Obtaining a Copy of this Auditing Standard

The most recently compiled versions of Auditing Standards, original Standards and amending Standards (see Compilation Details) are available on the AUASB website: www.auasb.gov.au

Contact Details

COPYRIGHT

© 2013 Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. The text, graphics and layout of this compiled Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non‑commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes within Australia should be addressed to the Executive Director, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne Victoria 8007. Otherwise, no part of this compiled Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.

ISSN 1833‑4393

CONTENTS

COMPILATION DETAILS

AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Paragraphs

Application.................................................................1

Operative Date..............................................................2

Objective..................................................................3

Definitions.................................................................4

Requirements

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements......................................5

Application and Other Explanatory Material

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements...........................A1‑A7

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

Obtaining a Copy of this Auditing Standard

The most recently compiled versions of Auditing Standards, original Standards and amending Standards (see Compilation Details) are available on the AUASB website: www.auasb.gov.au

Contact Details

COPYRIGHT

© 2013 Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. The text, graphics and layout of this compiled Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non‑commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes within Australia should be addressed to the Executive Director, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne Victoria 8007. Otherwise, no part of this compiled Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.

ISSN 1833‑4393

CONTENTS

COMPILATION DETAILS

AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Paragraphs

Application.................................................................1

Operative Date..............................................................2

Objective..................................................................3

Definitions.................................................................4

Requirements

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements......................................5

Application and Other Explanatory Material

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements...........................A1‑A7

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

COMPILATION DETAILS

Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements

(as Amended)

This compilation takes into account amendments made up to and including 1 July 2013 and was prepared on 1 July 2013 by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).

This compilation is not a separate Auditing Standard made by the AUASB. Instead, it is a representation of ASA 102 (October 2009) as amended by other Auditing Standards which are listed in the Table below.

Table of Standards

Table of Amendments

[A] Federal Register of Legislative Instruments – registration number F2009L04059,
27 October 2009

[B] Federal Register of Legislative Instruments – registration number F2011L01379,
27 June 2011

[C] Federal Register of Legislative Instruments – registration number F2013L01326,
1 July 2013.

AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements (as amended to 1 July 2013) is set out in paragraphs 1 to A7.

This Auditing Standard is to be read in conjunction with ASA 101 Preamble to Australian Auditing Standards, which sets out the intentions of the AUASB on how the Australian Auditing Standards, operative for financial reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010, are to be understood, interpreted and applied.

Dated: 1 July 2013

Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements

(as Amended)

This compilation takes into account amendments made up to and including 1 July 2013 and was prepared on 1 July 2013 by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).

This compilation is not a separate Auditing Standard made by the AUASB. Instead, it is a representation of ASA 102 (October 2009) as amended by other Auditing Standards which are listed in the Table below.

Table of Standards

Table of Amendments

[A] Federal Register of Legislative Instruments – registration number F2009L04059,
27 October 2009

[B] Federal Register of Legislative Instruments – registration number F2011L01379,
27 June 2011

[C] Federal Register of Legislative Instruments – registration number F2013L01326,
1 July 2013.

AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements (as amended to 1 July 2013) is set out in paragraphs 1 to A7.

This Auditing Standard is to be read in conjunction with ASA 101 Preamble to Australian Auditing Standards, which sets out the intentions of the AUASB on how the Australian Auditing Standards, operative for financial reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010, are to be understood, interpreted and applied.

Dated: 1 July 2013

AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements (as amended to 1 July 2013) is set out in paragraphs 1 to A7.

This Auditing Standard is to be read in conjunction with ASA 101 Preamble to Australian Auditing Standards, which sets out the intentions of the AUASB on how the Australian Auditing Standards, operative for financial reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010, are to be understood, interpreted and applied.

Auditing Standard ASA 102

The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) made Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements pursuant to section 227B of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, on 27 October 2009.

This compiled version of ASA 102 incorporates subsequent amendments contained in other Auditing Standards made by the AUASB up to and including 1 July 2013 (see Compilation Details).

Auditing Standard ASA 102

Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements

Application

1. This Auditing Standard applies to:
   1. an audit of a financial report for a financial year, or an audit or review of a financial report for a half‑year, in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001;
   2. an audit or review of a financial report, or a complete set of financial statements, for any other purpose;
   3. an audit or review of other financial information;
   4. other assurance engagements; and
   5. a firm required to comply with ASQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Reports and Other Financial Information, and Other Assurance Engagements.

