While assessing the impact of uncorrected misstatements in the audit of Super Builders Private Limited, Mr. Mahavir encountered a significant issue…
CA Final · Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics · MTP · November 2026
While assessing the impact of uncorrected misstatements in the audit of Super Builders Private Limited, Mr. Mahavir encountered a significant issue related to the calculation of materiality on revenue. The initial materiality calculation was based on estimated figures provided by the management. Management, to estimate full-year revenue, extrapolated the sales for 11 months to arrive at a figure for 12 months. However, given the nature of Super Builders as a company in the construction sector, where monthly sales exhibit substantial variations, a unique challenge emerged. The actual sales for the last month deviated significantly from the estimated sales due to an unexpected slowdown in project completions. As a result, the last month's actual sales represented only 30% of the estimated sales. Now, Mr. Mahavir is confronted with a dilemma regarding the appropriate approach to evaluate uncorrected misstatements using the previously calculated materiality. Kindly Guide Mr. Mahavir in the light of relevant Standards on Auditing.
Suggested Answer and Working Notes:
As per SA 450, "Evaluation of Misstatements Identified during the Audit", the auditor is required to reassess materiality, in accordance with SA 320, "Materiality in Planning and Performing an Audit", before evaluating the impact of uncorrected misstatements. This reassessment is crucial to confirm the ongoing appropriateness of materiality in light of the entity's actual financial results. The determination of materiality under SA 320 often relies on estimates of the entity's financial results, given that the actual results may not be known during the early stages of the audit. Therefore, before the auditor proceeds to assess the effect of uncorrected misstatements, it becomes necessary to adjust the materiality calculated under SA 320 based on the now available actual financial results. SA 320 outlines that, as the audit progresses, materiality may be revised for the financial statements as a whole or for specific classes of transactions, account balances, or disclosures. This revision is prompted by the auditor's awareness of information that would have led to a different initial determination. Typically, significant revisions occur before the evaluation of uncorrected misstatements. However, if the reassessment of materiality under SA 320 results in a lower amount, the auditor must reconsider performance materiality and the appropriateness of the audit procedures' nature, timing, and extent. This is crucial for obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence on which to base the audit opinion. In the present case involving Super Builders Private Limited, it has been identified that the materiality calculated at the beginning of the audit for revenue was based on estimates provided by the management. The management extrapolated sales for the full year using the actual amount of 11 months, but since the company experiences significant monthly variations in sales, the actual sales for the last month were only 30% of the estimated figure. This discrepancy arose due to an unexpected slowdown in project completion. In this audit scenario, Mr. Mahavir, the auditor, must review and reassess the materiality initially determined under SA 320 to ensure its continued validity in light of the actual financial results. If the re-assessed materiality is lower than the previously calculated amount, Mr. Mahavir must reconsider performance materiality and the appropriateness of the nature, timing, and extent of further audit procedures. This meticulous approach is essential to gather sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, enabling Mr. Mahavir to form an independent and objective opinion on the financial statements of Super Builders Private Limited.
Topics: Standard on Auditing (SA), Audit Planning
Related Questions in this Topic
- CA Arjun, CA Bharat and CA Chirag have been appointed as joint auditors of BCA Ltd., a company having manufacturing unit...
- CA Puneet, engagement partner for the audit of a listed company, decided to use the work of the company's internal audit...
- Narayan & Co. is the statutory auditor of Joy Ltd., a company engaged in the tours and travel business. During the audit...
- Raja & Co., Chartered Accountants, are the statutory auditors of Rani Ltd., a listed company, for the year ended 31 Marc...
- SOP Ltd., a listed company, has three subsidiaries whose financial statements are consolidated for the year ended 31 Mar...