Auditor's Report On Financial Statements
Auditor's Report On Financial Statements
Chapter 11
The objective of an audit of financial statements is to enable the auditor to express an opinion about
whether the financial statement are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable
financial reporting framework. The preparation of the financial statements by management and, where
appropriate, those charged with governance requires the inclusion of an adequate description of the
applicable financial reporting framework in the financial statements. The financial reporting framework
provides a context for the auditor's evaluation of the fair presentation of the financial statements. Without
this framework, the auditor would not have a benchmark for evaluating the fairness of the financial
statements.
General-purpose financial statements may be prepared using either "compliance framework" or "fair
presentation framework". The term "fair presentation framework= is used to refer to a financial reporting
framework that requires compliance with the requirements of the framework and:
i. Acknowledges explicitly or implicitly that, to achieve fair presentation of the financial statements,
it may be necessary for management to provide disclosures beyond those specifically required
by the framework; or
ii. Acknowledges explicitly that it may be necessary for management to depart from a requirement
of the framework to achieve fair presentation of the financial statements
In contrast, the term "compliance framework= is used to refer to a financial reporting framework that
requires compliance with the requirements of the framework, but does not contain that acknowledgements
in (1) or (ii) mentioned above. In the Philippines, fair presentation frameworks include the Philippine
Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) and PFRS for Small and Medium Sized Entities (SMEs).
PSA 700 requires the auditor's report to contain a clear expression of the auditor's opinion on the financial
statements. In forming this opinion, the auditor should evaluate whether the financial statements taken as
a whole are free from material misstatement. The auditor must form judgment as to whether:
1. The accounting policies selected and applied are consistent with the financial reporting framework
and are appropriate in the circumstances;
2. The accounting estimates made by management are reasonable in the circumstances;
3. The information presented in the financial statements: including accounting policies, is relevant,
reliable, comparable and understandable; and
4. The financial statements provide sufficient disclosures to enable understand the effects of material
transactions and its conveyed in the financial statements.
The end product of the financial statement audit is an audit is the audit report that contains the
auditor's opinion about the fair presentation of the financial statements. The most common type of
auditor's report contains a clean opinion or unmodified opinion. This type of opinion is issued when
the auditor concludes, based on audit evidence obtained, that the financial statements are presented
fairly, in all material respects in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
When the audit is conducted in accordance with PSAs, uniformity in the wording of the auditor's
report is required. The accountancy profession has deemed it essential to standardize the format and
content of the auditor's report in order to enhance the credibility of the report and promote the readers'
understanding of the report. In addition, uniformity in reporting also alerts the readers in
circumstances where the auditor expresses an audit report that contains modified opinions.
Each part of the audit report is significant in terms of the information conveyed to the users and the
responsibility assumed by the auditor. PSA 700 sets out the following requirements relating to the
elements of the unmodified report:
Title
Addressee
Auditor's Opinion
Auditor's Signature
Auditor's Address
Date
1. Title
The auditor's report must have a title that clearly indicates it is the report of an independent
auditor. This is done in order to:
to distinguish the auditor's report from the reports that might be issued by others; and
to emphasize the independence of the auditor with respect to the client being audited.
2. Addressee
The report should be addressed to those parties for whom the report is prepared. Ordinarily
the audit report is addressed to the shareholders or the board of directors of the entity whose
financial statements are being audited. To emphasize auditor's independence from client's
management, the auditor would normally address the report to the shareholders of the client
company.
It would not be appropriate for the auditor to address the report to the Company's president, chief
executive officer or chief financial officer because these are members of management who are
responsible for the preparation and presentation of the financial statements audited.
3. Auditor's Opinion
The readers of the financial statements are very much interested in the type of opinion expressed
by the auditors. To give more prominence on the auditor's opinion, the opinion of the auditor is
placed in the first section of the auditor's report. This section shall have the heading <Opinion=
and shall:
a. Identify the name of the entity whose financial statements have been audited;
b. State that the financial statements have been audited.
c. Identify the title of each of the financial statements c. audited including the date and period
covered by the financial statements; and
d. Refer to the summary of significant accounting policies and explanatory notes.
a. State that the audit was conducted in accordance with the Philippine Standards on
Auditing;
b. Refer to the section of the auditor's report that describes the auditor's responsibilities under
the PSAs;
c. Include a statement that the auditor is independent of the entity and has fulfilled the auditor's
a. management's responsibility for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial
statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework, and for such
internal control necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from
material misstatement;
c. the responsibility of those charged with governance for overseeing the financial reporting
process.
To identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements
To obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design
appropriate audit procedures.
To evaluate the appropriateness of the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of
the accounting estimates and related disclosures.
To conclude on the appropriateness of management's use of the going concern basis of
accounting
To evaluate the fair presentation of the financial statements
The description of the auditor's responsibilities in the auditor's report may be presented in the
following ways:
f. State that the auditor communicates with those charged with governance the planned scope and
timing of the audit and significant audit findings including any significant audit findings
including deficiencies in internal control identified during the audit.
7. Other Reporting Responsibilities
Auditor may have additional responsibilities to report on other matters that are supplementary to the
auditor's responsibility report on the financial statements under PSA. For example, to the auditors are
required to report on supplementary information to comply with the requirements of the BIR Revenue
Regulation No. 15-2010.
If the auditor's report contains a separate section on other reporting responsibilities, the auditor's
report on financial statements should have a sub-title <Report on the Audit of the Financial
Statements= to clearly distinguish the auditor's responsibility to report on the financial statements
from the auditor's other reporting responsibilities.
As a minimum, the auditor should inquire from management how the supplementary information was
prepared; determine whether the supplementary information is consistent with the financial
statements and the auditor's overall knowledge of the entity; and consider whether there is a need for
client representation letter to make reference to the supplementary information.
8. Auditor's signature
The report should be signed in the name of the audit firm and/or the personal name of the auditor
as appropriate. For financial statements be submitted to SEC, Securities Regulations Code requires
that the auditor's report be signed in the personal name of the partner.
9. Auditor's address
The auditor's report should name the location in the jurisdiction where the auditor maintains his
office.
Since the auditor's opinion is provided on the financial statements that are the responsibility of
management, the auditor is not in a position to conclude that sufficient appropriate audit evidence has
been obtained until the financial statements have been prepared and management has accepted
responsibility for them. Consequently, the auditor cannot date the auditor's report earlier than the
date of the approval of the financial statements. In fact, most auditors use the date of the approval
of the financial statements as the date of their audit reports.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements, which comprise the financial statements of CRC-ACE
Company (the Company). rise the statements of financial position as at December 31, 20X2 and 20X1
and the statements of comprehensive income, statements of equity and statement of cash flows for the
years then ended, and the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all aspects, the financial position
of the Company as at December 31, 20X2 and 20X1, and its financial performance and its cash flows for
the ended in accordance with Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRSs).
Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in
accordance with PFRSs, 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.
In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible assessing the Company's ability to
continue as a going concern, disclose as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going
concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate Company or to cease
operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process.
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.
As part of an audit in accordance with PSAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain
professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to
fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit
evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not
detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error,
as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override
of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit and in order to design audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting
estimates and related disclosures made by management. Conclude on the appropriateness of
management's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast
significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that
material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw mention in our auditor's report to the related
disclosures in the such disclosures are inadequate, to financial statements of modify our opinion.
Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report.
However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going
concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the
disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events
in a manner that achieves fair presentation,
We communicate with charged with governance regarding, among other the planned scope and timing of
the audit and significant audit findings including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we
identify during our audit.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the Basic financial statements taken
as a whole. The supplementary information the year ended December 31, 20X2 required by the Bureau of
Internal Revenue is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic
financial statements prepared in accordance with PFRS. Such supplementary information is the
responsibility of management. The supplementary information has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all
material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Failure to meet any of the above requirements will cause auditor to modify his opinion on the
financial statements.
When the auditor uncovers material misstatement, the auditor should inform the client of such
misstatement and should insist that the financial statements be revised. If management refuses to
correct the misstatements, the auditor should express either a qualified or an adverse opinion
depending on the materiality and pervasiveness of effect of the misstatements on the financial
statements.
Scope limitation
Scope limitation arises when the auditor is unable to perform necessary audit procedures
required by PSA or the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence about an
assertion because of the restrictions imposed by the management or because of limitations
brought about by the circumstances.
