Test Prep CPA Auditing and Attestation Exam Actual Questions

Several sources of GAAP consulted by an auditor are in conflict as to the application of an accounting principle. Which of the following should the auditor consider the most authoritative?

Correct Answer: A 🗳️
Choice "a" is correct. In accordance with the GAAP hierarchy, FASB Technical Bulletins are considered the most authoritative of the sources listed in the question.
Choice "b" is incorrect. Of the sources listed, AICPA Accounting Interpretations would be considered the second most authoritative.
Choice "c" is incorrect. FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts are among the least authoritative sources of GAAP available to auditors.
Choice "d" is incorrect. AICPA Technical Practice Aids are among the least authoritative sources of GAAP available to auditors.

For an entity's financial statements to be presented fairly in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the principles selected should:

Correct Answer: C 🗳️
Choice "c" is correct. Financial statements are presented fairly in conformity with GAAP when there are no material misstatements included therein. The fact that there may occasionally be immaterial misstatements means that the financial statements are correct "within a range of acceptable limits."
Choice "a" is incorrect. Accounting principles may change from year to year. As long as such changes are properly accounted for, the financial statements are still in conformity with GAAP.
Choice "b" is incorrect. The AICPA and the FASB determine GAAP, not the Auditing Standards Board.
Choice "d" is incorrect. There is no requirement that an entity's financial statements be prepared in accordance with prevalent industry practices in order to be in conformity with GAAP.

Which of the following statements is correct concerning an auditor's responsibilities regarding financial statements?

Correct Answer: C 🗳️
Choice "c" is correct. An auditor's responsibility is to express an opinion on financial statements based on an audit.
Choice "a" is incorrect. An auditor may draft an entity's financial statements based on information from management's financial system. This would be referred to as a compilation engagement.
Choice "b" is incorrect. The adoption of sound accounting policies is an implicit part of management's responsibilities, not the auditor's responsibilities.
Choice "d" is incorrect. An auditor often makes suggestions that are adopted about an entity's internal control environment.

Which of the following provides the most authoritative guidance for an auditor?

Correct Answer: C 🗳️
Choice "c" is correct. General guidance provided by a Statement on Auditing Standards is the most authoritative of level of auditing guidance. Auditors are required to comply with SASs, and should be prepared to justify any departures therefrom.
Choices "a" and "d" are incorrect. AICPA audit and accounting guides and SAS interpretations are interpretive publications that provide guidance regarding how
SASs should be applied in specific situations. They are not as authoritative as SASs.
Choice "b" is incorrect. Journal of Accountancy articles have no authoritative status but may be helpful to the auditor.

Which of the following accurately depicts the auditor's responsibility with respect to Statements on Auditing Standards?

Correct Answer: D 🗳️
Choice "d" is correct. The auditor is generally required to follow the guidance provided by the Standards, and should be able to justify any departures.
Choice "a" is incorrect. On rare occasions, the auditor may depart from the guidance provided by the SASs, but he or she must justify such departures.
Choice "b" is incorrect. Lack of familiarity with a SAS is not a valid reason for departing from its guidance.
The auditor is expected to have sufficient knowledge of the SASs to identify those that are applicable to a given audit engagement.
Choice "c" is incorrect. The cost associated with following the guidance provided by a SAS is not an acceptable reason for departing from its guidance.

In the first audit of a new client, an auditor was able to extend auditing procedures to gather sufficient evidence about consistency. Under these circumstances, the auditor should:

Correct Answer: B 🗳️
Choice "b" is correct. The auditor's standard report implies that the auditor is satisfied that the comparability of financial statements between periods has not been materially affected by changes in accounting principles and that such principles have been consistently applied between or among periods.
Since the auditor has gathered sufficient evidence about consistency, no reference need be made in the report.
Choice "a" is incorrect. If the auditor is able to obtain sufficient evidence about consistency, the auditor may report on the entity's financial statements.
Choice "c" is incorrect. The consistency standard is one of the ten GAAS, and it does apply to this audit.
Choice "d" is incorrect. If the auditor is able to obtain sufficient evidence about consistency, no mention of consistency need be made. Consistency is implied in the standard report.

The third general standard states that due care is to be exercised in the performance of an audit. This standard is ordinarily interpreted to require:

Correct Answer: D 🗳️
Choice "d" is correct. The third general standard of due care is ordinarily interpreted to require critical review of the judgment exercised at every level of supervision, and the judgment exercised by those assisting in the audit.
Choice "a" is incorrect. The third general standard of due care does not require a thorough review of the existing safeguards over access to assets and records.
Choice "b" is incorrect. The standard of due care does not specifically require a limited review of the indications of employee fraud and illegal acts.
Choice "c" is incorrect. The standard of due care does not require a review of audit staff training and proficiency.

The concept of materiality would be least important to an auditor when considering the:

Correct Answer: C 🗳️
Choice "c" is correct. Any direct financial interest in a client impairs independence, even if it is immaterial.
Choice "a" is incorrect. A material illegal act may require disclosure in or adjustment to the financial statements, whereas an immaterial illegal act may not require disclosure.
Choice "b" is incorrect. A material weakness in internal control will affect the nature, timing, and extent of audit procedures, whereas an immaterial weakness in internal control may have little impact on the audit.
Choice "d" is incorrect. An auditor is likely to use positive confirmations for material accounts receivable, but may consider negative confirmations for immaterial receivable balances.

An auditor of a nonpublic company must conduct the audit in accordance with:
I. ASB standards.
II. PCAOB standards.

Correct Answer: A 🗳️
Choice "a" is correct. An auditor of a nonpublic company must conduct the audit in accordance with ASB standards.
Choice "b" is incorrect. An auditor of a nonpublic company is not required to conduct the audit in accordance with PCAOB standards.
Choice "c" is incorrect. While an auditor is only required to conduct the audit in accordance with ASB standards, the auditor may choose to follow PCAOB standards as well.
Choice "d" is incorrect. An auditor of a nonpublic company is not required to conduct the audit in accordance with PCAOB standards.

Because of the risk of material misstatement, an audit of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards should be planned and performed with an attitude of:

Correct Answer: C 🗳️
Choice "c" is correct. The auditor should plan and perform the audit with an attitude of professional skepticism. This attitude includes a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence.
Choices "a", "b", and "d" are incorrect. Objectivity, independence, integrity, and impartiality are basic ethical characteristics and professional qualities embodied in the general standards.