Deck 1: Assurance and Auditing: An Overview

Question 1

At what levels can assurance be provided under the assurance services framework?

A)Reasonable assurance and limited assurance.
B)High assurance and reasonable assurance.
C)Assurance can be provided on a continuum from 0% to 100%.
D)Assurance can be provided on a continuum from absolute to limited.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following is not one of the fundamental principles underlying the objective of an audit?

A)Knowledge.
B)Client satisfaction.
C)Evidence.
D)Documentation.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Independent auditors perform audits on the financial reports of public companies.This type of auditing can best be described as:

A)a discipline that assures financial information presented by management.
B)an activity whose purpose is to search for irregularities.
C)a regulatory function that prevents the issuance of improper financial information.
D)a professional activity that measures and communicates financial and business data.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Who is the responsible party for the adequacy of the disclosure in the financial report and accompanying footnotes?

A)Auditor in charge of fieldwork.
B)The entity's Board of Directors.
C)Auditor who signs the auditor's report.
D)The Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Question 5

An audit establishes the conformity of assertions with specified criteria.In an audit of a financial report, the criteria by which financial report assertions are judged are:

A)the ethical rules of conduct.
B)Australian Auditing Standards.
C)listing rules of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
D)applicable accounting standards.

Question 6

Which of the following can be the underlying subject matter of the audit?

A)The financial report of a company.
B)The Australian accounting standards.
C)The Australian auditing standards.
D)The auditor's report.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is not true concerning assurance services?

A)Assurance services focus on improving the quality of information, or its context, for decision makers.
B)The growth in assurance services has been driven in part by users' demands for more relevant and reliable information.
C)Auditing services can be viewed as a subset of assurance services.
D)Unlike audit engagements, an engagement to perform assurance services does not require the auditor to consider information reliability.

Question 8

The essence of a financial report audit is to:

A)examine individual transactions so that the auditor may certify as to their validity.
B)detect fraud.
C)assure the consistent application of correct accounting procedures.
D)determine whether the client's financial reports are fairly stated.

Question 9

Which of the following is not an attribute of an external auditor?

A)Client advocacy.
B)Integrity.
C)Professional competence with regards to underlying subject matter.
D)Objectivity.

Question 10

The auditor's judgment concerning the overall fairness of the presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows is applied within the framework of:

A)Australian auditing standards that include the concept of materiality.
B)quality control.
C)the agreed reporting framework.
D)the auditor's assessment of the audited entity's level of control risk.

Question 11

Which of the following is not one of the fundamental principles of professional ethics underlying an audit?

A)Confidentiality.
B)Scepticism.
C)Integrity.
D)Objectivity.

Question 12

Which of the following is not an element of an assurance engagement?

A)Three-party relationship.
B)Approved assurance standards.
C)Sufficient appropriate evidence.
D)A written assurance report.

Question 13

Independent auditors are referred to as 'independent' because:

A)their offices are not at the entity's place of business.
B)they are not employees of the entity being audited.
C)they are paid by parties outside of the audited entity.
D)they report to users outside of the audited entity.

Question 14

An audit of the financial report of Campbell Ltd, an Australian listed company, is being conducted by an external auditor.The external auditor is expected to:

A)express an opinion as to the attractiveness of Campbell for investment purposes.
B)express an opinion as to whether the financial report is prepared in accordance with an applicable financial reporting framework.
C)make a 100% examination of Campbell's records.
D)certify the correctness of Campbell's financial report.

Question 15

To which type of assurance engagement does the umbrella standard ASAE 3000 (ISAE 3000) 'Assurance Engagements other than Audits and Reviews of Historical Financial Information' not apply?

A)A performance audit on a government department.
B)A review of a half-yearly financial report.
C)A limited assurance report on the effectiveness of internal control.
D)A limited assurance engagement on prospective financial information.

Question 16

Financial report auditing can best be described as:

A)a regulatory function that prevents the issuance of improper financial information.
B)a professional activity that measures and communicates financial and business data.
C)a discipline that attests to the results of accounting and other functional operations and data.
D)a branch of accounting.