If management refuses to remove the limitation, the auditor should communicate the matter to
those charged with governance and determine whether it is possible to perform alternative
procedures to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence. Failure to obtain sufficient appropriate
evidence will cause the auditor to:
The practicality of resigning from the audit may depend on the stage of completion of the
engagement at the time that management imposes the scope limitation. If the auditor has
substantially completed the audit, the auditor may decide to complete the audit to the extent
possible, disclaim an opinion and explain the scope limitation in the report prior to resigning
During the audit of financial statements, the auditor encounter circumstances that may affect his
ability to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence. Circumstance imposed scope limitations can be
either:
1. Due to the nature or timing of the auditor's work, like when the auditor is appointed to
audit this financial statements of a client only after the client's fiscal year has ended; or
2. Due to circumstances that are beyond the control of the entity, like when the client's
accounting recorded are not adequate.
Circumstance imposed scope limitations may make certain procedures impossible to perform.
When this happens, the auditor should design and perform alternative procedures to obtain
satisfaction about the assertions in the financial statements. An auditor's inability to perform a
specific procedure does not constitute a limitation on the scope of the audit if the results of
applying alternative procedures enable the auditor to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence.
However, if there are no alternative procedures that can be performed or the results of the
alternative procedures performed do not enable the auditor to obtain sufficient appropriate
evidence, the auditor should express either a qualified opinion or disclaimer of opinion on the
financial statements depending on the materiality and pervasiveness of the possible effect on the
financial statements.
Determining the appropriate audit opinion to express requires a great deal of professional judgment. In
making this decision, both materiality and pervasiveness of effect on financial statements should be taken
into consideration.
If the magnitude of misstatements is significant enough to affect the readers of the financial
statements, but not enough to overshadow the fair presentation of the financial statements taken as a
whole, the auditor would most likely express a qualified opinion. On the other hand, if the auditor
believes that the effect of misstatements is highly material and there are several items in the financial
statements that are affected by the misstatement as to render the overall financial statements materially
misleading, the auditor would most likely express an adverse opinion. For example, an auditor may
conclude that a material error in inventory have a pervasive effect on the financial statements because
inventory errors affect a number of financial statement items such cost of sales, gross profit, income tax
Scope of Limitation
Material but not pervasive – Qualified Opinion
Material and pervasive – Disclaimer of Opinion
A. OPINION SECTION
The following summarizes the modifications that should be made to the Opinion section of the
auditor's report:
Adverse Opinion
When the auditor expresses an adverse opinion because the financial statements are materially
misleading, the auditor shall:
use the heading <Adverse Opinion= in the opinion section of the report; and
state that, in the auditor's opinion, because of the significance of the matter described in the
Basis for Adverse Opinion section, the financial statements do not present fairly the financial
position and financial performance of the entity in accordance with the applicable financial
reporting framework.
Disclaimer of Opinion
When the auditor disclaims an opinion due to scope limitation, the auditor shall:
use the heading <Disclaimer of Opinion= in the opinion section of the report; state that the
auditor does not express an opinion on the financial statements;
state that because of the significance of the matter described in the Basis for Disclaimer of
Opinion section, the auditor has not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to
provide a basis for an audit opinion on the financial statements; and
amend the opening statement which indicates that the auditor has audited the financial
statements, to state that the auditor was engaged to audit the financial statements.
Whenever the auditor expresses a qualified or an adverse opinion, the auditor needs to amend the
last sentence in the Basis for Opinion section to state that the audit evidence obtained is sufficient and
appropriate to provide a basis for the auditor's <qualified" or "adverse= opinion as appropriate.
If the modification results from inability to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence, the basis
for opinion section shall only explain the reason for that inability.
When the auditor disclaims an opinion on the financial statements, auditor's report shall omit the
elements in the Basis for Opinion section that:
C. AUDITOR'S RESPONSIBILITY
When the auditor expresses a qualified or an adverse opinion on the financial statements, the
Auditor's Responsibility section will not be modified. However, if the auditor disclaims an
opinion on the financial statements, the Auditor's Responsibility section should be modified to
include only the following statements:
Piecemeal Opinion
Piecemeal opinion is an unmodified opinion expressed on one o more components of the financial
statements while expressing adverse or disclaimer of opinion on the financial statements take as a whole.
PSA does not allow this reporting practice because piecemeal opinion tends to contradict or even
overshadow disclaimer or adverse opinion expressed on the financial statements the taken as a whole.
