ASA 720 - The Auditor's Responsibilities Relating to Other Information - December 2015
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The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) made Auditing Standard ASA 720 The Auditor's Responsibilities Relating to Other Information pursuant to section 227B of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, on 1 December 2015.
This compiled version of ASA 720 incorporates subsequent amendments contained in other Auditing Standards made by the AUASB up to and including 28 January 2025 (see Compilation Details).
Auditing Standard ASA 720
The Auditor's Responsibilities Relating to Other Information
Application
Aus 0.1 This Auditing Standard applies to:
(a) an audit of a financial report for a financial year, or an audit of a financial report for a half‑year, in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001; and
(b) an audit of a financial report, or a complete set of financial statements, for any other purpose.
Aus 0.2 This Auditing Standard also applies, as appropriate, to an audit of other historical financial information.
Operative Date
Aus 0.3 This Auditing Standard is operative for financial reporting periods ending on or after 15 December 2016. [Note: For operative dates of paragraphs changed or added by an Amending Standard, see Compilation Details.]
Introduction
Scope of this Auditing Standard
This Australian Standard on Auditing deals with the auditor’s responsibilities relating to other information, whether financial or nonfinancial information (other than the financial report and the auditor’s report thereon), included in an entity’s annual report. An entity’s annual report may be a single document or a combination of documents that serve the same purpose.
This Auditing Standard is written in the context of an audit of a financial report by an independent auditor. Accordingly, the objectives of the auditor in this Auditing Standard are to be understood in the context of the overall objectives of the auditor as stated in paragraph 11 of ASA 200.[1] The requirements in the Australian Auditing Standards are designed to enable the auditor to achieve the objectives specified in the Australian Auditing Standards, and thereby the overall objectives of the auditor. The auditor’s opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information, nor does this Auditing Standard require the auditor to obtain audit evidence beyond that required to form an opinion on the financial report.
This Auditing Standard requires the auditor to read and consider the other information because other information that is materially inconsistent with the financial report or the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit may indicate that there is a material misstatement of the financial report or that a material misstatement of the other information exists, either of which may undermine the credibility of the financial report and the auditor’s report thereon. Such material misstatements may also inappropriately influence the economic decisions of the users for whom the auditor’s report is prepared.
This Auditing Standard may also assist the auditor in complying with relevant ethical requirements[2][*] that require the auditor to avoid being knowingly associated with information that the auditor believes contains a materially false or misleading statement, statements or information provided recklessly, or omits or obscures required information where such omission or obscurity would be misleading.
Other information may include amounts or other items that are intended to be the same as, to summarise, or to provide greater detail, about amounts or other items in the financial report, and other amounts or other items about which the auditor has obtained knowledge in the audit. Other information may also include other matters.
The auditor’s responsibilities relating to other information (other than applicable reporting responsibilities) apply regardless of whether the other information is obtained by the auditor prior to, or after, the date of the auditor’s report.
This Auditing Standard does not apply to:
Preliminary announcements of financial information; or
Securities offering documents, including prospectuses.
The auditor’s responsibilities under this Auditing Standard do not constitute an assurance engagement on other information or impose an obligation on the auditor to obtain assurance about the other information.
Law or regulation may impose additional obligations on the auditor in relation to other information that are beyond the scope of this Auditing Standard.
Effective Date
[Deleted by the AUASB. Refer Aus 0.3]
Objectives
The objectives of the auditor, having read the other information, are:
To consider whether there is a material inconsistency between the other information and the financial report;
To consider whether there is a material inconsistency between the other information and the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit;
To respond appropriately when the auditor identifies that such material inconsistencies appear to exist, or when the auditor otherwise becomes aware that other information appears to be materially misstated; and
To report in accordance with this Auditing Standard.
Definitions
For the purposes of this Auditing Standard, the following terms have the meanings attributed below:
Annual report – A document, or combination of documents, prepared typically on an annual basis by management or those charged with governance in accordance with law, regulation or custom, the purpose of which is to provide owners (or similar stakeholders) with information on the entity’s operations and the entity’s financial results and financial position as set out in the financial report. An annual report contains or accompanies the financial report and the auditor’s report thereon and usually includes information about the entity’s developments, its future outlook and risks and uncertainties, a statement by the entity’s governing body, and reports covering governance matters. (Ref: Para. A1–A5)
Misstatement of the other information – A misstatement of the other information exists when the other information is incorrectly stated or otherwise misleading (including because it omits or obscures information necessary for a proper understanding of a matter disclosed in the other information). (Ref: Para. A6–A7)
Other information – Financial or nonfinancial information (other than the financial report and the auditor’s report thereon) included in an entity’s annual report.
