...AUDITING AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING PROFESSION AUDITING AND ASSURANCE SERVICES DEFINED Auditing plays a vital role in business, goverment, and our economy. As a vocation, auditing offers the opportunity for challenging and rewarding careers in public accounting, industry and goverment. Many auditors develop a client based with a concentration in one or more key industries. As a result of serving many client in similar industries, few individuals understand the key competitiveness factors for a business better than auditor. Individuals choosing an auditing in a public accounting firm have the opportunity to progress from a starting position of staff assisstant to senior auditor, to manager and then to partner. Regardless of their career path, most auditors are recognized for their expertise in evaluating organizational performance. AUDITING DEFINED The term auditing is used to describe a broad range of activities in our society. The Report of the Committee on Basic Auditing Concepts of the American Accounting Association defines auditing as : “a systematic process of objectively obtaining and evaluating evidence regarding assertion about economic actions and events to ascertain the degree of correspondence between those assertions and established criteria and communicating the results to interested users.” Several attributes of auditing contained in this definition merit special comment: 1. A systematic process connotes a logical, structured, and organized...
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...REQUIRED [1] Three conditions are often present when fraud exists. First, management or employees have an incentive or are under pressure, which provides them a reason to commit the fraud act. Second, circumstances exist - for example, absent or ineffective internal controls or the ability for management to override controls - that provide an opportunity for the fraud to be perpetrated. Third, those involved are able to rationalize the fraud as being consistent with their personal code of ethics. Some individuals possess an attitude, character, or set of ethical values that allows them to knowingly commit a fraudulent act. Using hindsight, identify factors present at Waste Management that are indicative of each of the three fraud conditions: incentives, opportunities, and attitudes. Answer: Fraudulent financial reporting is an intentional misstatement or omission of amounts or disclosures with the intent to deceive users. Misappropriation of assets is fraud that involves theft of an entity’s assets. The following are example of risk factors for fraudulent financial reporting for each of the three fraud conditions regarding to waste Management Company. Incentives/Pressures - The Company is under pressure to meet debt covenants or obtain additional financing. 1996 financial statements revealed that the company was feeling pressures from the effects of changes that were occurring in its markets and in the environmental industry. Although consolidated revenues were increasing...
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...In this case study, the causes of that the Andersen’s auditing of companies accused of accounting improprieties, it’s has a main factor. Because Athur Andersen do not think about the company who is to cooperate whit it is like Athur Andersen to make deceptive accounting. These four real cases to show us how they operate the deceptive accounting. First point, “Sunbeam.” 1997 sunlight company (SUNBEAM) is referred to the forge sales volume, the profit and the expenditure. Under its partner discrete sampling's premise, Andersen had still approved the sunlight company to have the questionable point financial reporting. Finally, Sunlight Company suspends pay. Claim request which proposed regarding the American negotiable securities and the transaction committee, Andersen strong against. Finally, to accuse in the situation which shows neither approval nor disapproval, Andersen and the shareholder out of court settlement, compensates $110million dollars. Second point, “waste management.” Waste Management the company to make a false report gathers shares the desk, Waste Management Company’s financial reporting 1992 to 1996 income false report to amount to $1.4 billion dollars to the company. The American negotiable securities and the transaction committee discovered that Andersen's report has the misleading function. Rules it to be a suspect the improper occupation operation finally. Andersen has accepted this ruling, and has paid damages $7 million dollars civil fine. The Andersen...
