Audit conclusions and reporting (2024)

The goal of an audit is to form and express an opinion on financial statements. The audit is performed to get reasonable assurance on whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and the significant estimates made by the management. Audit conclusions and reporting are one of the principles governing an audit. Reporting is the last procedure of the process of an audit.

STEPS INVOLVED

An audit involves the following steps: Gathering of audit evidence, evaluation of the evidence, deciding on their reliability and acceptability, drawing a conclusion based on such evaluations, forming an opinion based on a set of conclusions and expressing an opinion. The auditor should get sufficient and appropriate audit evidence both at the transaction level, as well as the account level. He should evaluate the adequacy of the evidence in his possession, both in terms of quality and quantity. The auditor should draw a conclusion on each of the line items of the financial statements, based on the transactions examined by him. A set of conclusions, on such line items, leads to forming an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, both at the transaction level as well as at the account level, which, he should express in his report without any fear or favour.

Gathering of audit evidence: An auditor should be thorough in his efforts to gather the audit evidence, and be impartial in its evaluation. Substantive procedures such as enquiry, information, confirmation, observation, compilation, verification and valuation, etc. are used to substantiate the transactions. Carrying out such procedures on a reasonable number of transactions provides a basis for drawing a conclusion on a particular head of account (line item). Having gathered the audit evidence by substantive procedures, the auditor should ensure that the entity has complied with the necessary requirements such as requirements of law, applicable Accounting Standards issued by the ICAI/ NACAS , accounting policies adapted by the entity from time to time, and internal control systems.

Evaluation of audit evidence: Having gathered the audit evidence, the auditor goes through the evidence with a fine-toothed comb to properly evaluate it, judge their reliability and draw logical conclusions. He has to document the reasons for accepting or rejecting certain replies and reports.

Analysis of evidence: The auditor uses analytical procedures such as accounting ratios, analyses; intercompany comparisons, comparing the industry norm with the data of the unit, etc. to analyse the data.

Audit conclusions: Such analyses help the auditor to draw conclusions regarding various aspects of the line items of the financial statements. These conclusions should be independent and factual, and not based on assumptions. A set of such conclusions leads to forming an opinion.

Compliance with code of conduct: Professional ethics of the ICAI hold an auditor guilty of professional misconduct for negligence if he doesn't gather enough evidence to justify his opinion. He would be liable if the evidence in his possession is contradictory to the opinion expressed by him. This makes drawing a conclusion a critical aspect of an audit.

EXPRESSION OF OPINION

The auditor discusses his observations with those charged with governance, such as the audit committee of the company, before finalising the report. The auditor should be firm in his opinion, and exercise his independence at this level. This part of the audit is critical, and calls for resilience on the part of the auditor. An audit report, being a public document, should be drafted skilfully. The code of conduct prohibits an auditor from divulging any information received by him in the course of his professional assignment, unless legally required so to do. Therefore, the auditor shouldn't hesitate to take the help of a legal expert on whether to include certain comments in his report.

(The author is a Hyderabad-based chartered accountant .)

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Audit conclusions and reporting (2024)

FAQs

What is audit conclusion and reporting? ›

Audit conclusions: Such analyses help the auditor to draw conclusions regarding various aspects of the line items of the financial statements. These conclusions should be independent and factual, and not based on assumptions. A set of such conclusions leads to forming an opinion.

What are the 4 C's of audit findings? ›

In conclusion, the 4 C's of internal audit—Competence, Confidentiality, Compliance, and Communication—form the pillars of a robust and effective internal audit function. Competence ensures that internal auditors possess the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties with proficiency.

What are the 5 C's of audit report writing? ›

As a guide for what details to include in the audit report, use the five “C's” of recording observations: criteria, condition, cause, consequence, and corrective action plans (or recommendations).

What is the difference between audit findings and audit conclusions? ›

Most audit methodologies and guidance distinguish between audit findings and audit conclusions—findings correspond directly to audit criteria and indicate whether or not the subject of the audit satisfies each criterion, while conclusions are evidence- and experience-based opinions from auditors regarding the ...

How to write audit conclusions? ›

The conclusion should not be a summary of findings, but rather be a clear conclusion against the audit objective. The conclusion has to be expressed using a positive form; for example, “The entity has complied, in all significant respects, with xyz . . .”

What is audit reporting process? ›

Although every audit process is unique, the audit process is similar for most engagements and normally consists of four stages: Planning (sometimes called Survey or Preliminary Review), Fieldwork, Audit Report and Follow-up Review. Client involvement is critical at each stage of the audit process.

What are the 4 Ps of auditing? ›

The marketing functionality audit is referred to as the four Ps audit since it refers to the four Ps of the marketing mix: price, product, promotion, and place.

What are the 5 elements of audit finding? ›

There are five elements of a finding:
  • Condition: What is the problem/issue? What is happening?
  • Cause: Why did the condition happen?
  • Criteria: How do we, as auditors, know this is a problem? What should be?
  • Effect: Why does this condition matter? What is the impact?
  • Recommendation: How do we solve the condition?

What are the 5 contents of an audit report? ›

The basic elements of an audit report are the title of the report; the addressee; the auditor's opinion on the financials; the basis for the audit opinion; and the auditor's signature, tenure as the company's auditor, location, and date.

What are the 5 W in auditing? ›

Because knowledge is power, we're providing you the 5 W's (Who - What - When - Where - Why) about the IRS audit to help you understand and prepare for the process.

What are the 5S audit checklist points? ›

How Does 5S help?
5S TermSlogan
1Sort (Seiri)When in doubt, move it out!
2Set in order (Seiton)A place for everything and everything in its place!
3Shine (Seiso)Clean and inspect!
4Standardize (Seiketsu)Make the rules and follow them!
1 more row

How do you write a good audit report? ›

You should use bullet points and avoid using long paragraphs. Ensure your conclusions are supported by the data, or if your data points to no firm conclusions, say so. Never make claims that are not supported by the evidence.

How do you close audit findings? ›

Develop a management response in enough detail that when implemented will remove or fully alleviate the condition as reported in the audit finding. Reduce a material weakness audit finding to a lesser importance. Determine how to lower the “magnitude” or importance of the audit finding.

What is a checklist in auditing? ›

An audit checklist is a tool used during the conduct of an audit. Defined broadly, audit is an inspection or a systematic, independent and documented review of an organisation's financial activities or management systems.

What are the two actions taken on the audit findings? ›

The auditee is responsible for follow-up and corrective action on all audit findings. As part of this responsibility, the auditee must prepare a summary schedule of prior audit findings. The auditee must also prepare a corrective action plan for current year audit findings.

What is the concluding stage of the audit? ›

The completion stage of the audit is of crucial importance. It is during the completion stage that the auditor reviews the evidence obtained during the audit together with the final version of the financial statements with the objective of forming the auditor's opinion.

How many steps are involved in the audit conclusion? ›

Typically, each audit process is divided into 3 steps: Planning audit, risk assessment and treatment measures for assessed risks. Conduct audits. Synthesize, conclude and form the audit opinion.

What is the difference between accounting and auditing conclusion? ›

Accounting is done with the purpose of reflecting the actual position, performance and profitability of the business or organisation. Auditing is done to verify the accuracy of records and statements presented by accounting. To determine the profit and loss or the financial position of an organisation for a period.

What is the purpose of an audit summary report? ›

Overview. The Audit Summary report allows users to see a high-level summary of Audit results, but also drill down into other reports with filters specific to the desired insights. This report also helps you to focus in on the Primary Tags that you have identified in your account.

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