Auditing, 14e (Arens)

Chapter 4 Audit Responsibilities and Objectives

4.1 Explain the objective of conducting an audit of financial statements

1) The purpose of the financial statement audit is to express an opinion on

A) the accuracy of the financial statements.
B) the balance sheet and income statement.
C) the fairness of the financial statements.
D) the annual report.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 85
Learning Obj.: 4-1 Explain the objective of conducting an audit of financial statements

2) CAS 200 explains that the purpose of the financial statement audit is to express an opinion on the
financial statements. This opinion is an assessment of whether the financial statements are presented
fairly using
A) IFRS standards.
B) an applicable financial reporting framework.
C) management's assertions.
D) rules of professional conduct.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 85
Learning Obj.: 4-1 Explain the objective of conducting an audit of financial statements

3) The auditor gives an audit opinion on the fair presentation of the financial statements and associates
his or her name with it when, on the basis of adequate evidence, the auditor concludes that the financial
statements are unlikely to mislead
A) a prudent user.
B) management.
C) the reader.
D) investors.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 85
Learning Obj.: 4-1 Explain the objective of conducting an audit of financial statements

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4.2 Explain management's responsibility for the financial statements and internal controls

1) The responsibility for adopting a sound and appropriate financial reporting framework and
corresponding accounting policies, maintaining adequate internal controls, and making fair
representations in the financial statements rests
A) with management.
B) with the auditor.
C) equally with management and the auditor.
D) with the internal audit department.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 86
Learning Obj.: 4-2 Explain management''s responsibility for the financial statements and internal
controls

2) The responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements and the accompanying footnotes
belongs to
A) the auditor.
B) management.
C) both management and the auditor equally.
D) management for the statements and the auditor for the notes.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 86-87
Learning Obj.: 4-2 Explain management''s responsibility for the financial statements and internal
controls

3) In the event that management insists on financial statement disclosure that the auditor finds
unacceptable, the auditor cannot
A) issue a qualified report.
B) issue an unqualified report.
C) issue a disclaimer report.
D) issue an adverse report.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 87
Learning Obj.: 4-2 Explain management''s responsibility for the financial statements and internal
controls

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4) In May 2017, the firm of Chang and Crown (C&C) became the auditors of Laua Limited (LL) for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. LL's shareholders and Board approved the change from its previous
audit firm on the recommendation of LL's senior management. One of the new board members is a bit
confused about management's role with respect to the financial statements and thought that Chang and
Crown would be preparing the financial statements. He was also glad that the auditors would be able to
help prevent illegal acts and fraud.

Required:
A) Distinguish between management's responsibility and the auditor's responsibility for the financial
statements under audit.
B) Explain to the board member why the auditor does not help prevent illegal acts and fraud. What is the
role of the auditor with respect to illegal acts and fraud?
Answer: A)
Management:
Management is responsible for adopting appropriate accounting policies, maintaining adequate internal
control, and making fair representations in the financial statements.
Auditor:
The auditor is required to plan and perform the audit with an attitude of professional skepticism,
recognizing that circumstances may exist that cause the financial statements to be materially misstated.

B) Since management is responsible for maintaining internal control, it is management's responsibility to

design and monitor internal controls to help prevent and detect illegal acts and fraud.
The auditor considers fraud and illegal acts in the context of whether they have a material effect upon
the financial statements. Accordingly, the auditor is responsible for obtaining reasonable assurance that
the financial statements are free of material error, which includes illegal acts that may have a material
indirect effect on the financial statements, and material fraud, which may have a direct effect on the
financial statements.
Audits cannot be expected to provide the same degree of assurance for the detection of material
management fraud, since concealment by management makes fraud more difficult for auditors to find.
Diff: 1 Type: ES Page Ref: 86-87
Learning Obj.: 4-2 Explain management''s responsibility for the financial statements and internal
controls

4.3 Explain the responsibilities of those in charge of governance for financial statements and internal
controls

1) Prior to looking at the specific cycles, the auditor will first

A) enquire about and document corporate governance systems.
B) perform tests of controls on significant cycles.
C) perform analytical review of specific accounts.
D) perform a risk assessment for the audit of the organization.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 88
Learning Obj.: 4-3 Explain the responsibilities of those in charge of governance for financial statements
and internal controls

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4.4 Explain the auditor's responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to fraud or error

1) There is agreement within the auditing profession and the courts that the auditor is
A) not a guarantor or insurer of financial statements.
B) a guarantor but not an insurer of financial statements.
C) an insurer but not a guarantor of financial statements.
D) both a guarantor and an insurer of financial statements.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 89
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

2) The auditor has considerable responsibility for notifying users whether the financial statements are
fairly stated. This imposes upon the auditor a duty to
A) be an insurer of the fairness in the statements.
B) be a guarantor of the fairness in the statements.
C) be equally responsible with management for the preparation of the financial statements.
D) provide reasonable assurance that material misstatements will be detected.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 88-89
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

3) The factor that distinguishes an error from fraud or other irregularities is

A) materiality.
B) intent.
C) whether it is a dollar amount or a process.
D) whether it is a caused by the auditor or the client.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 89-90
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

4) Which of the following is an example of fraudulent financial reporting (management fraud)?

