Test bank auditing and assurance principles by arens, elder beasley chapter 03

Chapter 3
Multiple-Choice Questions
1.
easy
a

Auditing standards require that the audit report must be titled and that the title must:
a. include the word “independent.”
b. indicate if the auditor is a CPA.
c. indicate if the auditor is a proprietorship, partnership, or incorporated.
d. indicate the type of audit opinion issued.

2.
Medium
a

To emphasize the fact that the auditor is independent, a typical addressee of the audit report
could be:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Company Controller
No
No
Yes
Yes

Shareholders
Yes

No
Yes
No

Board of Directors
Yes
Yes
No
No

3.
easy
b

The purpose of the introductory paragraph in the standard unqualified report is:
a. to identify that the type of opinion issued is unqualified.
b. to identify the financial statements audited and the dates and time periods covered by the
report.
c. to indicate the CPA followed applicable audit standards.
d. to indicate all the financial statements are in accordance with GAAP.

4.
easy
d

The scope paragraph of the standard unqualified audit report states that the audit is designed to:
a. discover all errors and/or irregularities.
b. discover material errors and/or irregularities.
c. conform to generally accepted accounting principles.
d. obtain reasonable assurance whether the statements are free of material misstatement.

5.
easy
d

The audit report date on a standard unqualified report indicates:
a.
the last day of the fiscal period.
b.
the date on which the financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
c.
the last date on which users may institute a lawsuit against either client or auditor.
d.
the last day of the auditor’s responsibility for the review of significant events that
occurred subsequent to the date of the financial statements.

6.
easy
d

As a result of management’s refusal to permit the auditor to physically examine inventory, the
auditor has not accumulated sufficient appropriate evidence to conclude whether financial
statements are stated in accordance with GAAP. The auditor must depart from the unqualified
audit report because:
a. the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with GAAP.
b. the scope of the audit has been restricted by circumstances beyond either the client’s or
auditor’s control.
c. the auditor has lost independence.
d. the scope of the audit has been restricted.

7.
easy

An adverse opinion is issued when the auditor believes:
a. some parts of the financial statements are materially misstated or misleading.

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d

b.
c.
d.

the financial statements would be found to be materially misstated if an investigation were
performed.
the auditor is not independent.
the overall financial statements are so materially misstated that they do not present fairly
the financial position or results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP.

8.
easy
c

If a misstatement is immaterial to the financial statements of the entity for the current period,
but is expected to have a material effect in future periods, it is appropriate to issue a(n):
a. adverse opinion.
b. qualified opinion.

c. unqualified opinion.
d. disclaimer of opinion.

9. (Public)
easy
c

Whenever an auditor issues an audit report for a public company, the auditor can choose to issue
a report in which of the following forms?
a. A combined report on financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.
b. Separate reports on financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.
c. Either a or b.
d. Neither a nor b.

10.
easy
b

When determining whether an exception is “highly material,” the extent to which the exception
affects different elements of the financial statements must be considered. This concept is called:
a. materiality.
b. pervasiveness.
c. financial analysis.
d. ratio analysis.

11.
medium
d

An auditor determines the financial statements include a material departure from GAAP. Which

type of opinion may be issued?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Disclaimer
Yes
No
Yes
No

Qualified
No
Yes
No
Yes

Adverse
No
No
Yes
Yes

12. (Public)
easy
c

If an auditor performs an audit of a public company, the scope paragraph should make reference
to which standards?

a.
Accounting standards.
b.
Generally accepted auditing standards.
c.
Standards issued by the PCAOB (U.S.).
d.
Any of the above standards.

13.
easy
b

If an auditor performs an audit of a private company, the scope paragraph should make
reference to which standards?
a.
Accounting standards.
b.
U.S. generally accepted auditing standards.
c.
Standards issued by the PCAOB (U.S.).
d.
Any of the above standards.

14.
easy
a

Examples of unqualified opinions which contain modified wording (without adding an
explanatory paragraph) include:

a.
the use of other auditors.
b.
material uncertainties.
c.
substantial doubt about the audited company (or the entity) continuing as a going
concern.

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d.

lack of consistent application of GAAP.

15.

GAAP requires that changes in accounting principles be to a:

medium
c

a.
b.
c.
d.

16.
easy
c

A CPA may wish to emphasize specific matters regarding the financial statements even though
an unqualified opinion will be issued. Normally, such explanatory information is:
a.
included in the scope paragraph.
b.
included in the opinion paragraph.
c.
included in a separate paragraph in the report.
d.
included in the introductory paragraph.

17.
challenging
d

An auditor who issues a qualified opinion because sufficient appropriate evidence was not
obtained should describe the limitations in an explanatory paragraph. The auditor should also
refer to the limitation in the:

more conservative principle.
principle with equal authoritative support.
preferable principle.
principle detailed in a FASB pronouncement.

Scope
paragraph
a.
Yes
b.

