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APB research into Improving the Audit Report. Responses to “Promoting Audit Quality”. Auditing profession appeared comfortable with current approach User groups expressed concerns: Overly legalistic – too many caveats Opinion should appear earlier Should be more informative regarding
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Responses to “Promoting Audit Quality” • Auditing profession appeared comfortable with current approach • User groups expressed concerns: • Overly legalistic – too many caveats • Opinion should appear earlier • Should be more informative regarding • Estimates • Judgments • Sufficiency of evidence • Uncertainties
APB’s response (1) THE AUDITORS REPORT: A TIME FOR CHANGE? DECEMBER 2007
The Auditor’s Report: A Time for Change? • Explained the evolution of the current report • Described ‘the changing scene’ • Offered a number of alternative reports to help stimulate debate
Alternative Reports • Example 1: Fully compliant with ISA 700 (Revised) • Example 2: ISA 700 (Revised) “Lite” • Example 3: Minimum report that complies with CA 2006
Feedback on The Auditors Report : A Time for Change • Views varied by Stakeholder Group • Institutional Investors • audit reports should be more informative • favoured reduction in current ‘boiler plate’ • Companies • favoured reduction in the ‘boiler plate’ • did not support added ‘narrative’ • Auditors • wanted to achieve compliance with ISAs • wanted to retain ‘Bannerman’ • many, but not all, wanted to maintain the status quo
APB’s response (2) THE AUDITORS REPORT: A TIME FOR CHANGE? ISA (UK & IRELAND) 700 REVISED DECEMBER 2007 SEPTEMBER 2008
APB’s Response (2) • Facilitate shortened versions of auditor’s report (Example 2) by including ‘boilerplate’ wording on auditor responsibilities and scope of audit on APB website. • Prepare changes to ISA (UK & Ireland) 700 to allow cross reference to APB website and still be compliant with ISA 700 • Prepare other changes to auditor’s report to • Reflect CA 2006 • State compliance with APB Ethical Standards • Separate the true and fair view opinion from other legal responsibilities (the 2 part report) • Initiate research into what additional ‘narrative’ information should be included