The Effects of Critical Audit Matter Paragraphs and Accounting Standard Precision on Auditor Liability

The Effects of Critical Audit Matter Paragraphs and Accounting Standard Precision on Auditor Liability PDF Author: Christine Gimbar
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Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board recently proposed amendments to the standard audit report that would require the disclosure of critical audit matters (CAMs), and the Securities and Exchange Commission continues to evaluate the use of principles-based (imprecise) accounting standards within U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We assert that precise accounting standards are perceived by jurors to constrain auditors' control over financial reporting outcomes, resulting in a lower propensity for negligence verdicts when the accounting treatment conforms to the precise standard. However, we hypothesize that the use of either imprecise standards or CAMs removes this constraint, leading to increased auditor liability. We present experimental evidence, including a mediation analysis, supporting this argument. Our results highlight the similarities between the effects of imprecise accounting standards and CAMs on negligence assessments. The results provide insight for regulators and the profession about the potential interactive consequences of the proposed regulatory changes.

The Effects of Critical Audit Matter Paragraphs and Accounting Standard Precision on Auditor Liability

The Effects of Critical Audit Matter Paragraphs and Accounting Standard Precision on Auditor Liability PDF Author: Christine Gimbar
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board recently proposed amendments to the standard audit report that would require the disclosure of critical audit matters (CAMs), and the Securities and Exchange Commission continues to evaluate the use of principles-based (imprecise) accounting standards within U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We assert that precise accounting standards are perceived by jurors to constrain auditors' control over financial reporting outcomes, resulting in a lower propensity for negligence verdicts when the accounting treatment conforms to the precise standard. However, we hypothesize that the use of either imprecise standards or CAMs removes this constraint, leading to increased auditor liability. We present experimental evidence, including a mediation analysis, supporting this argument. Our results highlight the similarities between the effects of imprecise accounting standards and CAMs on negligence assessments. The results provide insight for regulators and the profession about the potential interactive consequences of the proposed regulatory changes.

Early Evidence on the Effects of Critical Audit Matters on Auditor Liability

Early Evidence on the Effects of Critical Audit Matters on Auditor Liability PDF Author: Christine Gimbar
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board recently proposed changes to the audit reporting model that would require auditors to disclose areas of high audit risk within the audit report. Concerns about the proposal's potential to increase auditor liability have been raised by practitioners and highlighted in the business press. In this paper, we review five recent experiments that directly relate to these concerns, identify patterns in the results, and discuss the implications of these findings for regulators and practitioners.

The Effects of Critical Audit Matter Removal and Duration on Jurors' Assessments of Auditor Negligence

The Effects of Critical Audit Matter Removal and Duration on Jurors' Assessments of Auditor Negligence PDF Author: Jeremy Vinson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
A primary concern facing the PCAOB's requirement of disclosing critical audit matters (CAMs) is increased auditor litigation risk. Evidence with Key Audit Matters from the U.K. indicates auditors may subsequently remove a CAM or continue to report the same CAM for several years. Therefore, we investigate the effects of CAM removal and duration on jurors' assessments of auditor negligence when there is a subsequent material misstatement due to fraud in the account related to the CAM. Using the Culpable Control Model, we predict jurors will assess higher auditor negligence when a CAM is removed than when a CAM is reported and when a CAM is reported for multiple years than for one year. Results of our first experiment, in which the CAM relates to a more complex account, highlight a quandary auditors could face in the years subsequent to reporting a CAM such that removal of a CAM that had been reported for multiple years increases auditor liability. Results of our second experiment, in which the CAM relates to a less complex account, provides limited support that CAM removal increases liability. Our results should be of interest to academics, practitioners, and regulators regarding legal implications of the new CAM standard.

Risk Disclosure Preceding Negative Outcomes

Risk Disclosure Preceding Negative Outcomes PDF Author: Kelsey Brasel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Audit practitioners, academics, and attorneys have expressed concern that disclosing critical audit matters (CAMs) will increase jurors' auditor liability judgments when auditors fail to detect misstatements. In contrast, this study provides theory and experimental evidence that CAM disclosures, under certain conditions, reduce auditor liability judgments as jurors perceive that undetected fraudulent misstatements were more foreseeable to the plaintiff (i.e., the financial statement user suing the auditor). However, we find that CAM disclosures only reduce auditor liability for undetected misstatements that, absent CAM disclosure, are relatively difficult to foresee. Finally, CAM disclosures that are unrelated to subsequent misstatements neither increase nor reduce auditor liability judgments relative to the current regime (i.e., where CAMs are not disclosed), but reduce liability judgments relative to reporting that there were no CAMs. As such, we find that, relative to stating there were no CAMs, disclosure of any CAM (i.e., related or unrelated) provides litigation protection in cases of undetected fraud. Consequently, the CAM requirement could incentivize auditors to disclose innocuous boilerplate CAMs, thereby diluting the impact of more warranted CAM disclosures.