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...public official reported was a "crisis of confidence" on the part of the public in the accounting profession. Lists the parties who you believe are most responsible for the crisis. Briefly justify each of your choices. The debacle of Enron, a US firm is looked upon as the worst debacle and fall out in the history of US bankruptcy filed cases. There are many parties involved when it concern to Enron debacle, which was accorded to accounting instability and the compromising factor of accounting profession itself. Out of the many parties in the league and the major force behind the debacle of Enron concern Andersen's, the accounting and auditing firm that once deserved name in the industry for its conscience in accounting professional services and auditing. As the case relates to, accounting audit for Enron is attended by Andersen's since long enough. However, the interesting feature is that some compromise in the profession of accounting services by Andersen's was notable, given that there are noteworthy feature of stock manipulation, especially in financial statements of Enron attended and audited by Andersen's. The statement and restatement of Enron also gives some probable indication for manipulation of accounting, where debate and counter debate in that regard from the prying eye of the media was a common feature. Thus, the involvement of Andersen's in Enron consultancy and professional auditing makes it rather more imploded for the direct involvement of Andersen's that also successively...
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...Audit and Assurance Services Chapter 1 1 Learning Objectives 1. What is auditing? Distinguish between auditing and accounting. Importance of auditing in reducing information risk. 2. Distinguish audit services from other assurance and non-assurance services provided by CPAs. 3. Three main types of audits. 4. How to become a CPA? Identify the primary types of auditors. 2 What is auditing? Evaluating 3 Nature of Auditing Auditing is the accumulation and evaluation of evidence about information to determine and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria. Auditing should be done by a competent, independent person. 4 Audit Reporting -- (Expressing Opinions) The final stage in the auditing process is preparing the Audit Report, which is the communication of the auditor’s findings to users. 5 Information and Established Criteria To do an audit, there must be information in a verifiable form and some standards (criteria) by which the auditor can evaluate the information. 6 Accumulating Evidence and Evaluating Evidence Evidence is any information used by the auditor to determine whether the information being audited is stated in accordance with the established criteria. Transaction data Client inquiry Written and electronic Communications with outsiders Observations 7 Competent, Independent Person The auditor must be qualified...
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...The independence of internal auditing in China Term Paper Advanced Auditing February, 15 * The independence of internal auditing in China Abstract China’s rapid economic growth boosted its accounting system that has evolved at a singular rate. The national government encourages foreign investors to participate in the domestic capital market actively. The government also strictly supervises the different national economic activities; as a result, the credibility of the auditing system plays a important role. Chinese government as well as some firms seek reliable and independent internal audit services. This paper will examine some factors which may cause lack of independence in Chinese internal audit systems, the difference between the internal auditing in China and in western countries. Based on interviews and questionnaires, suggestions are made for future improvement on the internal audit system in China. Key words: internal auditing, audit independence I INTRODUCTION The globalization of economy, complexity of business and allegations of fraudulent financial reporting have recently sharpened the ever-increasing attention to internal controls and internal auditing. (Karagiorgos et al., 2009) The role of internal auditing is also evolving as reflected in the following definition ‘an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing...
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...University Abstract As a result of massive accounting scandals in the United States between 2001 and 2002 involving notorious companies, such as Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, and various other recognized entities, President George W. Bush signed into legislation during 2002 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This historic piece of legislation has had a profound effect on the accounting profession. As a result of the act, the PCAOB was created. Since its inception, the PCAOB has created some of the most importing accounting standards that are used every day by auditors of public companies. This paper takes a look at the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and its effect on internal controls and small businesses. Also, I will discuss the purpose and specific pronouncements related to accounting information systems and internal controls; as well as the impact of possible future pronouncements. Keywords: Sarbanes-Oxley, PCAOB, Accounting information systems The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the PCAOB Massive accounting scandals in the United States between 2001 and 2002 involving notorious companies, such as Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, and various other recognized entities, led to the creation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This historic piece of legislation has had a profound effect on the accounting profession since it was signed into law. As a result of the act, the PCAOB was created. Since its inception, the PCAOB has created some of the most importing accounting standards that are used every day by auditors...
