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Ic systems

ZZainb7y ago
Hi sir, 1)Is auditor allowed to evaluate/review effectivess of ic systems relevant to production of financial statements ? For listed/ not listed comp 2) is there any difference between evaluate effectivenes of ic systems And Giving advice on accounting systems? If yes, what are the difference? Thanks
KKimTutor7y ago#1
An auditor will evaluate the effectiveness of ICs (through tests of controls) as a standard audit procedure and report deficiencies and recommendations to management - this is all routine. If what you're asking is can the auditor provide an assurance report on the effectiveness of internal financial controls (as well as an auditor's report on the financial statements) - you have to recognise the self-review threat. To find guidance on this in the rulebook you have to recognise that providing assurance on ICs is an internal audit activity. For a PIE, what you suggest is not allowed (290.195). ICs are management's responsibility, so for non-PIE clients safeguards will be needed such as separate teams for the assignments. Providing advice and recommendations to assist management in discharging their responsibilities is ok (290.161) as long as management takes all decisions/accepts responsibility for their actions (290.162).
ZZainb7y ago#2
The senario was from chennai&co m/j 16 They asked review ic systems they didnt specifically mentioned anything regarding providing a assurance report. Am not sure In the senario is it allowed or not I appreciate making the matters in senario clear for me Thanks
KKimTutor7y ago#3
In the context of the scenario the requested review would result in a report to the audit committee - although the word "assurance" isn't mentioned, the concerns raised point to this. Mumbai is a PIE per last line of scenario - so not allowed.
ZZainb7y ago#4
Thanks sir, Now the first part is clear What about the other part? ( deterioration in controls)? Can u explain the issue here? And what does “inefficient commercial practise” means Thanks
KKimTutor7y ago#5
The Q asks for ethical and professional issues. Imagine the scenario .... you just signed off the auditor's report a few weeks ago and now the client flags concerns about control issues and increased fraud risk ... Does that bother you? Why does that bother you? Did you know? Should you have known? What does it mean if you should have known but didn't? You will be better prepared for the exam if you think through and try and identify as many points for yourself - then read the answer. If you see phrases you don't understand you have to practice interpreting them as best you can - they don't necessarily have a technical meaning - here there is a risk that "business practices are not efficient" - business/commercial practices are just what the business does (process/procedure/activity/tactic) to achieve its objectives - i.e. make money. So if there is inefficiency it will be losing money.
ZZainb7y ago#6
Thanks v. V much for this explanation sir it really helped. One point here: How did we conclude that mgt of client comp are actually was not aware of these deficinies and not concealing them by not telling us before, so we issue a clean report few weeks ago.
KKimTutor7y ago#7
It is unclear to me where you are seeing this "conclusion". The Q says that it is the audit committee that has now brought this to the attention of the auditor - indeed it is quite possible that some members of management could have been aware of issues but didn't bring to the auditor's attention.
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