No
c.
No
d.
Yes

Opinion
paragraph
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

Notes to the
financial statements
Yes
Yes
No
No

18.
medium
b

When the auditor evaluates the effect of a change in accounting principle, the materiality of the
change should be evaluated based on:
a.
the prior years presented.
b.
the current year effect of the change.

c.
guidelines included in GAAS.
d.
the effect on total assets.

19.
medium
b

Conditions requiring a departure from an unqualified audit report include all but which of the
following?
a. Management refused to allow the auditor to confirm significant accounts receivable for
which there were no alternative procedures performed.
b. Management decided not to allow the auditor to confirm significant accounts receivable,
but the auditor obtained sufficient appropriate evidence by examining subsequent cash
receipts.
c. The audit partner’s dependent child received a gift of 100 shares of a client’s stock for her
birthday from a grandparent.
d. Management has determined that fixed assets should be reported in the balance sheet at
their replacement values rather than historical costs. The auditors do not concur.

20.
medium
b

The introductory paragraph of the standard audit report states that the financial statements are:
a. the responsibility of the auditor.
b. the responsibility of management.
c. the joint responsibility of management and the auditor.
d. none of the above.

21.
medium
d

The introductory paragraph of the standard audit report states that the financial statements and
the opinion expressed about those statements are:
a. the responsibility of the auditor.
b. the responsibility of management.

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c.
d.

the joint responsibility of management and the auditor.
none of the above.

22.
medium
c

The introductory paragraph of the standard audit report states that the auditor is:
a. responsible for the financial statements and the opinion on them.
b. responsible for the financial statements.
c. responsible for the opinion on the financial statements.
d. jointly responsible for the financial statements with management.

23. (Public)

medium
a

PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2 requires the audit of internal control over financial reporting
to be integrated with:
a. the audit of the financial statements.
b. the quarterly review of financial information.
c. the review of annual financial statements.
d. none of the above.

24.
medium
d

The audit report indicates that (1) management is responsible for the content of the financial
statements and (2) the auditor is responsible for evaluating the appropriateness of the
accounting principles chosen by management. Which paragraph contains those statements?
a. Both are in the introductory paragraph.
b. Both are in the scope paragraph.
c. Both are in the opinion paragraph.
d. None of the above are true.

25.
medium
c

If the balance sheet of a company is dated December 31, 2009, the audit report is dated
February 8, 2010, and both are released on February 15, 2010, this indicates that the auditor has
searched for subsequent events that occurred up to:
a. December 31, 2009.

b. January 1, 2010
c. February 8, 2010
d. February 15, 2010.

26. (Public)
medium
b

A combined report on financial statements and internal control over financial reporting includes
all but which of the following types of paragraphs?
a. Inherent limitations paragraph.
b. Description paragraph.
c. Opinion paragraph.
d. Each of the above paragraphs is included.

27.
medium
d

Whenever an auditor issues a qualified opinion, the implication is that the auditor:
a. does not know if the financial statements are presented fairly.
b. does not believe the financial statements are presented fairly.
c. believes the financial statements are presented fairly.
d. believes the financial statements are presented fairly “except for” a specific aspect of
them.

28.
medium
c

The necessity to issue a disclaimer of opinion may arise because of:
a. a severe limitation on the scope of the audit.
b. a lack of independence between the auditor and client.
c. either a or b.
d. neither a nor b.

29.
medium
b

When the auditor determines the financial statements are fairly stated and then determines that
the auditor lacks independence, the auditor should issue:
a.
an adverse opinion.
b.
a disclaimer of opinion.

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c.
d.

either a qualified opinion or an adverse opinion.
either a qualified opinion or an unqualified opinion with modified wording.

30.
medium
d

If the auditor lacks independence, a disclaimer of opinion must be issued:
a.
if the client requests it.
b.
only if it is highly material.
c.
only if it is material but not highly material.
d.
in all cases.

31.
medium
d

Misstatements must be compared with some measurement base before a decision can be made
about materiality. A commonly accepted measurement base includes:
a.
net income.
b.
total assets.
c.
working capital.
d.
all of the above.

32.
medium

When comparing misstatements with a measurement base, the auditor must consider the
pervasiveness of the misstatement. Of the following examples, the most pervasive misstatement

is a(n):
a.
understatement of inventory.
b.
understatement of retained earnings caused by a miscalculation of dividends payable.
c.
misclassification of notes payable as a long-term liability when it should be current.
d.
misclassification of salary expense as a selling expense when it should be allocated
equally to both selling and administrative expense.

a

33.
medium
b

The dollar amount of some misstatements cannot be accurately measured. For example, if the
client were unwilling to disclose an existing lawsuit, the auditor must estimate the likely effect
on:
a. net income.
b. users of the financial statements.
c. the auditor’s exposure to lawsuits.
d. management’s future decisions.

34.
medium
d

Whenever there is a scope restriction, the appropriate response is to issue a(n):

a. disclaimer of opinion.
b. adverse opinion.
c. qualified opinion.
d. unqualified report, a qualification of scope and opinion, or a disclaimer, depending on
materiality.