Operative Date

1. This Auditing Standard is operative for engagements with reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010 and for firms required to establish systems of quality control in compliance with ASQC 1 by 1 January 2010. [Note: For operative dates of paragraphs changed or added by an Amending Standard, see Compilation Details.]

Objective

1. The objective of the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm is to comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, relating to audits, reviews and other assurance engagements

Definitions

1. The following terms have the meanings attributed below:
   1. Assurance practitioner means a person or an organisation, whether in public practice, industry, commerce or the public sector, providing assurance services.[1]
   2. Auditor means the person or persons conducting the audit, usually the engagement partner or other members of the engagement team, or, as applicable, the firm. Where an Auditing Standard expressly intends that a requirement or responsibility be fulfilled by the engagement partner, the term “engagement partner” rather than “auditor” is used. “Engagement partner” and “firm” are to be read as referring to their public sector equivalents where relevant.[2]
   3. Engagement quality control reviewer means a partner, other person in the firm, suitably qualified external person, or a team made up of such individuals, none of whom is part of the engagement team, with sufficient and appropriate experience and authority to objectively evaluate the significant judgements the engagement team made and the conclusions it reached in formulating the auditor’s report.
   4. Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant.[3]
   5. Relevant ethical requirements means ethical requirements that apply to the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm. In Australia, these include the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (February 2008 and December 2010 as applicable), the applicable provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 and other applicable law or regulation.

Requirement

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. A1‑A7)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm shall comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, when performing audits, reviews and other assurance engagements.

* * *

Application and Other Explanatory Material

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. 5)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm are to have regard to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (December 2010 as amended December 2011), which are to be taken into account in determining whether relevant ethical requirements referred to in paragraph 5 of this Auditing Standard have been met. In relation to audits and reviews undertaken in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, the provisions of Division 3 Part 2M.4 of the Act may also apply.
2. APES 110 establishes the fundamental principles of professional ethics and provides a conceptual framework for applying those principles.
3. The fundamental principles of professional ethics, as described in APES 110, include:
   1. Integrity;
   2. Objectivity;
   3. Professional competence and due care;
   4. Confidentiality; and
   5. Professional behaviour.
4. APES 110 illustrates how the conceptual framework is to be applied in specific situations. It provides examples of safeguards that may be appropriate to address threats to compliance with the fundamental principles and also provides examples of situations where safeguards are not available to address the threats.
5. In the case of an audit engagement, it is in the public interest and required by APES 110, that the auditor be independent of the entity subject to the audit. APES 110 describes independence as comprising both independence of mind and independence in appearance. The auditor’s independence from the entity safeguards the auditor’s ability to form an audit opinion without being affected by influences that might compromise that opinion. Independence enhances the auditor’s ability to act with integrity, to be objective and to maintain an attitude of professional scepticism.
6. The fundamental principles in APES 110 are reinforced in particular by:

• The leadership of the firm;
• Education and training;
• Monitoring; and
• A process for dealing with non‑compliance.

1. The definitions of terms in APES 110 may differ from the definitions of those terms in Australian Auditing Standards, including terms defined in ASQC 1 and ASA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of a Financial Report and Other Historical Financial Information.

For example, APES 110 defines the “firm” as:

1. A sole practitioner, partnership, corporation or other entity of professional accountants;
2. An entity that controls such parties through ownership, management or other means;
3. An entity controlled by such parties through ownership, management or other means; and
4. An auditor‑general’s office or department.

whereas ASQC 1 defines the “firm” as:

“Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant”.

APES 110 also provides guidance in relation to the terms “network” and “network firm.”

In complying with the requirement of this Auditing Standard, the definitions used in APES 110 apply in so far as is necessary to interpret the ethical requirements of ASQC 1 and ASA 220.

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

This Auditing Standard has been made for Australian legislative purposes and accordingly, there is no single equivalent International Standard on Auditing issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).

However, the requirement and application and other explanatory material in this Auditing Standard have been drawn from ISQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements, ISA 200 Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with International Standards on Auditing and ISA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of Financial Statements, as issued by the IAASB (April 2009), as listed in the following table:

Compliance with this Auditing Standard, together with other Australian Auditing Standards, enables compliance with the ISAs and ISQC 1.

Auditing Standard ASA 102

The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) made Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements pursuant to section 227B of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, on 27 October 2009.

