Audit and Assurance news

Background The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (the Department) has recently issued a document1 “Guidance Note for Core Funding Reporting Requirements Transitional Arrangements Year 1 and 2” (“the Department Guidance Note”) to entities providing childcare and early education services regarding the transitional arrangements for the application for funding under a new funding model called ‘Together for Better’.  These transitional arrangements will be in place for the next two reporting periods (years ended 31 August 2023 and 31 August 2024). Reporting regime This reporting regime includes a requirement that the childcare service providers (“client”) engage a professional accountant to submit a document called an ‘Income and Expenditure Template. CCAB-I have made the Department aware of the potential cost implications for an accountant providing this service to their client.  The following matters should be noted: The report is to cover expenses incurred on a cash basis for the year ended 31 August. The requirement is for expenditure incurred in the relevant period only, no accruals or prepayments. Income will be pre-populated in the online platform. Where your client has a different year end, time apportionment is not permitted. Important considerations for CCAB-I members CCAB-I has engaged with the Department over a number of months to discuss the nature and extent of work expected and the respective responsibilities of the client and the professional accountant and, in particular, the concerns regarding the request for the professional accountant to submit the report (as set out in the Department Guidance Note) on behalf of a client. There was positive engagement and much, but not all, of the feedback by CCAB-I on the process was reflected and incorporated into the final guidance. However, given the type of engagement, CCAB-I are making members aware of the potential issues and extant guidance which our members may consult. The Department Guidance Note sets out the responsibility for the data included in the report. See section 2 of the Guidance Note: “The Service Provider is responsible for fully complying with all financial transparency requirements in accordance with their Core Funding contractual obligations. The accountant relies on information provided by the Service Provider, who is responsible for disclosing all relevant information.” The Service Provider/client will make an online declaration on the platform provided by the Department that they have authorised a professional accountant2 to make the submission for them.  CCAB-I members are reminded of the relevant Code of Ethics issued by their professional body.  Independence The Department Guidance Note3 defines an accountant as someone who: "(a) has been admitted as, and is, a member of a prescriber accountancy body, (b) is currently practicing in the profession of accountant, (c) is not and never has been a principal officer or employee, or an owner or part owner, of the licensee in respect of whom he or she is preparing an accountant’s report, and (d) is maintaining such minimum level of professional indemnity insurance as is required by the prescribed accountancy body concerned." .Members should be cognisant of any conflicts with other engagements they may undertake for their clients.  When you are the Auditor  Where the accountant is the statutory auditor the Ethical Standard for Auditors (Ireland)4 applies and Section 5.129 prohibits the audit firm providing accounting services where the services would involve the firm undertaking part of the role of management or initiating transactions.  "S 1.24           In the case of a statutory audit, non-audit services shall not be provided that involve playing any part in management decision-taking of an entity relevant to an engagement. The firm shall not accept any engagement which includes the provision of services where it is probable that an objective, reasonable and informed third party would conclude that the firm or a covered person was playing a part in management decision-taking.  5.128          The provision of accounting services by the firm to an entity relevant to an engagement creates threats to the integrity, objectivity and independence of the firm and covered persons, principally self-review and management threats, the significance of which depends on the nature and extent of the accounting services in question and the level of public interest in the entity. 5.129            The firm shall not provide accounting services to an entity relevant to an engagement where: (a) the entity is a listed entity, relevant to an engagement by the firm, or a significant affiliate of such an entity; or (b) for any other entity: those accounting services would involve the firm undertaking part of the role of management, or initiating transactions; or the services are anything other than of a routine or mechanical nature, requiring little or no professional judgment.” When you are not the Auditor We recommend that members read the Department Guidance Note1 and that an appropriate letter of engagement and representation letter are in place where they undertake these engagements.  Members should refer to guidance documents issued by Chartered Accountants Ireland.  TA 06/2023 Grant Claims5 and the International Standard on Related Service ISRS 4400 (Revised) Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements6 which give guidance on engagement acceptance and continuance and some general advice on agreeing the terms of engagement.  1 https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/downloads/download-corefunding/   2 A professional accountant is defined as a member of a Prescribed Accountancy Body that comes within the supervisory remit of IAASA, •              Chartered Accountants Ireland. (CAI) •              Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) •              CPA Ireland (CPA) •              Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)  3 See Section of Guidance Note for Core Funding Reporting Requirements Transitional Arrangements Year 1 and 2. 4 https://iaasa.ie/wp-content/uploads/docs/media/IAASA/Documents/audit-standards/Ethical-Standard-Consultation/Ethical_Standard_Nov_2020_updated_June_3.pdf 5 https://www.charteredaccountants.ie/chariot/account/ta/TA06_2023.html 6 https://www.iaasb.org/publications/international-standard-related-services-isrs-4400-revised  