(Ref: Para. A8–A10)
Requirements
The auditor shall: (Ref: Para. A11–A22)
Determine, through discussion with management, which document(s) comprises the annual report, and the entity’s planned manner and timing of the issuance of such document(s);
Make appropriate arrangements with management to obtain in a timely manner and, if possible, prior to the date of the auditor’s report, the final version of the document(s) comprising the annual report; and
When some or all of the document(s) determined in (a) will not be available until after the date of the auditor’s report, request management to provide a written representation that the final version of the document(s) will be provided to the auditor when available, and prior to its issuance by the entity, such that the auditor can complete the procedures required by this Auditing Standard. (Ref: Para. A22)
Reading and Considering the Other Information
The auditor shall read the other information and, in doing so shall: (Ref: Para. A23–A24)
Consider whether there is a material inconsistency between the other information and the financial report. As the basis for this consideration, the auditor shall, to evaluate their consistency, compare selected amounts or other items in the other information (that are intended to be the same as, to summarise, or to provide greater detail about, the amounts or other items in the financial report) with such amounts or other items in the financial report; and (Ref: Para. A25–A29)
Consider whether there is a material inconsistency between the other information and the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit, in the context of audit evidence obtained and conclusions reached in the audit. (Ref: Para. A30–A36)
While reading the other information in accordance with paragraph 14 of this Auditing Standard, the auditor shall remain alert for indications that the other information not related to the financial report or the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit appears to be materially misstated. (Ref: Para. A24, A37–A38)
Responding When a Material Inconsistency Appears to Exist or Other Information Appears to Be Materially Misstated
If the auditor identifies that a material inconsistency appears to exist (or becomes aware that the other information appears to be materially misstated), the auditor shall discuss the matter with management and, if necessary, perform other procedures to conclude whether: (Ref: Para. A39–A43)
A material misstatement of the other information exists;
A material misstatement of the financial report exists; or
The auditor’s understanding of the entity and its environment needs to be updated.
Responding When the Auditor Concludes That a Material Misstatement of the Other Information Exists
If the auditor concludes that a material misstatement of the other information exists, the auditor shall request management to correct the other information. If management:
Agrees to make the correction, the auditor shall determine that the correction has been made; or
Refuses to make the correction, the auditor shall communicate the matter with those charged with governance and request that the correction be made.
If the auditor concludes that a material misstatement exists in other information obtained prior to the date of the auditor’s report, and the other information is not corrected after communicating with those charged with governance, the auditor shall take appropriate action, including: (Ref: Para. A44)
Considering the implications for the auditor’s report and communicating with those charged with governance about how the auditor plans to address the material misstatement in the auditor’s report (see paragraph 22(e)(ii) of this Auditing Standard); or (Ref: Para. A45)
Withdrawing from the engagement, where withdrawal is possible under applicable law or regulation. (Ref: Para. A46–A47)
If the auditor concludes that a material misstatement exists in other information obtained after the date of the auditor’s report, the auditor shall:
If the other information is corrected, perform the procedures necessary in the circumstances; or (Ref: Para. A48)
If the other information is not corrected after communicating with those charged with governance, take appropriate action considering the auditor’s legal rights and obligations, to seek to have the uncorrected material misstatement appropriately brought to the attention of users for whom the auditor’s report is prepared. (Ref: Para. A49–Aus A50.1)
Responding When a Material Misstatement in the Financial Report Exists or the Auditor’s Understanding of the Entity and Its Environment Needs to Be Updated
If, as a result of performing the procedures in paragraphs 14–15 of this Auditing Standard, the auditor concludes that a material misstatement in the financial report exists or the auditor’s understanding of the entity and its environment needs to be updated, the auditor shall respond appropriately in accordance with the other Australian Auditing Standards. (Ref: Para. A51)
Reporting
The auditor’s report shall include a separate section with a heading “Other Information”, or other appropriate heading, when, at the date of the auditor’s report: (Ref: Para. Aus A52.1)
For an audit of a financial report of a listed entity, the auditor has obtained, or expects to obtain, the other information; or
For an audit of a financial report of an entity other than a listed entity, the auditor has obtained some or all of the other information. (Ref: Para. A52)
When the auditor’s report is required to include an Other Information section in accordance with paragraph 21 of this Auditing Standard, this section shall include: (Ref: Para. A53)
A statement that management is responsible for the other information;
An identification of:
Other information, if any, obtained by the auditor prior to the date of the auditor’s report; and
For an audit of a financial report of a listed entity, other information, if any, expected to be obtained after the date of the auditor’s report;
A statement that the auditor’s opinion does not cover the other information and, accordingly, that the auditor does not express (or will not express) an audit opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon;
A description of the auditor’s responsibilities relating to reading, considering and reporting on other information as required by this Auditing Standard; and
When other information has been obtained prior to the date of the auditor’s report, either:
A statement that the auditor has nothing to report; or
If the auditor has concluded that there is an uncorrected material misstatement of the other information, a statement that describes the uncorrected material misstatement of the other information.