This compiled version of ASA 102 incorporates subsequent amendments contained in other Auditing Standards made by the AUASB up to and including 1 July 2013 (see Compilation Details).

Auditing Standard ASA 102

Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements

Application

1. This Auditing Standard applies to:
   1. an audit of a financial report for a financial year, or an audit or review of a financial report for a half‑year, in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001;
   2. an audit or review of a financial report, or a complete set of financial statements, for any other purpose;
   3. an audit or review of other financial information;
   4. other assurance engagements; and
   5. a firm required to comply with ASQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Reports and Other Financial Information, and Other Assurance Engagements.

Operative Date

1. This Auditing Standard is operative for engagements with reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010 and for firms required to establish systems of quality control in compliance with ASQC 1 by 1 January 2010. [Note: For operative dates of paragraphs changed or added by an Amending Standard, see Compilation Details.]

Objective

1. The objective of the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm is to comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, relating to audits, reviews and other assurance engagements

Definitions

1. The following terms have the meanings attributed below:
   1. Assurance practitioner means a person or an organisation, whether in public practice, industry, commerce or the public sector, providing assurance services.[1]
   2. Auditor means the person or persons conducting the audit, usually the engagement partner or other members of the engagement team, or, as applicable, the firm. Where an Auditing Standard expressly intends that a requirement or responsibility be fulfilled by the engagement partner, the term “engagement partner” rather than “auditor” is used. “Engagement partner” and “firm” are to be read as referring to their public sector equivalents where relevant.[2]
   3. Engagement quality control reviewer means a partner, other person in the firm, suitably qualified external person, or a team made up of such individuals, none of whom is part of the engagement team, with sufficient and appropriate experience and authority to objectively evaluate the significant judgements the engagement team made and the conclusions it reached in formulating the auditor’s report.
   4. Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant.[3]
   5. Relevant ethical requirements means ethical requirements that apply to the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm. In Australia, these include the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (February 2008 and December 2010 as applicable), the applicable provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 and other applicable law or regulation.

Requirement

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. A1‑A7)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm shall comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, when performing audits, reviews and other assurance engagements.

* * *

Application and Other Explanatory Material

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. 5)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm are to have regard to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (December 2010 as amended December 2011), which are to be taken into account in determining whether relevant ethical requirements referred to in paragraph 5 of this Auditing Standard have been met. In relation to audits and reviews undertaken in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, the provisions of Division 3 Part 2M.4 of the Act may also apply.
2. APES 110 establishes the fundamental principles of professional ethics and provides a conceptual framework for applying those principles.
3. The fundamental principles of professional ethics, as described in APES 110, include:
   1. Integrity;
   2. Objectivity;
   3. Professional competence and due care;
   4. Confidentiality; and
   5. Professional behaviour.
4. APES 110 illustrates how the conceptual framework is to be applied in specific situations. It provides examples of safeguards that may be appropriate to address threats to compliance with the fundamental principles and also provides examples of situations where safeguards are not available to address the threats.
5. In the case of an audit engagement, it is in the public interest and required by APES 110, that the auditor be independent of the entity subject to the audit. APES 110 describes independence as comprising both independence of mind and independence in appearance. The auditor’s independence from the entity safeguards the auditor’s ability to form an audit opinion without being affected by influences that might compromise that opinion. Independence enhances the auditor’s ability to act with integrity, to be objective and to maintain an attitude of professional scepticism.
6. The fundamental principles in APES 110 are reinforced in particular by:

• The leadership of the firm;
• Education and training;
• Monitoring; and
• A process for dealing with non‑compliance.

1. The definitions of terms in APES 110 may differ from the definitions of those terms in Australian Auditing Standards, including terms defined in ASQC 1 and ASA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of a Financial Report and Other Historical Financial Information.

For example, APES 110 defines the “firm” as:

1. A sole practitioner, partnership, corporation or other entity of professional accountants;
2. An entity that controls such parties through ownership, management or other means;
3. An entity controlled by such parties through ownership, management or other means; and
4. An auditor‑general’s office or department.

whereas ASQC 1 defines the “firm” as:

“Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant”.

APES 110 also provides guidance in relation to the terms “network” and “network firm.”

In complying with the requirement of this Auditing Standard, the definitions used in APES 110 apply in so far as is necessary to interpret the ethical requirements of ASQC 1 and ASA 220.

