Principles Of External Auditing Porter Pdf Viewer

Handling an external audit

1. Introduction

Read 'Bank Directors’ Perceptions of Expanded Auditor's Reports, International Journal of Auditing' on DeepDyve, the largest online rental service for scholarly research with thousands of academic publications available at your fingertips. Principles of External Auditing has become established as one of the leading textbooks for students studying auditing. Striking a careful balance between theory and practice, the book describes and explains, in non-technical language, the nature of the audit function and the principles of the audit. Striking a careful balance between theory and practice, the book describes and explains, in non-technical language, the nature of the audit function and the principles of the audit process. The book covers international auditing and accounting standards and relevant statute and case law.

An external audit is an independent examination of the financial statements prepared by the organisation. It is usually conducted for statutory purposes (because the law requires it).

AC3093 Auditing and assurance Page 2 of 2 Syllabus This is a description of the material to be examined. On registration, students will receive a detailed. Management & Strategy development.

An audit results in an audit opinion about whether the financial statements give a ‘true and fair’ view of the:

  • state of affairs of the organisation and
  • operations for the period

2. Appointment

An external audit can be conducted either as part of the annual review of accounts or as a special review by a donor agency. It is conducted by a registered firm of accountants with recognised professional qualifications, such as CPA, ACA or ACCA.

Auditors are appointed by the Board of Trustees (or Annual General Meeting) or by a donor for a special audit. They are independent of the organisation engaging them. Being independent means that the auditor must not have been involved in keeping the accounting records and is not personally connected in any way with the organisation being audited.

To engage an audit firm:

  • Identify possible firms by asking other NGOs for recommendations, contacting your local Accountancy Regulatory Body (eg Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, ICPAK), or consulting your donor’s list of ‘approved auditors’ if they have one
  • Approach firms and ask them to quote for doing your audit. They should ask you for information about your organisation as a basis for their quote
  • Select your chosen firm based on good reputation, experience auditing similar organisations, independence, qualification and registration, and lastly cost
  • Sign the ‘engagement letter’ that the auditor should send you

3. Purpose

The purpose of external audit is to verify that the annual accounts provide a true and fair picture of the organisation’s finances; and that the use of funds is in accordance with the aims and objects as outlined in the constitution.

It is not the prime role of the audit to detect fraud, although this may of course come to light during the checks that take place. Auditors have thus been described as ‘watchdogs not bloodhounds’.

4. What is involved?

Auditors only have a limited time in which to complete their work, so they concentrate on testing the validity of a sample of transactions and results rather than vigorously checking everything.

Although an auditor’s independence must be respected and observed at all times, they are nonetheless providing a service for a fee – you have a right to expect value for money.

The audit should be a positive experience and not one to be feared; it is an opportunity to receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses in systems. Use your auditor to discuss ways of improving your accounting systems and procedures and always encourage the submission of a Management Letter, which summarises findings, highlights weaknesses and makes recommendations for improvements.

5. The audit report

An audit results in a report which gives an ‘audit opinion’ about whether the financial statements give a ‘true and fair’ view of the state of affairs of the organisation and operations for the period.

  • ‘True’ means that the transaction did take place and that an asset exists.
  • ‘Fair’ means that a transaction is fairly valued and that assets and liabilities are fairly stated.

Internal And External Auditing

If the auditors do not agree that the accounts give a true and fair view, they can give a variety of other opinions...

Auditor OpinionComment
1

Unqualified

'The accounts give a true and fair view'

The opinion everyone wants to see
2

Qualified - disagreement

Except for the effects of ...., the accounts give a true and fair view'

There are specific misstatements, such as an incorrect accounting policy, debtors which are not recoverable, an undisclosed fraud or insider loan.
3

Qualified - limited scope

Except for the possible effects of ...., the accounts give a true and fair view

There are specific issues which are uncertain, such as particular documents not being available for review, an internal control flaw that could result in income not being recorded.
4

Adverse

'These accounts do not give a true and fair view'

There are so many misstatements in the accounts that they are overall wrong.
5

Disclaimer

'We are not able to express an opinion'

There are so many missing documents or explanations that we do not have enough information to form an opinion.

The auditor may only sign his report, after the Board has signed and approved the financial statements.

6. What does the auditor need?

Principles Of External Auditing Porter Pdf Viewer

An auditor will need a quiet place to work where the checks can take place without interruption. If individual staff members are to be interviewed, then a private room where confidential discussions can take place will also be required. Depending on the type of audit taking place, the auditor will usually give advance notification of the records needed.

Ensure that all the records are up-to-date and properly filed as this will facilitate the routine checks and cause minimal disruption for the organisation. This will also help to save on audit fees.

A list of records and other documentation which might be requested by the auditor follows.

A.
Primary records of account:
Bank Book and Petty Cash Book completely up to date to the year-end
File of invoices/vouchers for all items of expenditure
File or book of receipts for moneys received
Bank statements, paying in slips and cheque books
Wages book and records
General Ledger, if kept
B.
Summaries and reconciliation statements
A Trial Balance and/or a summary of all receipts and payments by budget category
Bank reconciliation statements for all bank accounts at the year-end date
Petty cash reconciliation statement at year end date
Stock sheets
C.
Schedules:
Schedule of Creditors (money owed by the organisation)
Schedule of Debtors (money owing to the organisation)
Schedule of Grants Due
Schedule of Grants Received in Advance
Fixed Assets Register
D.
Other information:
A letter from bankers to confirm balances [this will be requested by the auditors themselves]
Constitution of the organisation
List of Committee members and staff
Minutes of Board meetings
Donor agencies funding agreements and audit requirements

Product Information

Principles Of Auditing Textbook Pdf

  • The 2nd edition of Principles of External Auditing provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of external auditing in the UK. It describes and explains, in non-technical language, the nature of the audit function and the principles of the audit process. It covers UK and International auditing standards and relevant statute and case law and explains the fundamental concepts of auditing and takes the reader through the various stages of the audit process. It also discusses topical aspects of auditing such as legal liability, audit risk, quality control, and the impact of information technology. This new edition has been thoroughly updated throughout to include new processes and regulations, new legislation and changing practices. It also includes new sections on: environmental audit, internal audit, the expectations gap and knowledge of the business and uses the UK and International Auditing Standards.

Principles Of Auditing Pdf

Product Identifiers

Principles Of External Auditing

  • Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John
  • 0470842970
  • 9780470842973
  • 2224378

External Auditing Standards

Product Key Features

  • Paperback
  • 2003
  • English

Dimensions

  • 37.3 Oz
  • 6.7in.
  • 1.3in.
  • 9.6in.

Additional Product Features

Principles Of External Auditing Porter Pdf Viewer

  • 22
  • Preface. What is auditing? The development of auditing and audit objectives. A framework of auditing concepts. Threats to, and preservation of, auditors' independence. Legal and professional duties of auditors. Overview of the audit process, audit evidence: staffing and documenting an audit. Commencing an audit: engagement procedures and gaining an understanding of the client. Planning the audit and assessing audit risk. Internal controls and the auditor. Testing the financial statement assertions: substantive testing. Introduction to audit sampling and computer assisted auditing techniques (CAATs). Completion and review. Auditors' reports to users of financial statements and to management. Legal liability of auditors. Avoiding and limiting auditors' liability. Internal audits. Environmental audits. Appendix: Summary of steps in a statutory financial statement audit. Index.
  • Yes
  • 657/.45
  • 2002
  • Jon Simon, Brenda Porter, David Hatherly
  • 2
  • 622 Pages
  • Revised
  • Hf5667
  • 2003-03-31
  • 2003-269358