When the auditor expresses a qualified or adverse opinion in accordance with ASA 705,[3] the auditor shall consider the implications of the matter giving rise to the modification of opinion for the statement required in paragraph 22(e) of this Auditing Standard. (Ref: Para. A54–A58)
Reporting Prescribed by Law or Regulation
If the auditor is required by law or regulation of a specific jurisdiction to refer to the other information in the auditor’s report using a specific layout or wording, the auditor’s report shall refer to Australian Auditing Standards only if the auditor’s report includes, at a minimum: (Ref: Para. A59)
Identification of the other information obtained by the auditor prior to the date of the auditor’s report;
A description of the auditor’s responsibilities with respect to the other information; and
An explicit statement addressing the outcome of the auditor’s work for this purpose.
Documentation
In addressing the requirements of ASA 230[4] as it applies to this Auditing Standard, the auditor shall include in the audit documentation:
Documentation of the procedures performed under this Auditing Standard; and
The final version of the other information on which the auditor has performed the work required under this Auditing Standard.
* * *
Application and Other Explanatory Material
Definitions
Annual Report (Ref: Para. 12(a))
Law, regulation or custom may define the content of an annual report, and the name by which it is to be referred, for entities in a particular jurisdiction; however, the content and the name may vary within a jurisdiction and from one jurisdiction to another.
An annual report is typically prepared on an annual basis. However, when the financial report being audited is prepared for a period less than or more than a year, an annual report may also be prepared that covers the same period as the financial report.
In some cases, an entity’s annual report may be a single document and referred to by the title “annual report” or by some other title. In other cases, law, regulation or custom may require the entity to report to owners (or similar stakeholders) information on the entity’s operations and the entity’s financial results and financial position as set out in the financial report (i.e., an annual report) by way of a single document, or by way of two or more separate documents that in combination serve the same purpose. For example, depending on law, regulation or custom in a particular jurisdiction, one or more of the following documents may form part of the annual report:
Management report, management commentary, or operating and financial review or similar reports by those charged with governance (for example, a directors’ report).
Chairman’s statement.
Corporate governance statement.
Internal control and risk assessment reports
Sustainability reports or other sustainability-related information.
An annual report may be made available to users in printed form, or electronically, including on the entity’s website. A document (or combination of documents) may meet the definition of an annual report, irrespective of the manner in which it is made available to users.
An annual report is different in nature, purpose and content from other reports, such as a report prepared to meet the information needs of a specific stakeholder group or a report prepared to comply with a specific regulatory reporting objective (even when such a report is required to be publicly available). Examples of reports that, when issued as standalone documents, are not typically part of the combination of documents that comprise an annual report (subject to law, regulation or custom), and that, therefore, are not other information within the scope of this Auditing Standard, include separate industry or regulatory reports (for example, capital adequacy reports), such as may be prepared in the banking, insurance, and superannuation industries, or special purpose reports addressing certain kinds of sustainability information.
Misstatement of the Other Information (Ref: Para. 12(b))
When a particular matter is disclosed in the other information, the other information may omit or obscure information that is necessary for a proper understanding of that matter. For example, if the other information purports to address the key performance indicators used by management, then omission of a key performance indicator used by management could indicate that the other information is misleading.
The concept of materiality may be discussed in a framework applicable to the other information and, if so, such a framework may provide a frame of reference for the auditor in making judgements about materiality under this Auditing Standard. In many cases, however, there may be no applicable framework that includes a discussion of the concept of materiality as it applies to the other information. In such circumstances, the following characteristics provide the auditor with a frame of reference in determining if a misstatement of the other information is material:
Materiality is considered in the context of the common information needs of users as a group. The users of the other information are expected to be the same as the users of the financial report as such users may be expected to read the other information to provide context to the financial report.
