Page 449 - Auditing Standards

As of December 15, 2017

.19 The auditor cannot assume that an instance of error or fraud is an isolated occurrence. Therefore, the
auditor should evaluate the nature and effects of the individual misstatements accumulated during the audit

on the assessed risks of material misstatement. This evaluation is important in determining whether the risk
assessments remain appropriate, as discussed in paragraph .36 of this standard.

.20 Evaluating Whether Misstatements Might Be Indicative of Fraud. The auditor should evaluate whether
identified misstatements 13 might be indicative of fraud and, in turn, how they affect the auditor's evaluation of
materiality and the related audit responses. As indicated in AS 2401, Consideration of Fraud in a Financial

Statement Audit, fraud is an intentional act that results in material misstatement of the financial statements. 14

.21 If the auditor believes that a misstatement is or might be intentional, and if the effect on the financial

statements could be material or cannot be readily determined, the auditor should perform procedures to
obtain additional audit evidence to determine whether fraud has occurred or is likely to have occurred and, if
so, its effect on the financial statements and the auditor's report thereon.

.22 For misstatements that the auditor believes are or might be intentional, the auditor should evaluate
the implications on the integrity of management or employees and the possible effect on other aspects of the
audit. If the misstatement involves higher-level management, it might be indicative of a more pervasive

problem, such as an issue with the integrity of management, even if the amount of the misstatement is small.
In such circumstances, the auditor should reevaluate the assessment of fraud risk and the effect of that
assessment on (a) the nature, timing, and extent of the necessary tests of accounts or disclosures and (b) the
assessment of the effectiveness of controls. The auditor also should evaluate whether the circumstances or

conditions indicate possible collusion involving employees, management, or external parties and, if so, the
effect of the collusion on the reliability of evidence obtained.

.23 If the auditor becomes aware of information indicating that fraud or another illegal act has occurred or
might have occurred, he or she also must determine his or her responsibilities under AS 2401.79-.82A, AS
2405, and Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78j-1.

Evaluating the Qualitative Aspects of the Company's Accounting Practices

.24 When evaluating whether the financial statements as a whole are free of material misstatement, the

auditor should evaluate the qualitative aspects of the company's accounting practices, including potential bias
in management's judgments about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.

.25 The following are examples of forms of management bias:

a. The selective correction of misstatements brought to management's attention during the audit (e.g.,
correcting misstatements that have the effect of increasing reported earnings but not correcting

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