Modified Unqualified Opinion- Opinion based, in part, on the report of another auditor - Unusual circumstances require a departure from GAAP - Uncertainties (may lead to a disclaimer) - Substantial doubt about ability to continue as a going concern (may lead to a disclaimer) - Inconsistency in application of GAAP - Certain circumstances affecting comparative statements - Required quarterly data for SEC-reporting companies - Other information in documents with audited financial statements - Emphasis of a matter; for example, related party transactions or a lawsuit
- Use of special industry terms/titles - Specialized industry supplemental data included/excluded - Report reissued
GAAP Problems GAAP Violation Material; qualified except for Very material; adverse
Inconsistent GAAP application Justified; Modified unqualified Unjustified; qualified except for
Qualified except for opinion Same intro Same scope Explanatory paragraph Opinion; except for ~ present fairly
Adverse opinion Same intro Same scope Middle paragraph Opinion; because of ~ do not present fairly
Modified Unqualified Opinion; Inconsistency Justified Same intro Same scope Same opinion Explanatory; As discussed in Note X to the financial statements, X Company changed its method of computing depreciation in 2007.
GAAS Problems Scope limitation
Material; Qualified except for opinion Very material; Disclaimer
Going Concern Material; Modified unqualified opinion Very material; Disclaimer
Material; Disclaimer Very material; Disclaimer
Unaudited disclaimer for a Publicly Held Company; Procedures required when associated with financial statements; read it for obvious errors. No obvious errors; write report, “unaudited” and “no opinion expressed.” Obvious error that the client refuses to correct; add a paragraph to the report.
Omission of footnotes and or the statement of cash flows ; “For management use only” Not give the financial statements to anyone outside of management. The report indicates that the financial statements are for the internal use of management only.
Disclaimer Uncertainty We were engaged ~ . No scope The principal assets of A ~ at cost of $XXXXX. The A’s ability to recover the cost of those investments is dependent on the success ~. Because of the significance of the matter described in the preceding paragraph, we are unable to express, and we do not express, and opinion ~.
Scope limitation We ware engaged ~ . No scope Explanatory Since ~ the scope of our work was not sufficient to enable us to express, and we do not express, an opinion ~ .
Going concern; modified unqualified opinion Same intro Same scope In our opinion, ~ present fairly~ the company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note X to the financial statements, ~ which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. ~.
Not independent No intro No scope We are not independent with ~ , not audited by us and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion on them.