Judgements about materiality take into account the specific circumstances of the misstatement, considering whether users would be influenced by the effect of the uncorrected misstatement. Not all misstatements will influence the economic decisions of users.
Judgements about materiality involve both qualitative and quantitative considerations. Accordingly, such judgements may take into account the nature or magnitude of the items that the other information addresses in the context of the entity’s annual report.
Other Information (Ref: Para. 12(c))
Appendix 1 contains examples of amounts or other items that may be included in the other information.
In some cases, the applicable financial reporting framework may require specific disclosures but permit them to be located outside of the financial report.[5] As such disclosures are required by the applicable financial reporting framework, they form part of the financial report. Accordingly, they do not constitute other information for the purpose of this Auditing Standard.
eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) tags do not represent other information as defined in this Auditing Standard.
Obtaining the Other Information (Ref: Para. 13)
Determining the document(s) that is or comprises the annual report is often clear based on law, regulation or custom. In many cases, management or those charged with governance may have customarily issued a package of documents that together comprise the annual report, or may have committed to do so. In some cases, however, it may not be clear which document(s) is or comprises the annual report. In such cases, the timing and purpose of the documents (and for whom they are intended) are matters that may be relevant to the auditor’s determination of which document(s) is or comprises the annual report.
When the annual report is translated into other languages pursuant to law or regulation (such as may occur when a jurisdiction has more than one official language), or when multiple “annual reports” are prepared under different legislation (for example, when an entity is listed in more than one jurisdiction), consideration may need to be given as to whether one, or more than one of the “annual reports” form part of the other information. Law or regulation may provide further guidance in this respect.
Management, or those charged with governance, is responsible for preparing the annual report. The auditor may communicate with management or those charged with governance:
The auditor’s expectations in relation to obtaining the final version of the annual report (including a combination of documents that together comprise the annual report) in a timely manner prior to the date of the auditor’s report such that the auditor can complete the procedures required by this Auditing Standard before the date of the auditor’s report, or if that is not possible, as soon as practicable and in any case prior to the entity’s issuance of such information.
The possible implications when the other information is obtained after the date of the auditor’s report.
The communications referred to in paragraph A13 may be particularly appropriate for example:
In an initial audit engagement.
When there has been a change in management or those charged with governance.
When other information is expected to be obtained after the date of the auditor’s report.
Where those charged with governance are to approve the other information prior to its issuance by the entity, the final version of such other information is the one that has been approved by those charged with governance for issuance.
In some cases, the entity’s annual report may be a single document to be released, in accordance with law or regulation or the entity’s reporting practice, shortly after the entity’s financial reporting period such that it is available to the auditor prior to the date of the auditor’s report. In other cases, such a document may not be required to be released until a later time, or at a time of the entity’s choosing. There may also be circumstances when the entity’s annual report is a combination of documents, each subject to different requirements or reporting practice by the entity with respect to the timing of their release.
There may be circumstances when, at the date of the auditor’s report, the entity is considering the development of a document that may be part of the entity’s annual report (for example, a voluntary report to stakeholders) but management is unable to confirm to the auditor the purpose or timing of such a document. If the auditor is unable to ascertain the purpose or timing of such a document, the document is not considered other information for purposes of this Auditing Standard.
Obtaining the other information in a timely manner prior to the date of the auditor’s report enables any revisions that are found to be necessary to be made to the financial report, the auditor’s report, or the other information prior to their issuance. The audit engagement letter[6] may make reference to an agreement with management to make available to the auditor the other information in a timely manner, and if possible prior to the date of the auditor’s report.
When other information is only made available to users via the entity’s website, the version of the other information obtained from the entity, rather than directly from the entity’s website, is the relevant document on which the auditor would perform procedures in accordance with this Auditing Standard. The auditor has no responsibility under this Auditing Standard to search for other information, including other information that may be on the entity’s website, nor to perform any procedures to confirm that other information is appropriately displayed on the entity’s website or otherwise has been appropriately transmitted or displayed electronically.
The auditor is not precluded from dating or issuing the auditor’s report if the auditor has not obtained some or all of the other information.
When the other information is obtained after the date of the auditor’s report, the auditor is not required to update the procedures performed in accordance with paragraphs 6 and 7 of ASA 560.[7]
ASA 580[8] establishes requirements and provides guidance on the use of written representations. The written representation required to be requested by paragraph 13(c) regarding other information that will be available only after the date of the auditor’s report is intended to support the auditor’s ability to complete the procedures required by this Auditing Standard with respect to such information. In addition, the auditor may find it useful to request other written representations, for example, that:
Management has informed the auditor of all the documents that it expects to issue that may comprise other information;
The financial report and any other information obtained by the auditor prior to the date of the auditor’s report is consistent with one another, and the other information does not contain any material misstatements; and
With regard to other information that has not been obtained by the auditor prior to the date of the auditor’s report, that management intends to prepare and issue such other information and the expected timing of such issuance.