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...The Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Auditing Prior to the 2002, there were numerous accounting and corporate scandals that rocked the business world. Foremost of which is the Enron debacle which was followed by WorldCom, Tyco International and Global Crossing (CIO Decisions). The collapse of these businesses was attributed to the lack of regulatory controls in the part of the government as well as transparency of operations of corporations which can be of help to its stakeholders in the analysis of profitability and assurance of good governance to the public. They importance of the Act lies on the accountability and security of financial reporting that the stakeholders would have in a corporation’s implementation of good business practices and adherence to laws and regulations in the administration and operations of the company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act revised a significant portion of the federation securities laws which had been in place for 60 years already (Sarbanes-Oxley Information). Before SOX, there is a self-regulation in the accounting profession whereby the Securities and Exchange Commission was “given statutory authority to set accounting standards and oversight over the Activities of the auditors…the role of establishing standards was left to the accounting profession” (CPCAF). One of the key changes in internal audits is that the “Act requires all financial reports to include an internal control report” (Sarbanes...
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...Corporation. Instead of becoming the nation’s greatest company, Enron instead laid claim to being the largest corporate bankruptcy in the history. The greediness and egotism wiped out the honesty and integrity that should instill on the persons who were involved in this case. Arthur Edward Andersen built his firm, Arthur Andersen & Company, into one of the largest and most respected accounting firms in the world through his reputation for honesty and integrity. His motto was “Think straight, talk straight” and he insisted that his clients adopt that same attitude when preparing and issuing their periodic financial statements. Arthur Andersen’s auditing philosophy was not rule-based; instead he invoked a substance-over-form approach to auditing and accounting issues. He avidly believed that the primary role of the auditor was to ensure that clients reported fully and honestly to the public, regardless of the consequences for those clients. Ironically, Arthur Andersen & Co.’s dramatic fall from eminence resulted from its association with a client known for aggressive and innovative uses of “accounting gimmicks” to window dress its financial statements. Enron Corporation was the second largest client of the firm and was involved in large, complex transactions with hundreds of special purpose entities (SPEs) that it used to obscure its true financial condition and operating results. Among other uses, these SPEs allowed Enron to download underperforming assets from its balance...
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...Management: Bedrijfsdomeinen Accounting and auditing Financial misstatements and/or errors are likely to occur in the accounting reports of many firms for a variety of reasons that might involve the complexity of financial information as well as an intent to deceive (e.g. by tampering with the earnings figure of a firm), or even to hide criminal activities such as money laundering. This is why auditing the financial results of a firm, although not always required by law, often proves useful to investors and shareholders (for example to assess the state of the company), the fiscal authorities (for example to detect fraud), etc. Auditing is performed within a given framework of rules and transparency in order to avoid possible conflicts of interests, bribes or frauds, yet accounting scandals and questionable auditing practice regularly make the news. The purpose of this paper...
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...part of the public in the accounting profession. List the parties who you believe are most responsible for that crisis. There are many responsible for the crisis at Enron. The two main are the top executives at Enron and the auditors at Arthur Andersen. The auditors at Arthur Andersen clearly had a conflict of interest. Andersen earned more form other accounting services from Enron than from auditing services performed. This would certainly lead to the notion that Andersen could and probably did alter the financial reports of Enron to their own benefit. The top executives at Enron were also just as responsible as each of them were profiting from the buying and selling of the company’s stock making huge profits. Both the auditors and the top executives were well aware of the special purpose entities to protect the data that should have been entered on the consolidated financial statements of Enron. The auditors and the top executive should have noticed the problem with the special purpose entities and reported them. Both the auditor and the top executives were profiting from the special purpose entities not being reported on the consolidated financial statements. 2. List three types of consulting services that audit firms have provided to their audit clients in recent years. For each item, indicate the specific threats, if any, that the provision of the given service can pose for an audit firm’s independence. One service an auditing firm has offered to its clients...