35.
medium
a

Which of the following is least likely to cause uncertainty about the ability of an entity to
continue as a going concern?
a. A client’s lawsuit against another company which claims the other company has infringed
on its patent.
b. Loss of major customers.
c. Significant recurring operating losses.
d. Working capital deficiencies.

36.
medium
d

The client has presented all required financial statements with the exception of the statement of
cash flows. The auditor has completed the audit and is satisfied that all other statements are
presented fairly. The auditor:
a. may issue either an unqualified or a qualified opinion.
b. must issue an adverse opinion with “except for” in the opinion paragraph.
c. may issue an unqualified opinion.
d. must issue a qualified opinion with “except for” in the opinion paragraph.

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37.
medium
d

When a disclaimer is issued because the auditor lacks independence:
a. no report title is included on the report.
b. a one-paragraph audit report is issued.
c. the only reason cited for issuing the disclaimer is the lack of independence.
d. all of the above are correct.

38.
medium
d

When a client has not applied GAAP consistently from the prior year to the current year, the
auditor does not concur with the appropriateness of the change, and the change in GAAP has a
material effect on the financial statements, the auditor should issue a(n):
a. disclaimer.
b. adverse opinion.
c. unqualified opinion.
d. qualified opinion.

39.
medium
c

Which of the following is not a change that affects consistency and, therefore, does not require

an explanatory paragraph?
a. Change in accounting principle, such as a change from LIFO to FIFO.
b. Change in reporting entity, such as the inclusion of an additional company in combined
financial statements.
c. Change in an estimate, such as a decrease in the life of an asset for depreciation purposes.
d. Correction of errors by changing from non-GAAP to GAAP.

40.
medium
c

Items that materially affect the comparability of financial statements generally require
disclosure in the footnotes. If the client refuses to properly disclose the item, the auditor will
most likely issue:
a.
a disclaimer.
b.
an unqualified opinion.
c.
a qualified opinion.
d.
an adverse opinion.

41.
medium
c

Auditors sometimes encounter situations in which the outcome of a matter cannot be reasonably
estimated at the time the financial statements are issued. These matters are referred to as:
a. inestimable matters.

b. non sequiturs.
c. uncertainties.
d. in-suspense matters.

42.
medium
b

When there is uncertainty about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern, the
auditor’s concern is the possibility that the client may not be able to continue its operations or
meet its obligations for a “reasonable period of time.” For this purpose, a reasonable period of
time is considered not to exceed:
a. six months from the date of the financial statements.
b. one year from the date of the financial statements.
c. six months from the date of the audit report.
d. one year from the date of the audit report.

43.
medium
d

When the auditor concludes that there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue
as a going concern, the appropriate audit report would be:
a. an unqualified opinion with an explanatory paragraph.
b. a disclaimer of opinion.
c. neither a nor b.
d. either a or b.

44.
medium

c

An auditor may not issue a qualified opinion when:
a. a scope limitation prevents the auditor from completing an important audit procedure.
b. the auditor’s report refers to the work of a specialist.

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c.
d.

the auditor lacks independence with respect to the audited entity.
an accounting principle at variance with GAAP is used.

45.
medium
b

When a company’s financial statements contain a departure from GAAP with which the auditor
concurs, the departure should be explained in:
a. the scope paragraph.
b. an explanatory paragraph that appears before the opinion paragraph.
c. the opinion paragraph.
d. an explanatory paragraph after the opinion paragraph.

46.
medium
b

Which of the following representations does an auditor make explicitly and which implicitly
when issuing an unqualified opinion?
Conformity
Adequacy of
with GAAP
disclosure
a. Explicitly
Explicitly
b. Explicitly
Implicitly
c. Implicitly
Explicitly
d. Implicitly
Implicitly

47.
medium
c

William Gregory, CPA, is the principal auditor for a multi-national corporation. Another CPA
has examined and reported on the financial statements of a significant subsidiary of the
corporation. Gregory is satisfied with the independence and professional reputation of the other
auditor, as well as the quality of the other auditor’s examination. With respect to his report on
the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, Gregory:
a. must not refer to the examination of the other auditor.
b. must refer to the examination of the other auditor.
c. may refer to the examination of the other auditor.
d. may refer to the examination of the other auditor, in which case Gregory must include in
the auditor’s report on the consolidated financial statements a qualified opinion with
respect to the examination of the other auditor.

48.
medium
d

A company has changed its method of inventory valuation from an unacceptable one to one in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The auditor’s report on the financial
statements of the year of the change should include:
a. no reference to consistency.
b. a reference to a prior period adjustment in the opinion paragraph.
c. an explanatory paragraph that justifies the change and explains the impact of the change
on reported net income.
d. an explanatory paragraph explaining the change.

49. (Public)
medium
a

Sarbanes-Oxley requires auditors of a public company to audit a company’s financial statements
and attest to management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting. What type of assurance does the auditor provide in this report?
a. Positive assurance on the financial statements and on the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting.
b. Positive assurance on the financial statements and negative assurance on the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting.
c. Limited assurance on the financial statements and on the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting.
d. There is no guidance on what level of assurance to provide.