Reading and Considering the Other Information (Ref: Para. 14–15)
The auditor is required by ASA 200[9] to plan and perform the audit with professional scepticism. Maintaining professional scepticism when reading and considering the other information includes, for example, recognising that management may be overly optimistic about the success of its plans, and being alert to information that may be inconsistent with:
The financial report; or
The auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit.
In accordance with ASA 220, the engagement partner is required to take responsibility for the direction and supervision of the members of the engagement team and the review of their work,[10] and determine that the nature, timing and extent of direction, supervision and review is planned and performed in accordance with the firm’s policies or procedures, Australian Auditing Standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.[11] In the context of this Auditing Standard, factors that may be taken into account when determining the appropriate engagement team members to address the requirements of paragraphs 14–15, include:
The relative experience of engagement team members.
Whether the engagement team members to be assigned the tasks have the relevant knowledge obtained in the audit to identify inconsistencies between the other information and that knowledge.
The degree of judgement involved in addressing the requirements of paragraph 14–15. For example, performing procedures to evaluate the consistency of amounts in the other information that are intended to be the same as amounts in the financial report may be carried out by less experienced engagement team members.
Whether, in the case of a group audit, it is necessary to make enquiries of a component auditor in addressing the other information related to that component.
Considering Whether There is a Material Inconsistency between the Other Information and the Financial Report (Ref: Para. 14(a))
Other information may include amounts or other items that are intended to be the same as, to summarise, or to provide greater detail about, the amounts or other items in the financial report. Examples of such amounts or other items may include:
Tables, charts or graphs containing extracts of the financial report.
A disclosure providing greater detail about a balance or account shown in the financial report, such as “Revenue for 20X1 comprised XXX million from product X and YYY million from product Y.”
Descriptions of the financial results, such as “Total research and development expense was XXX in 20X1.”
In evaluating the consistency of selected amounts or other items in the other information with the financial report, the auditor is not required to compare all amounts or other items in the other information that are intended to be the same as, to summarise, or to provide greater detail about, the amounts or other items in the financial report, with such amounts or other items in the financial report.
Selecting the amounts or other items to compare is a matter of professional judgement. Factors relevant to this judgement include:
The significance of the amount or other item in the context in which it is presented, which may affect the importance that users would attach to the amount or other item (for example, a key ratio or amount).
If quantitative, the relative size of the amount compared with accounts or items in the financial report or the other information to which they relate.
The sensitivity of the particular amount or other item in the other information, for example, share based payments for senior management.
Determining the nature and extent of procedures to address the requirement in paragraph 14(a) is a matter of professional judgement, recognising that the auditor’s responsibilities under this Auditing Standard do not constitute an assurance engagement on the other information or impose an obligation to obtain assurance about the other information. Examples of such procedures include:
For information that is intended to be the same as information in the financial report, comparing the information to the financial report.
For information intended to convey the same meaning as disclosures in the financial report, comparing the words used and considering the significance of differences in wording used and whether such differences imply different meanings.
Obtaining a reconciliation between an amount within the other information and the financial report from management and:
Comparing items in the reconciliation to the financial report and the other information; and
Checking whether the calculations within the reconciliation are arithmetically accurate.
Evaluating the consistency of selected amounts or other items in the other information with the financial report includes, when relevant given the nature of the other information, the manner of their presentation compared to the financial report.
Considering Whether There Is a Material Inconsistency between the Other Information and the Auditor’s Knowledge Obtained in the Audit (Ref: Para. 14(b))
Other information may include amounts or items that are related to the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit (other than those in paragraph 14(a)). Examples of such amounts or items may include:
A disclosure of the units produced, or a table summarising such production by geographical region.
A statement that “The company introduced product X and product Y during the year.”
A summary of the locations of the entity’s major operations, such as “the entity’s major centre of operation is in country X, and there are also operations in countries Y and Z.”
The auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit includes the auditor’s understanding of the entity and its environment, the applicable financial reporting framework, and the entity’s system of internal control, obtained in accordance with ASA 315.[12] ASA 315 sets out the auditor’s required understanding, which includes such matters as obtaining an understanding of:
The entity’s organisational structure, ownership and governance, and its business model, including the extent to which the business model integrates the use of IT;
Relevant industry, regulatory, and other external factors;
The relevant measures used, internally and externally, to assess the entity’s financial performance.
The auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit may also include matters that are prospective in nature. Such matters may include, for example, business prospects and future cash flows that the auditor considered when evaluating the assumptions used by management in performing impairment tests on intangible assets such as goodwill, or when evaluating management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
In considering whether there is a material inconsistency between the other information and the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit, the auditor may focus on those matters in the other information that are of sufficient importance that a misstatement of the other information in relation to that matter could be material.
In relation to many matters in the other information, the auditor’s recollection of the audit evidence obtained and conclusions reached in the audit may be sufficient to enable the auditor to consider whether there is a material inconsistency between the other information and the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit. The more experienced and the more familiar with the key aspects of the audit the auditor is, the more likely it is that the auditor’s recollection of relevant matters will be sufficient. For example, the auditor may be able to consider whether there is a material inconsistency between the other information and the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit in light of the auditor’s recollection of discussions held with management or those charged with governance or findings from procedures carried out during the audit such as the reading of board minutes, without the need to take further action.
The auditor may determine that referring to relevant audit documentation or making enquiries of relevant members of the engagement team, including relevant component auditors, is appropriate as a basis for the auditor’s consideration of whether a material inconsistency exists. For example:
When the other information describes the planned cessation of a major product line and, although the auditor is aware of the planned cessation, the auditor may make enquiries of the relevant engagement team member who performed the audit procedures in this area to support the auditor’s consideration of whether the description is materially inconsistent with the auditor’s knowledge obtained during the audit.
When the other information describes important details of a lawsuit addressed in the audit, but the auditor cannot recall them adequately, it may be necessary to refer to the audit documentation where such details are summarised to support the auditor’s recollection.
Whether, and if so the extent to which, the auditor refers to relevant audit documentation, or makes enquiries of relevant members of the engagement team, including relevant component auditors, is a matter of professional judgement. However, it may not be necessary for the auditor to refer to relevant audit documentation, or to make enquiries of relevant members of the engagement team, including relevant component auditors, about any matter included in the other information.
Remaining Alert for Other Indications that the Other Information Appears to Be Materially Misstated (Ref: Para. 15)
Other information may include discussion of matters that are not related to the financial report and may also extend beyond the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit. For example, the other information may include statements about the entity’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Remaining alert for other indications that the other information not related to the financial report or the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit appears to be materially misstated assists the auditor in complying with relevant ethical requirements that require the auditor to avoid being knowingly associated with other information that the auditor believes contains a materially false or misleading statement, a statement provided recklessly, or omits or obscures necessary information such that the other information is misleading.[13][* ] Remaining alert for other indications that the other information appears to be materially misstated could potentially result in the auditor identifying such matters as:
Differences between the other information and the general knowledge, apart from the knowledge obtained in the audit, of the engagement team member reading the other information that lead the auditor to believe that the other information appears to be materially misstated; or
An internal inconsistency in the other information that leads the auditor to believe that the other information appears to be materially misstated.
Responding When a Material Inconsistency Appears to Exist or Other Information Appears to Be Materially Misstated (Ref: Para. 16)
The auditor’s discussion with management about a material inconsistency (or other information that appears to be materially misstated) may include requesting management to provide support for the basis of management’s statements in the other information. Based on management’s further information or explanations, the auditor may be satisfied that the other information is not materially misstated. For example, management explanations may indicate reasonable and sufficient grounds for valid differences of judgement.
Conversely, the discussion with management may provide further information that supports the auditor’s conclusion that a material misstatement of the other information exists.
It may be more difficult for the auditor to challenge management on matters of judgement than on those of a more factual nature. However, there may be circumstances where the auditor concludes that the other information contains a statement that is not consistent with the financial report or the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit. These circumstances may raise doubt about the other information, the financial report, or the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit.
As there is a wide range of possible material misstatements of the other information, the nature and extent of other procedures the auditor may perform to conclude whether a material misstatement of the other information exists are matters of the auditor’s professional judgement in the circumstances.