Going Concern
Continuation of the entity as a going concern is assumed in the financial statements in the absence of
explicit information to the contrary. Under the going concern basis of accounting, the financial
statements are prepared on the assumption that the entity is a going concern and will continue to
operate for the foreseeable future.
When planning and performing audit procedures, the auditor should consider the appropriateness of
management use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial
statements and should evaluate whether there are material uncertainties about the entity's ability
to continue as a going concern that need to be disclosed in the financial statements.
When events or conditions have been identified that may cast significant doubt on the entity's ability
to continue as a going concern but, based on the audit evidence obtained, the auditor concludes that
no material uncertainty exists, the auditor should evaluate whether the financial statements contain
adequate disclosures about the:
If adequate disclosures are made by the entity and there are no other issues involved, the auditor may
issue a report that contains an unmodified opinion on the financial statements. In addition, the
auditor's report should have a separate section with a heading "Going Concern" stating specifically
that no material uncertainties exist.
A material uncertainty exists when the impact of the going concern problem is significant such that,
in the auditor's judgment, clear disclosure of the nature and implications of the uncertainties is
necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.
When the auditor believes that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate but
material going concern uncertainty exists, the nature of the opinion and the audit report to be issued
will depend on whether the financial statements adequately disclose the material uncertainty in the
notes to the financial statements.
If the auditor concludes that adequate disclosure about the material uncertainty is made in the
financial statements, the auditor should issue a report that contains an unmodified opinion with a
separate section that: <Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern=
1. Draws the readers' attention to the note in the financial statements that discloses the matter;
and
2. States that these events or conditions indicate the existence of material uncertainty that may
cast significant doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and that the
auditor's opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
If the auditor concludes, however, that material going concern uncertainty is not adequately
disclosed, the auditor should express either qualified or adverse opinion and state the reason for the
modification in the Basis for Qualified or Adverse Opinion section of the audit report
If the auditor believes that the entity will not be able to continue as a going concern, the financial
statements should not be prepared on a going concern basis. Instead, an alternative basis must be
used in presenting the financial statements. For this purpose, the Philippine Interpretations Committee
of the FRSC requires that assets and liabilities of an entity be measured in accordance with the
applicable accounting standards. For example, financial instruments and investment properties will be
accounted for under PFRS 9 and PAS 40 respectively while other assets and liabilities may be
accounted for using PFRS 5.
If the entity insists on using the going concern basis of accounting in presenting its financial
statements despite the fact that the entity will not be able to continue as a going concern anymore, the
financial statements will be misleading. Consequently, the auditor's report on the financial statements
must contain an adverse opinion.
Ordinarily, the addition of going concern section or emphasis of matter paragraph that describes
going concern problem or significant uncertainties affecting the financial statements is adequate to
meet the auditor's reporting responsibilities regarding such matters. However, in extreme cases, such
as situations involving multiple uncertainties that are significant to the financial statements, the
auditor may consider it appropriate to issue a disclaimer of opinion instead of adding an emphasis of
matter paragraph.
The clamor of the public and investors for an enhanced and transparent audit report has prompted the
profession to communicate those matters that significantly influenced the auditor's judgment in
PSA 701 requires auditors to communicate key audit matters in the auditor's report whenever they
audit financial statements of listed entities. Communicating key audit matters is intended to assist the
readers in understanding those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial
statements of the current period. It also assists the readers in understanding areas in the financial
statements that required significant management judgment or areas of focus in performing the audit.
The auditor should determine which of the matters communicated with those charged with
governance are the key audit matters. In making this determination, the auditor should take into
account areas of significant auditor attention in performing the audit, like:
Areas identified as significant risks or those the involved significant auditor judgment;
Areas in which the auditor encountered significant difficulty with respect to obtaining audit
evidence; and
Circumstances that required significant modification of the auditor's planned approach to the
audit.
The number of key audit matters to be included in auditor's report may be affected by the size
and complexity of the entity, the nature of its business and environment and the facts and
circumstances of the audit engagement. The auditor's objective is to select a smaller number of
matters, from the matters communicated with those charged with governance, that were of
most significance in the audit. In general, the greater the number of key audit matters, the less
useful the auditor's communication of key audit matters will be.
The auditor's determination of key audit matters is limited to those matters of most significance
in the audit of the financial statements of the current period only. This is true even when
comparative financial statements are presented.
The auditor should document the matters that will be communicated as key audit matters, and the
significant professional judgments made in reaching this determination. In addition, PSA 701 also
requires auditors to communicate the key audit matters to be included in the report with those
charged with governance.