A) intentional overstatement of sales to increase reported earnings
B) managers or others taking bribes from accounts payable suppliers
C) the purchasing manager submitting travel expenses twice (i.e. duplicate payment)
D) a clerk taking cash at the time a sale is made and not recording the sale
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 89-90
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

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5) In comparing management fraud with employee fraud, the auditor's risk of failing to discover the
fraud is greater for
A) employee fraud because of the larger number of employees in the organization.
B) employee fraud because of the irregular hours worked by some employees.
C) management fraud because of management's ability to override existing internal controls.
D) management fraud because managers are inherently smarter than employees.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 89-90
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

6) If the auditor were responsible for making certain that all the assertions of management in the
statements were correct,
A) bankruptcies could no longer occur.
B) bankruptcies would be reduced to a very small number.
C) audits would be much easier to complete.
D) audits would not be economically practical.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 89
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

7) When comparing the auditor's responsibility for detecting employee fraud and for detecting errors, the
profession has placed the responsibility
A) more on discovering errors than employee fraud.
B) more on discovering employee fraud than errors.
C) equally on discovering either one.
D) on the senior auditor for detecting errors and on the manager for detecting employee fraud.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 89-90
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

8) Auditing standards regarding the detection of illegal acts clearly state that the auditor provides
A) no assurance that they will be detected.
B) the same reasonable assurance provided for other items.
C) assurance that they will be detected, if material.
D) assurance that they will be detected, if highly material.
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 92-93
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

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9) Which of the following is an example of a direct effect illegal act that could be performed by a client?
Violation of
A) environmental protection laws for the production facility.
B) insider securities trading regulations by senior management.
C) employment equity laws for a large group of non-unionized employees.
D) income tax laws and incorrect calculation of income taxes payable.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 92-93
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

10) What is one of the first things that an auditor would do upon discovering an illegal act at an audit
client?
A) resign from the audit
B) inform the Board of Directors
C) consult with a lawyer
D) call the police
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 92-93
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

11) Your PA firm has been auditing Ontario Pulp Company for three years. Two years ago, a letter was
received from the provincial government informing them that they needed to reduce the level of
contaminants that they were releasing into the air and into local waterways. The deadline for this
reduction is three months from today. The letter indicates significant fines (several hundred thousand
dollars) if the targets are not met. Alternatively, the Company will need to shut down operations until the
targets are met. During your audit planning process, management informed you that they have not taken
any action but plan to start construction of the new pollution devices next month.

Required:
Explain the impact the above situation has on your audit planning process.
Answer: • The above situation seems to indicate that management does not take the letter from the
provincial government seriously.
• This could affect the ability of the company to continue as a going concern, and as a minimum would
require disclosure in the financial statements, possibly with a qualification.
• The audit planning process would need to include gathering knowledge about other companies in this
sector—have they also received such letters and have they complied? Have there been charges laid by the
provinces where compliance did not occur? The answers to these questions will help assess the potential
impact on the client.
• The auditor should also look at any proposals that the company has received about implementing the
anti-pollution equipment to see how quickly it can be implemented.
• The negative attitude about the anti-pollution equipment may also apply to other areas of the business.
• The auditor will need to assess the quality of corporate governance and of management integrity and
assess the effect upon the engagement. Why has management really decided to wait so long?
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 88-94
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

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12) The controller who had been with Bianca Limited for six years was fired last month, allegedly for
pocketing cash. Unfortunately, there was a fire in the accounting department the week before he was
fired, which destroyed the accounting records, including the computer equipment and current backup
disks. The only records available for the current year is a copy of the computer system that is a month
old. There are also disks for the year-ends going back three years. These were at the president's home, the
place where the company kept archival records.

Required:
Explain how this situation might affect the audit process.
Answer:
• The absence of records will make it difficult to complete the audit; management actions with respect to
reconstructing the one month of lost records will need to be assessed and the potential for material error
considered.
• If records cannot be obtained from alternative sources (e.g. customers, suppliers, and financial
institutions) then a qualified audit report may be required.
• Due to the possible management fraud, it will be necessary to conduct extensive additional testing; it
may not be possible to quantify the amount of the fraud (if any).
• It will be necessary to look at the quality of internal controls—if this fraud was possible, then other
errors and irregularities could also have occurred at the business.
• It will not be possible to conduct tests of internal controls or tests of details of balances if there are no
records.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 88-94
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

13) Outline the specific areas that auditors responsibilities are focused upon.
Answer: The specific areas that auditor's responsibilities focus on are:
• Auditor's responsibilities for detecting material errors.
• Auditor's responsibilities for detecting material fraud.
• Auditor's responsibility for related party relationships and transactions.
• Auditor's responsibility to consider laws and regulations.
• Auditor's responsibility to evaluate going concern.
Diff: 3 Type: SA Page Ref: 88-94
Learning Obj.: 4-4 Explain the auditor''s responsibility for discovering material misstatements due to
fraud or error