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

This Auditing Standard has been made for Australian legislative purposes and accordingly, there is no single equivalent International Standard on Auditing issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).

However, the requirement and application and other explanatory material in this Auditing Standard have been drawn from ISQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements, ISA 200 Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with International Standards on Auditing and ISA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of Financial Statements, as issued by the IAASB (April 2009), as listed in the following table:

Compliance with this Auditing Standard, together with other Australian Auditing Standards, enables compliance with the ISAs and ISQC 1.

Application

1. This Auditing Standard applies to:
   1. an audit of a financial report for a financial year, or an audit or review of a financial report for a half‑year, in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001;
   2. an audit or review of a financial report, or a complete set of financial statements, for any other purpose;
   3. an audit or review of other financial information;
   4. other assurance engagements; and
   5. a firm required to comply with ASQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Reports and Other Financial Information, and Other Assurance Engagements.

Operative Date

1. This Auditing Standard is operative for engagements with reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010 and for firms required to establish systems of quality control in compliance with ASQC 1 by 1 January 2010. [Note: For operative dates of paragraphs changed or added by an Amending Standard, see Compilation Details.]

Objective

1. The objective of the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm is to comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, relating to audits, reviews and other assurance engagements

Definitions

1. The following terms have the meanings attributed below:
   1. Assurance practitioner means a person or an organisation, whether in public practice, industry, commerce or the public sector, providing assurance services.[1]
   2. Auditor means the person or persons conducting the audit, usually the engagement partner or other members of the engagement team, or, as applicable, the firm. Where an Auditing Standard expressly intends that a requirement or responsibility be fulfilled by the engagement partner, the term “engagement partner” rather than “auditor” is used. “Engagement partner” and “firm” are to be read as referring to their public sector equivalents where relevant.[2]
   3. Engagement quality control reviewer means a partner, other person in the firm, suitably qualified external person, or a team made up of such individuals, none of whom is part of the engagement team, with sufficient and appropriate experience and authority to objectively evaluate the significant judgements the engagement team made and the conclusions it reached in formulating the auditor’s report.
   4. Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant.[3]
   5. Relevant ethical requirements means ethical requirements that apply to the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm. In Australia, these include the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (February 2008 and December 2010 as applicable), the applicable provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 and other applicable law or regulation.

Auditing Standard ASA 102

The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) made Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements pursuant to section 227B of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, on 27 October 2009.

This compiled version of ASA 102 incorporates subsequent amendments contained in other Auditing Standards made by the AUASB up to and including 1 July 2013 (see Compilation Details).

Auditing Standard ASA 102

Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements

Application

1. This Auditing Standard applies to:
   1. an audit of a financial report for a financial year, or an audit or review of a financial report for a half‑year, in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001;
   2. an audit or review of a financial report, or a complete set of financial statements, for any other purpose;
   3. an audit or review of other financial information;
   4. other assurance engagements; and
   5. a firm required to comply with ASQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Reports and Other Financial Information, and Other Assurance Engagements.

Operative Date

1. This Auditing Standard is operative for engagements with reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010 and for firms required to establish systems of quality control in compliance with ASQC 1 by 1 January 2010. [Note: For operative dates of paragraphs changed or added by an Amending Standard, see Compilation Details.]

Objective

1. The objective of the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm is to comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, relating to audits, reviews and other assurance engagements

Definitions

1. The following terms have the meanings attributed below:
   1. Assurance practitioner means a person or an organisation, whether in public practice, industry, commerce or the public sector, providing assurance services.[1]
   2. Auditor means the person or persons conducting the audit, usually the engagement partner or other members of the engagement team, or, as applicable, the firm. Where an Auditing Standard expressly intends that a requirement or responsibility be fulfilled by the engagement partner, the term “engagement partner” rather than “auditor” is used. “Engagement partner” and “firm” are to be read as referring to their public sector equivalents where relevant.[2]
   3. Engagement quality control reviewer means a partner, other person in the firm, suitably qualified external person, or a team made up of such individuals, none of whom is part of the engagement team, with sufficient and appropriate experience and authority to objectively evaluate the significant judgements the engagement team made and the conclusions it reached in formulating the auditor’s report.
   4. Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant.[3]
   5. Relevant ethical requirements means ethical requirements that apply to the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm. In Australia, these include the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (February 2008 and December 2010 as applicable), the applicable provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 and other applicable law or regulation.

