Question

Consider the following independent situations relating to the audit of five different audit clients for year ended 30 June 20X8. Assume that all the situations are material.

1. A new client has changed its valuation method of property, plant and equipment. It has adopted the Fair Value Revaluation Model to replace the Historic cost measurement method. Whilst the auditor does not object to the change in the valuation model, the new method has a material effect on the financial statements and has not been disclosed. A special meeting was held between the CFO and the Finance Team and the Lead Partner from the Audit team, but nothing was resolved.

2. A new start-up company specialising in air-drone mail/package delivery has grown strongly in the past year. Over the past three years the company has made consistent losses, borrowed heavily, experienced staff turnover and dealt with some significant regulatory and operational issues. Nonetheless, the current CEO believes the company is turning around and will soon improve profitability. She is a high wealth individual who has invested more funds (equity) into the company, which is fully disclosed. No material misstatements were noted in the Auditor’s report.

3. The Auditors of ROME, a high-profile bank, were unable to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence concerning the carrying amount of ROME’s investment in ITA Pty Ltd as at 30 June 20X8. ITA Pty Ltd is a small firm of five financial planners in total. The auditors were denied access to the financial information of ITA, and they were not allowed to interview ITA’s Management. Consequently, the auditors were unable to determine the correct valuation of ITA Pty Ltd.

4. The introduction of a new accounts receivable system in August 20X7 resulted in numerous errors in accounts receivable. As at the date of the Audit report, management was still in the process of correcting the system errors. As a result of these issues, the Auditors were unable to determine whether any adjustments are required in relation to the recorded or unrecorded inventories and accounts receivables, as well as the elements making up the Income statement and the Cash Flow statement.

For all the above clients, identify the type of audit opinion that should be issued and justify your response.

Write your answers in the table below:  

Client	Audit Opinion	Justification

Answer 1

1)A new client has changed its valuation method of property, plant and equipment. It has adopted the Fair Value Revaluation Model to replace the Historic cost measurement method. Whilst the auditor does not object to the change in the valuation model, the new method has a material effect on the financial statements and has not been disclosed. A special meeting was held between the CFO and the Finance Team and the Lead Partner from the Audit team, but nothing was resolved.

Qualified Report - In situations when a company’s financial records have not been maintained in accordance with GAAP but no misrepresentations are identified, an auditor will issue a qualified opinion. it will include an additional paragraph that highlights the reason why the audit report is not unqualified.

2)A new start-up company specialising in air-drone mail/package delivery has grown strongly in the past year. Over the past three years the company has made consistent losses, borrowed heavily, experienced staff turnover and dealt with some significant regulatory and operational issues. Nonetheless, the current CEO believes the company is turning around and will soon improve profitability. She is a high wealth individual who has invested more funds (equity) into the company, which is fully disclosed. No material misstatements were noted in the Auditor’s report.

Unqualified Report will be issued. As consistent losses, borrowed heavily, experienced staff turnover and dealt with some significant regulatory and operational issues are irrelevant issues as long as company is adhering to regulatory compliance standards.

3) The Auditors of ROME, a high-profile bank, were unable to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence concerning the carrying amount of ROME’s investment in ITA Pty Ltd as at 30 June 20X8. ITA Pty Ltd is a small firm of five financial planners in total. The auditors were denied access to the financial information of ITA, and they were not allowed to interview ITA’s Management. Consequently, the auditors were unable to determine the correct valuation of ITA Pty Ltd.

Adverse opinion- As there is restriction imposed on the auditor and chances of material misstatement rises. If the misstatements are material and pervasive, the adverse opinion should be issued.

4)The introduction of a new accounts receivable system in August 20X7 resulted in numerous errors in accounts receivable. As at the date of the Audit report, management was still in the process of correcting the system errors. As a result of these issues, the Auditors were unable to determine whether any adjustments are required in relation to the recorded or unrecorded inventories and accounts receivables, as well as the elements making up the Income statement and the Cash Flow statement.

Disclaimer of opinion - an auditor is unable to complete an accurate audit report. This may occur for a variety of reasons, such as an absence of appropriate financial records. When this happens, the auditor issues a disclaimer of opinion, stating that an opinion of the firm’s financial status could not be determined.