The document discusses the requirements for an audit engagement letter according to ISA 210. It should be sent before starting an audit to confirm the terms, responsibilities of the auditor and management, and applicable financial reporting framework. The engagement letter documents the agreed upon scope and timing of the audit and may refer to additional details or expectations of the engagement. It requires acknowledgement from management to proceed with the audit.
The document discusses the requirements for an audit engagement letter according to ISA 210. It should be sent before starting an audit to confirm the terms, responsibilities of the auditor and management, and applicable financial reporting framework. The engagement letter documents the agreed upon scope and timing of the audit and may refer to additional details or expectations of the engagement. It requires acknowledgement from management to proceed with the audit.
The document discusses the requirements for an audit engagement letter according to ISA 210. It should be sent before starting an audit to confirm the terms, responsibilities of the auditor and management, and applicable financial reporting framework. The engagement letter documents the agreed upon scope and timing of the audit and may refer to additional details or expectations of the engagement. It requires acknowledgement from management to proceed with the audit.
The document discusses the requirements for an audit engagement letter according to ISA 210. It should be sent before starting an audit to confirm the terms, responsibilities of the auditor and management, and applicable financial reporting framework. The engagement letter documents the agreed upon scope and timing of the audit and may refer to additional details or expectations of the engagement. It requires acknowledgement from management to proceed with the audit.
Introduction: ISA 210 Agreeing the Terms of Audit Engagements, "requires that before the auditor can accept an audit engagement s/he should: Establish that the preconditions for an audit exist. Confirm that there is a common understanding between the auditor and management concerning the terms of the engagement. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER In order to establish whether the preconditions for an audit are present, the auditor shall: (a) Determine whether the financial reporting framework to be applied in the preparation of the f/ss is acceptable; (b) Obtain the agreement of management that it acknowledges and understands its responsibility. (i) For the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. (ii) For such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of f/ss that are free from material misstatement. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER (iii) To provide the auditor with: a. Access to all information of which management is aware that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements. b. Additional information that the auditor may request from management for the purpose of the audit; and c. Unrestricted access to persons within the entity from whom the auditor determines it necessary to obtain audit evidence. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER ISA 210 directs the auditor to reject the audit engagement where: The financial reporting framework to be applied in the preparation of the fss is unacceptable. The auditor has not obtained agreement from management about their responsibility. Management imposes limitation on scope of the auditors work such that the auditor believes the limitation will result in disclaimer of opinion. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER Purpose of Engagement letter: ISA 210 requires the auditor and management to agree on the terms of the engagement and record them in an audit engagement letter or other suitable form. The engagement letter is sent by the auditor to the client to: Help avoid misunderstanding between the auditor and management regarding what the engagement entails. Document and confirm the auditors acceptance of the appointment. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER Timing of Engagement letter: The engagement letter should be sent: To all new clients before commencement of an audit. To all existing clients who have not previously had such a letter. To existing client whenever there is change of circumstances that require the terms of engagement to be revised. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER Contents of Engagement letter : The engagement letter should contain the following: (a) The objectives and scope of the audit of the f/ss. (b) The responsibilities of the auditor. (c) The responsibilities of management. (d) Identification of the applicable financial reporting framework for the preparation of the f/ss. (e) Reference to the expected form and content of any reports to be issued by the auditor and a statement that there may be circumstances in which a report may differ from its expected form and content. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER In addition, the engagement letter may make reference to: (i) Legislation, regulations, ISAs, and ethical and other pronouncements that the auditor adheres to. (ii) The form of any other communication of results of the audit engagement. (iii) An unavoidable risk that some material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with ISAs, due to inherent limitations of an audit and the inherent limitations of internal control. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER (iv) Arrangements regarding the planning and performance of the audit, including the composition of the audit team. (v) The expectation that management will provide written representations. (vi) The agreement of management to make available to the auditor draft f/ss and any accompanying information in time to allow the auditor to complete the audit expeditiously . AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER (vii) The agreement of management to inform the auditor of facts that may affect the f/ss, of which management may become aware during the period from the date of the auditors report to the date the f/s are issued. (viii) The basis on which fees are computed and any billing arrangements. (ix) A request for management to acknowledge receipt of the audit engagement letter and to agree to the terms of the engagement outlined therein. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER When relevant, the following points could also be made in the audit engagement letter: Arrangements concerning the involvement of other auditors and experts in some aspects of the audit. Arrangements concerning the involvement of internal auditors and other staff of the entity. Arrangements to be made with the predecessor auditor, if any, in the case of an initial audit. Any restriction of the auditors liability when such possibility exists. A reference to any further agreements between the auditor and the entity. Any obligations to provide audit working papers to other parties. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER Recurring audits: Engagement letter remains effective from one audit appointment to another until it is replaced. However, it should be reviewed annually to ensure that it continues to reflect the clients circumstances. ISA 210 suggests that the following factors may make the new letter appropriate: AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER Any indication that the entity misunderstands the objective and scope of the audit. Any revised or special terms of the audit engagement. A recent change of senior management. A significant change in ownership. A significant change in nature or size of the entitys business. A change in legal or regulatory requirements. A change in the financial reporting framework adopted in the preparation of the f/ss. A change in other reporting requirements. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER Acceptance of a change in the terms engagement; A request from management to change the terms of the engagement prior to completion may arise from: (a) A change in circumstances affecting the need for the service, (b) A misunderstanding as to the nature of an audit as originally requested or (c ) A restriction on the scope of the audit engagement, whether imposed by management or caused by other circumstances. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER The auditor should consider such a request for change, and the reason for it, very seriously, particularly in terms of any restriction on the scope of the engagement. In the case of (a)and (b) above, these would normally be acceptable reasons for requesting a change in engagement. A change would not be considered reasonable, however, if it seemed to relate to information that is incorrect, incomplete, or otherwise unsatisfactory. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER ISA gives an example of where an auditor should not agree to a change of engagement- where the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding receivables and the client asks for the audit engagement to be changed to a review engagement to avoid a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. In addition to the above, an auditor must consider any legal or contractual implications of the change. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER The audit report issued after such a change has been agreed ( and the relevant audit work carried out) should be appropriate to the revised terms of engagement. Such an audit report should not include reference to the original terms, or nay procedures performed under the original engagement.