50.

medium
c

Whenever the client imposes restrictions on the scope of the audit, the auditor should be
concerned that management may be trying to prevent discovery of misstatements. In such cases,
the auditor will likely issue a:
a. disclaimer of opinion in all cases.
b. qualification of both scope and opinion in all cases.

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c.
d.

disclaimer of opinion whenever materiality is in question.
qualification of both scope and opinion whenever materiality is in question.

51.
medium
b

CPAs issue several types of “special audit reports.” Which of the following circumstances
would not require the issuance of a special audit report?
a. The client’s financial statements are prepared using the cash basis.
b. The client’s financial statements are prepared using the accrual basis.
c. The CPA has been retained to audit only the current assets.
d. The CPA has been retained to review the internal control system, not the financial
statements.

52.
medium
b

When a qualified or adverse opinion is issued, the qualifying paragraph is inserted:
a. between the introductory and scope paragraphs.
b. between the scope and opinion paragraphs.
c. after the opinion paragraph, as a fourth paragraph.
d. immediately after the address, as the first paragraph.

53.
challenging
c

For the report containing a disclaimer for lack of independence, the disclaimer is in the:
a. third or opinion paragraph.
b. second or scope paragraph.
c. first and only paragraph.
d. fourth or explanatory paragraph.

54.
challenging
a

Which of the following is not a primary category of attestation report?
a. Compilation report.
b. Review report.
c. Audit report.
d. Special audit report based on a basis of accounting other than GAAP.

55.
challenging
b

Most auditors believe that financial statements are “presented fairly” when the statements are in
accordance with GAAP, and that it is also necessary to:
a. determine that they are not in violation of FASB statements.
b. examine the substance of transactions and balances for possible misinformation.
c. review the statements using the accounting principles promulgated by the SEC.
d. assure investors that net income reported this year will be exceeded in the future.

56.
challenging
d

In which of the following situations would the auditor most likely issue an unqualified report?
a.
The client valued ending inventory by using the replacement cost method.
b.
The client valued ending inventory by using the Next-In-First-Out (NIFO) method.
c.
The client valued ending inventory at selling price rather than historical cost.
d.
The client valued ending inventory by using the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method, but
showed the replacement cost of inventory in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

57.
challenging
d

Which of the following statements is true?
a.
The auditor is required to issue a disclaimer of opinion in the event of a material
uncertainty.
b.
The auditor is required to issue a disclaimer of opinion in the event of a going concern
problem.
c.
The auditor is required to issue a disclaimer of opinion for a material uncertainty and for
a going concern problem.
d.
The auditor has the option, but is not required, to issue a disclaimer of opinion for a
material uncertainty or for a going concern problem.

58.
medium
a

The most common case in which conditions beyond the client’s and auditor’s control cause a
scope restriction is an engagement:
a.
agreed upon after the client’s balance sheet date.

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b.
c.
d.

where the client won’t allow the auditor to confirm receivables for fear of offending its
customers.
where the auditor doesn’t have enough staff to satisfactorily audit all of the client’s
foreign subsidiaries.
where the client is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

59.
challenging
d

When the auditor cannot perform procedures and the amounts are so material that a disclaimer
of opinion rather than a qualified opinion is required, the:
a. opinion paragraph will state “does not present fairly.”
b. opinion paragraph will state “presents fairly.”
c. scope paragraph will be unchanged from the standard unqualified opinion.
d. scope paragraph will be deleted.

60.
challenging
b

When misstatements are so material that an adverse opinion is issued, a scope paragraph would
be:
a. qualified.
b. unchanged.
c. deleted.
d. expanded to identify the additional procedures which the auditor performed.

61.
challenging

d

When the client fails to make adequate disclosure in the body of the statements or in the related
footnotes, it is the responsibility of the auditor to:
a. inform the reader that disclosure is not adequate, and to issue an adverse opinion.
b. inform the reader that disclosure is not adequate, and to issue a qualified opinion.
c. present the information in the audit report and issue an unqualified or qualified opinion.
d. present the information in the audit report and to issue a qualified or an adverse opinion.

62.
challenging
c

The “unqualified report with explanatory paragraph” and the “unqualified report with modified
wording”:
a. arise as a result of an incomplete audit.
b. arise when the financial statements are not “presented fairly.”
c. meet the criteria of a complete audit with satisfactory results.
d. meet the criteria of a complete audit but with unsatisfactory results.

63.
medium
c

Which of the following will not cause the auditor to issue a standard unqualified report with an
explanatory paragraph or modified wording?
a. Emphasis of a matter.
b. Reports involving other auditors.
c. Auditor disagrees with client’s departure from GAAP.
d. Lack of consistent application of GAAP.

64.
challenging
a

Which of the following is not one of the principal CPA firm’s alternatives when issuing a report
if a different CPA firm performed part of the audit?
a.
Issue a joint report signed by both CPA firms.
b.
Make no reference to the other CPA firm in the audit report, and issue the standard
unqualified opinion.
c.
Make reference to the other auditor in the report by using modified wording (a shared
opinion or report)
d.
A qualified opinion or disclaimer, depending on materiality, is required if the principal
auditor is not willing to assume any responsibility for the work of the other auditor.

