Conduct of an Assurance Engagement in AcConduct of an Assurance Engagement in Accordance with the ASSAs

Conduct of an Assurance Engagement in Accordance with the ASSAs

Complying with Standards that Are Relevant to the Engagement

1. The practitioner shall comply with this ASSA and any other ASSAs relevant to the engagement. (Ref: Para. A47)
2. The practitioner shall not represent compliance with this or any other ASSAs unless the practitioner has complied with the requirements of this ASSA and any other ASSAs relevant to the engagement. (Ref: Para. A47–A48)

Text of an ASSA

1. The practitioner shall have an understanding of the entire text of an ASSA, including its application and other explanatory material, to understand its objectives and to apply its requirements properly. (Ref: Para. A49–A54)

Complying with Relevant Requirements

1. The practitioner shall comply with each requirement of this ASSA and any other relevant ASSAs unless, in the circumstances of the assurance engagement, the requirement is not relevant because it is conditional and the condition does not exist. Requirements that apply to only limited assurance or reasonable assurance engagements have the letter “L” (limited assurance) or “R” (reasonable assurance), respectively, after the paragraph number. When a requirement applies to both limited and reasonable engagements, but in a differential manner, such requirements have been presented in a columnar format with the “L” (limited assurance) and “R” (reasonable assurance) designations. (Ref: Para. A55)
2. In exceptional circumstances, the practitioner may judge it necessary to depart from a relevant requirement in an ASSA. In such circumstances, the practitioner shall perform alternative procedures to achieve the aim of that requirement. The need for the practitioner to depart from a relevant requirement is expected to arise only when the requirement is for a specific procedure to be performed and, in the specific circumstances of the assurance engagement, that procedure would be ineffective in achieving the aim of the requirement. (Ref: Para. A56)

Documentation of a Departure from a Relevant Requirement

1. If, in exceptional circumstances, the practitioner judges it necessary to depart from a relevant requirement in this ASSA or any other ASSAs, the practitioner shall document how the alternative procedures performed achieve the aim of that requirement, and the reasons for the departure. (Ref: Para. A57)

Failure to Achieve an Objective

1. If an objective in this ASSA or any other ASSAs relevant to the engagement cannot be achieved, the practitioner shall evaluate whether this requires the practitioner to modify the practitioner’s conclusion or withdraw from the assurance engagement (where withdrawal is possible under applicable law or regulation). Failure to achieve an objective in this or any other relevant ASSA represents a significant matter requiring documentation in accordance with paragraph 69.