Special Reporting Frameworks

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CPA Auditing and Attestation (AUD) › Special Reporting Frameworks

Questions 1 - 10
1

A nonissuer real estate partnership engages a CPA to review tax-basis financial statements intended for use by the partners and the partnership’s tax preparer. The financial statements appropriately describe the tax basis but omit a required disclosure about related-party transactions that is material. Which opinion should the accountant express in the review report?

An unmodified conclusion with an emphasis-of-matter paragraph describing the related-party omission

A modified conclusion (qualified conclusion) due to the material omission of required disclosure under the tax-basis framework

An adverse opinion because the financial statements are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles

A disclaimer of opinion because review engagements cannot be performed on special-purpose frameworks

Explanation

AR-C 90 governs reviews of special-purpose framework financial statements and requires the same disclosure standards as GAAP-basis reviews. When tax-basis financial statements omit a material required disclosure (related-party transactions), the accountant must modify the review conclusion. The modification is a qualified conclusion because the omission represents a departure from the tax-basis framework's requirements, not from GAAP. An adverse opinion applies to audits, not reviews, and disclaimers are used when scope limitations prevent completion of review procedures. An emphasis-of-matter paragraph cannot cure a material departure from the applicable framework. The professional standard requires accountants to evaluate whether omitted disclosures materially affect the statements' fair presentation under the chosen framework, with qualified conclusions appropriate for material but not pervasive departures.

2

A nonissuer construction company engages a CPA to audit cash-basis financial statements. In drafting the auditor’s report, the auditor plans to refer to the cash basis in the opinion paragraph but not include any additional paragraph highlighting the special-purpose framework note. What modification is required for the auditor's report?

Add an other-matter paragraph stating the auditor is not independent due to the use of a special-purpose framework

Add a basis-for-qualified-opinion section because cash basis is not generally accepted accounting principles

No modification is required if the opinion paragraph identifies the cash basis as the applicable financial reporting framework

Add an emphasis-of-matter paragraph that refers to the note describing the cash basis and states that the cash basis is a special-purpose framework

Explanation

AU-C 800 mandates that all audit reports on special-purpose framework financial statements include an emphasis-of-matter paragraph, regardless of whether the framework is identified in the opinion paragraph. This paragraph must refer to the note describing the framework and explicitly state that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a special-purpose framework. Simply mentioning the cash basis in the opinion paragraph does not satisfy this requirement. The emphasis-of-matter paragraph serves to alert users that they are reading special-purpose statements that differ from GAAP. This is not a basis for qualification (cash basis is acceptable), nor does it affect auditor independence. The professional standard prioritizes transparency and user understanding by requiring prominent disclosure of the special-purpose nature of the financial statements through both the notes and the auditor's report.

3

A nonissuer S corporation engages a CPA to prepare (not compile) tax-basis financial statements for inclusion with the entity’s tax return. Management requests that no disclosures be included, and the statements will not be provided to third parties other than the taxing authority as part of the return package. What factor should the accountant consider when forming a conclusion about the appropriate reporting action?

Whether each page of the prepared financial statements (or a transmittal) includes a clear legend stating that no assurance is provided

Whether a Public Company Accounting Oversight Board engagement quality review is required for any tax-basis financial statements

Whether the accountant must issue a review report because tax-basis statements are a special-purpose framework

Whether preparation of tax-basis financial statements is prohibited unless the accountant also performs an audit under generally accepted auditing standards

Explanation

AR-C 70 governs preparation engagements, which involve no assurance and no report. The key requirement is that each page of prepared financial statements must include a legend stating "no assurance is provided" or the accountant must issue a disclaimer on letterhead. This requirement applies regardless of the accounting framework used (GAAP or special-purpose like tax basis). Preparation services are not prohibited for special-purpose frameworks, and no review report is required simply because tax basis is used. PCAOB engagement quality reviews do not apply to nonissuer preparation engagements. The professional standard recognizes preparation as a non-assurance service where the accountant assists management in presenting financial information without performing verification procedures. The legend requirement ensures users understand the accountant has not audited, reviewed, or compiled the statements.

4

A nonissuer professional services firm engages a CPA to compile cash-basis financial statements to submit to a state licensing board. The accountant becomes aware that management omitted substantially all disclosures, and the compilation report properly states that disclosures are omitted. The licensing board requires that the report indicate the statements are prepared on the cash basis. What modification is required for the accountant’s compilation report?