4.5 Explain and apply the key elements of an effective professional judgment process

1) What in auditing is the application of relevant knowledge and experience, within the context provided
by auditing and accounting standards and Rules of Professional Conduct, in reaching decisions where a
choice must be made between alternative possible courses of action?
A) professional judgment
B) professional skepticism
C) professional behaviour
D) professional standard
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 94
Learning Obj.: 4-5 Explain and apply the key elements of an effective professional judgment process

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2) In applying professional judgment, the auditor must be able to justify a decision on the basis that it
A) is carried out with truthfulness and forthrightness.
B) meets the underlying principles of only GAAS.
C) considers the impact on management's performance.
D) helps the company improve its profitability.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 94-95
Learning Obj.: 4-5 Explain and apply the key elements of an effective professional judgment process

3) List the components of the auditor's professional judgment framework.

Answer: Following are the five components of auditor's professional judgment framework:
1. Identify and define issues.
2. Gather the facts and information.
3. Perform analysis and evaluate alternatives.
4. Reach conclusions.
5. Review and complete documentation and rationale for conclusions.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 95
Learning Obj.: 4-5 Explain and apply the key elements of an effective professional judgment process

4) When applying professional judgment, auditors are required to justify their decision based on seven
criteria. List the criteria within the auditor's professional judgment framework.
Answer: Following are the seven criteria that are required to justify auditors' decisions within the
auditor's professional judgment framework:
1. The decision is well thought out.
2. The decision is objective.
3. The decision meets the underlying principles of GAAP and GAAS
4. The decision has evidence to support the decision.
5. The decision maximizes the likelihood of "good" consequences.
6. The decision is carried out with truthfulness and forthrightness.
7. The decision considers the impact on the financial statement users.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 95
Learning Obj.: 4-5 Explain and apply the key elements of an effective professional judgment process

4.6 Describe the need to maintain professional skepticism when conducting the audit

1) The requirement for an attitude of skepticism means that the auditor should
A) not be blind to evidence that suggests the documents, books, or records have been altered or are
incorrect.
B) plan and conduct the audit with an attitude of distrust in management.
C) perform additional tests of controls to increase the probability of discovering fraud or errors.
D) not consider management's explanation as evidence on any subject.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 97
Learning Obj.: 4-6 Describe the need to maintain professional skepticism when conducting the audit

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2) Professional skepticism during the financial statement audit requires an appropriate state of mind,
being impartial and objective and continuing to be throughout the whole audit engagement. Which of the
following illustrates an appropriate state of mind?
A) not having any ownership in the client's shares or being a debt-holder
B) carefully assessing documents and not being the company's advocate
C) matching documents to make sure that they are accurate and fair
D) being aware that there could be material misstatements in the financial statements
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 97
Learning Obj.: 4-6 Describe the need to maintain professional skepticism when conducting the audit

3) Because of the risk of material misstatement, an audit of financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards should be planned and performed with an attitude of
A) professional skepticism.
B) objectivity.
C) professional integrity.
D) conservatism.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 96-97
Learning Obj.: 4-6 Describe the need to maintain professional skepticism when conducting the audit

4) What are the qualities of professional skepticism?

Answer: Following are the six qualities of professional skepticism:
1. Questioning mind: the tendency to inquire, with some sense of doubt.
2. Suspension of judgment: withholding judgment until you have appropriate evidence (i.e., not jumping
to conclusions).
3. Search for knowledge: a desire to investigate beyond the obvious.
4. Interpersonal understanding: recognition that people's motivations and perceptions can lead to biased
decisions.
5. Autonomy: the conviction to decide on your own rather than being influenced by others.
6. Self-esteem: the self-confidence to resist persuasion and to challenge assumptions.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 97
Learning Obj.: 4-6 Describe the need to maintain professional skepticism when conducting the audit

5) What are the common judgement traps and how can they be avoided?
Answer: 1. Confirmation: make opposing case and consider alternative explanations; consider potentially
disconfirming or conflicting information.
2. Overconfidence: challenge opinions and experts; challenge underlying assumptions.
3. Anchoring: solicit input from others; consider management bias, including potential for fraud or
material misstatement.
4. Availability: consider why something comes to mind; obtain and consider objective data; consult with
others and make the opposing case.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 98
Learning Obj.: 4-6 Describe the need to maintain professional skepticism when conducting the audit

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4.7 Identify the benefits of a cycle approach to segmenting the audit

1) Marianne is currently performing tests of controls on the presence of an employee code of conduct, the
presence of a whistle blower line, and on how management responded to complaints and implemented
systematic penalties for instances where violations of the code of conduct existed. Marianne is currently
evaluating the
A) industry and business environment.
B) risk of fraud.
C) client acceptance.
D) entity-level controls.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 102
Learning Obj.: 4-7 Identify the benefits of a cycle approach to segmenting the audit