65.
challenging
c

Which of the following statements is not true?
a.
A one-paragraph report is generally used when the auditor is not independent.
b.
A three-paragraph report ordinarily indicates there are no exceptions in the audit.
c.
More than three paragraphs in the report indicates there must be some type of

qualification in the audit.

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d.

An unqualified opinion with an explanation or modified wording would require more
than three paragraphs.

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66.
challenging
a

Brown Co.’s financial statements adequately disclose uncertainties that concern future events,
the outcome of which are not reasonably estimable. The auditor’s report should include a(n):
a. unqualified opinion.
b. disclaimer.
c. “except for” qualified opinion.
d. adverse opinion.

67.
challenging
c

Which of the following requires recognition in the auditor’s opinion as to consistency?
a.

The correction of an error in the prior year’s financial statements resulting from a
mathematical mistake in capitalizing interest.
b.
A change in the estimate of provisions for warranty costs.
c.
The change from the cost method to the equity method of accounting for investments in
common stock.
d.
A change in depreciation method which has no effect on current year’s financial
statements but is certain to affect future years.

68.
challenging
a

When an auditor encounters a situation involving more than one of the conditions requiring a
departure from a standard unqualified report, the auditor should modify his or her opinion for
each condition unless one has the effect of neutralizing the others. In which of the following
situations would the auditor not include more than one modification in the report?
a.
There is a material scope limitation, and the auditor is not independent.
b.
There is a material GAAP violation, and the auditor is not independent.
c.
There is a material scope limitation, and there is substantial doubt about the company’s
ability to continue as a going concern.
d.
There is a substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,
and information about the causes of the uncertainties is not adequately disclosed in a
footnote.

69.
Medium
a

Indicate which changes would require an explanatory paragraph in the audit report.
Correction of an error by changing from an
accounting principle that is not generally
acceptable to one that is generally acceptable
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

70.
Medium
b

Change from LIFO to FIFO
Yes
No
No
Yes

Indicate which changes would require an explanatory paragraph in the audit report.
Change in the estimated life of an asset

a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

Variation in the format of the
financial statements
Yes
No
No
Yes

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71.
Medium
a

Indicate which changes would require an explanatory paragraph in the audit report.
The CPA concludes there is substantial doubt
about the entity’s ability to continue as a going
concern
a.
Yes
b.

No
c.
Yes
d.
No

72.
Challenging
c

Indicate which changes would require an explanatory paragraph in the audit report.
A departure from GAAP which, due to
unusual circumstances, does not require a
qualified or adverse opinion.
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

73.
Easy
a

Change from FIFO to LIFO
Yes
No

No
Yes

Indicate which changes would require an explanatory paragraph in the audit report.
The existence of related party transactions
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

75.
Medium
c

The CPA makes reference to the work of
another auditor to indicate shared
responsibility in an unqualified opinion.
Yes
No
No
Yes

Indicate which changes would require an explanatory paragraph in the audit report.
Change from LIFO to FIFO
a.
Yes

b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

74.
Challenging
b

Change from FIFO to LIFO
Yes
No
No
Yes

Important events occurring subsequent to
the balance sheet date
Yes
No
No
Yes

Which auditor report would require only one paragraph?
Disclaimer due to lack of independence
a.
Yes
b.
No

c.
Yes
d.
No

Adverse opinion due to departure
from GAAP
Yes
No
No
Yes

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76.
Medium
b

Which auditor report would require only one paragraph?
Disclaimer due to scope restriction
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

77.
Challenging
d

Which auditor report must have at least four paragraphs?
Unqualified opinion indicating shared
responsibility with another auditor
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

78.
Challenging
c

Disclaimer due to a scope
restriction
Yes
No
No
Yes

Which auditor report must have at least four paragraphs?
Qualified opinion due to departure from
GAAP

a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

80.
Medium
d

Unqualified opinion expressing
substantial doubt that the company
is a going concern
Yes
No
No
Yes

Which auditor report must have at least four paragraphs?
Qualified opinion due to scope restriction
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.

No

79.
Medium
a

Qualified opinion due to scope
restriction
Yes
No
No
Yes

Adverse opinion due to departure
from GAAP
Yes
No
No
Yes

Which auditor report must have at least four paragraphs?
Disclaimer due to lack of independence
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

Report required due to omission of
the Statement of Cash Flows
Yes
No
No
Yes

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81.
Medium
c

A CPA would express a qualified opinion with at least four paragraphs for:
An unjustified accounting change
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

82.
Medium
d

A CPA would express an unqualified opinion with at least four paragraphs for:
An unjustified accounting change
a.
Yes
b.
No
c.
Yes
d.
No