When a matter is unrelated to the financial report or the auditor’s knowledge obtained in the audit, the auditor may not be able to fully assess management’s responses to the auditor’s enquiries. Nevertheless, based on management’s further information or explanations, or following changes made by management to the other information, the auditor may be satisfied that a material inconsistency no longer appears to exist or that the other information no longer appears to be materially misstated. When the auditor is unable to conclude that a material inconsistency no longer appears to exist or that the other information no longer appears to be materially misstated, the auditor may request management to consult with a qualified third party (for example, a management’s expert or legal counsel). In certain cases, after considering the responses from management’s consultation, the auditor may not be able to conclude whether or not a material misstatement of the other information exists. Actions the auditor may then take include one or more of the following:
Obtaining advice from the auditor’s legal counsel;
Considering the implications for the auditor’s report for example, whether to describe the circumstances when there is a limitation imposed by management; or
Withdrawing from the audit, where withdrawal is possible under applicable law or regulation.
Responding When the Auditor Concludes That a Material Misstatement of the Other Information Exists
Responding When the Auditor Concludes That a Material Misstatement Exists in Other Information Obtained prior to the Date of the Auditor’s Report (Ref: Para. 18)
The actions the auditor takes if the other information is not corrected after communicating with those charged with governance are a matter of the auditor’s professional judgement. The auditor may take into account whether the rationale given by management and those charged with governance for not making the correction raises doubt about the integrity or honesty of management or those charged with governance, such as when the auditor suspects an intention to mislead. The auditor may also consider it appropriate to seek legal advice. In some cases, the auditor may be required by law, regulation or other professional standards to communicate the matter to a regulator or relevant professional body.
Reporting Implications (Ref: Para. 18(a))
In rare circumstances, a disclaimer of opinion on the financial report may be appropriate when the refusal to correct the material misstatement of the other information casts such doubt on the integrity of management and those charged with governance as to call into question the reliability of audit evidence in general.
Withdrawal from the Engagement (Ref: Para. 18(b))
Withdrawal from the engagement, where withdrawal is possible under applicable law or regulation, may be appropriate when the circumstances surrounding the refusal to correct the material misstatement of the other information cast such doubt on the integrity of management and those charged with governance as to call into question the reliability of representations obtained from them during the audit.
Considerations specific to public sector entities (Ref: Para. 18(b))
In the public sector, withdrawal from the engagement may not be possible. In such cases, the auditor may issue a report to the legislature providing details of the matter or may take other appropriate actions.
Responding When the Auditor Concludes That a Material Misstatement Exists in Other Information Obtained after the Date of the Auditor’s Report (Ref: Para. 19)
If the auditor concludes that a material misstatement exists in other information obtained after the date of the auditor’s report, and such a material misstatement has been corrected, the auditor’s procedures necessary in the circumstances include determining that the correction has been made (in accordance with paragraph 17(a)) and may include reviewing the steps taken by management to communicate with those in receipt of the other information, if previously issued, to inform them of the revision.
If those charged with governance do not agree to revise the other information, taking appropriate action to seek to have the uncorrected misstatement appropriately brought to the attention of users for whom the auditor’s report is prepared requires the exercise of professional judgement, and may be affected by relevant law or regulation in the jurisdiction. Accordingly, the auditor may consider it appropriate to seek legal advice about the auditor’s legal rights and obligations.
When a material misstatement of the other information remains uncorrected, appropriate actions that the auditor may take to seek to have the uncorrected material misstatement appropriately brought to the attention of users for whom the auditor’s report is prepared, when permitted by law or regulation, include, for example:
Providing a new or amended auditor’s report to management including a modified section in accordance with paragraph 22, and requesting management to provide this new or amended auditor’s report to users for whom the auditor’s report is prepared. In doing so, the auditor may need to consider the effect, if any, on the date of the new or amended auditor’s report, in view of the requirements of the Australian Auditing Standards or applicable law or regulation. The auditor may also review the steps taken by management to provide the new or amended auditor’s report to such users;
Bringing the material misstatement of the other information to the attention of the users for whom the auditor’s report is prepared (for example, by addressing the matter in a general meeting of shareholders);
Communicating with a regulator or relevant professional body about the uncorrected material misstatement; or
Considering the implications for engagement continuance (see also paragraph A46).
Aus A50.1 The auditor uses professional judgement in considering the appropriate actions, as suggested in paragraph A50, that the auditor may take in circumstances where a material misstatement of the other information remains uncorrected. The auditor may also consider obtaining legal advice as part of these considerations. In respect of audits performed under the Corporations Act 2001, the auditor considers whether the uncorrected material misstatement of other information gives rise to any reporting obligations to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission under section 311 of the Corporations Act 2001.