An issue that causes the auditor to modify an opinion on an entity's financial statements as well as
going concern uncertainties are by their nature considered key audit matters. These matters,
however, should not be included in the Key Audit Matters section of the auditor's report but
rather these should be described in the Basis for (Qualified or Adverse) Opinion or Going
Concern sections of the report as appropriate.
It is to be emphasized that the communication of the key audit matters is not a substitute for
expressing a modified opinion on the client's financial statements. Furthermore, the auditor's
report should not include key audit matters when the auditor disclaims an opinion on the
financial statements.
Although the communication of key audit matters are required only for audits of the financial
statements of listed entities, auditors of non-listed entities may include such communication in the
audit report if the auditor desires it or the client requests for it.
In very rare instances, the auditor may conclude that there are no key audit matters to
communicate in the auditor's report. When this happens, the auditor should communicate this
matter with those charged with governance and state this fact in the auditor's report. The auditor
should also document the rationale for the auditor's conclusion that there are no key audit matters
to communicate in the auditor's report.
Emphasis of Matter
An emphasis of matter paragraph is included in the audit report to draw the readers' attention
to a matter presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor's
judgment, is of such importance that it is fundamental to the readers' understanding of the
financial statements.
Below are examples of circumstances where the auditor may consider it necessary to include
an Emphasis of Matter paragraph:
1. Significant uncertainty.
2. Early application of new accounting standard in advance of its effective date.
3. A major catastrophe that has a significant effect on the entity's financial position.
4. A subsequent discovery of facts affecting the previously issued opinion.
5. Financial statements prepared using a special purpose framework.
Significant Uncertainty
An uncertainty is a matter whose outcome depends on future actions or events not under the
direct control of the entity that may affect the financial statements. When there are
significant uncertainties which are adequately accounted for and disclosed in the notes to
the financial statements, the auditor should consider modifying the report by adding an
emphasis of matter paragraph to highlight the material uncertainty.
Major catastrophe
Recent disasters brought about by calamities have brought major catastrophes to many
companies. A major catastrophe that has had, or continues to have significant effect on the
entity's financial position will have to be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
Besides the disclosure required by accounting standards, the auditor's report should include
an Emphasis of Matter paragraph to give emphasis on the note that discusses this event.
a. Comparative Financial Statements where amounts and other disclosures for the preceding
period are included for comparison with the financial statements of the current period, but do
not form part of the current period financial statements.
b. Corresponding Figures where amounts and other disclosures for the preceding period are
included as part of the current period financial statements, and are intended to be read in
relation to the amounts and other disclosures relating to the current period. These
corresponding figures are not presented as complete financial statements capable of standing
alone, but are an integral part of the current period financial statements intended to be read
When comparative financial statements are presented, the continuing auditor's report should
cover the current year's financial statements as well as those for the prior periods that were
audited by the firm. In addition, auditor should not simply reissue his prior year's report but
he should update his report on the financial statements of the prior period to determine if the
report is still appropriate. Updating the report involves either:
re-expressing the opinion originally issued; or
expressing an opinion different from the one originally issued.
A different opinion on the prior period financial statements may be warranted because new
information may have come to light that causes the auditor to change the original opinion
expressed on the prior year's financial statements.
For example:
A material misstatement in the financial statements that caused the auditor to issue a
qualified or adverse opinion on the prior period financial statements was corrected by the
client when these financial statements are presented in the current period. Since the
reason for modification of opinion no longer exists, the auditor's report on the
comparative financial statements should include an unmodified opinion.
A major uncertainty that caused the auditor to disclaim an opinion on the prior period
financial statements was resolved during the current year. Because the uncertainty does
not exist anymore, an unmodified opinion can now be expressed on the prior period
financial statements.
When a continuing auditor's updated report on prior year's financial statements is different
from the report previously issued, the auditor's report should include an <Other Matter=
paragraph stating:
1. the fact that the updated report is different from the previous opinion;
2. the date of the prior year's report;
3. the type of opinion previously issued; and
4. the reasons for changing the auditor's opinion.
The predecessor auditor reissues the audit report on the prior period financial
statements.
Before a predecessor auditor reissues his report on the prior period financial statements,
he must take steps to determine whether his report is still appropriate. This may include:
Comparing the current period financial statements with the financial statements
audited.
