Question Tag: Expert Reliance

Search 500 + past questions and counting.
Professional Bodies Filter
Program Filters
Subject Filters
More
Tags Filter
More
Check Box – Levels
Series Filter
More
Topics Filter
More

Future Prospects Company Ltd is a multinational company operating in Ghana. Its core operations include management of pension funds and real estate development. In preparing the financial statements, they carry out an appraisal of the pension funds to assess its ability to pay benefits to contributors. Periodic revaluation of lands and buildings was also carried out.

Required:
Outline FOUR (4) procedures you will follow to determine whether you can place reliance on work performed by an auditor’s expert.
(8 marks)

  1. Evaluate the Adequacy of Work: Assess whether the expert’s work is adequate for the purposes of the audit by reviewing the relevance and reasonableness of their findings and conclusions.
  2. Assess the Expert’s Work in the Financial Statements: Determine if the expert’s findings are properly reflected in the financial statements and if they align with other audit evidence.
  3. Review the Source Data and Assumptions: Consider the source of data used, the assumptions and methods employed by the expert, and the timing of their work. Evaluate if the assumptions and methods are reasonable and consistent with other audit evidence.
  4. Analyze the Results of the Expert’s Work: Evaluate the results of the expert’s work in the context of the auditor’s overall knowledge of the business, including checking if the expert’s work is presented in a manner consistent with industry standards and if it includes appropriate consideration of errors or deviations encountered.

(2 marks for each procedure – 8 marks total)

Future Prospects Company Ltd is a multinational company operating in Ghana. Its core operations include management of pension funds and real estate development. In preparing the financial statements, they carry out an appraisal of the pension funds to assess its ability to pay benefits to contributors. Periodic revaluation of lands and buildings was also carried out.

Required:
In respect of valuation of pension funds, future payments to beneficiaries, and revaluation of properties, name two auditor’s experts on whom possible reliance will be placed during your audit of the company and the work each may perform.
(4 marks)

  1. Actuary: For the valuation of pension funds, an actuary can be relied upon to provide audit evidence regarding the viability and adequacy of the pension scheme’s funding and future payments to beneficiaries.
  2. Valuer: For the revaluation of landed properties, a valuer can be relied upon to provide accurate assessments of the value of properties, ensuring that the revaluations are consistent with market conditions and appropriate accounting standards.

(2 marks for each expert – 4 marks total)

ISA 620: “Using the Work of the Auditor’s Expert” provides guidance to auditors on relying on the work carried out by experts. Even though an expert’s work might be sought for relating to a particular issue, the Auditor has sole responsibility for the audit opinion being expressed.

Required:
Identify FIVE (5) circumstances the work of an Auditor’s Expert may be needed. (5 marks)

The work of an Auditor’s Expert may be needed in the following circumstances:

  1. Valuation of fixed assets including freehold and leasehold property, plant and machinery, works of art, and antiques.
  2. The measurement of work done on long-term contracts.
  3. Geological determination of mineral resources.
  4. Legal interpretation of agreements, statutes, or regulations.
  5. Legal opinion on the outcome of disputes and litigation.
  6. Actuarial evaluation of insurance and pension funds.