Express a qualified opinion due to omission of substantially all disclosures

Add a critical audit matters section describing the cash receipts testing performed

Add a paragraph describing the cash basis of accounting (special-purpose framework) used to prepare the financial statements

Disclaim an opinion because a compilation cannot be performed on a cash basis

Explanation

AR-C 80 permits compilation of special-purpose framework financial statements, including cash-basis statements. When management omits substantially all disclosures, the compilation report must state this fact, which the question indicates has been done. However, when the intended user (state licensing board) requires identification of the accounting basis, the accountant must add a paragraph describing the special-purpose framework used. This is not a qualified opinion (compilations don't express opinions), nor is it a disclaimer or critical audit matters section (which apply to audits). The professional standard recognizes that compilation reports may need modification to meet specific user requirements while maintaining clarity about the level of service provided. The additional paragraph ensures users understand both the accounting basis and the accountant's limited involvement in a compilation engagement.

5

A nonissuer retailer is audited under AICPA standards and prepares cash-basis financial statements that include a note stating “The cash basis is the same as the tax basis.” The auditor determines this statement is misleading because significant tax-basis differences exist and the intended users rely on the note to understand the framework. What factor should the auditor consider when forming an opinion?

Whether the auditor can omit all notes because special-purpose frameworks do not require disclosures.

Whether the auditor can reclassify the framework to U.S. GAAP by adding a management representation letter.

Whether the financial statements include adequate disclosure of the special-purpose framework and are not misleading.

Whether the auditor must communicate critical audit matters regarding the misleading note.

Explanation

This question tests AU-C Section 800, which requires auditors to consider if special-purpose framework financial statements are misleading, including note disclosures. The key facts are that the cash-basis statements include a misleading note equating cash and tax bases despite significant differences, affecting user reliance. The correct answer aligns with AU-C 800 by focusing on adequate disclosure of the framework to prevent misleading statements. Choice B is incorrect because special-purpose frameworks require appropriate disclosures, not omission, per AU-C 800, while Choice C is wrong as reclassification to GAAP requires actual conformity. Choice D is incorrect because critical audit matters are not required in AICPA audits. Auditors evaluate if disclosures accurately reflect the framework to ensure fair presentation. A judgment framework is to assess potential user misunderstanding from notes, requesting corrections if material misrepresentations exist.

6

A nonissuer community bank is audited under AICPA auditing standards and prepares its financial statements on a contractual basis required by its primary lender, which omits the statement of cash flows and uses a non-GAAP loan-loss methodology specified in the debt agreement. Management adequately discloses the contractual basis and the significant differences from U.S. GAAP in the notes, and the auditor concludes the statements are fairly presented in accordance with that contractual basis. What modification is required for the auditor's report?

Add an emphasis-of-matter paragraph describing that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a contractual basis of accounting and restricting the report’s use to the parties to the agreement.

Issue a PCAOB-style report that includes a critical audit matters section because a lender is a third-party user.

Express a qualified opinion due to the omission of the statement of cash flows.

Add an other-matter paragraph stating the financial statements are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and disclaim an opinion on U.S. GAAP.

Explanation

This question tests AU-C Section 800, which addresses audits of financial statements prepared in accordance with special-purpose frameworks, including contractual bases of accounting. The key facts are that the financial statements are prepared on a contractual basis required by the lender, with adequate disclosures of the basis and differences from U.S. GAAP, and the auditor concludes fair presentation under that basis. The correct answer aligns with AU-C 800 by requiring an emphasis-of-matter paragraph to describe the contractual basis and a restriction on the report's use to the parties involved, as the statements are not intended for general use. Choice A is incorrect because the omission of the statement of cash flows is in accordance with the contractual basis, not a departure warranting qualification, while Choice C is wrong as PCAOB standards and critical audit matters apply only to issuer audits, not AICPA audits of nonissuers. Choice D is incorrect because AU-C 800 does not require disclaiming an opinion on U.S. GAAP but instead focuses on opining on the special-purpose framework. When auditing special-purpose frameworks, auditors should evaluate whether the framework is acceptable for the intended purpose and ensure the report clearly distinguishes it from general-purpose frameworks like U.S. GAAP. A useful decision rule is to always include an emphasis-of-matter paragraph for special-purpose frameworks and restrict use when the statements are prepared solely for specific parties.

7

A nonissuer utility company is audited under AICPA standards and prepares financial statements on a regulatory basis required by a state public utility commission. The regulatory basis is acceptable for the purpose, and disclosures are adequate. What modification is required for the auditor's report?​​

Include an emphasis-of-matter paragraph identifying the regulatory basis and describing that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with that special-purpose framework.

Issue the report under PCAOB standards because a regulatory commission is a governmental user.

Add an other-matter paragraph stating the auditor also audited U.S. GAAP financial statements.

Replace the basis-for-opinion section with a basis-for-qualified-opinion section because regulatory bases are departures from U.S. GAAP.

