Specific Independent Auditing Standard No.8 - Fraud and Error

Specific Independent Auditing Standard No.8 - Fraud and Error Chapter 1 General provisions Article 1 This standard is prepared in accordance with the General Independent Auditing Standard to establish standards for Certified Public Accountants ("CPAs") on the detection and the detection and reporting of any fraud and error which would result in material misstatements in the financial statements, in the audit of financial statements and to define relevant responsibility. Article 2 The term "error" in this standard refers to unintentional misstatements or omissions in financial statements. Article 3 The term "fraud" in this standard refers to an intentional act which results in a misrepresentation of financial statements. Article 4 Unless otherwise specified, CPAs should refer to this standard in performing audit work other than the audit of financial statements. Chapter 2 General principles Article 5 It is the entity’s accounting responsibility to establish sound internal controls, to safeguard the assets and to ensure the truthfulness, legitimacy and completeness of the accounting information. The entity’s management should fully implement their internal controls to prevent, and to promptly detect and correct, fraud and error. Article 6 It is the CPA’s audit responsibility to issue an audit report in accordance with the requirements of the Independent Auditing standards and to ensure the truthfulness and legitimacy of the audit report. The CPA should adequately consider audit risk and perform appropriate audit procedures in accordance with the requirements of the Independent Auditing Standards to obtain reasonable assurance that fraud and error, which would result in material misstatements in the financial statements, are detected. Article 7 Due to the inherent limitations of audit tests and the entity’s internal controls, the CPA cannot ensure that all fraud and error are detected even if the CPA acts in accordance with the Independent Auditing Standards in performing the audit work. Article 8 The audit of financial statements by a CPA is not specifically aimed at detecting fraud or error. If the client specifically requires an audit of the possible existence of fraud or error, the CPA should consider his own ability and audit risk and contract the terms under a separate engagement letter. financial statements and to define relevant Chapter 3 Paying attention to fraud and error in the preparation and implementation of the audit plan Article 9 When preparing and implementing the audit plan, the CPA should pay adequate attention to the possibility of the existence of fraud and error which would result in material misstatements in the financial statements. Errors mainly include: (1) mathematical or clerical mistakes in the underlying records and accounting data; (2) oversight and misinterpretation of facts; and (3) misapplication of accounting policies. Fraud mainly includes: (1) falsification or alteration of records or documents; (2) misappropriation of assets; (3) suppression or deletion of transactions or events; (4) recording of fictitious transactions or events; and (5) intentional use of inappropriate accounting policies. Article 10 When preparing the audit plan, the CPA should consider the possibility of the existence of fraud and error which would result in material misstatements in the financial statements. In addition to the inherent limitations of internal control, the following conditions will increase the risk of fraud and error: (1) questionable integrity or competence of the entity’s management; (2) unusual pressures on the entity’s management; (3) existence Of unusual transactions; and (4) difficulties in obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence by the CPA Article 11 The CIIA should make enquiries with the entity’s management as to any fraud and error, which have been detected and which may result in material misstatements in the financial statements, and, depending on their seriousness and the way in which they have been dealt with, pay special attention to them when preparing and implementing the audit plan. Article 12 When implementing the audit plan, the CPA should maintain professional scepticism and pay adequate attention to any indications of the possible existence of fraud and error. Chapter 4 Actions to be taken on discovery of indications of fraud or error Article 13 When the CPA detects indications of the possible existence of fraud or error during the audit, he should assess their materiality and determine whether to perform modified or additional audit pro 23cedures. Article 14 When performing modified or additional audit procedures, the CPA should consider the type of fraud or error indicated, the likelihood of the occurrence and the extent of their impact on the financial statements. Article 15 After performing modified or additional audit procedures, the CPA should obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to confirm whether fraud or error exists. If fraud or error exists, the CPA should determine its impact on the financial statements and request that the entity takes appropriate action. Article 16 If fraud or error cannot be prevented, detected or corrected by the entity’s internal controls the CPA should consider reassessing the effectiveness of relevant internal controls. If necessary, the CPA should perform modified or additional relevant substantive procedures. Article 17 The CPA should reconsider the reliability of the representations obtained from persons who are involved in the fraud or error. Article 18 The CPA should report to the entity’s management, through appropriate means, significant error and all fraud detected during the audit and record them in detail in the audit working papers. Article 19 The CPA should report persons who are suspected of being involved in fraud or significant error to the entity’s senior management. When the most senior management is suspected of being involved in fraud, the CPA should consider taking appropriate steps and if necessary, seek legal advice or terminate the engagement. Chapter 5 Impact of fraud or error on the audit report Article 20 If the entity refuses to adjust or properly disclose detected material fraud and error, the CPA should express a qualified opinion or an adverse opinion. Article 21 If it is impossible to determine the extent of the impact of detected fraud and error on the financial statements, the CPA should express a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. Article 22 If there are limitations, imposed by the entity on the scope of the audit, which preclude the CPA from obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence to determine whether fraud or error that may be material to the financial statements has occurred, the CPA should express a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. Article 23 If there are limitations, imposed on the scope of the audit by circumstances other than by the entity, which preclude the CI’A from obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence to determine whether fraud or error that may be material to the financial statements has occurred, the CPA should consider the impact on the audit report. Chapter 6 Supplementary provisions Article 24 The Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants is responsible for the interpretation of this standard. Article 25 This standard takes effect from 1 January 1997.