Q&A

Auditing services in Malaysia

 2.1 Describe what is meant by an
attitude of professional scepticism
An attitude of professional scepticism requires that the auditor
objectively evaluate audit evidence. This means the auditor should
constantly maintain a critical and questioning mind in assessing the
validity of audit evidence he accumulates during the audit process.
In the course of the audit, the auditor does not assume unquestioned
honesty on the part of the management but neither should he
assume that management is dishonest.

An attitude of professional scepticism is necessary for the auditor to

identify circumstances that increase the risk of a material
misstatement resulting from fraud or error, and suspicious
circumstances that indicate that the financial statements are
materially misstated. If the auditor suspected that there might be a
material misstatement due to fraud or error, the auditor would be
more sensitive to the selection and type of evidence examined.
 2.2 What are the powers and duties of the
Auditor General under the Audit Act 1957?
The Auditor General is empowered under the Audit Act 1957 to examine and audit the accounts
of the Federation , all the States and Federal Territories; public authorities and government
companies. The Auditor General in his audit is to ascertain whether
All collection and custody of public moneys are safeguarded
All payments are authorised and supported by proof
All public stores are properly used, controlled and maintained.
All accounts and records are properly maintained
The provisions of Federal Constitution and the Financial Procedures Act, 1957 and other
laws have been complied with.
The Auditor General is empowered under section 7 of the Audit Act to call upon any person for
any explanations and information he requires for the audit and he shall have access to any
records, books and documents subject to his audit.
 2.3 What are the functions of MIA under
the Accountants Act 1967?
Under the provisions of the Accountants Act, 1967, the main functions of MIA include the
following:
To determine the qualifications of persons for admission as members of MIA.
To provide for the training and education of persons practising or intending to practise the
profession of accountancy.
To approve, regulate and supervise the MIA Qualifying Examination.
To regulate the practice of the accountancy profession in Malaysia.
To promote the interests of the accountancy profession in Malaysia;
To provide financial or other assistance to members or their dependants so as to protect
the welfare of members.
 2.4 a) Identify and briefly explain the two sets of MASB approved accounting
standards that are operative in Malaysia.
b) Explain why there is a need for two different sets of accounting standards for
Financial Reporting.
a. There are currently two sets of approved accounting standards in Malaysia:
1. The Financial Reporting Standards, or the FRS.
2. The Private Entity Reporting Standards, or the PERS.
The FRS, which are based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are
mandatory for public listed entities, their subsidiaries, associates, and companies jointly
controlled by them. The PERS are for private companies, particularly those small and
medium-sized companies which are owner-managed with no public interest.

b. The use of two different sets of financial reporting standards recognises the fact that smaller
and privately run companies have different information needs; for example, they need not
file financial statements with the securities commission or regulatory organisation for the
purpose of issuing instruments in a public market; and these entities normally do not hold
assets in a fiduciary capacity for a broad group of outsiders unlike companies such as
insurance, securities brokers, pension funds, banks and financial institutions. The allowance
for a simpler set of financial reporting standards also recognises the burden and costs on
the smaller entities for having to comply with a complex set of accounting standards.
 Auditors are frequently required to provide assurance for a range of non-
audit engagements.
Required: List and explain the elements of an assurance engagement.

An assurance engagement will involve three separate parties; The intended user who is the person
who requires the assurance report.

The responsible party, which is the organisation responsible for preparing the subject matter to be
reviewed.

The practitioner (i.e. an accountant) who is the professional who will review the subject matter and
provide the assurance.

Another element is a suitable subject matter. The subject matter that the responsible party has
prepared and which requires verification.

Suitable criteria are required in an assurance engagement. The subject matter is compared to the
criteria in order for it to be assessed and an opinion provided.

Appropriate evidence has to be obtained by the practitioner in order to give the required
level of assurance. An assurance report is the opinion that is given by the
practitioner to the intended user and the responsible party.
Jimmy & Co are the auditors of Metal Co.Ltd. Metal Co Ltd. have approached the bank to extend their overdraft
limit in order to finance a short term project they intend to undertake. The bank has asked that cash flow
projections be provided for the project and that assurance be provided over the projections by Jimmy & Co.