83.
Medium
b

84.
Medium
d

A justified accounting change,
properly accounted for
Yes
No
No
Yes

A justified accounting change, properly
accounted for
Yes
No

No
Yes

The reasons for expressing a qualified opinion due to a departure from GAAP are expressed
in a paragraph
a.
preceding the scope paragraph.
b.
following the scope paragraph.
c.
following the opinion paragraph.
d.
either preceding or following the opinion paragraph, depending on materiality.
In which situation would the auditor be choosing between “except for” qualified opinion
and an adverse opinion?
a. The auditor lacks independence
b. A client-imposed scope restriction
c. A circumstance-imposed scope restriction
d. Lack of full disclosure required by footnotes

Essay Questions
85.
easy

Discuss how materiality affects audit reporting decisions.
Answer:
When determining the appropriate audit report to issue, the auditor considers three levels
of materiality for a given condition. These three levels are (1) immaterial, (2) material
without overshadowing the financial statements as a whole, and (3) highly material. For
conditions involving a GAAP violation, the materiality level of the violation influences

whether an unqualified, qualified, or adverse opinion is issued. For conditions involving a
scope restriction, the materiality of the restriction influences whether an unqualified
report, a qualified scope and opinion report, or a disclaimer of opinion is issued.

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86.
medium

There are five conditions that must be met before an auditor can issue a standard unqualified
report for the audit of a private company. Please discuss each of these five conditions.
Answer:
The five conditions that justify issuing a standard unqualified report are:

All statements—balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings, and
statement of cash flows—are included in the financial statements.

The three general standards of GAAS have been followed in all respects on the
engagement.

Sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been accumulated and the auditor can
conclude that the three fieldwork standards have been followed.

The financial statements are presented in accordance with GAAP.

There are no circumstances requiring the addition of an explanatory paragraph or
modification of the wording of the report.

87.

medium

There are three conditions requiring a departure from an unqualified audit report. Discuss each
of these three conditions and state the appropriate audit report for each condition.
Answer:
The three conditions requiring a departure from an unqualified report are:

a scope restriction imposed by the client or by circumstances beyond the auditor’s or
client’s control which prevents the auditor from accumulating sufficient evidence to
reach a conclusion regarding whether financial statements are stated in accordance
with GAAP. In this condition, the auditor would issue either a qualified scope and
opinion report, or a disclaimer of opinion.

the financial statements were not prepared in accordance with GAAP. In this
condition, the auditor would issue a qualified opinion if the GAAP violation were
moderately material, or an adverse opinion if the GAAP violation were highly
material.

the auditor is not independent. In this condition, the auditor must issue a disclaimer
of opinion.

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88.
medium

In certain circumstances, an auditor will issue an unqualified report, but the wording will differ
from that of a standard unqualified report. Discuss each of the five circumstances when an
auditor would issue an unqualified report with an explanatory paragraph or modified wording.

Answer:
An unqualified report with an explanatory paragraph or modified wording is appropriate in
the following circumstances:

Lack of consistent application of GAAP. When the client has not followed generally
accepted accounting principles consistently in the current period in relation to the
preceding period, an unqualified opinion with an explanatory paragraph following the
opinion paragraph is appropriate.

Substantial doubt about continuing as a going concern. When an auditor concludes
there is substantial doubt about the client’s ability to continue as a going concern, an
unqualified opinion with an explanatory paragraph following the opinion paragraph
is appropriate. The auditor also has the option of issuing a disclaimer of opinion.

A departure from GAAP with which the auditor concurs. If adherence to GAAP
would result in misleading financial statements, an unqualified opinion with an
explanatory paragraph is appropriate.



89.
medium

Emphasis of a matter. If the auditor wants to emphasize specific matters in the audit
report, an explanatory paragraph discussing those matters may be added to an
unqualified report.
Reports involving other auditors. When an auditor relies upon a different CPA firm to
perform part of the audit, the auditor can indicate that responsibility for the audit is
shared with another CPA firm by modifying the wording of an unqualified report.

An audit report prepared by Garrett and Brown, CPAs, is provided below. The audit for the year
ended December 31, 2007 was completed on March 1, 2008, and the report was issued to Javlin
Corporation, a private company, on March 13, 2008. List any deficiencies in this report. Do not
rewrite the report.

We have examined the accompanying financial statements of Dalton Corporation as of
December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Those principles require that we plan and perform the audit to provide reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. We
believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, except for the effects of not capitalizing certain lease obligations that
should be capitalized in order to conform with generally accepted accounting principles, the
financial statements referred to above present accurately the financial position of Jacob
Corporation as of December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
Garrett and Brown, CPAs
March, 2008

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Answer:
The audit report contains the following deficiencies:

The report title is missing.

The report is not addressed to anyone and should be addressed to shareholders or the

board of directors.

The introductory paragraph should refer to an “audit,” not an “examination.”

The introductory paragraph should list the financial statements that were audited.

The introductory paragraph refers to the wrong company.

The scope paragraph should state the audit was conducted in accordance with
auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, not generally
accepted accounting principles.

“Those principles …” should read “Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatements.”

The scope paragraph should contain the following phrase: “An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.”





