Audit Evidence - ifac.org

Audit Evidence Bob Dohrer, Audit Evidence Working Group Chair IAASB Meeting, New York Agenda Item 12 September 20, 2019 Audit Evidence Since the IAASB CAG met in March 2019: IAASB meeting June 2019:* Issues related to audit evidence and technology, including potential actions to address such issues (e.g. standard setting and guidance) Although in agreement that issues are comprehensive, the Board o Did NOT support the development of project proposal

o Recommended further information-gathering and research activities (IG&R) o Recommended establishing an Audit Evidence Workstream Plan i.e. for conducting IG&R, with the objective to provide informed recommendations to the Board on possible further actions o Encouraged clarity in differentiating between the activities of the AEWG and TWG * An overview of the input initially considered by the AEWG was presented to the CAG in March 2019 2 Audit Evidence Audit Evidence Workstream Plan Objective to provide informed recommendations to the Board, by

Further understanding audit evidence issues as presented to the Board in June 2019 Exploring whether there are additional issues Exploring stakeholder views about possible actions to address the issues Information-gathering and research activities Targeted outreach activities with stakeholders, including o Regulators and audit oversight bodies o Public sector o National standard setters and IFAC member bodies o Practitioners o Respondents to ITC and RFI (who commented on audit evidence issues)

3 Audit Evidence Audit Evidence Workstream Plan Information-gathering and research activities (cont.) Academic research o Existing research that may be relevant o New research? Other activities / sources of information, including IAASB?

Input by Steering Committee Updates to Board o Post implementation review of relevant ISAs o 2016 Request for input, Exploring the Growing Use of Technology in the Audit, With a Focus on Data Analytics o Feedback from respondents to the 2015 Invitation to Comment, Enhancing Audit Quality: A Focus on Professional Skepticism, Quality Control and Group Audits o Inputs received from stakeholders in response to the IAASBs consultation on its Proposed Strategy for

2020-2023 and Work Plan for 2020-2021 o Responses to the AICPAs Proposed Statement on Auditing Standards, Audit Evidence 4 Audit Evidence Audit Evidence Workstream Plan Technology Workstream Plan IG&R to pinpoint and prioritize audit evidence related issues when applying the ISAs. Main drivers: Technology Professional skepticism Sources of information Develop informed recommendations to the Board for possible further actions (e.g. standard setting or guidance)

Identify matters for which there is an opportunity for a more immediate response through developing and issuing of guidance to address the effect of technology when applying certain aspects of the ISAs. Preliminary topics have been identified 5 Audit Evidence Feedback from the CAG: Need for harmonious standards across various Standard Setters (e.g., ASB, PCAOB) Concern about determining the accuracy and completeness of information in accordance with ISA 500 in circumstances when the auditor is dealing with large amounts of data 6 Audit Evidence Way Forward IAASB Board meeting

Establish workstream plan June 2019 Update to CAG and IAASB August 2019 Sept 2019 Recommendations to IAASB Information-gathering activities Oct Dec 2019

March June 2020 7 Audit Evidence QUESTIONS 8 www.iaasb.org For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact [email protected]