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...–Inspection of accounting procedures –Professional consultancy in tax and other accounting procedures In the audit of financial statements, there are greater risks, given that one wrong accounting procedure can place the company into trouble and can also result in bankruptcy. Manipulations of these data are likely to show up when it is audited with reasonable assurance and with more precision. When it comes to inspection of accounting procedures, there are certain threats, given the decision that matter. Hence, inspection of accounting procedures makes it more treatable in case of errors that can impact the company and audit client. But the threat of SPEs (special purpose entities) displays some manipulation from the part of the audit firm that also with prior knowledge of accounting ethics, which at most times makes it more risky, given the legal involvement. Lastly, manipulations are also likely to occur as the biggest threat in the audit consultancy services. So, professional ethics are likely to arise. Hence, self-governance is largely a matter that can pose greater risk. When it matters to preparation and retention of audit work paper, the requirement prepare by auditor should be in a manner that it helps the auditors to carry out auditing services in the most appropriate way. Hence the working paper requirement at most should avoid accumulating unnecessary working papers for the sake of client and for the requirement of professional auditing standards. When...
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...Payal Mehta ACC416 October 1, 2013 Auditing Research Paper The profession of auditing plays a very important role in our economy especially after Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act its role in the economy was greatly solidified. Auditing is the accumulation and evaluation of evidence about information to determine and report on the degree of correspondence between the information and established criteria. Auditing should be done by a competent, independent person. “The auditing profession offers a wide range of employment opportunities for new accountants. Most accounting firms offer client services in three areas: auditing, tax, and consulting. A new accountant might be hired to work in any of these areas. In the audit area, the accountant may work for a variety of clients including private or public companies, clients in banking, insurance, manufacturing, technology, retail, health care, or government. Individuals working in the audit area may also spend most of their time providing internal audit services to clients rather than working as an external auditor. Working in any of the areas in an accounting firm may be one of the most demanding jobs, but it is also one of the most interesting, exciting experiences and a great way to prepare to work in the corporate business world.” “What is Auditing?” Web. 29 September 2013 Accounting is the recording, classifying, and summarizing of economic events in a logical manner...
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...Economy Review Questions 1–1 The “crisis of credibility” largely arose from the number of companies that restated their previously issued financial statements as a result of accounting irregularities and fraud. Especially responsible were the very visible Enron and WorldCom fraud cases. Both companies filed for bankruptcy and constituted the largest companies in American history to do so. The extent of the accounting irregularities and fraud being investigated and disclosed brought into question the effectiveness of financial statement audits. In addition, the criminal conviction of Arthur Andersen, LLP, one of the then Big 5 accounting firms, on charges of destroying documents related to the Enron case brought into question the ethical standards of the profession. 1–2 Assurance services are professional services that enhance the quality of information, or its context, for decision making. The two types are: (a) those that increase the reliability of information and (b) those that involve putting information in a form or context that facilitates decision making. 1–3 A financial statement audit is, by far, the most common type of attest engagement. The overall assertion, made by management, most frequently is that the financial statements follow generally accepted accounting principles. 1–4 A large corporation with securities listed on a stock exchange is required by the rules of the stock exchange and by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission...
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...Name ACCT525 Week 6 Assignment 1. What efforts is the Auditing Standards Board making to clarify auditing standards? There are efforts on the United States side to clarify the auditing standards. The Auditing Standard Boards [of the United States], which sets auditing standards for nonpublicly traded entities, has launched the Clarity Project in an effort to make U.S. Generally Accepted Audited Standards (GAAS) easier to read, understand, and apply. The Clarity Project includes the goal of working toward convergence of U.S. auditing standards with International Standards on Auditing (ISA). This convergence project is attempting to make auditing standards coordinated or comparable throughout the world. Additionally, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) adopted a suite of eight auditing standards related to the auditor’s assessment of, and response to, risk in an audit. The eight new risk assessment standards address the audit procedures from the initial planning stages through the final evaluation of audit procedures and results. As a result, the PCAOB auditing standards and ISAs have more similarities than ever before. 2. Describe the five key differences between ISA’s and US Auditing Standards. Even so, there are still some differences between ISA’s and U.S. Auditing Standards. The five key differences between ISA’s and US Auditing Standards are: documentation of audit procedures; going-concern considerations; assessing and reporting on internal...
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