2) Transaction cycles begin and end at

A) the beginning and end of the fiscal period.
B) the balance sheet date.
C) January 1 and December 31.
D) the origin and final disposition of the company.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 101
Learning Obj.: 4-7 Identify the benefits of a cycle approach to segmenting the audit

3) For the most part, auditors treat each transaction cycle

A) separately as the audit is being performed.
B) as an interrelated unit with the other cycles throughout the entire audit.
C) as a separate business unit with different audit teams.
D) as a joint venture with other clients in the same industry.
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 99
Learning Obj.: 4-7 Identify the benefits of a cycle approach to segmenting the audit

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4) Your PA firm audits the Barney Bloke Parts company, which manufactures plastic bumpers and other
automobile parts in eight factories scattered across southern Ontario. The company has a December year
end. It is now November 15.
The planning file indicates that internal controls in the accounts receivable area are poor, as there has
been significant employee turnover. A review of the prior year's working paper file indicates that there
was a poor response to the accounts receivable and accounts payable confirmation requests. There were
several errors in inventory pricing and problems with obsolescence.

Required:
List the financial statement cycles that need to be tested. For each cycle, identify at least one transaction
that needs to be examined. For that transaction, identify a management assertion that may have a high
risk of error associated with it and explain why you believe the risk of error is high.
Answer:
Transaction to Management Assertion at Risk with
Financial Statement Cycle Be Tested Reason
Cutoff: new employees may record the
transaction in the wrong period or on
Revenue and collection Cash receipts the wrong date.
Cash Classification: new employees may post
Acquisition and payment disbursement transactions to the wrong account.
Payroll Accuracy: employees could be paid the
Human resources and payroll disbursement wrong wage rate.
Accuracy: inventory issued might be
Inventory recorded at the wrong cost or wrong
Inventory and distribution issuance sales price.
Capital acquisition and Cutoff: payments may be recorded in
repayment Note payment the wrong period or on the wrong date.
Note: Students may select other transactions that are at high risk. The above is a representative response.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 99-102
Learning Obj.: 4-7 Identify the benefits of a cycle approach to segmenting the audit

4.8 Explain how the auditor obtains assurance by auditing classes of transactions and ending balances in
accounts, including presentation and disclosure

1) Often, numerous classes of transactions affect the ending balance of a particular general ledger
account. This is handled during the audit engagement by
A) ensuring that tests are conducted for each class of transactions.
B) obtaining a high level of assurance for at least one of the transaction types.
C) using a combination of assurance for each class of transactions and for the ending balance.
D) testing only the ending balance, as this is the significant amount on the financial statements.
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 103
Learning Obj.: 4-8 Explain how the auditor obtains assurance by auditing classes of transactions and
ending balances in accounts, including presentation and disclosure

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2) Which of the following statements is true regarding a difference between general audit objectives and
specific audit objectives for an account balance?
A) The general audit objectives are applicable to every account balance on the financial statements.
B) The specific audit objectives are applicable to every account balance on the financial statements.
C) For any given account, usually only one audit objective must be met to conclude the transactions are
properly accounted.
D) The general audit objectives are stated in terms tailored to the engagement.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 102-103
Learning Obj.: 4-8 Explain how the auditor obtains assurance by auditing classes of transactions and
ending balances in accounts, including presentation and disclosure

4.9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

1) Management assertions are

A) stated in the footnotes to the financial statements.
B) implied or expressed representations about the accounts in the financial statements.
C) explicitly expressed representations about the financial statements.
D) provided to the auditor in the engagement letter, but are not disclosed on the financial statements.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 104
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

2) Management assertions are

A) directly related to auditing standards.
B) directly related to accounting standards.
C) indirectly related to auditing standards.
D) indirectly related to accounting standards.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 104
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

3) Frankinfurter Limited decided that it wanted to improve earnings. To do this, it understated its
expenses by omitting unpaid expenses from the accrued liabilities account at year end. Which
management assertion has been violated?
A) existence
B) disclosure
C) rights and obligations
D) completeness
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 103-105
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

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4) XYZ Brick Company decided to inflate sales by recording fictitious sales. Several non-existent clients
were created and the sales were added into the sales journal throughout the year. The general
transaction-related audit objective affected by these actions is
A) occurrence.
B) completeness.
C) accuracy.
D) posting and summarization.
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 103-105
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

5) Georgina was working as the part-time accountant for three small businesses. Whenever she could, she
pocketed cash and neglected to record the sale in the sales system. The general transaction-related audit
objective affected by her actions is
A) occurrence.
B) completeness.
C) accuracy.
D) posting and summarization.
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 103-105
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

6) Flagpole Company Limited recently upgraded its accounting software due to changes in the payroll
income tax rates. Unfortunately, there was an error in the software, and income tax was calculated
incorrectly. The general transaction-related audit objective affected by this error is
A) occurrence.
B) completeness.
C) accuracy.
D) posting and summarization.
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 103-105
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

7) Big Bank had a program failure occur on Sunday night due to a maintenance program error.
Transaction posting was interrupted, with several errors occurring in posting to the master files.
Although sales had been posted to the general ledger, individual accounts were not recorded until
subsequent days. The general transaction-related audit objective affected by this activity is
A) timing.
B) accuracy.
C) occurrence.
D) classification.
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 103-105
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

