Provisions, contingencies, and related parties - Accounting ...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to identify and explain the audit procedures for provisions, contingencies, and related parties, with a focus on accounting estimates under ISA 540. You will understand the audit risks of bias in estimates, common sources of estimation uncertainty, how to challenge management’s basis for provisions or contingent liabilities, and how these are reported in financial statements. You should be able to apply this to scenarios and justify appropriate audit responses.

ACCA Audit and Assurance (AA) Syllabus

For ACCA Audit and Assurance (AA), you are required to understand the audit of provisions, contingencies, related parties, and estimates under ISA 540. In particular, your revision should focus on:

• The recognition and measurement of provisions and contingencies under IAS 37.
• Distinguishing provisions, contingencies, and related concepts for financial statement presentation and disclosure.
• The nature of accounting estimates, risks of material misstatement, and auditor procedures in accordance with ISA 540.
• Identifying and assessing estimation uncertainty and management bias.
• Performing and explaining appropriate audit responses to provisions, contingencies, and related party balances.
• Evaluating the sufficiency and appropriateness of audit evidence for estimates and reviewing subsequent events.
• Reporting implications when provisions, contingencies, or estimates are misstated or disclosures are inadequate.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. Which three conditions must be met for a provision to be recognised according to IAS 37?
2. In the audit of an allowance for doubtful debts, what are two sources of estimation uncertainty the auditor must consider?
3. What is management bias in the context of accounting estimates, and how can auditors detect it?
4. Differentiate between a provision and a contingent liability, and give an example of each.

Introduction

Provisions, contingent liabilities, and related party transactions involve significant judgement and estimation. These topics frequently present areas of increased audit risk due to estimation uncertainty and the possibility of management bias. ISA 540 (Revised) prescribes a robust audit approach to challenge the reasonableness of accounting estimates, including those for provisions and contingencies. Auditors must apply professional scepticism and gather sufficient evidence to ensure these balances are neither understated nor overstated, and that disclosures are complete.

Key Term: Provision
A liability of uncertain timing or amount, recognised when there is a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable an outflow of resources will be required, and the amount can be reliably estimated.

Key Term: Contingent Liability
A possible obligation depending on whether some uncertain future event occurs, or a present obligation that is not recognised because payment is not probable or cannot be measured reliably.

Key Term: Accounting Estimate
An amount in the financial statements subject to measurement uncertainty, including judgments about outcome, method, assumptions, or data.

Key Term: Estimation Uncertainty
The susceptibility of an accounting estimate to change due to the inherent lack of precision in its measurement.

Key Term: Management Bias
The selection of assumptions, methods, or data in a way that favours the interests of management, rather than being neutral.

Key Term: Related Party
A person or entity related to the reporting entity through control, joint control, significant influence, or close family relationships.

Recognition of Provisions and Contingent Liabilities (IAS 37)

IAS 37 sets clear criteria for recognising provisions:

• A present legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of a past event.
• Payment is probable ("more likely than not").
• The amount can be estimated reliably.

If these are not all met but disclosure could influence users’ decisions, a contingent liability should be reported in the notes.

Common Examples:

• Provision: Warranty claims, restructuring, litigation where liability is probable and can be measured.
• Contingent liability: Lawsuits where the outcome is uncertain, government investigations.

Related Party Transactions

Related parties can distort results via non-arm’s length arrangements or conceal liabilities/off-balance-sheet items.

Key Term: Arm's Length Transaction
A transaction conducted as if the parties were unrelated, ensuring fair value.

Accounting Estimates and Audit Risks (ISA 540)

Accounting estimates affect a wide range of items, including provisions, impairment allowances, and fair values. Estimation uncertainty is highest where measurement involves assumptions about the future—such as outcome of litigation, warranties, or recoverability of receivables.

The risk increases where management’s incentives may bias estimates to achieve certain results, e.g., smoothing earnings or meeting covenants.

