Tag (SQ): Management Responsibility

As the Audit Manager of Zelton & Associates, you are responsible for conducting reviews on audit files where there is potential disagreement between your firm and clients.

You are looking at DuaKonta LTD’s audit file’s going concern section. DuaKonta LTD is a client with severe cash flow issues as well as other, less significant operational signs of going concern issues.

According to the working papers, DuaKonta LTD is now attempting to raise funds to support its operating cash flows, and if the funds are not obtained, there will be serious uncertainty over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. After reviewing the working papers, it came to light that the going concern assumption is appropriate. However, it is advised that the financial statements include a note outlining the company’s cash flow issues, a description of the financing being sought and an assessment of the company’s going concern status. The Directors of DuaKonta LTD do not wish to include the note in the financial statements.

Required:
a) Compare and contrast the responsibilities of Management and of Auditors, in relation to the assessment of going concern. You should include a description of the procedures used in this assessment where relevant.

b) Consider and comment on FOUR possible reasons the Directors of DuaKonta LTD are reluctant to provide the note to the financial statements.

c) Identify and discuss the implications for the auditor’s report if:
i) The directors refuse to include the disclosure note.
ii) The directors agree to include the disclosure note