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8) List and explain the assertions that are relevant to classes of transactions and events.
Answer: Following are the assertions relevant to classes of transactions and events:
1. Occurrence - Transactions and events that have been recorded have occurred and pertain to the entity.
2. Completeness - All transactions and events that should have been recorded have been recorded.
3. Accuracy - Amounts and other data relating to recorded transactions and events have been recorded
appropriately.
4. Cutoff - Transactions and events have been recorded in the correct accounting period.
5. Classification - Transactions and events have been recorded in the proper accounts.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 104
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

9) List and explain the assertions that are relevant to account balances.
Answer: Following are the assertions relevant to account balances:
1. Existence - Assets, liabilities, and equity interests exist.
2. Completeness - All assets, liabilities, and equity interests that should have been recorded have been
recorded.
3. Valuation and allocation - Assets, liabilities, and equity interests are included in the financial
statements at appropriate amounts and any resulting valuation adjustments are appropriately recorded.
4. Rights and obligations - The entity holds or controls the rights to assets, and liabilities are the
obligation of the entity.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 104
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

10) List and explain the assertions that are relevant to presentation and disclosures.
Answer: Following are the assertions relevant to presentation and disclosures:
1. Occurrence and rights and obligations - Disclosed events and transactions have occurred and pertain to
the entity.
2. Completeness - All disclosures that should have been included in the financial statements have been
included.
3. Accuracy and valuation - Financial and other information is disclosed appropriately and at appropriate
amounts.
4. Classification and understandability - Financial and other information is appropriately presented and
described, and disclosures are clearly expressed.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 104
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

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11) Frank has come to you because he is worried about recovering the cost of his share of a law firm
partnership. His partner, Jennifer, is exercising the "shotgun" clause in their partnership agreement and
wants to buy him out. Over the last two years, Frank and Jennifer have had numerous battles over the
way that Frank handles his accounts receivable. Frank is lenient with his customers and has converted
many of his accounts into long-term notes extending two and three years into the future. He is confident
that these amounts are collectible because every one of his clients continues to make small monthly
payments.
Frank thinks that Jennifer may have been hiding profits from him and collecting some of her accounts
in cash. He wants you to audit the books so that he can figure out what the "true" profits are and how
much Jennifer should pay him for his share of the partnership.

Required:
A) Explain to Frank what you would be able to do during the audit engagement.
B) List the management assertions that may have been violated. Justify your answer.
Answer:
A)
• The purpose of an audit is to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of
material error or fraud.
• The financial statements may not be 100% accurate.
• Since management fraud is difficult to detect, it would be impossible for you to quantify the amount of
money that Jennifer has taken, if any.
• Frank might not be happy with the audit results because one of the things that you would have to do
would be to assess the collectability of the accounts receivable.
B)
Existence: Some accounts receivable may not be recorded if Jennifer took funds.
Completeness: Some sales may not have been recorded if Jennifer took the funds.
Valuation: Accounts receivable may be overvalued for Frank's receivables if they are not collectible.
Classification: If some receivables are long term rather than current, they may be incorrectly recorded as
current in the financial statements.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 104-105
Learning Obj.: 4-9 Distinguish among the management assertions about financial information

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4.10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

1) When considering each material type (or class) of transaction during the audit, which general
transaction-related audit objectives are assessed during the audit?
A) those transaction-related audit objectives where there is the highest risk of error
B) all five transaction-related audit objectives
C) those transaction-related audit objectives where there are poor internal controls
D) primarily completeness, occurrence, and accuracy, since they typically have the most errors
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 105-106
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

2) Gabori Company would like to pay less income tax this year. It decided that it could do this by
understating its inventory values, increasing costs of goods sold. This was done by deliberately pricing
the inventory at incorrect amounts, so that it would be shown at a lower value than it was really worth
(for example, items worth five dollars each were shown at fifty cents each). Which management assertion
has been violated?
A) valuation
B) accuracy
C) statement presentation
D) completeness
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 105-107
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

3) In testing for cutoff, the objective is to determine

A) whether all of the current period's transactions are recorded.
B) that no transactions from the prior period are included in the current period's balances.
C) that no transactions of the current period have been delayed and recorded in a future period.
D) whether transactions are recorded in the proper period.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 105-107
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

4) If the purchase of a long-term note receivable is included as cost of goods sold, there is a violation of
the
A) existence objective.
B) completeness objective.
C) classification objective.
D) timing objective.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 105-107
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

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5) Heavy Manufacturing Company is in the business of making steel plates, forming heavy metal slabs,
and drilling and scoring metals. The company recently upgraded many of its forming machines.
Fortunately, it was able to sell its old equipment at a reasonable price. The effect was that sales for the
quarter are substantially improved over the same period in the prior year. The general transaction-related
audit objective affected by this activity is
A) timing.
B) accuracy.
C) occurrence.
D) classification.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 105-107
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