Requirement

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. A1‑A7)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm shall comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, when performing audits, reviews and other assurance engagements.

* * *

Application and Other Explanatory Material

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. 5)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm are to have regard to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (December 2010 as amended December 2011), which are to be taken into account in determining whether relevant ethical requirements referred to in paragraph 5 of this Auditing Standard have been met. In relation to audits and reviews undertaken in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, the provisions of Division 3 Part 2M.4 of the Act may also apply.
2. APES 110 establishes the fundamental principles of professional ethics and provides a conceptual framework for applying those principles.
3. The fundamental principles of professional ethics, as described in APES 110, include:
   1. Integrity;
   2. Objectivity;
   3. Professional competence and due care;
   4. Confidentiality; and
   5. Professional behaviour.
4. APES 110 illustrates how the conceptual framework is to be applied in specific situations. It provides examples of safeguards that may be appropriate to address threats to compliance with the fundamental principles and also provides examples of situations where safeguards are not available to address the threats.
5. In the case of an audit engagement, it is in the public interest and required by APES 110, that the auditor be independent of the entity subject to the audit. APES 110 describes independence as comprising both independence of mind and independence in appearance. The auditor’s independence from the entity safeguards the auditor’s ability to form an audit opinion without being affected by influences that might compromise that opinion. Independence enhances the auditor’s ability to act with integrity, to be objective and to maintain an attitude of professional scepticism.
6. The fundamental principles in APES 110 are reinforced in particular by:

• The leadership of the firm;
• Education and training;
• Monitoring; and
• A process for dealing with non‑compliance.

1. The definitions of terms in APES 110 may differ from the definitions of those terms in Australian Auditing Standards, including terms defined in ASQC 1 and ASA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of a Financial Report and Other Historical Financial Information.

For example, APES 110 defines the “firm” as:

1. A sole practitioner, partnership, corporation or other entity of professional accountants;
2. An entity that controls such parties through ownership, management or other means;
3. An entity controlled by such parties through ownership, management or other means; and
4. An auditor‑general’s office or department.

whereas ASQC 1 defines the “firm” as:

“Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant”.

APES 110 also provides guidance in relation to the terms “network” and “network firm.”

In complying with the requirement of this Auditing Standard, the definitions used in APES 110 apply in so far as is necessary to interpret the ethical requirements of ASQC 1 and ASA 220.

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

This Auditing Standard has been made for Australian legislative purposes and accordingly, there is no single equivalent International Standard on Auditing issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).

However, the requirement and application and other explanatory material in this Auditing Standard have been drawn from ISQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements, ISA 200 Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with International Standards on Auditing and ISA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of Financial Statements, as issued by the IAASB (April 2009), as listed in the following table:

Compliance with this Auditing Standard, together with other Australian Auditing Standards, enables compliance with the ISAs and ISQC 1.

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. A1‑A7)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm shall comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, when performing audits, reviews and other assurance engagements.

* * *

Auditing Standard ASA 102

The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) made Auditing Standard ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements pursuant to section 227B of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, on 27 October 2009.

This compiled version of ASA 102 incorporates subsequent amendments contained in other Auditing Standards made by the AUASB up to and including 1 July 2013 (see Compilation Details).

Auditing Standard ASA 102

Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements

Application

1. This Auditing Standard applies to:
   1. an audit of a financial report for a financial year, or an audit or review of a financial report for a half‑year, in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001;
   2. an audit or review of a financial report, or a complete set of financial statements, for any other purpose;
   3. an audit or review of other financial information;
   4. other assurance engagements; and
   5. a firm required to comply with ASQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Reports and Other Financial Information, and Other Assurance Engagements.

Operative Date

1. This Auditing Standard is operative for engagements with reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010 and for firms required to establish systems of quality control in compliance with ASQC 1 by 1 January 2010. [Note: For operative dates of paragraphs changed or added by an Amending Standard, see Compilation Details.]

