Guide to Using International Standards on Auditing in - IFAC

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<strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Using</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Standards</strong> on Auditing in the Audits of Small- and Medium-Sized Entities Volume 1—Core Concepts
Performing Substantive Procedures at an Interim Date
When substantive procedures are performed at an interim date, the audi<strong>to</strong>r should perform further
substantive procedures, or substantive procedures combined with tests of controls, <strong>to</strong> cover the remaining
period. This provides a reasonable basis for extending the audit conclusions from the interim date <strong>to</strong> the
period end, and reduces the risk that misstatements existing at the period end are not detected. However, if
substantive procedures alone would not be sufficient, tests of the relevant controls should also be performed.
Procedures <strong>to</strong> Address the Period between the Interim Date and Period End
When procedures are performed at an interim date:
• Compare information at the period end with comparable information at the interim date;
• Identify amounts that appear unusual. These amounts should be investigated by performing further
substantive analytical procedures or tests of details for the intervening period;
• When substantive analytical procedures are planned, consider whether the period-end balances of
the particular classes of transactions or account balances are reasonably predictable with respect <strong>to</strong>
amount, relative significance, and composition; and
• Consider the entity’s procedures for analyzing and adjusting the classes of transactions or account
balances at interim dates, and for establishing proper accounting cu<strong>to</strong>ffs.
The substantive procedures related <strong>to</strong> the remaining period depend on whether the audi<strong>to</strong>r has performed
tests of controls.
Use of Substantive Procedures Performed in Prior Periods
The use of audit evidence obtained from substantive procedures performed in prior periods may be useful
in audit planning, but (unless there is ongoing relevance <strong>to</strong> the current year such as the cost price of noncurrent
assets or details of contracts) it usually provides little or no audit evidence for the current period.
10.3 External Confirmations
Paragraph #
ISA Objective(s)
505.5 The objective of the audi<strong>to</strong>r, when using external confirmation procedures, is <strong>to</strong> design and
perform such procedures <strong>to</strong> obtain relevant and reliable audit evidence.
Paragraph #
Relevant Extracts from ISAs
505.7 When using external confirmation procedures, the audi<strong>to</strong>r shall maintain control over external
confirmation requests, including:
(a) Determining the information <strong>to</strong> be confirmed or requested; (Ref: Para. A1)
(b) Selecting the appropriate confirming party; (Ref: Para. A2)
(c) Designing the confirmation requests, including determining that requests are properly
addressed and contain return information for responses <strong>to</strong> be sent directly <strong>to</strong> the audi<strong>to</strong>r;
and (Ref: Para. A3-A6)
(d) Sending the requests, including follow-up requests when applicable, <strong>to</strong> the confirming
party. (Ref: Para. A7)