Explanation

This question tests AU-C Section 800, which requires modifications to the auditor's report for special-purpose frameworks like regulatory bases. The key facts are that the regulatory basis is acceptable for the state commission, with adequate disclosures. The correct answer aligns with AU-C 800 by requiring an emphasis-of-matter paragraph to describe the regulatory basis as the applicable framework. Choice B is incorrect because regulatory bases are not departures from GAAP but alternative frameworks under AU-C 800, while Choice C is wrong as no U.S. GAAP audit is mentioned. Choice D is incorrect because PCAOB standards apply to issuers, not nonissuer utilities under AICPA standards. Report modifications highlight the framework to distinguish from general-purpose reporting. A professional judgment framework is to include emphasis when the basis differs from GAAP, ensuring the report reflects the framework's purpose.

8

A nonissuer distribution company is audited under AICPA standards and prepares cash-basis financial statements for a state tax authority. The tax authority requires the statements to exclude depreciation entirely, even for cash purchases of equipment, and management complies and discloses the policy. The auditor concludes the statements are fairly presented under that cash basis as modified by the filing requirement. Which aspect of the financial statements requires emphasis due to the special-purpose framework?

A qualification paragraph because excluding depreciation is always a GAAP departure.

A scope limitation paragraph because the auditor cannot audit equipment under the cash basis.

An emphasis-of-matter paragraph describing the cash basis (and the regulatory filing requirement, if necessary for clarity) as the applicable financial reporting framework.

A critical audit matters section describing the depreciation policy.

Explanation

This question tests AU-C Section 800, which requires emphasis for key aspects of special-purpose frameworks, including modifications like excluding depreciation in cash basis. The key facts are that the cash-basis statements exclude depreciation per regulatory requirements, with disclosures, and are fairly presented. The correct answer aligns with AU-C 800 by requiring an emphasis-of-matter paragraph describing the cash basis and filing requirement. Choice B is incorrect because exclusions per the framework are not GAAP departures, while Choice C is wrong as no scope limitation exists. Choice D is incorrect because critical audit matters are not AICPA requirements. Emphasis clarifies framework specifics. A decision rule is to highlight modifications to the basis if they aid user understanding, especially in regulatory contexts.

9

A nonissuer broker-dealer (not an SEC issuer) is audited under AICPA standards and prepares financial statements on a regulatory basis prescribed by its self-regulatory organization for filing. Disclosures are adequate and the auditor expects an unmodified opinion. What modification is required for the auditor's report?

Issue a PCAOB audit report because broker-dealers are always subject to PCAOB reporting requirements.

Express a qualified opinion because regulatory basis is a departure from U.S. GAAP.

Include an emphasis-of-matter paragraph describing the regulatory basis of accounting used to prepare the financial statements.

Add an other-matter paragraph stating the auditor does not provide assurance on the regulatory filing.

Explanation

This question tests AU-C Section 800, which applies to audits of nonissuer broker-dealers using regulatory bases, requiring report emphasis on the basis. The key facts are that the regulatory-basis statements have adequate disclosures for filing, with an expected unmodified opinion. The correct answer aligns with AU-C 800 by requiring an emphasis-of-matter paragraph describing the regulatory basis. Choice A is incorrect because nonissuer broker-dealers are audited under AICPA, not necessarily PCAOB standards, while Choice C is wrong as regulatory basis is not a GAAP departure. Choice D is incorrect because the audit provides assurance on the statements, including for filings. Emphasis distinguishes the framework from GAAP. A professional judgment framework is to include basis descriptions in reports for regulatory filings, ensuring clarity for specialized users.

10

A nonissuer manufacturing company is audited on financial statements prepared on a contractual basis required by a bank loan agreement (e.g., excluding certain noncash expenses and using a lender-defined depreciation method). Management includes a note describing the contractual basis but does not state that the basis is a special-purpose framework. What factor should the auditor consider when forming an opinion?

Whether the contractual basis can be treated as a change in accounting principle requiring a preferability letter from the bank

Whether the company’s securities are publicly traded, requiring the auditor to apply Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards

Whether the contractual basis is an acceptable special-purpose framework and is adequately described in the financial statements, including how it differs from generally accepted accounting principles

Whether the bank’s agreement constitutes a regulatory requirement that overrides the need for any framework description in the notes

Explanation

AU-C 800 establishes that contractual-basis accounting is an acceptable special-purpose framework when financial statements are prepared to comply with an agreement between the entity and third parties. The critical evaluation factor is whether the contractual basis is adequately described in the financial statements, including how it differs from GAAP, not merely whether it exists. Management's failure to identify the framework as "special-purpose" in the notes could result in inadequate disclosure if users cannot understand the basis of accounting. The bank agreement does not override disclosure requirements, and this is not a change in accounting principle. PCAOB standards are irrelevant for nonissuers. The professional standard requires auditors to ensure that special-purpose framework statements contain sufficient information for users to understand the basis of presentation and its effects on the financial statements.

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