, directly following the Opinion section, with the heading “Basis for Opinion”, that:
(a) States that the audit was conducted in accordance with Standards on Auditing;
(b) Refers to the section of the auditor’s report that describes the auditor’s responsibilities under the SAs;
(c) Includes a statement that the auditor is independent of the entity in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to the audit and has fulfilled the auditor’s other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
(d) States whether the auditor believes that the audit evidence the auditor has obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for the auditor’s opinion.
Question 18
Give a brief description about the management responsibility to be mentioned in the statutory auditor’s report.
Solution
The auditor’s report shall include a section with a heading “Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements.”
SA 200 explains the premise, relating to the responsibilities of management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance, on which an audit in accordance with SAs is conducted.
Management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance accept responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements. Management also accepts responsibility for such internal control as it determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
The description of management’s responsibilities in the auditor’s report includes reference to both responsibilities as it helps to explain to users the premise on which an audit is conducted.
This section of the auditor’s report shall describe management’s responsibility for:
(a) Preparing the financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; and
(b) Assessing the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and whether the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate as well as disclosing, if applicable, matters relating to going concern. The explanation of management’s responsibility for this assessment shall include a description of when the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate.
Question 19
Distinguish between an adverse opinion and a qualified opinion. Also draft an opinion paragraph for both types of opinion.
Solution
An auditor shall express an adverse opinion, when the auditor having obtained sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, concludes that misstatements, individually or in aggregate are both material and pervasive.
Whereas, when the auditor, having obtained sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, concludes that misstatements are material but not pervasive, shall express a qualified opinion.
SA705 – “Modifications To The Opinion In The Independent Auditor’s Report” deals with the form and content of both types of report. The following are the draft of the opinion paragraphs of the reports.
(a) Adverse Report
Adverse Opinion
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of ABC Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as the “Holding Company”) and its subsidiaries (the Holding Company and its subsidiaries together referred to as “the Group”), its associates and jointly controlled entities, which comprise the consolidated balance sheet as at March 31, 2021, the consolidated statement of profit and Loss, (consolidated statement of changes in equity) and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies (hereinafter referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, because of the significance of the matter discussed in the Basis for Adverse Opinion section of our report, the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not give a true and fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, of their consolidated state of affairs of the Group, its associates and jointly controlled entities, as at March 31, 2021, of its consolidated profit/loss, (consolidated position of changes in equity) and the consolidated cash flows for the year then ended.
(b) Qualified Report
Qualified Opinion
We have audited the standalone financial statements of ABC Company Limited (“the Company”), which comprise the balance sheet as at March 31, 2021, and the statement of Profit and Loss, (statement of changes in equity) and the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information (in which are included the Returns for the year ended on that date audited by the branch auditors of the Company’s branches located at (location of branches)) . In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, except for the effects of the matter described in the Basis for Qualified Opinion section of our report, the aforesaid financial statements give a true and fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31st, 2021 and profit/loss, (changes in equity) and its cash flows for the year ended on that date.
Question 20
What is meant by Emphasis of Matter Paragraph and how it should be disclosed in the independent auditor’s report?
Solution
Emphasis Of Matter Paragraph is a paragraph included in the auditor’s report that refers to a matter appropriately presented and disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor judgement, is of such importance that it is fundamental to user’s understanding of the financial statements. When the auditor includes an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report, the auditor shall:
(a) Include the paragraph within a separate section of the auditor’s report with an appropriate heading that includes the term “Emphasis of Matter”;
(b) Include in the paragraph a clear reference to the matter being emphasized and to where relevant disclosures that fully describe the matter can be found in the financial statements. The paragraph shall refer only to information presented or disclosed in the financial statements; and
(c) Indicate that the auditor’s opinion is not modified in respect of the matter emphasized.