Question 17

The highest level of assurance is provided by:

A)compiling financial reports.
B)agreed-upon procedures.
C)review.
D)audit.

Question 18

The independent auditor adds credibility to the client's financial report by:

A)testifying under oath about client financial information.
B)attaching an auditor's opinion to the client's financial report.
C)maintaining a clear-cut distinction between management's representations and the auditor's representations.
D)stating in the auditor's communication of internal-control-related matters that the audit was made in accordance with Australian auditing standards.

Question 19

To which assurance engagements does the Framework for Assurance Engagements apply?

A)Audits of historical financial information.
B)Reviews of historical financial information.
C)Assurance engagements other than audits or reviews of historical financial information.
D)All of the given answers are correct.

Question 20

Which of the following is not one of the fundamental principles underlying the objective of an audit?

A)Knowledge.
B)Communication.
C)Evidence.
D)Client satisfaction.

Question 21

Which of the following is considered to be an enhancing characteristic of financial information that has been audited?

A)Comparability.
B)Existence.
C)Occurrence.
D)Periodicity.

Question 22

The accuracy of information included in notes that accompany the audited financial report of a company whose shares are traded on a stock exchange is the primary responsibility of:

A)the independent auditor.
B)the stock exchange officials.
C)the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
D)those charged with the governance of the company'.

Question 23

The primary responsibility for the adequacy of disclosures in the financial report of a publicly held company rests with:

A)those charged with the governance of the company.
B)the partner assigned to the audit engagement.
C)the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
D)the auditor in charge of the fieldwork.

Question 24

What has been the major recent proposal by the IAASB to reduce the expectations gap?

A)A statutory limitation on auditor's liability.
B)A confidential report to those charged with governance.
C)A separate report to the independent audit regulatory
D)Amendments to the Auditor's Report.

Question 25

Below are a number of potential additional benefits arising from an assurance service: I.recommendations to improve the efficiency of operations.
II)a positive influence on the behaviour of people whose activities are being assured.
III)recommendations to improve the effectiveness of operations.
Which combination of these is identified in the book as additional benefits?

A)I and II only.
B)I and III only.
C)II and III only.
D)I, II and III.

Question 26

Who is responsible for developing and approving international auditing and assurance standards?

A)The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.
B)The Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.
C)The International Forum for Independent Audit Regulators.
D)The International Accounting Standards Board.

Question 27

Assurance services would include which of the following?

A)Working with a client to develop a more efficient method of processing financial transactions.
B)Preparing a report representing a client's position during a tax audit.
C)Assisting a client in identifying potential sources of capital for acquisitions.
D)Providing an opinion concerning the accuracy of statements made on a client's web site.

Question 28

It is very hard for auditors to remain independent of their clients, given that they are paid by their clients.Below are a number of possible mechanisms: I.ethical rules.
II)approved auditing standards.
III)audit committees.
Which of these mechanisms can help the auditor maintain their independence?

A)I and II only.
B)I and III only.
C)II and III only.
D)I, II and III.

Question 29

The value of an assurance service lies in its ability to:

A)improve information's relevance and faithful representation.
B)report on the assurance process.
C)improve the consistency of information.
D)provide a professional service that is valued by the responsible party.

Question 30

Which of the following is not one of the fundamental principles of professional ethics underlying an audit?

A)Objectivity.
B)Integrity.
C)Knowledge.
D)Confidentiality.

Question 31

The performance gap part of the expectations gap, as defined by Porter, is a combination of which two components?

A)Information gap and communications gap.
B)Deficient standards and deficient performance.
C)Reasonableness gap and deficient standards.
D)Communications gap and deficient performance.

Question 32

Which of the following best describes the reason why an independent auditor reports on financial statements?

A)A management fraud may exist and it is more likely to be detected by independent auditors.
B)Different interests may exist between the company preparing the statements and the parties using the statements.
C)A misstatement of account balances may exist and is generally corrected as the result of the independent auditor's work.
D)A poorly designed internal control system may be in place.

Question 33

Who establishes Australian auditing standards?