90.
medium

Following the scope paragraph, there should be an explanatory paragraph that
discusses the GAAP violation related to the failure to capitalize certain lease
obligations.

In the opinion paragraph, the auditor should state that the financial statements present
fairly…, not present accurately…
In the opinion paragraph, the phrase “…in all material respects…” should be
included.
In the opinion paragraph, the phrase “…and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the year then ended…” should be included.
The audit report should be dated March 13, 2008.

Discuss the differences regarding how matters affecting consistency and matters affecting
comparability are referred to in the audit report. Provide two examples of each type of change.
Answer:
The auditor should disclose a material lack of consistent application of GAAP by adding
an explanatory paragraph after the unqualified opinion paragraph. The explanatory
paragraph should discuss the nature of the change and should refer to the footnote in the
financial statements that discusses the change. Changes that affect comparability, but not
consistency, require no such explanatory paragraph in the audit report, assuming the
change is disclosed in the footnotes.
Examples of changes affecting consistency include changes in accounting principles,
changes in reporting entities, and correction of errors involving accounting principles.
Examples of changes affecting comparability include changes in an estimate, error
corrections not involving accounting principles, variations in the format and presentation
of financial information, and changes because of substantially different transactions or
events.

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91. (Public)
medium

The following is a portion of an adverse audit report issued for a public company. (Note: A
separate report was issued on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.)
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the shareholders of Wallace Corporation
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Wallace Corporation as of December
31, 2007, and the related statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flows for the year
then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
The company has excluded from property and debt in the accompanying balance sheet
certain lease obligations that, in our opinion, should be capitalized in order to conform with
generally accepted accounting principles. If these lease obligations were capitalized, property
would be increased by $14,500,000, long-term debt by $13,200,000, and retained earnings by
$1,300,000 as of December 31, 2007, and net income and earnings per share would be increased
by $1,300,000 and $2.25, respectively, for the year then ended.
Required:
Complete the above adverse audit report by preparing the opinion paragraph. Do not date or
sign the report.
Answer:
In our opinion, because of the effects of the matters discussed in the preceding paragraph,
the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, the financial position of Wallace Corporation as
of December 31, 2007, or the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then

ended.

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92.
medium

The following is a portion of a qualified audit report issued for a private company:
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the shareholders of Tamarak Corporation
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Tamarak Corporation as of October
31, 2007, and the related statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flows for the year
then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
The company has included in property and debt in the accompanying balance sheet certain
lease obligations that, in our opinion, should be expensed in order to conform with generally
accepted accounting principles. If these lease obligations were capitalized, property would be
decreased by $4,000,000, long-term debt by $2,000,000, and retained earnings by $180,000 as
of October 31, 2005, and net income and earnings per share would be decreased by $180,000
and $.62, respectively, for the year then ended.
Required:
Complete the above qualified audit report by preparing the opinion paragraph. Do not date or

sign the report.

Answer:
In our opinion, except for the effects of capitalizing lease obligations, as discussed in the
preceding paragraph, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Tamarak Corporation as of October 31, 2007,
and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.

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93. (Public)
medium

The following is a portion of a qualified scope and opinion report due to a scope restriction.
(Note: A separate report was issued on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting.)
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the shareholders of Fast Times Corporation
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Fast Times Corporation as of September
30, 2007, and the related statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flows for the year
then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
Except as discussed in the following paragraph, we conducted our audit in accordance with the
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by

management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We were unable to obtain audited financial statements supporting the company’s investment in a
foreign affiliate stated at $1,040,000, or its equity in earnings of that affiliate of $501,000, which
is included in net income, as described in Note 14 to the financial statements. Because of the
nature of the company’s records, we were unable to satisfy ourselves as to the carrying value of
the investment or the equity in its earnings by means of other auditing procedures.
Required:
Complete the above report by preparing the opinion paragraph. Do not date or sign the report.
Answer:
In our opinion, except for the effects of such adjustments, if any, as might have been
determined to be necessary had we been able to examine evidence regarding the foreign
affiliate investment and earnings, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Fast Times Corporation as of September
30, 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

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94.
medium

Your CPA firm has completed the fieldwork for the 2007 audit of Sharp Corporation, a private
company with an October year-end. You were preparing to draft a standard, unqualified audit
report when you discovered that the audit manager on the Sharp engagement owns 10 shares of
Sharp’s common stock. Prepare the appropriate report.
Answer:
We are not independent with respect to Sharp Corporation, and the accompanying balance
sheet as of October 31, 2007, and the related statements of income, retained earnings, and

cash flows for the year then ended were not audited by us. Accordingly, we do not express
an opinion on them.
Note: There is no report title when the auditor issues a disclaimer due to a lack of
independence.

95.
challenging

Describe the standard unqualified report to be issued for an audit of a private company. Begin
by specifying the seven parts of the report, and then discuss the contents of each part.
Answer:
The parts of the standard unqualified report are as follows:

Report title. The title must include the word “independent.” Examples of appropriate
titles are “independent auditor’s report,” or “report of independent accountant.”