6) Balance-related audit objectives are applied to which types of general ledger accounts?
A) balance sheet accounts only
B) income statement accounts only
C) balance sheet accounts and some income statement accounts
D) accounts that affect the cash flow statement
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

7) Heavy Manufacturing Company is in the business of making steel plates, forming heavy metal slabs,
and drilling and scoring metals. The company recently upgraded many of its forming machines. Five
machines were purchased on four different invoices. Unfortunately, one of the invoices was recorded
twice, resulting in five invoices being recorded. The general balance-related audit objective affected by
this activity is
A) completeness.
B) accuracy.
C) classification.
D) existence.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

8) Camilla is preparing the audit program for the inventory of Summers, a large department store.
Camilla listed "select a sample of invoices from suppliers to verify that the risks and rewards of the
inventory were transferred to Summers." Camilla is concerned that some of the inventory in the store
might be on consignment. The account balance-related objective that Camilla is concerned about is
A) rights and obligation.
B) accuracy.
C) valuation.
D) existence.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

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9) The sole shareholder of Jade Company had a contractor pave the parking lot at the company building
as well as the driveway of his home. Both paving jobs were billed to the company on a single invoice. The
general balance-related audit objective affected by this activity is
A) existence.
B) allocation.
C) completeness.
D) rights and obligations.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

10) The Big Insurance Company implemented a new computer system to track and record insurance
premiums receivable. The program automatically prints invoices and sends them to customers when
premiums are due. Due to a program error, a whole series of invoices were included in sales but not in
accounts receivable. The general balance-related audit objective affected by this activity is
A) completeness.
B) accuracy.
C) classification.
D) existence.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

11) Radio Supplies Limited sells parts and components to organizations that repair radios and other
forms of audio equipment. It has many parts on its inventory listing at cost that were purchased up to
fifteen years ago. Some of these parts have not seen any movement in the last ten years. The general
balance-related audit objective affected by this activity is
A) completeness.
B) accuracy.
C) valuation.
D) existence.
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

12) To help improve the cash balance on the financial statements, the controller recorded several deposits
from early January in the month of December. The general balance-related audit objective affected by this
activity is
A) allocation timing.
B) accuracy.
C) classification.
D) existence.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

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13) Jane's employer purchased a new calculator this month. When Jane added up the sales for the day,
she was a bit confused with the new calculator and made numerous adding errors. The daily sales total
for the next week were incorrectly posted to the general ledger. The general balance-related audit
objective affected by this activity is
A) cutoff.
B) accuracy (of allocation).
C) classification.
D) existence.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

14) Formamould Inc. sells plastic moulds to a variety of companies. Some moulds are custom made and
cost thousands of dollars. To help customers finance these purchases, Formamould uses a variety of
methods, such as payment terms stretched over three years, delayed payment, and pay-as-you-produce
models tailored to individual customer needs. The outstanding balance is included in current accounts
receivable. The general balance-related audit objective affected by this activity is
A) completeness.
B) accuracy.
C) allocation to accounts.
D) existence.
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 107-109
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

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15) The following table lists common audit objectives for accounts payable or purchases. For each
procedure, list the management assertion and the related general audit objective. State whether the audit
objective is transaction-related or balance-related.

Transaction Balance-
Accounts Payable or Purchases Management -Related? Related?
Objectives Assertion Audit Objective (Y/N) (Y/N)
1. Accounts payable in the
accounts payable trial balance
are for valid purchases.
2. Recorded acquisitions are for
goods and services received,
consistent with the best interests
of the client.
3. All acquisition transactions
are recorded.
4. Recorded acquisition
transactions are recorded at the
correct amount.
5. Acquisition transactions are
correctly allocated between
current and long-term.
6. Acquisition transactions are
recorded on the correct dates.
7. Purchase transactions are
properly included in the vendor
and inventory master files, and
are correctly posted to the
general ledger.
8. The accounts payable
recorded in liabilities are
obligations of the company.

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Answer:
Transaction Balance-
Accounts Payable or Purchases Management -Related? Related?
Objectives Assertion Audit Objective (Y/N) (Y/N)
1. Accounts payable in the
accounts payable trial balance
are for valid purchases. Existence Existence Y
2. Recorded acquisitions are for
goods and services received,
consistent with the best interests
of the client. Occurrence Occurrence Y
3. All acquisition transactions
are recorded. Completeness Completeness Y
4. Recorded acquisition
transactions are recorded at the
correct amount. Accuracy Accuracy Y
5. Acquisition transactions are
correctly allocated between
current and long-term. Classification Classification Y
6. Acquisition transactions are
recorded on the correct dates. Cutoff Cutoff Y
7. Purchase transactions are
properly included in the vendor
and inventory master files, and
are correctly posted to the
general ledger. Classification Classification Y
8. The accounts payable
recorded in liabilities are Rights and Rights and
obligations of the company. obligations obligations Y

Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 105-110

Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

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16) Bratlett Company has purchased all of the shares of another company but does not want to
consolidate its financial statements. Management has drafted a rather long and confusing note to the
financial statements that describes the transaction and states that debt has been acquired in a foreign
currency. In your view, the transaction and its effect on the company and the accounts have not been
properly disclosed.

