Groof Limited is engaged in the business of executing construction contracts for its clients. As on 31st March, 2024, the company's financial…

CA Final · Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics · MTP · May 2025
Groof Limited is engaged in the business of executing construction contracts for its clients. As on 31st March, 2024, the company's financial statements reflect non-current receivables outstanding amount of 500 crore. Such amounts arise from claims raised by the company on its clients due to cost overruns caused by project delays, change in work specifications and related matters. Besides negotiations, the company has also gone for arbitration in some of the said cases. The management has stated in the notes to account that these amounts are fully recoverable. CA Arohan, auditor of the company, has relied only upon management representation in this regard. Additionally, he has decided to include this matter in "Emphasis of Matter Paragraph" in audit report. Evaluate the appropriateness of the auditor's decision to include this matter in “Emphasis of Matter Paragraph"?

Suggested Answer and Working Notes:

(a) In accordance with SA 706, Emphasis of Matter Paragraph is a paragraph included in the auditor's report that refers to a matter appropriately presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor's judgment, is of such importance that it is fundamental to users' understanding of the financial statements. As per SA 706, the objective of the auditor, having formed an opinion on the financial statements, is to draw users' attention, when in the auditor's judgment it is necessary to do so, by way of clear additional communication in the auditor's report, to: - (a) A matter, although appropriately presented or disclosed in the financial statements, that is of such importance that it is fundamental to users' understanding of the financial statements or (b) As appropriate, any other matter that is relevant to users' understanding of the audit, the auditor's responsibilities or the auditor's report. Further, the auditor shall include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor's report provided the auditor would not be required to modify the opinion in accordance with SA 705 as a result of the matter. In the given situation, auditor has relied upon management representation letter only. He has not performed any other audit procedures like verifying contracts with customers, status of arbitration proceedings etc. Since management representations by themselves do not constitute sufficient appropriate evidence, performing necessary audit procedures may lead auditor to conclude that modification in opinion is necessary. In such circumstances, matter cannot be included in Emphasis of matter Paragraph. Therefore, CA Arohan should form his opinion by performing necessary audit procedures and obtaining sufficient appropriate evidence. It is only when he concludes that modification in opinion is not required as a result of said matter in terms of SA 705, the said matter may be included in Emphasis of Matter paragraph.

Topics: Standard on Auditing (SA), Professional Ethics & Liabilities of Auditors

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