Professional Documents
Culture Documents
F8-06 Documentation
F8-06 Documentation
Documentation
FOCUS
This session covers the following content from the ACCA Study Guide.
Session 6 Guidance
Learn the objective, purpose and definition of working papers (s.1).
Understand the nature of the factors which determine the form, content and extent of audit
documentation (s.2.1), how standardisation benefits the audit (s.2.2) and the techniques used in
documentation (s.2.3).
DOCUMENTATION
(WORKING PAPERS)
• Objective, Definition and Scope
• Purpose
• Importance
FORM
• Factors to Consider
• Standardisation
• Documentation Techniques
CONTENT
• Permanent v Current Audit Files
• Audit Section Structure
• Significant Matters
• Assembly of Working Papers File
Session 6 Guidance
Appreciate the distinction between permanent and current documentation and how working
papers may be assembled (s.3).
Understand the need for auditors to maintain the confidentiality and safe custody of working
papers (s.4.1).
Learn the principles for retention and ownership of working papers (s.4.2, s.4.3).
1 Documentation
1.3 Importance
< Both the objectives and the purposes of working papers
encompass their importance. Initially, they provide a
framework for planning the audit, then for conducting and
recording the audit and finally for showing the key evidence
that supports the conclusions reached and the audit opinion.
Without working papers, auditors would, for example, find
it very difficult to be able to justify in a court of law their
approach, the work carried out and the conclusions reached on
an audit.
2 Form
< Working papers should be prepared to enable an experienced
auditor, having no previous connection with the audit, to
understand:
= the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures
carried out to achieve the audit objectives;
= the results of those procedures and the evidence obtained
to support the conclusions reached; and
= significant matters arising and the conclusions reached in
dealing with them.
2.2 Standardisation
< It is common practice for audit firms to use standard pre-
printed documentation on audit engagements. For example:
= Audit completion disclosure and other checklists.
= Internal Control Questionnaires/Evaluation Questionnaires.
= Audit programs.
= Specimen letters (e.g. management representation letters—
see Session 20).
= Indices for standard organisation of working papers.
Example 1 Standardisation
Suggest THREE advantages and THREE disadvantages of standardising audit working papers.
Solution
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Narrative notes By far the most common way of recording information (e.g. business
and detail history, processes, controls, interviews, work done, results, reviews).
Graphics Covers a wide range of charting facilities to record information (e.g.
flowcharting of systems, organisation charts, graphing trends, bar charts,
pie charts, etc).
Questionnaires Varied, with the most common being internal control questionnaires (ICQs)
and internal control evaluation questionnaires (ICEQs) to assist the auditor
to understand the design of appropriate controls and how they have been
implemented.
Checklists Used extensively to record set procedures (e.g. pre-printed work
programmes, analytical review, going concern, IFRS disclosures) and to
demonstrate that key procedures have been carried out (e.g. for client
acceptance, independence review, planning, completion and partner review).
Electronic media Now used extensively as audit tools (procedural, administration and
technical) and to produce audit documentation. Examples include
groupware, general word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics,
flowcharting, specialised audit programme and working paper software,
charting and analysis. These are not only in narrative and diagrammatic
form, but may also contain image and video in a knowledge base format.
3 Content
Suggest the audit working papers which you would expect to be filed as "permanent" and
"current".
Solution
< Standard indices may be used for both permanent and current
audit files. These are usually tailored (e.g. by circling the
references used).*
*Alternative
Illustration 1 Current Audit referencing systems
Index File might include separate
sections for interim
A Audit control papers audit working papers,
A1 Financial statements systems work or
A2 Audit completion checklist
analytical procedures.
A3 Review schedules
A4 Points forward to next year
A5 Time record and budget
B Overall audit plan
C Intangible assets
D Tangible non-current (fixed) assets
E Investments
F Inventories (Stock)
G Receivables (Debtors)
H Cash
J Payables (Creditors)
K Provisions and contingencies
L Taxation
M Capital and reserves
N Statement of comprehensive income
P Revenue
Q Purchases
R Wages and salaries
S Extended trial balance and adjustments to profit
Illustration 2 Conclusions
The work performed has been carried out in accordance with the audit strategy
and audit plan (as adjusted).
The work performed and the results obtained have been adequately documented.
Any revision to the audit plan, risk assessments and materiality have been
detailed on Schedule XX and approved by the partner.
Matters outstanding have been detailed on Schedule XX for action by the partner.
In my (audit assistant's) opinion, this audit section is fairly stated subject to the
matters noted on Schedule XX.
$ $
Y/e 31 Dec 2013 Charge
Plus: Effect of 2014 Additions: 64,520 α
Warehouse equipment $41,600 @ 20% α 8,320
Delivery vehicles $31,950 @ 25% α 7,990
Motor cars $19,709 @ 33 ⁄3% α
1
6,570
Fixtures and fittings $17,202 @ 10% α 1,720
Key
α Agreed to prior year accounts
Per schedule of additions
d Per schedule of disposals
4.2 Retention*
4.2.1 General Considerations
< Legal requirements (e.g. accounting records must be *ISA 230 only sets out
maintained for three years for private companies and six years general principles. It
for other companies in the UK). does not suggest a
< General position in law governing the period of time in which minimum or maximum
period for retention
actions may be brought in a court of law (e.g. six years for
nor how ownership is
actions based on contract in the UK). determined.
< Requirements for compiling tax returns (e.g. assessments may
be made six years after the period to which they relate).
< Likelihood of seeking quotation on a recognised stock
exchange—previous six years are required to be reported on
in UK.
4.3 Ownership
4.3.1 General Principles
< Working papers are the auditor's property and clients have no
rights to demand access.
< Portions of or extracts from working papers may be made
available to the client at the discretion of the auditor. (They
are not a substitute for the client's accounting records.)
< All documents relating to clients are confidential.
< A client may require the auditor to disclose documents which
belong to the client (only) to a third party.
Session 6 Quiz
Estimated time: 15 minutes
1. Define working papers and describe why auditors document the audit process. (1.1)
2. List and describe the FIVE documentation techniques. (2.3)
3. List the typical content of a permanent audit file (PAF). (3.1)
4. True or false. Clients can demand to see the contents of the auditor's working papers. (4.3)
Note: You may wish to do this question after you have completed the three sessions on planning,
understanding the entity and inventory.
EXAMPLE SOLUTIONS
Solution 1—Standardisation
Advantages:
Preparation and review is more efficient when audit files, sections
and documents in them, are presented in a systematic manner.
It helps to familiarise junior staff with standard procedures (e.g.
attending physical inventory counting and requesting direct
confirmations from customers).
Similarly, it facilitates direction (and delegation), supervision
and review.
It provides a means of quality control by requiring a consistent
approach to all audits and ensuring that essential procedures are not
overlooked.
It provides a consistent approach to specific audit functions (e.g.
IFRS checklist).
Disadvantages:
A "mechanical" approach may lead to a lack of appreciation of test
objectives and the implications of errors and deviations found.
Adopting a "standard approach" may stifle initiative and discourage
the exercise of professional judgement.
Standard programs may result in a "bare minimum" attitude.
It may be inappropriate to follow set procedures for a particular
client (e.g. one with subscription income rather than sales revenue).
Audit risk increases when there is a failure to tailor the audit
approach to the client's circumstances.
Note: Only three advantages and three disadvantages are required.