New research reveals 48% of public believe auditors ‘could prevent company failures’
Date
19 Nov 2018
Sections
Euro & Finance
- 48% of the UK public believe it is auditors who are responsible for avoiding company failures
- 41% expect auditors to always detect and report any fraud
- 65% believe audit should evolve to prevent company failures
A survey of 1,000 members of the general public by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) reveals auditors are expected to play a crucial role in company safeguarding.
Furthermore, 41% of those surveyed believe that auditors should always detect and report any fraud.
However, only a quarter of respondents were able to accurately identify what an auditor does – give an opinion on whether the financial statements of a company give a true and fair view and do not include material misstatements due to fraud or error.
It comes as Sir John Kingman is reviewing both the role and remit of the regulator, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is also probing the audit sector following a request from Business Secretary Greg Clark, and on 12 November 2018 the Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee, Rachel Reeves, announced an inquiry into the future of audit.
ACCA’s survey highlights challenges for the accountancy profession, regulators and government in how to respond to public expectations of audit.
Andrew Gambier, ACCA’s head of audit and assurance, believes the findings make clarity in auditing essential.
He said: ‘The profession has long spoken about the expectation gap in audit, and our research shows it has failed to close that gap. It is clear that further education on the auditor’s role is required, backed by a proactive approach by the profession to address the public’s concern.
Gambier added, ‘Our research shows the urgent need for an open dialogue involving the profession, stakeholders and the public to understand what kind of audit future the public expects. The public sees audit as part of the solution, so we must work together to address their legitimate concerns about audit.’
‘In response to the Kingman Review, ACCA recommends more clearly defining the FRC’s scope and remit, to prioritise its role as the competent authority for audits of Public Interest Entities. We call for the FRC Board to refresh its membership to include stronger links with other UK regulatory bodies, including the Financial Conduct Authority and The Pensions Regulator.’
In response to the CMA audit market review, ACCA has expressed concern about many of the potential measures raised in the CMA’s Invitation to Comment, which may have unintended or unwanted adverse consequences.
Gambier said: ‘ACCA is concerned at the pace of the CMA review, and also that the CMA may not have fully explored previous recommendations for change in the context of the Competition Commission’s review of 2011–2014. The CMA has privileged access to these findings, and should exploit this to develop more workable proposals.
‘We recommend a two year cooling off period for auditors following the end of an audit, before any further form of consulting service is undertaken. Moreover, we also advise the CMA to consider a prohibition on management from firing their auditors, allowing them to complete their term and to maintain independence.’
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For media enquiries, contact:
Maurice Richmond
Tel: 020 7059 5138
Twitter: @ACCANews
About the research
ACCA surveyed 1,000 people across the UK, weighted evenly by gender and spread across age, education level and household income. The findings will be published in full in early 2019, as part of a global research initiative titled Closing the expectation gap in audit.
Key findings are listed below, and more data from the UK survey is available on request – please contact Maurice.Richmond@accaglobal.com.
Closing the expectation gap in audit: key findings
1. There is a large amount of confusion over what an audit is / the purpose of an audit
- A quarter of respondents were able to accurately identify what an auditor does (25% of respondents said that an auditor gives an opinion whether the financial statements of a company give a true and fair view and do not include material mistakes due to fraud or error)
- 6% of respondents correctly identified all the pieces of information that can be found in an audit report in the UK (audit opinion, materiality, key audit matters, management responsibilities for the audit and auditors responsibilities for the audit)
2. The general public have high expectations from auditors when it comes to detecting and reporting fraud; and a substantial number of respondents believe that the audit process can and should prevent company failure
- 48% of respondents think auditors could prevent company failures (48% agree with the statement ‘if auditors did their job as they should, we wouldn’t have company failures’; 44% disagree, 8% neither)
- 65% of respondents say audit should evolve to prevent company failures (19% no; 16% don’t know)
- 41% expect auditors to always detect and report any fraud. Plus, 27% expect auditors to always detect and report any fraud that impacts the financial statements of a company; and 23% expect auditors to detect and report fraud that materially affects the financial statements of a company, however recognises that this is not always possible due to inherent limitations. (8% did not know; only 1% said auditors should not have any responsibilities for identifying and reporting fraud).
3. There is some confusion around the consulting services audit firms are currently allowed to offer because of regulatory restrictions, but overall no significant concerns about the independence of audit firms
- Only 15% of respondents were able to correctly identify the one listed consulting service that firms are able to offer to their audit clients.
o 42% said complete and file tax forms (NB this is the only one allowed under current regulation.)
o 40% provide specific advice on the accounting treatment of transactions
o 39% advise which is the most tax efficient plan for the business (i.e. tax planning)
o 27% provide legal advice to the business which could include court hearing
o 27% review of management’s plans and provide expert advice, e.g. a restructuring plan
o 22% prepare and/or review risk management procedures
- There is limited (18%) support for audit-only firms
o 32% of respondents believe there is nothing wrong with audit firms providing consulting services to non-audit clients, and therefore no further restrictions are necessary.
o 15% believed there should be a cap on the level of consulting services that audit firms can provide
o 18% believed that audit firms should strictly focus on audit services and should not provide consulting services.
- Almost half (47%) of respondents said that auditors are doing a good job of keeping themselves independent. (11% said a bad job; and 42% did not know).
About ACCA
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
ACCA supports its 208,000 members and 503,000 students in 179 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 104 offices and centres and more than 7,300 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.
ACCA has introduced major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.
Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com