A)Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.
B)Australian Accounting Standards Board.
C)Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
D)The professional bodies together (CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Public Accountants).

Question 34

Below are a number of potential areas where a gap between society's expectations of auditors and the perceived performance of auditors has been identified: I.compliance with laws and regulations.
II)the detection and reporting of earnings management and fraud.
III)ability to communicate different levels of assurance in the auditor's report.
Which combination of these has been identified as an expectations gap?

A)I and II only.
B)I and III only.
C)II and III only.
D)I, II and III.

Question 35

Which of the following best describes why an independent auditor is asked to express an opinion on the true and fair presentation of a financial report?

A)It is management's responsibility to seek available independent aid in the appraisal of the financial information shown in its financial report.
B)It is difficult to prepare a financial report that fairly presents a company's financial position and changes in cash flows without the expertise of an independent auditor.
C)It is a customary courtesy that all shareholders of a company receive an independent report on management's stewardship in managing the affairs of the business.
D)The opinion of an independent party is needed because a company may not be objective with respect to its own financial report.

Question 36

The public has turned to auditors to provide assurance services primarily because:

A)there is a need to develop new revenue streams for accounting firms.
B)the integrity and objectivity of auditors increases the public's trust that the underlying information is not materially misstated.
C)auditors have been proactive in identifying new types of assurance services to market to customers.
D)audits do not provide reliable information for decision makers.

Question 37

In the context of agency theory, information asymmetry refers to the idea that:

A)information can vary in its comparability.
B)information can vary in its relevance.
C)management has more information about the entity's true financial position than do the absentee owners.
D)management will not act in the best interests of the absentee owners.

Question 38

When an auditor expresses an opinion on the financial report, the auditor's responsibilities extend to:

A)an ongoing responsibility for the entity's solvency in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.
B)the underlying wisdom of the management's decisions.
C)active participation in the implementation of advice given.
D)whether the entity's results are fairly presented in the financial report in accordance with approved accounting standards.

Question 39

In which area is there a gap between society's expectations of auditors and the perceived performance of auditors?

A)Compliance with laws and regulations.
B)The detection and reporting of earnings management and fraud.
C)Fair presentation of the financial report.
D)All of the given answers are correct.

Question 40

Under the Corporations Act 2001, if a company's financial report, when prepared in accordance with accounting standards, would not otherwise give a true and fair view:

A)the auditors are required to add such information and explanations in the financial report so as to give a true and fair view.
B)the directors are required to add such information and explanations in the financial report so as to give a true and fair view.
C)the directors should refer to this situation in their directors' declaration.
D)no additional information should be added to the financial report.

Question 41

Governmental auditing often extends beyond examinations leading to the expression of an opinion on the fairness of financial presentation and includes audits of economy, efficiency and:

A)evaluation.
B)effectiveness.
C)compliance.
D)accuracy.

Question 42

Approved auditing standards prescribe:

A)The basic principles of the audit, with the essential procedures and guidance contained in Guidance statements.
B)The basic principles and general guidance, with essential procedures contained in Guidance statements.
C)The basic principles and essential procedures of the audit with general guidance contained in Guidance statements.
D)The basic principles and essential procedures of the audit together with related general guidance with guidance on procedural matters or on entity- or industry-specific issues contained in Guidance statements.

Question 43

What is the general character of the work conducted in performing a forensic audit?

A)Detecting or deterring fraudulent activity.
B)Providing assurance that the financial report is not materially misstated.
C)Identifying the causes of an entity's financial difficulties.
D)Offering an opinion on the reliability of the specific assertions made by management.

Question 44

Forensic audits include all of the following except:

A)Manufacturers' claims about product quality.
B)Criminal investigations.
C)Matrimonial disputes.
D)Employee fraud.

Question 45

Below are different types of audits: I.compliance audit.
II)financial report audit.
III)internal audit.
IV)performance audit.
Which combination of these types of audits can be collectively integrated and described as a comprehensive audit?

A)I, II and III only.
B)I, II and IV only.
C)I, III and IV only.
D)II, III and IV only.