Communicating and Reporting Identified oCommunicating and Reporting Identified or Suspected Non‑Compliance

Communicating and Reporting Identified or Suspected Non‑Compliance

Communicating Identified or Suspected Non‑Compliance with Those Charged with Governance

1. Unless all of those charged with governance are involved in management of the entity, and therefore are aware of matters involving identified or suspected non‑compliance already communicated by the auditor,[5] the auditor shall communicate, unless prohibited by law or regulation, with those charged with governance, matters involving non‑compliance with laws and regulations that come to the auditor’s attention during the course of the audit, other than when the matters are clearly inconsequential.
2. If, in the auditor’s judgement, the non‑compliance referred to in paragraph 23 is believed to be intentional and material, the auditor shall communicate the matter with those charged with governance as soon as practicable.
3. If the auditor suspects that management or those charged with governance are involved in non‑compliance, the auditor shall communicate the matter to the next higher level of authority at the entity, if it exists, such as an audit committee or supervisory board. Where no higher authority exists, or if the auditor believes that the communication may not be acted upon or is unsure as to the person to whom to report, the auditor shall consider the need to obtain legal advice.

Potential Implications of Identified or Suspected Non‑Compliance for the Auditor’s Report (Ref: Para. A26–A27)

1. If the auditor concludes that the identified or suspected non‑compliance has a material effect on the financial report, and has not been adequately reflected in the financial report, the auditor shall, in accordance with ASA 705, express a qualified opinion or an adverse opinion on the financial report.[6]
2. If the auditor is precluded by management or those charged with governance from obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence to evaluate whether non‑compliance that may be material to the financial report has, or is likely to have, occurred, the auditor shall express a qualified opinion or disclaim an opinion on the financial report on the basis of a limitation on the scope of the audit in accordance with ASA 705.[7]
3. If the auditor is unable to determine whether non‑compliance has occurred because of limitations imposed by the circumstances rather than by management or those charged with governance, the auditor shall evaluate the effect on the auditor’s opinion in accordance with ASA 705.

Reporting Identified or Suspected Non‑Compliance to an Appropriate Authority outside the Entity

1. If the auditor has identified or suspects non‑compliance with laws and regulations, the auditor shall determine whether law, regulation or relevant ethical requirements: (Ref: Para. A28–A34)
   1. Require the auditor to report to an appropriate authority outside the entity.
   2. Establish responsibilities under which reporting to an appropriate authority outside the entity may be appropriate in the circumstances.