For many auditors of smaller entities (small charities and clubs for example), a major difficulty is how to adhere to auditing standards which are designed primarily for larger entities.
Given the time and budget constraints that auditors face, this can cause some auditors to go into autopilot and tick off checklists rather than clearly identifying, assessing, and addressing audit risks.
We have identified these issues in previous articles, and although at a global level, work is being done to tackle this problem, we have designed a new series of audit templates specifically addressing this.
With our templates for less complicated entities (LCEs), we have set out to reduce the compliance burden that the current ISAs create and to focus on what is relevant to smaller organisations. We have done this in part by referencing the suggested application material for small entities within the existing standards and leaving out the content that will only be relevant in larger entities (e.g. internal audit).
We also aim to improve audit quality, evidence and documentation by reducing the number of pages and work items, and instead, we ask questions that prompt qualitative answers with solid evidence, rather than ticking “yes” or “no” answers. We have also tried to reduce the heavy and complex language of the standards to use brief, plain English wherever possible to ensure auditors can understand the true essence of the requirements laid out by ISAs.
To carry on the aircraft metaphor – to spend more energy on looking at the view (the client) and less time fiddling with the controls.
Use of the LCE series templates
While many standards have specific clauses for considerations for smaller entities (we refer to these in the new LCE templates), the standards do not define what “small entities” are. This is left to the auditor’s judgement. We would suggest as a rule of thumb that in most cases in NZ non-Tier 1 and 2 entities will probably be classed as small, and so they will fit our LCE templates unless they have controls that must be tested due to non-transparent processes or have complex operations or ownership structures.
We made the templates primarily with locally owned entities in mind, however often with smaller companies, the trigger for audit is that they have some overseas ownership. When these companies themselves are small and simple, the LCE template will be entirely adequate. We will try to give some guidance around this in future articles, but it is our estimate that 80% of the jobs carried out using Audit Assistant will probably be LCE, either not-for-profit or for-profit entities.
What key changes are included in the LCE templates?
We have conducted an in-depth update of the whole audit process incorporating an overall usability review and user suggestions. Based on these changes have been made that include the following.
- Move from a checklist style that has mainly yes/no or multi-choice answers to a narrative style that prompts descriptions and attachments of work performed to ensure that the auditor is documenting what they have done and why – designed to get the job done in a thorough but not over-the-top way.
- Rather than including every detail of the requirements of the standards, complex and detailed points of the standards are summarised and deliberately made into plain English (we are assuming that the auditor has a good grasp of the standards, and will refer to the actual standards by hyperlink to XRB website if required).
- ISA application material has been chosen so that the template focuses on requirements that are the most applicable to small entities.
- Remove detailed compliance testing – templates assume a substantive-based approach, without reliance on systems testing.
- Leave out detailed checklists for what is unlikely to apply to small entities, for example, internal auditors.
- Make the process more transparent by bringing important work “to the top”, removing duplication and streamlining workflow.
- Add hyperlink references to specific work performed in other parts of the workbook that is relevant to another section e.g. E1-1.2 of the Entity and Environment.
What auditing standards are not included?
- ISA 600 – Special Considerations – Audits of Group Financial Statements (limited mention)
- ISA 610 – Internal Auditor
- ISA 701 – Communicating Key Audit Matters in the Independent Auditor’s Report (limited mention)
- ISA 805 – Audits of Single Financial Statements and Specific Element, Account or Item of a Financial Statement
- ISA 800 – Reporting Considerations for Special Purpose Framework (no specific mention as the requirements are met by other standards)
New standards included in LCE templates
- NZ AS1 – The Audit of Service Performance Information (although effective for periods beginning on or after 1 Jan 2021 we have included this content in the new Tier 3 and 4 PBE LCE templates)
- ISA 540 – Auditing Accounting Estimates, Including Fair Value Accounting Estimates, and Related Disclosures (work-papers based on the substantially updated version are included)
Templates available
The following are available for use now, or will be released by the end of July 2020:
- Audit – Special Purpose Reporting (LCEA-SP-2020)
- Audit – NZICA SPFR for FPE (LCEA-NZSP-2020)
- Audit – Tier 3 Charity (LCEA-T3-2020)
- Audit – Tier 4 Charity (LCEA-T4-2020)
Review and feedback
To create a job, go to the “new job” area and select the appropriate version. Note that jobs can be switched from existing templates, but we recommend that this is only done after the annual rollover to avoid loss of work.
We have created a dummy client (“Little and Quick Ltd”) to test the basic special-purpose version. Users may request this to review. If you would like to have a copy please contact us and we can send through a PDF of the completed job, and/or attach the live job to your account. Happy flying!