Objective

1. The objective of the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm is to comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, relating to audits, reviews and other assurance engagements

Definitions

1. The following terms have the meanings attributed below:
   1. Assurance practitioner means a person or an organisation, whether in public practice, industry, commerce or the public sector, providing assurance services.[1]
   2. Auditor means the person or persons conducting the audit, usually the engagement partner or other members of the engagement team, or, as applicable, the firm. Where an Auditing Standard expressly intends that a requirement or responsibility be fulfilled by the engagement partner, the term “engagement partner” rather than “auditor” is used. “Engagement partner” and “firm” are to be read as referring to their public sector equivalents where relevant.[2]
   3. Engagement quality control reviewer means a partner, other person in the firm, suitably qualified external person, or a team made up of such individuals, none of whom is part of the engagement team, with sufficient and appropriate experience and authority to objectively evaluate the significant judgements the engagement team made and the conclusions it reached in formulating the auditor’s report.
   4. Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant.[3]
   5. Relevant ethical requirements means ethical requirements that apply to the auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer and firm. In Australia, these include the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (February 2008 and December 2010 as applicable), the applicable provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 and other applicable law or regulation.

Requirement

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. A1‑A7)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm shall comply with relevant ethical requirements, including those pertaining to independence, when performing audits, reviews and other assurance engagements.

* * *

Application and Other Explanatory Material

Compliance with Relevant Ethical Requirements (Ref: Para. 5)

1. The auditor, assurance practitioner, engagement quality control reviewer, and firm are to have regard to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (December 2010 as amended December 2011), which are to be taken into account in determining whether relevant ethical requirements referred to in paragraph 5 of this Auditing Standard have been met. In relation to audits and reviews undertaken in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, the provisions of Division 3 Part 2M.4 of the Act may also apply.
2. APES 110 establishes the fundamental principles of professional ethics and provides a conceptual framework for applying those principles.
3. The fundamental principles of professional ethics, as described in APES 110, include:
   1. Integrity;
   2. Objectivity;
   3. Professional competence and due care;
   4. Confidentiality; and
   5. Professional behaviour.
4. APES 110 illustrates how the conceptual framework is to be applied in specific situations. It provides examples of safeguards that may be appropriate to address threats to compliance with the fundamental principles and also provides examples of situations where safeguards are not available to address the threats.
5. In the case of an audit engagement, it is in the public interest and required by APES 110, that the auditor be independent of the entity subject to the audit. APES 110 describes independence as comprising both independence of mind and independence in appearance. The auditor’s independence from the entity safeguards the auditor’s ability to form an audit opinion without being affected by influences that might compromise that opinion. Independence enhances the auditor’s ability to act with integrity, to be objective and to maintain an attitude of professional scepticism.
6. The fundamental principles in APES 110 are reinforced in particular by:

• The leadership of the firm;
• Education and training;
• Monitoring; and
• A process for dealing with non‑compliance.

1. The definitions of terms in APES 110 may differ from the definitions of those terms in Australian Auditing Standards, including terms defined in ASQC 1 and ASA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of a Financial Report and Other Historical Financial Information.

For example, APES 110 defines the “firm” as:

1. A sole practitioner, partnership, corporation or other entity of professional accountants;
2. An entity that controls such parties through ownership, management or other means;
3. An entity controlled by such parties through ownership, management or other means; and
4. An auditor‑general’s office or department.

whereas ASQC 1 defines the “firm” as:

“Firm means a sole practitioner, partnership or corporation or other entity of assurance practitioners. “Firm” should be read as referring to a public sector equivalent where relevant”.

APES 110 also provides guidance in relation to the terms “network” and “network firm.”

In complying with the requirement of this Auditing Standard, the definitions used in APES 110 apply in so far as is necessary to interpret the ethical requirements of ASQC 1 and ASA 220.

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

This Auditing Standard has been made for Australian legislative purposes and accordingly, there is no single equivalent International Standard on Auditing issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).

However, the requirement and application and other explanatory material in this Auditing Standard have been drawn from ISQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements, ISA 200 Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with International Standards on Auditing and ISA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of Financial Statements, as issued by the IAASB (April 2009), as listed in the following table:

Compliance with this Auditing Standard, together with other Australian Auditing Standards, enables compliance with the ISAs and ISQC 1.

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

This Auditing Standard has been made for Australian legislative purposes and accordingly, there is no single equivalent International Standard on Auditing issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).

However, the requirement and application and other explanatory material in this Auditing Standard have been drawn from ISQC 1 Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements, ISA 200 Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with International Standards on Auditing and ISA 220 Quality Control for an Audit of Financial Statements, as issued by the IAASB (April 2009), as listed in the following table:

Compliance with this Auditing Standard, together with other Australian Auditing Standards, enables compliance with the ISAs and ISQC 1.