Required:
List the audit objectives about presentation and disclosure that have been affected and explain how they
are affected.
Answer: Rights and obligations: Assets and liabilities belonging to the consolidated entity, such as the
nature of the debt and assets of the new entity, will not be properly disclosed in the financial statements.
Completeness: Disclosures about the debt and the consolidation are inadequate.
Accuracy: Account balances shown in the financial statements are inaccurate because they are not
consolidated.
Valuation: Accounts such as goodwill may be inaccurately valued.
Classification: Amounts are shown in the incorrect accounts since they are not consolidated.
Understandability: The economic events that have taken place (the purchase, the financing, and the
combined results of operations) are not fully disclosed in an understandable way.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 109-110
Learning Obj.: 4-10 Link management assertions with audit objectives

4.11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is sufficient and
appropriate

1) CAS 330, the auditor's response to assessed risks, explains that the auditor needs to link completed
audit work to the assessed risks at the assertion level and
A) document the conclusions and results of the audit procedures.
B) perform substantive procedures in areas where there is a high risk of fraud.
C) have the reviewing partner sign off on the assessed risk.
D) ensure that they test the entire population for areas that are considered to have a high risk of errors.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 113-114
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

2) The reason auditors accumulate evidence is to

A) defend themselves in the event of a lawsuit.
B) justify the conclusions they have otherwise reached.
C) satisfy the requirements of the relevant provincial securities regulations.
D) enable them to reach conclusions about the fairness of the financial statements and issue an
appropriate audit report.
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 111
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

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3) The audit process has seven categories of audit phases: the first two categories of the audit process are?
A) preplanning and tests of control
B) client risk profile and plan the audit
C) client acceptance and audit planning
D) preplanning and further audit procedures
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 111
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

4) During the audit process steps, when will the auditor conduct tests of controls?
A) when there are poor internal controls
B) if the auditor plans to rely upon them
C) when a substantive audit approach is selected
D) when there are low risks of material error
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 111-114
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

5) At what point during the audit should the auditor conduct an independence threat analysis?
A) after the audit evidence assessment and collection process
B) prior to the acceptance of the engagement
C) after gathering sufficient knowledge of the client's business
D) prior to signing the audit report
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 111-112
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

6) Your PA firm has just obtained a new client and you have been assigned the task of preparing the
knowledge of business section of the file. Which of the following best describes the process of gathering
the knowledge of business for a client?
A) discussing processes and business objectives with company employees
B) gathering information about the industry and regulatory environment
C) understanding the client's business, industry, and regulatory environment
D) examining the legal expenses file for possible regulatory infractions
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 111-113
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

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7) The auditor's assessment relating to risk of material misstatement in financial statements is a part of
A) the assessment of whether to accept the audit engagement
B) understanding the entity and its environment
C) the tests of controls
D) the tests of transactions
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 111-112
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

8) The decision to continue doing the audit of an existing client is

A) as important as deciding whether or not to accept a new client
B) less important than deciding whether or not to accept a new client
C) more important than deciding whether or not to accept a new client
D) only to be reconsidered if the client's operations or upper management has changed
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 111-112
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

9) Analytical procedures are those that

A) evaluate the accuracy of the account balances.
B) evaluate financial information through analysis of plausible relationship.
C) review the effectiveness of internal controls.
D) analyze the effect of management procedures on the accounting system.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 112-113
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

10) Where the auditor has decided to rely upon internal controls, he or she will then
A) eliminate the need to gather evidence in that area.
B) test the effectiveness of the controls in that area.
C) proceed to expand the sample sizes in that area.
D) negotiate with management to determine which controls will be tested in that area.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 114
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

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11) Substantive tests of details of balances are specific procedures intended to
A) identify the details of internal controls.
B) prove that the accounts with material balances are classified correctly.
C) detect monetary misstatements in the financial statements.
D) prove that the trial balance is in balance.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 114
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

12) After the auditor has completed all the procedures, it is necessary to combine the information
obtained to reach an overall conclusion as to whether the financial statements are fairly presented. This is
a highly subjective process that relies heavily on
A) generally accepted auditing standards.
B) the provincial institutes' Rules of Professional Conduct.
C) generally accepted accounting principles.
D) the auditor's professional judgment.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 115
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

13) A financial statement audit typically consists of four sections that relate to risk. Identify the four
sections and discuss the major activities performed by the auditor in each section.
Answer: 1. Assess Risk of Material Misstatement. In this section, the auditor obtains an understanding of
the client's business and industry. In addition, the auditor obtains an understanding of the client's
internal control structure and makes a preliminary assessment of control risk. The planning takes place in
this phase by developing a strategic audit approach overall and by cycle.
2. Develop Risk Response. In this section, the auditor develops audit programs and tests internal controls.
The auditor also performs substantive tests and assesses the impact upon the risk of material
misstatements. The results of the tests are evaluated and risk is reassessed if required. Final evidence and
documentation is gathered.
3. Perform Risk Response. In this section, the auditor gathers audit evidence, makes sampling decisions,
performs tests of controls (if relying upon controls), performs substantive analytical procedures and
performs substantive tests (including tests of details).
3. Reporting. In this section, the auditor communicates with the audit committee and management as
required. A final quality control review is also performed before the report is issued.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 112-113
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

