I will ask my client to include a statement in the client representation letter stating that all the minutes have been provided. The letter of representation directs that it is the responsibility of management to provide all statements and that management statements to the auditor during the audit process, are true for instance information regarding a subsequent event occurring.
The relevant information from the meeting held on 5 March and October 21 to the 2011 audit include;
Increment in the annual dividend from USD 32 to USD 36, as an auditor I will ascertain that the calculation based on this increase is true and that it was paid to shareholders on April 25, 2011. The amount of money reflected in the financial statement paid to shareholders as dividends should also be verified by the auditor.
Approval of increased budget for 2011 administrative expenses of $ 1m to open offices in the Portland area, As an auditor I should ask for reasons for acquiring the new offices, whether it’s for the company usage, rental purpose, or for individuals in the company. The auditor has to be informed of the expected rise in administrative expenses.
For the proposed acquisition of one of Teutonic smaller competitors, the auditor should be in a position to know how far the negotiations have gone and be in a position to identify any financial commitments to the merger or acquisitions of the companies since every stakeholder has to be given the information concerning the status of the company.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): As an Auditor the issue has to be taken seriously since it has both internal and external effects and can therefore influence the financial position of the company since the dust has got an effect on people in terms of health and that the company will be compensating the victims, so the auditor should update the stakeholders in consultation with the management and legal counsel.
Approval of officer bonuses for the year ended December 31, 2011: The auditor should ensure that the approved bonuses are reflected on the financial statement correctly
Meeting of October 21, 2011
The Auditor should take a keen interest in the decrease in sales by over 8%. Since the factors leading to the decrease have been identified then the Auditor should follow whether the company has undertaken the necessary measures such as reducing labor and shipping cost.
Financing the acquisition of Teutonic competitor: The auditor should provide directions concerning commitments, documentation of finance, and agreements on the terms of acquiring the debt since it has an impact on financial statements.
Approval of capital expenditure budget of $ 1.5 million: Making sure that the allocated amount serves its intended purpose for instance cost of expanding computer operations, and a new server. After the acquisition, the auditor should know whether the company has a procedure for disposing of the old equipment since, after the purchase of the new equipment, the old one will no longer be in use
Creation of an incentive stock option plan for senior executives: The Auditor should determine whether it has been approved and if it is so then there should be a clear way of arriving at the figures put in place
Update of interim work related to tests of the operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, the information provided by the external auditor should be treated with seriousness since the external Auditor is independent.
What the Auditor should have done during the December 31, 2010 audit with respect to the 2011 minutes
The Auditor should have laid more emphasis on the EPA since it was going to cost the company a lot of money and this in turn influenced financial statements, for instance, the penalty of $ 400,000.
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