MODULE 8: GOVERNANCE AUDIT EVIDENCE AND REVIEW GOVERNANCE AUDITOR ACCREDITATION COURSE
Meaning of Governance Audit Evidence Governance Audit Evidence is “all the information used by the governance auditor in arriving at the conclusions on which the governance audit opinion is based.”
General Guidelines on Governance Audit Evidence The governance audit will be based on the governance audit self-assessment report submitted by the organisation. The appropriateness of the governance audit evidence is determined by its quality and relates to: Relevance, Reliability, and Consistency. Role of in-house CS in Governance Audit Professional judgment, independence of judgment, accuracy of information and facts Professional competence and due care, objectivity and integrity, disclosure and non-disclosure of information The role of ICPSK in Governance Audit
Types of Governance Audit Evidence Physical examination Confirmations Documentation Analytical Procedures Inquiries of the Client Re-performance Observation
Limitations in gathering Governance Audit Evidence There are a number of bottlenecks that may cause limitations in gathering governance Audit evidence. (Refer to Governance Audit manual for list of limitations.)
Types of Governance Auditing Tests The different types of governance audit tests and procedures used to obtain audit evidence include: Risk assessment procedures Tests of controls Substantive procedures Analytical Procedures Tests of Details of Governance Related Transactions
Using the work of an Expert It is the prerogative of the governance auditor to determine whether to use the work of an expert, and if so, to determine whether that work is adequate for his purposes. The auditor should: Determine Nature, Timing and Extent of Governance Audit Procedures; Confirm Competence, Capabilities and Objectivity of the Expert ; Obtaining an Understanding of the Field of Expertise of the Expert
Using the work of an Expert(Ctd…) The governance auditor should agree with the expert in writing on the following matters: The nature, scope and objectives of the expert’s work; Their respective roles and responsibilities; The nature, timing and extent of communication between them, including the form of any report to be provided by the expert; and The need for the expert to observe confidentiality requirements.
Evaluating Adequacy of the work of the Expert The governance auditor will evaluate the adequacy of the expert’s work for governance audit purposes. If the governance auditor determines that the work of the expert is not adequate for governance audit purposes, the governance auditor will: Agree with the expert on the nature and extent of further work to be performed by the expert; or Perform additional governance audit procedures appropriate to the circumstances.
Reference to the work of the Expert in the Governance Audit Report The governance auditor will not refer to the work of an expert in the governance audit report that has an unmodified opinion unless required by law or regulation to do so. If the governance auditor makes reference to the work of an expert in the governance audit report because such reference enhances the understanding of a modification to the governance audit opinion, the governance auditor shall indicate in the governance audit report that such reference does not reduce the governance auditor’s responsibility over the governance audit opinion.
Methods of gathering Governance Audit Evidence Inspection of Records or Documents Observation Inquiry Confirmation Re-performance Governance Audit Survey
Governance Audit Procedures for obtaining Evidence Audit evidence is obtained to enable the governance auditor draw reasonable conclusions on which to base the governance audit opinion. The following procedures can be used to obtain evidence: Risk assessment procedures Tests of controls Substantive procedures
Governance Audit Sampling The governance audit sampling approaches shall be guided by the materiality of the governance issue being examined; experience, competence and skills of the governance auditor; and the source and nature of the evidence available.
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