FRC provides aid to Audit Committees in evaluating audit quality
News types:
Published: 29 May 2015
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued a practice aid to assist audit committees in evaluating audit quality in their assessment of the effectiveness of the external audit process. The FRC is responding to requests for guidance in this area, in light of the UK Corporate Governance Code provision, introduced in 2012, that the audit committee report should include an explanation as to how it has assessed the effectiveness of the external audit process.
The aid focusses on assessing audit quality and has been developed based on feedback from audit committee members, investors, financial management and auditors. As well as setting a framework for the committee’s evaluation, the aid sets out practical suggestions on how audit committees might tailor their evaluation in the context of the company’s business model and strategy; the business risks it faces; and the perception of the reasonable expectations of the company’s investors and other stakeholders.
The framework set out in the Practice Aid focuses on understanding and challenging how the auditor demonstrates the effectiveness of key professional judgments made throughout the audit and how these might be supported by evidence of the following critical auditor competencies:
- A mindset and culture that exhibits integrity and objectivity and is aligned with the expectations and interests of users of their reports
- The skills and knowledge to develop a thorough understanding of the company’s business and industry, the environment in which it operates and of the applicable legal and regulatory framework, and the strength of character to provide effective challenge in performing the audit
- The ability to establish effective quality control by putting in place the processes necessary to deliver a consistently high quality audit.
Melanie McLaren, Executive Director, Codes & Standards, said:
“The FRC encourages audit committees to develop their own approach to their evaluation of audit quality, tailored to the circumstances of their company. Audit committees need evidence that the auditor has the competence to and has:
made appropriate judgments about materiality;
identified and focused on the areas of greatest risk;
designed and carried out an effective investigation;
understood and interpreted the evidence they obtain;
made reliable evaluations of that evidence;
and reported with clarity and candour.
The Practice Aid gives practical suggestions, based on what audit committees have told us they do, on how to obtain such evidence. We hope the Practice Aid will also enable audit committees to provide colour and insight and to avoid ‘boilerplate’ in reporting on their evaluation.”
Read or download the Audit Quality Practice Aid for audit committees (PDF)
Read or download the Leaflet: Audit Quality Practice Aid for audit committees (PDF)
Read or download the Audit Quality Inspections Annual Report 2014/15 (PDF)
Notes to editors:
The FRC is responsible for promoting high quality corporate governance and reporting to foster investment. We set the UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes as well as UK standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work. We represent UK interests in international standard-setting. We also monitor and take action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and auditing. We operate independent disciplinary arrangements for accountants and actuaries; and oversee the regulatory activities of the accountancy and actuarial professional bodies.