Responding When a Material Misstatement in the Financial Report Exists or the Auditor’s Understanding of the Entity and Its Environment Needs to Be Updated (Ref: Para. 20)
In reading the other information, the auditor may become aware of new information that has implications for:
The auditor’s understanding of the entity and its environment, the financial reporting framework and the entity’s system of internal control and, accordingly, may indicate the need to revise the auditor’s risk assessment.[14]
The auditor’s responsibility to evaluate the effect of identified misstatements on the audit and of uncorrected misstatements, if any, on the financial report.[15]
The auditor’s responsibilities relating to subsequent events.[16]
Reporting (Ref: Para. 21–24)
For an audit of a financial report of an entity other than a listed entity, the auditor may consider that the identification in the auditor’s report of other information that the auditor expects to obtain after the date of the auditor’s report would be appropriate in order to provide additional transparency about the other information that is subject to the auditor’s responsibilities under this Auditing Standard. The auditor may consider it appropriate to do so, for example, when management is able to represent to the auditor that such other information will be issued after the date of the auditor’s report.
Aus A52.1 Refer [Aus] Appendix 2 for a decision tree diagram of other information reporting.
Illustrative Statements (Ref: Para. 21–22)
Illustrative examples of the “Other Information” section of the auditor's report are included in [Aus] Appendix 3.
Reporting Implications When the Auditor’s Opinion on the Financial Report Is Qualified or Adverse (Ref: Para. 23)
A qualified or adverse auditor’s opinion on the financial report may not have an impact on the statement required by paragraph 22(e) if the matter in respect of which the auditor’s opinion has been modified is not included or otherwise addressed in the other information and the matter does not affect any part of the other information. For example, a qualified opinion on the financial report because of nondisclosure of directors’ remuneration as required by the applicable financial reporting framework may have no implications for the reporting required under this Auditing Standard. In other circumstances, there may be implications for such reporting as described in paragraphs A55–A58.
Qualified Opinion Due to a Material Misstatement in the Financial Report
In circumstances when the auditor’s opinion is qualified, consideration may be given as to whether the other information is also materially misstated for the same matter as, or a related matter to, the matter giving rise to the qualified opinion on the financial report.
Qualified Opinion Due to Limitation of Scope
When there is a limitation of scope with respect to a material item in the financial report, the auditor will not have obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence about that matter. In these circumstances, the auditor may be unable to conclude whether or not the amounts or other items in the other information related to this matter result in a material misstatement of the other information. Accordingly, the auditor may need to modify the statement required by paragraph 22(e) to refer to the auditor’s inability to consider management’s description of the matter in the other information in respect of which the auditor’s opinion on the financial report has been qualified as explained in the Basis for Qualified Opinion paragraph. The auditor is nevertheless required to report any other uncorrected material misstatements of the other information that have been identified.
Adverse Opinion
An adverse opinion on the financial report relating to a specific matter(s) described in the Basis for Adverse Opinion paragraph does not justify the omission of reporting of material misstatements of the other information that the auditor has identified in the auditor’s report in accordance with paragraph 22(e)(ii). When an adverse opinion has been expressed on the financial report, the auditor may need to appropriately modify the statement required by paragraph 22(e) for example, to indicate that amounts or items in the other information is materially misstated for the same matter as, or a related matter to, the matter giving rise to the adverse opinion on the financial report.
Disclaimer of Opinion
When the auditor disclaims an opinion on the financial report, providing further details about the audit, including a section to address other information may overshadow the disclaimer of opinion on the financial report as a whole. Accordingly, in those circumstances, as required by ASA 705 the auditor’s report does not include a section addressing the reporting requirements under this Auditing Standard.
Reporting Prescribed by Law or Regulation (Ref: Para. 24)
ASA 200[17] explains that the auditor may be required to comply with legal or regulatory requirements in addition to the Australian Auditing Standards. Where this is the case, the auditor may be obliged to use a specific layout or wording in the auditor’s report that differs from that described in this Auditing Standard. Consistency in the auditor’s report, when the audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards, promotes credibility in the global marketplace by making more readily identifiable those audits that have been conducted in accordance with globally recognised standards. When the differences between the legal or regulatory requirements to report with respect to the other information and this Auditing Standard relate only to the layout and wording in the auditor’s report and, at a minimum, each of the elements identified in paragraph 24 is included in the auditor’s report, the auditor’s report may refer to Australian Auditing Standards. Accordingly, in such circumstances the auditor is considered to have complied with the requirements of this Auditing Standard, even when the layout and wording used in the auditor’s report is specified by legal or regulatory reporting requirements.