The Financial Controller (FC) of Poki Limited made an observation on the draft engagement letter sent by the external auditors to the company, an extract of which is as stated below:

“The responsibility for safeguarding the assets of the company and for the prevention and detection of fraud, error, and non-compliance with laws or regulations rests with the company’s directors. In accordance with auditing standards, we shall endeavor to plan our audit so that we have a reasonable expectation of detecting material misstatements in the financial statements or accounting records (including any material misstatements resulting from fraud, error, or non-compliance with laws or regulations). However, because any internal control structure, no matter how effective, cannot eliminate the possibility that errors or irregularities may occur and remain undetected and because we use selective testing in our audit, we cannot guarantee that errors or irregularities, if present, will be detected. Accordingly, our audit should not be relied upon to disclose all such material misstatements or frauds, errors, or instances of non-compliance as may exist. The best safeguard against irregularities and fraud is a sound system of internal control.”

The FC accused the auditors of running away from their responsibilities of exposing to the owners of the company fraudulent financial reporting and misappropriation of assets. To him, what is the purpose of audit when fraud and errors could not be discovered? He has threatened to discuss with the Board of Directors and insists that the engagement letter will not be signed until those sections are removed. You are a senior member of the audit team.

Required:

a. Outline the objectives of auditors in relation to fraud. (6 Marks)

b. Explain fraudulent financial reporting and misappropriation of assets. (7 Marks)

c. State the procedures auditors should perform to identify the risks of material misstatement due to fraud. (7 Marks)