The Forewarning Effect of Critical Audit Matter Disclosures Involving Measurement Uncertainty

The Forewarning Effect of Critical Audit Matter Disclosures Involving Measurement Uncertainty PDF Author: Steven J. Kachelmeier
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
We present experimental evidence suggesting that critical audit matter (CAM) disclosures in the auditor's report involving areas of high measurement uncertainty forewarn users of misstatement risk. Specifically, in our first study with MBA students, financial analysts, and attorneys, we find that CAMs (1) lower pre-misstatement assessments of confidence in the financial statement area disclosed as a CAM, and (2) lower assessments of auditor responsibility for a subsequently revealed misstatement in a CAM-related area. In our second study with student participants proxying as mock jurors, we find that the responsibility-mitigating effect of CAM disclosure is driven by CAM disclosures involving measurement uncertainty, as opposed to CAM disclosures involving categorical determinations. Combined, our findings help reconcile mixed evidence from prior research, supporting the view that the forewarning effect of CAM disclosures involving measurement uncertainty could mitigate perceived auditor responsibility for CAM-related material misstatements.

Government Auditing Standards - 2018 Revision

Government Auditing Standards - 2018 Revision PDF Author: United States Government Accountability Office
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 0359536395
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
Audits provide essential accountability and transparency over government programs. Given the current challenges facing governments and their programs, the oversight provided through auditing is more critical than ever. Government auditing provides the objective analysis and information needed to make the decisions necessary to help create a better future. The professional standards presented in this 2018 revision of Government Auditing Standards (known as the Yellow Book) provide a framework for performing high-quality audit work with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence to provide accountability and to help improve government operations and services. These standards, commonly referred to as generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS), provide the foundation for government auditors to lead by example in the areas of independence, transparency, accountability, and quality through the audit process. This revision contains major changes from, and supersedes, the 2011 revision.

Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research

Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research PDF Author: Khondkar E. Karim
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
ISBN: 1800710127
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description
Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research promotes research across all areas of accounting, incorporating theory from, and contributing knowledge to, the fields of applied psychology, sociology, management science, ethics and economics.

Auditing and Society

Auditing and Society PDF Author: Wally Smieliauskas
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429854129
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
Auditing has become an essential component in market societies and the need for auditing skills has risen in line with globalization. This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the role of financial statement auditing in contemporary society, including the auditor’s role in evaluating the financial reporting of an auditee—a topic of central concern in the recent comprehensive review of the auditing profession in the Brydon Report (2019). The experienced authors provide insight into auditing research to help readers understand its function, regulation, and role in theory and practice. With focus on private sector financial statement auditing and its regulation, the book includes perspectives on social theory, history, and the importance of professional standards. The thought-provoking final chapter challenges students to consider the effectiveness of auditing in evaluating increasingly risky and complex accounting estimates involving assumptions about future events. A fundamental approach to auditing theory, this textbook will be useful reading for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students across business and accounting fields.

Government Auditing Standards

Government Auditing Standards PDF Author: Government Accounting Office
Publisher: www.Militarybookshop.CompanyUK
ISBN: 9781780397030
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
Newly revised in 2011. Contains the auditing standards promulgated by the Comptroller General of the United States. Known as the Yellow Book. Includes the professional standards and guidance, commonly referred to as generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS), which provide a framework for conducting high quality government audits and attestation engagements with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence. These standards are for use by auditors of government entities and entities that receive government awards and audit organizations performing GAGAS audits and attestation engagements.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility of Accountability Reporting Systems

Sustainability and Social Responsibility of Accountability Reporting Systems PDF Author: Kıymet Tunca Çalıyurt
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811032122
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
This book explores sustainability and social responsibility from the point of view of accountability reporting systems. The contributions to this volume open up discussions about the theory and application of sustainability and social responsibility across various corporate sectors and assists the reader in applying sustainable corporate social responsibility reporting across those sectors. As a central theme, the book addresses how the theory and application in sustainability and social responsibility has different dimensions and aspects which are impossible to apply across different sectors. This point of view is supported by chapter contributions from countries around the world including Turkey, Serbia, Malaysia, United States, South Africa, Italy, China, Brasil, Romania, Serbia, Puerta Rico, Algeria. Academics worldwide will discover in Sustainability and Social Responsibility of Accountability Reporting Systems: A Global Approach the latest developments about corporate social responsibility and sustainability of accountability reporting systems.