Auditor’s Responsibilities under ISA 540

• Obtain understanding of estimate types, processes, and relevant controls.
• Identify and assess the inherent and control risks related to estimates, especially those with high estimation uncertainty.
• Evaluate management’s chosen methods, assumptions, and data for reasonableness.
• Consider indicators of management bias.
• Design and perform further audit procedures—this may involve:
  • Testing management’s process and controls.
  • Developing an independent range or point estimate.
  • Reviewing subsequent events for outcomes that validate/refute management’s estimate.

Worked Example 1.1

An entity faces a pending legal claim from a customer for product defects. Management has provided $200,000 based on their solicitor’s advice that it is probable payment will be required. The amount is estimated from similar cases.

Question: What audit evidence should the auditor obtain, and what if the estimate seems optimistic?

Answer:
The auditor should obtain the solicitor’s opinion in writing, review board minutes, inspect claim details, and compare estimates to outcomes of previous cases. If the estimate appears too low, the auditor may develop an independent range and request management to adjust the provision, or consider modifying the report if not corrected.

Audit Procedures for Provisions, Contingencies, and Related Parties

Provisions and Contingencies

• Review board minutes and legal correspondence for potential obligations.
• Inquire of management and in-house/external legal advisers regarding claims, investigations, or environmental matters.
• Examine supporting documentation for the reasonableness of provision calculations.
• Analyse historical data on similar provisions to test estimates for consistency.
• Inspect subsequent payments or events after the reporting period for evidence of obligation at year-end.

Estimates with High Measurement Uncertainty

• Compare management estimates to independent calculations or industry data.
• Perform sensitivity analysis on key assumptions, e.g., changes in discount rates or expected loss rates.
• Assess if past estimates have required significant revision—this may indicate bias.

Related Parties

• Obtain a complete list of related parties from management and governance.
• Scrutinise unusual or significant transactions for signs of non-arm’s length terms.
• Ensure all related party balances and transactions are fully disclosed as required by accounting standards.

Common Risks and Signs of Bias

• Use of conservative or optimistic assumptions without valid basis.
• Changing estimation methods year-on-year to achieve targeted results.
• Ignoring contradictory evidence, such as post-year-end information or adverse outcomes of similar events.
• Overruling control procedures related to estimates.

Worked Example 1.2

During the audit of allowances for doubtful debts, management proposes a rate of 1%, though aging data suggests higher recent customer defaults.

Question: How should the auditor respond?

Answer:
Assess reasonableness of the 1% rate compared to recoveries, review aging of balances, investigate large or overdue balances, and if evidence supports a higher allowance, ask for an adjustment or report implications.

Exam Warning

The distinction between a provision and a contingent liability is frequently examined. Carefully assess if the conditions for a provision are fully met—do not assume disclosure is a substitute for recognition where an obligation exists.

Reporting Implications

If a required provision is omitted or a material contingent liability is not disclosed, and management refuses to correct the error, the auditor must consider issuing a qualified or adverse opinion, depending on materiality and pervasiveness. Inadequate disclosure of related party transactions may also require modification or an emphasis paragraph.

Summary

Auditing provisions, contingencies, and related parties hinges on identifying obligations, assessing measurement uncertainty, and challenging the methods and assumptions applied in estimates. ISA 540 requires rigorous procedures to detect bias and ensure estimates are neither misstated nor inadequately disclosed. High-quality audit evidence—including subsequent events and third-party confirmations—is essential for supporting the reported numbers and disclosures.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Explain when a provision, contingent liability, or related party disclosure is required.
• Identify and assess audit risks related to accounting estimates and bias under ISA 540.
• Outline the auditor’s procedures for testing provisions and contingent amounts.
• Describe how to gather sufficient appropriate evidence on estimates and identify signs of management bias.
• Distinguish between provisions and contingencies with relevant examples.
• Explain audit responses and reporting implications for errors in estimates, provisions, or related party disclosures.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Provision
• Contingent Liability
• Accounting Estimate
• Estimation Uncertainty
• Management Bias
• Related Party
• Arm's Length Transaction