Required: Explain the type of assurance engagement that will be undertaken by Jimmy and Co, the form of
assurance that will be provided in their report and why this type of assurance is appropriate for a cash flow
projection. ( 5 Marks)

The engagement that Jimmy & Co. are undertaking is a form of review engagement in order to
provide assurance to the bank that the cash flow projections are reasonable. (1 mark)
The assurance engagement is an example of a Limited Assurance Engagement which provides
the user with a moderate level of assurance rather than the high level of assurance provided
by Reasonable Assurance Engagements. (1 mark)

The assurance report is provided by Jimmy & Co. to enable the user of that report to
determine what level of reliance they can place on the information which is the subject of the
report. (1 mark)

The form of assurance provided by the report in this case will be negative assurance i.e. that
the Auditor has found nothing to suggest that the cash flow projections are inaccurate.
(1 mark)

Negative assurance is appropriate for a cash flow projection because it relates to the future
and is therefore uncertain. The auditor is unable to say with certainty whether the
assumptions made are correct. (1 mark)
 Explain the concept of TRUE and FAIR
presentation. (4 marks)
Financial statements are produced by management. They must give a true and
fair view of the entitys results. The auditor in reviewing these financial
statements gives their opinion on the truth and fairness.
(1 mark)

True
Information is factual and conforms with reality. (1 mark)
It is assumed that to be true it must comply with accounting standards and any
relevant legislation. (1 mark)

Lastly true includes data being correctly transferred from accounting records to
the financial statements. (1 mark)

Fair
Information is clear, impartial and unbiased. (1 mark) Information reflects
plainly the commercial substance of the transactions of the entity. (1 mark)
Describe the steps an audit firm should perform prior
to accepting a new audit engagement. (5 marks)
Prior to accepting an audit engagement the firm should consider any
issues which might arise which could threaten compliance with
ACCAs Code of Ethics and Conduct or any local legislation. If issues
arise then their significance must be considered.
The firm should consider whether they are competent to perform the
work and whether they would have appropriate resources available,
as well as any specialist skills or knowledge. The prospective firm
must communicate with the outgoing auditor to assess if there are
any ethical or professional reasons why they should not accept
appointment.
The prospective firm must obtain permission from the client to
contact the existing auditor, if this is not given then the engagement
should be refused. The existing auditor must obtain permission from
the client to respond, if not given then the prospective auditor
should refuse the engagement.
If given permission to respond, then the existing auditor
should reply to the prospective auditor, who should then
carefully review the response for any issues that could affect
acceptance.

In addition the audit firm should undertake client screening

procedures such as considering management integrity and
assessing whether any conflict of interest with existing
clients would arise.

Further client screening procedures would include assessing

the level of audit risk of the client and whether the expected
engagement fee would be sufficient for the level of
anticipated risk.
ISA 210 Terms of Audit Engagements explains the content and use of
engagement letters.

Required: State SIX items that could be included in an engagement letter. (3 marks)
Answer
Objective of the audit of the financial statements
Mena gements responsibility for the financial statements
-The scope of the audit with reference to appropriate legislation
The form of any report or other communication of the rezult of the
engagement.
The auditor may not discover all material errors
Provision of access to the auditor of all relevant books and records.
Arrangements for planning the audit
Agreement of management to provide a representation letter
of engagement the client confirms in writing the terms
cl ient D escription of any letters or reports to be issued to the
Basis of fee calculation and billing arrangements.
 State the external auditors responsibilities regarding
the detection of fraud; (4 marks)
ISA 240 sets out the Auditors responsibility to consider fraud in the financial
statements and under this standard the auditor has a responsibility to consider the risk
of material misstatement due to fraud.

The auditor has to do this at the planning stage of the audit, discussing the matter with
the engagement team and
documenting that discussion.

The auditor must perform the audit with professional scepticism and if a fraud is
discovered then the audit may well be seen as higher risk and more testing required.

The auditor is responsible for discovering material misstatements whether through

fraud or error so if a material fraud exists they are responsible for finding it. If an
immaterial fraud exists they need to inform management of it.

Fraud will need to be reported to shareholders, management (unless they are

involved), any regulatory body and potentially the legal authorities.
ACCA F8 Q3b - December 2015
ACCA F8 Q5b - December 2014
 Explain why it is necessary for external auditors to be
and be seen to be independent.
Key points: Independence in terms of attitude, appearance and mind

Agency theory: because they act on behalf of the owners (shareholders) and report on
the FS prepared by appointed management staff for the benefit of the shareholders.

Statute: national legislation requires it.

The ACCA rules of Professional Conduct: require that auditors are independent and
they are seen to be independent. The rules cover a number of areas in which auditors
independence may be, or be seen to be impaired.

Impair objectivity: if they are independent, their objectivity and ability to form an
opinion on the FS is impaired e.g. own shares in the entity they audit.

Instill confidence: auditors must be seen to be independent because if they are not
independent, the owners of the business will not have confidence in the audit report
that they issue.