A discussion with the successor auditor about any circumstances or events that may
affect the financial statements of the prior period.
Obtaining a letter of representation from the successor auditor.
If, after completing the above steps, the auditor decides to reissue his report on the prior
period financial statements, the predecessor's report will be reissued bearing the original
date and original wording of such report.
The predecessor auditor does not want to reissue his report on the prior period
financial statements.
In some instances, the predecessor auditor may find it more appropriate not to reissue his
report on the prior period financial statements. In this occasion, the successor auditor's
report on the current year's financial statements should include Other Matter paragraph
stating:
1. The fact that the prior period financial statements were audited by another auditor
2. The date of the predecessor auditor's report
3. The type of opinion issued by the predecessor auditor and if the opinion is modified,
the reasons therefore.
In situations where the successor auditor identifies that the prior period financial statements are
materially misstated, the auditor should request the management to revise the prior year's figures.
Refusal of the management to do so may cause the auditor to express either qualified or adverse
depending on its impact on the current period's opinion financial statements.
When the comparatives are presented as corresponding figures, the auditor should issue a report
that refers only to the financial statements of the current period. The comparatives are not
specifically identified because the auditor's opinion is on the current period's financial statements
as a whole (including the corresponding figures).
In certain conditions, such as when the report on the prior period's financial statements included a
qualified, adverse or disclaimer of opinion and the matter that gave rise to the modification has
not yet been resolved, it may be necessary for the auditor to modify the report on the current
period financial statements to make specific reference to the corresponding figures.
PSA 720, however, requires the auditor to read the other information to consider:
Whether material inconsistencies exist between the other information and the financial
statements; and
Whether material inconsistency exists between the other information and the auditor's
knowledge of the entity obtained in the audit.
In determining whether material inconsistencies exist, the auditor would normally compare
selected items in the other information with similar items in the financial statements. The auditor
would also consider whether the other information is consistent with the audit evidence obtained
and the conclusions reached in the audit.
Material Inconsistency
If on reading the other information, the auditor identifies a material inconsistency, the auditor
should discuss the matter with management and determine whether:
1. The audited financial statements need to be amended;
2. The other information needs to be amended; or
3. The auditor's understanding of the entity needs to be updated
If an amendment is necessary in the financial statements and the entity refuses to make the
amendment, the auditor should express a qualified or an adverse opinion due to material
misstatement in the financial statements.
On the other hand, if an amendment is necessary in the other information and the entity refuses to
amend the other information to eliminate the material inconsistency, the auditor should consider:
1. Whether the rationale given by the management and those charged with governance for not
making the amendment raises doubt about the integrity of management or those charged
with governance, such as when the auditor suspects that there is an intention to mislead;
2. Issuing a report that contains a disclaimer of opinion on the financial statements because
such refusal casts doubt on the integrity of management and those charged with governance
as to call into question the reliability of audit evidence in general; or
3. Withdrawing from the engagement.
After reading the other information, the auditor may conclude that the information is not
consistent with his understanding of the entity and its environment. When this occurs, the auditor
should update his understanding of the entity and, if necessary, revise the risk assessment and
perform additional audit procedures that are responsive to the revised assessment of risk of
material misstatements.
If the auditor becomes aware that a material misstatement of fact exists, the auditor should
discuss the matter with the entity's management and request management to consult a qualified
third party to resolve the matter.
If the auditor concludes that there is a material misstatement of fact in the other information and
the management refuses to correct the other information, the auditor should notify the audit
committee of the auditor's concern regarding the other information and if necessary, obtain legal
advice.
Obtaining the other information prior to the date of the auditor's enables the auditor to resolve
possible material inconsistencies and apparent material misstatement of fact with management on
a timely basis. An agreement with management should be reached as to when the other
information will be made available to the auditor.
The auditor should consider whether his own participation is sufficient to be able to act as the group
auditor who will express an opinion on group financial statements. This consideration involves
assessment of
the materiality of the portion of the financial statement audited;
the auditor's knowledge of the overall financial statements, and
the importance of the component(s) audited by another auditor.
Whether the component auditor understands and will comply with the ethical
requirements particularly the independence requirement;
The component auditor's professional competence; and
Whether sufficient appropriate evidence about the work of the component auditor can be
obtained.
