Andreas Noodt, Member, IFAC Small and Medium Practices Committee speaks at FEE & ICAEW Event on February 19, 2014 about the SMP Commitee's Guide to Review Engagements. The Guide, published in December 2013, aims to provide implementation support for practitioners in conducting review engagements in compliance with International Standard on Review Engagements (ISRE) 2400 (Revised).
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IFAC Guide to Review Engagements
1. IFAC Guide to Review
Engagements
Andreas Noodt
Member, IFAC Small and Medium
Practices Committee
FEE & ICAEW Event
February 19, 2014
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2. IFAC SMP Committee - Overview
• To represent interests of small- and medium-sized
practices (SMPs)
• Comprised of 18 members from 17 countries
• Regular input to policy, regulation and international
standards
– IAASB on key projects
• Develops tools and guidance
– Guide to Review Engagements
• Promotes the visibility and recognition of SMPs
• IFAC Global Knowledge Gateway
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3. Guide to Review Engagements
• International Standard on
Review Engagements (ISRE)
2400 (Revised)
• Guide to Review
Engagements at
www.ifac.org/SMP
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4. Uses of Review Engagements
Uses
Commentary
Increased
Credibility
Independent credibility to the F/S—attract new
investors, obtain finance.
Enhanced
Confidence
Provides accountability & confidence to shareholders,
management, partners, government agencies and
regulators, and other stakeholders.
Enables the business to plan for the future—prepares
Plan for Success growing business for transition to audit or preparing to
sell.
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5. Benefits of Review Engagements
SME Benefits
Alternative to
Audit
Commentary
Audit exemptions for small- and medium-sized entities
(SMEs) are becoming more prevalent.
Less time consuming for client.
Lower Cost
A review engagement is normally a lower cost for an
entity than an audit.
Limited
Assurance
Limited assurance obtained on the F/S as apposed to
no assurance with a compilation.
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6. Benefits of Review Engagements
SMP Benefits
Commentary
Bespoke Advice
Add value to the client and provide a basis for
bespoke advice
Opportunities—
Additional
Service
Ensure the client is aware of how and when a review
engagement can be used
Adds touch-points with the client
Opportunities for cross-selling
Flexibility with
Consistency
Consists primarily of inquiry and analytical procedures,
allowing practitioners to tailor procedures based on
their professional judgment and experience
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7. Benefits of the Guide to Review Engagements
Guide Benefits
Commentary
Extracts from the
Direct extracts from ISRE 2400 (Revised)
Standard
Tailored
Examples
Illustrated examples and Consider Points, including
efficiency suggestions
Full Appendix
Checklists, Letters and Forms for adaption
Staff Training
Day-to-day reference tool for staff—can be used for
training
Ensure SMP staff develop a consistent approach
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9. Some Highlights in the Guide from the
Practitioner’s Point of View
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10. Some Highlights in the Guide from the
Practitioner’s Point of View
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11. Some Highlights in the Guide from the
Practitioner’s Point of View
Emphasis on Professional Judgment
Limitation of Checklists to a Minimum
Tailoring of Checklists
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12. Some Highlights in the Guide from the
Practitioner’s Point of View
Example of Additional Procedures
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13. Some Highlights in the Guide from the
Practitioner’s Point of View
Example of Documentation
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14. IFAC Resources—Review Engagements
• IFAC SMP Committee: www.ifac.org/SMP
– Article—Review Engagements for SMEs: Limited
Assurance, Numerous Benefits
– Article—The Standard for Limited Assurance Review
Engagements
– Follow us on Twitter: IFAC_SMP
– IFAC SMP Quick Poll www.ifac.org/smp
– Subscribe: IFAC SMP eNews
– Join us on LinkedIn: IFAC SMP Community
• IAASB: www.iaasb.org
– ISRE 2400 (Revised), Engagements to Review Historical
Financial Statements
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ISRE 2400 (Revised) was issued in September 2012 and comes into effect for periods ending on or after December 31, 2013. The standard addresses the practitioner’s responsibilities when engaged to perform a review of historical financial statements (when the practitioner is not the auditor of the entity) and the form and content of the practitioner’s report on the financial statements. The Guide to Review Engagements was published in December 2013 and provides non-authoritative guidance on applying ISRE 2400 (Revised). It is not to be used as a substitute for reading the standard, but rather as a supplement to support consistent implementation of the standard.
SMEs that do not require a statutory audit may still want some degree of independent assurance to increase the credibility of their statements; in which case, a review can be an ideal solution.
A review engagement may be better suited to the needs of some SMEs and place less strain on the clients time and resources. It also normally costs less than an audit.
SMP BenefitsThrough obtaining a detailed understanding the business and its environment the practitioner should be able to use industry knowledge gained from other clients to add value to the client and provide bespoke advice.Undertaking the review engagement onsite will enable the practitioner to effectively communicate with the client, build strong relationships and improve staff efficiency levels.Ensure the client is aware of how and when a review engagement can be used and the value of this being undertaken by a qualified, objective and independent practitioner.A review engagement using ISRE 2400 (Revised): - Consists primarily of inquiry and analysis, allowing practitioners to rely more on their professional judgment and experience rather than detailed substantive testing. - Ensures a consistent work effort on all such engagements.
This Guide is directed primarily at those with knowledge of auditing, but little or no experience with performing review engagements. Checklists & forms in the Guide include: Client Acceptance/Continuance Checklist (Appendix B)Sample Engagement Letter (Appendix C)Checklist for Understanding the Entity (Appendix D)Examples of Analytical Procedures (Appendix E)Going-Concern Events and Conditions (Appendix F)Sample File Completion Checklist (Appendix G)Example of Written Representations from Management (Appendix H)
The diagram outlines the four major elements of a review engagement. AcceptingThere should always be a rational (logical) purpose for a client to request a review engagement. A review engagement is typically requested to enhance the degree of confidence that intended users will place on the financial statements. The engagement preconditions are designed to ensure that before any work commences, management understands the full extent of its responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements and for providing the practitioner with access to relevant information and personnel. PlanningPlanning involves determining the nature, timing, and extent of the procedures needed to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence for the review engagement. There is a significant emphasis on professional judgment. It is important to fully understand the entity and its environment.Inquiry and analysis is directed to all financial statement areas that exceed materiality and areas where material misstatements are likely to arise (e.g.areas prone to misstatement due to matters such as estimation uncertainty, complexity, or need for judgment).PerformingThe review procedures chosen may not be limited to just inquiry and analysis, they could potentially include substantive tests of details and obtaining external confirmations. Additional Procedures are required where the practitioner becomes aware that the financial misstatements may be materially misstated.ReportingThe final step in performing a review engagement is to form an appropriate conclusion (unmodified or modified) based on the evidence obtained. This includes an evaluation of the identified misstatements. Effective and continuous two-way communication between the practitioner, engagement team, management, and those charged with governance is important.This will help minimize any (particularly last-minute) surprises.