True / False: Audit documentation may be recorded on paper or on electronic or other media.
True
True / False: Oral explanations of portions of the audit are sufficient for clarification of information included in the audit documentation
True
True / False: The auditor should include superseded drafts of working papers and financial statements, notes that reflect incomplete or preliminary thinking, previous copies of documents corrected for typographical or other errors, and duplicates of documents until the audit is complete.
False
These records are not needed
To whom do the workpapers belong: the client or the auditor?
The auditor
To whom can the auditor disclose the workpapers?
The auditor cannot disclose the documents to anyone without client's permission or a court order
When is sufficient appropriate audit documentation achieved?
When an experienced auditor, having no previous connection with the audit, can understand the significant professional judgments made in reaching conclusions on significant findings or issues arising during the audit, AND
To provide evidence of the auditor's basis for a conclusion about
** the achievement of the overall objectives of the audit
** that the audit was planned and performed in accordance with GAAS and applicable legal and regulatory requirements
The audit documentation should consist of (not necessary to name them all)
Evidence that the accting records reconcile with the FS
Copies of abstracts, significant contracts, or agreements
Documentation of discussions w/mgmt or those charged with governance
Justification for a departure from a presumptively mandatory audit requirement, and how alternative procedures achieved the intent
How the auditor addressed any information inconsistent with the auditor's final conclusion
A trail demonstrating
** the (NET) nature, extent, and timing of procedures performed in accordance with GAAS
** which evidence was examined
** significant findings or issues arising during the audit
** how the auditor addressed inconsistent (contradictory) information
** the conclusions reached
** who performed the work, and the date completed
** who reviewed the work, and the date of review
Define the audit report release date
The date the auditor grants the client permission to use the report
What are the documentation retention requirements for nonissuers and issuers?
Nonissuers (SAS rules): 5+ years from report release date
Issuers (PCAOB rules): 7+ years from report release date
Define the documentation completion date and what date is mandated for nonissuers and issuers?
The date that the audit documentation can no longer be altered or deleted, and any documents added after this date must be identified as such.
Nonissuers (SAS rules): within 60 days following the report release date
Issuers (PCAOB rules): within 45 days following the report release date
Although specific content of the audit documentation will vary, which two file types must the documentation contain, and what are the contents of these files?
Permanent (continuous) file: contains items that will be of interest from year-to-year such as contracts, pension plans, stock options, bylaws, minutes of meetings, etc.
Current file: contains documentation applicable only to the year under audit.
What types of information are typically contained in the Current file (don't need to know all of them).
Audit plan
FS
Auditor's report
Accounting items such as the working trial balance, adjusting journal entries, and reclassification entries
Letters of confirmation & their responses
Letters of representation
Workpapers prepared by either the entity for the auditor, or the auditor
Summaries of significant audit findings or issues
Records of tests of controls (design plus operating effectiveness)
Records of substantive tests (testing dollar balances)
The engagement team uses tickmarks within their workpapers. What must be included on the document when tickmarks are used?
A legend
What is the objective of detailed substantive testing?
To detect material misstatement
The auditor performed a specific audit procedure, but there is no documentation to support it. What is the PCAOB's response to this situation?
Undocumented audit information is written up by the PCAOB as a deficiency.
"If it isn't documented - it didn't happen" -- from the medical world
What information is included in the Audit Program document?
Detailed procedures to be performed by the auditor