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14) Sean Clem has done a review engagement and prepared the tax return for your web design business
for the last five years. The books and records have always been well organized, although year-end
adjusting entries have been required. You do some of the accounting yourself and the rest of the
accounting records are handled by your spouse, who is also an employee of the business.
This year, you would like to expand your business to provide ISP (internet service provider) services
to your clients. This would entail you purchasing additional computer equipment and software. You are
also considering hiring an additional employee (you currently have three), and you are looking at
obtaining a loan for $100 000 from the bank. The bank says that you should have your records audited,
but you are not sure what this will mean.

Required:
Identify the issues that Sean needs to consider during the planning of the audit.
Answer:
• This is a first audit engagement, so additional time will be needed to develop a client risk profile and
document knowledge of business and knowledge of the industry.
• There is a need to conduct an independence threat analysis.
• Since the bank will be requiring the audit to possibly review the collectability of the loan, this
increases the risk of the engagement.
• Internal controls will be poor since records are kept by a married couple.
• Risks of management override or management deception are high because of the incentive to obtain
the bank loan.
• Any bank covenants imposed on the new loan and the ability of the client to meet them.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 111-115
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

15) You have been assigned as the in-charge auditor for a new client, Beltair House. Beltair House is a
non-profit charitable organization that operates a women's shelter. In the past, the organization had been
almost fully funded by the provincial government. However, due to recent government budget cuts,
Beltair now has to raise operating funds from public donations.
Because of financial constraints, there is now only one full-time manager, Joan Ng. Joan has the help
of several volunteers. The shelter residents also help out with the chores and with maintenance and
cleaning. Ng has been able to arrange for a local food bank to provide a large portion of the food required
for meals. Door-to-door canvassers have been able to raise money to keep the House going, but Ng is
concerned that this will change.

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Required:
Identify issues that affect the risk of this audit engagement that you will need to consider.
Answer: Factors impacting risk include:
• a first-time audit engagement (increases inherent risk).
• the reduction in government funding, affecting the going concern of the House.
• numerous financial statement users (e.g. government, donors).
• cash collected by volunteers is subject to theft (receipts may not be issued for all donations—this may
result in a need to qualify the audit report).
• a lack of segregation of duties (there is only one employee).
• there may be inexperienced people recording accounting transactions, leading to the potential for
more errors (especially if accounting transactions are recorded by volunteers).
• since the food bank is providing a large portion of the food, this donation may need to be recorded at
fair market value (need to determine how it is being recorded and whether there are any additional
services that need to be recorded).
• the lack of volunteers will hinder the canvassing to raise money and will limit the amount of other
work getting done (which threatens the viability and continuity of the charity).
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 111-115
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

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16) Pet Shop Ltd. is a large retail outlet with ten full-time employees in addition to the owner. You
dropped by on your way home one day to organize the audit planning process for the coming year and
noticed brand new terminals at the cashier's desk. One of the employees was having fun zapping
inventory items. The owner teased him about the new laser scanning devices and told him to get to work
to see which items needed to be ordered. It turns out that Pet Shop Ltd. has implemented a new point-of-
sale computer system that is integrated with inventory. The last time you were there to buy dog food
(about three months ago), the store had old computer terminals that were no longer functional and staff
were recording sales transactions manually in the sales journal.

Required:
List the three sections of the audit process that are relevant. For each section, explain how these new
computer systems might affect the audit process.
Answer:
Assess Risk of Material Misstatement:
• The auditor will need to gather information about how internal controls have changed with the use of
the new computer system.
• Since there are two different systems of internal control, the audit will need to consider both systems
during the risk assessment, planning, and execution phases.
• Depending upon the nature of the information that was stored in the old systems, the auditor may
need to conduct a conversion audit.
Develop Risk response:
• The controls will be different, so the auditor will need to design different tests of controls for each of
the two systems. The audit programs will need to be updated.
• The system conversion will also have to be tested to ensure that data integrity was not compromised.
• Particular attention should also be given to the inventory and sales account. It is possible that the
employee playing with the new system recorded false sales and also recorded false decreases in
inventory.
• Analytical procedures will need to take account of the fact that there may be a large shift in amounts
in the accounts (for example, there may be capital expenditures for the computer equipment and
software; inventory amounts may be lower if inventory management has improved with the new
system).
Reporting:
• The audit report will be prepared and total evidence gathered in the risk response section will be
analyzed to determine if there is a material misstatement. An audit opinion will be formed based on the
results and the audit report can be issued.
Diff: 3 Type: ES Page Ref: 111
Learning Obj.: 4-11 Explain how the audit process ensures that audit objectives are met and evidence is
sufficient and appropriate

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