If the group auditor has not become satisfied about the professional competence and
independence of the component auditor or has concerns about other matters affecting
component's financial statements, the group auditor should obtain sufficient appropriate audit
evidence relating to the financial information of the component by auditing the financial
statements of the component.
Reporting Responsibility
The group auditor is responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit
engagement in compliance with professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements, and
whether the auditor's report that is issued is appropriate in the circumstances. As a result, the
auditor's report on the group financial statements shall not refer to a component auditor.
In this regard, the group auditor will have to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence
regarding the component financial statements and the consolidation process, on which to base the
group audit opinion. This will involve reviewing the work conducted by component auditor or
even auditing the financial information of the component that is significant to the group financial
statements. For components that are not significant, the group auditor should apply analytical
review procedures to be able to obtain audit evidence that there are no significant risks of material
misstatements at the aggregated financial information of the components that could affect the
group financial statements taken as a whole.
Some entities may be required by their contractual commitments or government regulators to present
financial statements that comply with a financial reporting framework designed to meet the needs of
specific users. Such framework is referred to in PSA 800 as special purpose framework.
Every time the auditor conducts an audit for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the financial
statements, the auditor should always comply with ethical requirements and PSAs applicable to the
engagement. Accordingly, PSAs observed when auditing general purpose financial statements also
apply to special purpose financial statements. As required by PSA 800, the auditor's report on special
purpose financial statements should include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph to alert the readers that
the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a special purpose framework and that, as a
result, the financial statements may not be suitable for other purposes.
In addition, the auditor may consider it appropriate to indicate that the auditor's report is to indicate
that the auditor9s report is intended solely for the specific users. This may be achieved by restricting
the distribution or use of the auditor's report by including this other matter in the Emphasis of
Matter paragraph and the heading modified accordingly.
Since this type of engagement does not result to an expression of an opinion on financial
statements taken as a whole, the auditor's opinion should be confined only to the specific account
or element of a financial statement identified in the report.
PSA requires an auditor to comply with the ethical requirements and all PSAs relevant to the
audit. In the case of an audit of single financial statement or of a specific element of a financial
statement, this requirement applies irrespective of whether the auditor is also engaged to audit the
entity's complete set of financial statements. However, it may not be practicable for the auditor to
comply with these requirements of PSAs when the auditor is not also engaged to audit the entity's
complete set of financial statements. For example, the auditor often may not have the same level
of understanding of the entity and its environment, including its internal control as an auditor who
also audits the entity's complete set of financial statement. Consequently, this engagement will
most likely be accepted only if the auditor is also engaged to audit the complete set of financial
statements.
Reporting Responsibility
complete set of financial statements, the auditor should express a separate opinion for each
engagement.
If the opinion the auditor's report on an entity's complete set of financial statements is modified,
the auditor shall determine whether it is also necessary to modify the opinion or include an
emphasis of matter or other matter paragraph on the report on specific element of a financial
statement.
If the auditor who has issued an adverse opinion of disclaimer of opinion on the entity's complete
set of financial statements as a whole, PSA 705 does not permit the auditor to include in the same
auditor's report on unmodified opinion on a single financial statement as this would contradict the
adverse or disclaimer of opinion on the entity's complete set of financial statement.
If the auditor concludes that it is necessary to express an adverse opinion or disclaim an opinion
on the entity's complete set of financial statement taken as a whole but the auditor considers it
appropriate to express an unmodified opinion on that element, the auditor shall only do so
provided:
The auditor may be requested to report on summary financial statements which highlight the
entity's financial position and results of operations. This type of engagement may be accepted
only if the auditor has also been engaged to express an audit opinion on the financial
statements from which the summary financial statements were derived. The audit of financial
statements from which the summary financial statements are derived provides the auditor with the
necessary knowledge to discharge his responsibilities in relation to the summary financial
statements in accordance with PSA.
Since the summary financial statements are derived only from the complete set of financial
statements, the auditor's report on summary financial statements should express an opinion about
whether the summary financial statements are consistent with the audited financial
statements or whether the summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited
financial statements.
When the auditor's report on the audited financial statements contains qualified opinion,
emphasis of matter or other matter paragraph but the auditor is satisfied that the summary
financial statements are consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial statements,
the auditor shall state this fact on the report on summary financial statements.
When the auditor's report on the audited financial statements contains an adverse opinion or a
disclaimer of opinion, the auditor's report on the summary financial statements should state the