Report address. The report is usually addressed to the company’s stockholders or
board of directors. It should not be addressed to company management.

Introductory paragraph. There are three important components of the introductory
paragraph. First, it states that an audit was performed. Second, it lists the financial
statements that were audited and their dates. Third, it states that management is
responsible for the financial statements, and that the auditor is responsible for
expressing an opinion on those statements based on an audit.

Scope paragraph. The scope paragraph is a factual statement about what was done
during the audit. It first states that auditing standards generally accepted in the United
States of America were followed by the auditor. It then states that an audit is
designed to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statements are free of
material misstatement. It concludes by stating that the auditor evaluated the

appropriateness of the accounting principles used, and estimates made, by
management, and of the financial statement disclosures and presentations given.

Opinion paragraph. This paragraph states the auditor’s opinion concerning whether
the financial statements present fairly the client’s financial position and results of its
operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

Name of CPA firm. Typically, the name of the CPA firm, and not the name of an
individual auditor, is used.

Audit report date. The audit report is normally dated as of the last day of fieldwork.

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96.
challenging

Presented below is an independent auditor’s report for a private company prepared by the firm
of Harrington and Perry, LLP.
Auditor’s Report
To the president and management
of EPM, Inc.
We have examined the accompanying balance sheets and statements of income, retained
earnings, and cash flows of EPM, Inc., as of December 31, 2007 and 2006. We performed our
examination in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America and examined, on a test basis, evidence supporting the accounting principles used and
estimates made by management.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above accurately present the financial

position of EPM, Inc., in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Harrington and Perry, LLP
December 31, 2007
Other information:
EPM, Inc., is a for-profit corporation and publishes comparative financial statements for
distribution to shareholders, potential investors, and the general public. The client has a calendar
year-end. For the most recent audit, the auditor completed all significant fieldwork on March 5,
2008 and issued the audit report on March 16, 2008. During 2007, EPM changed its method of
depreciating long-term assets and properly reflected the effect of the change in the current year’s
financial statements, restated the prior year’s financial statements, and properly discussed the
change in a footnote (Note 4) to those statements. The auditors are satisfied that the change was
preferable.
Required:
Consider all the facts given and rewrite the complete auditor’s report, including report title,
address, body of report, name of firm, and audit report date.

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Answer:
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the shareholders of EPM, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of EPM, Inc., as of December 31, 2007 and
2006, and the related statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flows for the years then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United
States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures

in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of EPM, Inc., as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 4 to the financial statements, EPM, Inc., changed its method of computing
depreciation in 2007.
Harrington and Perry, LLP
March 5, 2008

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97.
challenging

On April 14, 2008, your CPA firm completed the fieldwork for the audit of O’Malley
Corporation’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007. O’Malley is a
privately held company. Last year, your firm expressed an unqualified opinion on O’Malley’s
2006 financial statements.
Barrett and O’Connor, CPAs, performed the audit of the December 31, 2007 and 2006 financial
statements of Tom’s Supply Company, a consolidated subsidiary of O’Malley’s. Barrett and
O’Connor completed the fieldwork on February 25, 2008, and issued its unqualified opinion on
Tom’s Supply Company on March 2, 2008. Tom’s statements reflect total assets of $950,000
and $900,000 as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and revenues of $1,845,000 and
$1,650,000 for the years then ended.
During your audit, you obtained the following information which does not appear in the
footnotes to O’Malley’s 2007 financial statements:

During 2007, O’Malley changed its method of valuing inventory from the First-In-FirstOut method to the Last-In-First-Out method. O’Malley’s management believes the change
provides a better matching of revenues and expenses, with which you concur. The change
reduced ending inventory in 2007 by $248,000 and net income by $129,000. The effect of
the change on 2007 is considered material, but not highly material. The effect of the
change on prior years is immaterial.
Required:
Prepare the shared audit report to accompany O’Malley’s 2007-2006 comparative financial
statements. Include the report title, address, body, date, and your signature.

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Answer:
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Board of Directors of O’Malley Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of O’Malley Corporation
as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the related consolidated statements of income, retained
earnings, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audit. We did not audit the financial statements of Tom’s
Supply Company, a consolidated subsidiary, which statements reflect total assets of $950,000
and $900,000 as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and total revenues of $1,845,000
and $1,650,000 for the years then ended. Those statements were audited by other auditors
whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts
included for Tom’s Supply Company, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and

significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
During the year, O’Malley changed its method of valuing inventory from the first-in, firstout method to the last-in, first-out method. This change was made because management believes
the change provides a better matching of revenues and expenses. The change reduced inventory
at December 31, 2007, by $248,000 and net income for 2007 by $129,000. The effect of the
change on prior years is immaterial. In our opinion, disclosure of this change is required to
conform with generally accepted accounting principles.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, except for not
disclosing the change in inventory valuation methods discussed in the preceding paragraph, the
financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of O’Malley Corporation as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
April 14, 2008

(Name of student’s CPA firm)

Other Objective Answer Format Questions

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