IAASA has published a Consultation paper on its proposal to adopt a Sustainability Assurance Standard in Ireland. The effective date of the standard will be for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2024.  This is required by the European Corporate Sustainability Directive (CSRD). The European Commission has indicated that it intends to adopt a European assurance standard by October 2026, at which time that standard will apply in Ireland. In the absence of a mandatory standard in Ireland, assurance providers could voluntarily perform their work in accordance with an assurance standard such as ISSA 5000 or ISAE 3000. IAASA considers that it is in the public interest that it adopts a single sustainability assurance standard, to promote consistency in approach by assurance providers, provide clarity to users as to the level of assurance being provided, ensure an adequate standard of assurance work and assist IAASA and the recognised accountancy bodies in their regulatory approaches. IAASA has identified three possible options for a sustainability assurance standard in Ireland and is now seeking stakeholders’ views on the appropriate standard for sustainability assurance in Ireland.  These are: the proposed International Standard on Sustainability Assurance 5000 (ISSA 5000),  the extant International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (ISAE 3000) or a local standard. Each of these options is set out in the consultation paper. The consultation paper is available here. Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to provide your response using the response template available on this link or email your response to submissions@iaasa.ie by 19 April 2024.

Recent corporate failures throughout the world have underscored the benefits of clarifying and enhancing the role of auditors in responding to fraud and suspected fraud as a means of enhancing public trust in financial reporting.  The proposed revisions to the IAASB standard significantly strengthen the standard on auditors’ responsibilities related to fraud by defining the expectations in relation to fraud, delineating more robust procedures, and increasing transparency about the auditors’ responsibilities and fraud-related procedures in the auditor’s report. During the consultation period, IAASB will release a videos series to help stakeholders understand the proposed revisions and their implications for strengthening the financial reporting ecosystem. Stakeholder are encouraged to submit their comments using the Response Template by June 5, 2024. 

Earlier this year the FRC published an update to its Ethical Standard for auditors, effective from 15 December 2024. The updated ethical standard simplifies the existing ethical standard and provided additional clarity in a limited number of areas. the new standard takes into account recent revisions made to the international IESBA Code of Ethics. there is a new targeted restriction on fees from entities related by a single controlling party. Following feedback to their consultation, the FRC have amended the proposals to ensure that the requirements in the standard are better targeted and proportionate. For example, additional requirements in respect of ethical breach reporting by audit firms to the regulator have been removed. With regard to tax services provided to the controlling shareholders of unlisted companies the FRC is enhancing the independence risk assessment around these services rather than specifically prohibiting them. Alongside the revised Ethical Standard, the FRC has also released guidance for auditors on the application of the Objective, Reasonable and Informed Third Party test, which forms a key part of many requirements in the Ethical Standard. Read the updated Ethical Standard. Read the feedback statement and impact statement. CAI responded to the FRC consultation and you can read our response here.  

IAASA has published a Consultation paper on its proposal to revise International Standard on Auditing (ISA) (Ireland) 505 External Confirmations and make related conforming amendments to ISA (Ireland) 600 (Revised February 2023) Special Considerations – Audits of Group Financial Statements (Including the Work of Component Auditors). The proposed effective date of the revised standard is for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after 15 December 2024, with early adoption permitted. Responses are requested by 23 February 2024.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) launched a consultation on proposed narrow scope amendments to achieve greater convergence with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ (IESBA) International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (Including Independence Standards). The proposals have two key objectives. align definitions and requirements in IAASB standards with new definitions in the IESBA Code. extend the applicability of existing requirements for listed entities to meet heightened stakeholder expectations regarding audits of public interest entities. Key proposed revisions include extending the scope of the entities included under the International Standards on Quality Management and the International Standards on Auditing which will impact on: Engagement quality reviews; The auditor’s report including independence, communicating key audit matters, and the engagement partner’s name; and Communicating with those charged with governance. Feedback is requested by April 8, 2024.