A Guide to Audit Procedures for Subsequent Events Management

Nature: 

Subsequent events are significant transactions or events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. 

The audit procedures for following events are critical to ensure that the financial statements reflect all relevant information about the company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Audit Risks:

1. Misinterpretation of subsequent events
2. Failure to identify the following relevant events
3. Lack of proper documentation and record-keeping practices for subsequent events
4. Inadequate internal controls over subsequent event management
5. Noncompliance with laws and regulations related to subsequent events
6. Incorrect assessment of the impact of subsequent events on financial statements
7. Inadequate disclosure of subsequent events in financial statements
8. Inadequate consideration of subsequent events in the audit opinion
9. Improper assessment of the materiality of subsequent events
10. Untimely recognition of subsequent events

Audit Assertions:

1. Existence: The auditor will assess the validity of subsequent events and the existence of the underlying transactions or events.
2. Completeness: The auditor will verify that all relevant subsequent events have been identified and accounted for.
3. Accuracy: The auditor will confirm that the amounts recorded for subsequent events are accurate.
4. Valuation: The auditor will evaluate the appropriateness of the subsequent event valuation.
5. Presentation and Disclosure: The auditor will review the presentation and disclosure of subsequent events in the company’s financial statements.

Audit Procedures:

1. Review of company policies and procedures: The auditor will evaluate the company’s policies and procedures related to subsequent events management to ensure they are in line with GAAP and company guidelines.
2. Analysis of subsequent event transactions: The auditor will analyze subsequent event transactions to ensure they are accurately recorded and accounted for.
3. Testing of transactions: The auditor will perform substantive tests on a sample of subsequent event transactions to verify their validity, accuracy, and completeness.
4. Reconciliation of accounts: The auditor will reconcile the accounts related to subsequent events to ensure that the transactions are recorded correctly in the company’s books.
5. Assessment of internal controls: The auditor will evaluate the company’s internal controls for recording and accounting for subsequent events to identify any control weaknesses.
6. Valuation analysis: The auditor will examine the valuation of subsequent events to confirm it is recorded at the correct amount.
7. Review of subsequent event documentation: The auditor will review the company’s documentation related to subsequent events to ensure they are properly recorded and maintained.
8. Confirmations with third parties: The auditor may request confirmations to support the validity and accuracy of subsequent event transactions.
9. Review of financial statements: The auditor will review the company’s financial statements related to subsequent events to ensure they are properly presented and disclosed in accordance with GAAP.
10. Evaluate the impact of subsequent events on the audit opinion: The auditor will assess the impact of subsequent events on the financial statements and consider their impact on the audit opinion.

In conclusion, a comprehensive audit of subsequent events management is essential to ensure financial statements’ accuracy and reliability and identify any potential risks and weaknesses in the company’s management and accounting practices. The auditor should thoroughly evaluate the company’s policies, procedures, and systems to ensure the integrity of the subsequent events management process.