The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Corporate Reporting Question Bank For exams in 2022 icaew.com Corporate Reporting The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ISBN: 978-1-5097-3990-5 Previous ISBN: 978-1-5097-3321-7 e-ISBN: 978-1-5097-4007-9 First edition 2014 Ninth edition 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The content of this publication is intended to prepare students for the ICAEW examinations, and should not be used as professional advice. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 Originally printed in the United Kingdom on paper obtained from traceable, sustainable sources. BPP Learning Media is grateful to the IASB for permission to reproduce extracts from IFRS® Standards, IAS® Standards, SIC and IFRIC. This publication contains copyright © material and trademarks of the IFRS Foundation®. All rights reserved. Used under license from the IFRS Foundation®. Reproduction and use rights are strictly limited. For more information about the IFRS Foundation and rights to use its material please visit www.IFRS.org. Disclaimer: The IASB, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation, the authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility for any loss caused by acting or refraining from acting in reliance on the material in this publication, whether such loss is caused by negligence or otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by law. Copyright © IFRS Foundation All rights reserved. Reproduction and use rights are strictly limited. No part of this publication may be translated, reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form either in whole or in part or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the IFRS Foundation. Contact the IFRS Foundation for further details. The Foundation has trade marks registered around the world (Trade Marks) including ‘IAS®’, ‘IASB®’, ‘IFRIC®’, ‘IFRS®’, the IFRS® logo, ‘IFRS for SMEs®’, IFRS for SMEs® logo, the ‘Hexagon Device’, ‘International Financial Reporting Standards®’, NIIF® and ‘SIC®’. Further details of the Foundation’s Trade Marks are available from the Licensor on request. © ICAEW 2021 Contents The following questions are exam-standard. They are not the original questions from the exams. The marking guides provided with the answers are illustrative to help students understand how marks may be allocated in the exam and to identify gaps in their answers. Title Marks Time allocation (Mins) Question Answer Page Financial reporting 1 1 Kime 30 63 1 285 2 Mervyn plc 30 63 4 292 3 Billinge 30 63 6 297 4 Longwood 30 63 7 300 5 Upstart Records 30 63 10 304 6 MaxiMart plc 30 63 12 311 7 Robicorp plc 30 63 15 314 8 Flynt plc 30 63 17 319 9 Gustavo plc 30 63 19 324 10 Inca Ltd 30 63 23 331 11 Aytace plc 30 63 25 337 12 Razak plc 30 63 28 342 13 Melton plc 30 63 31 347 14 Aroma 30 63 34 351 15 Kenyon 30 63 36 354 16 Dormro 40 84 39 359 17 Johnson Telecom 40 84 43 366 18 Biltmore 40 84 47 372 19 Hillhire 40 84 50 377 20 Maykem 40 84 54 383 21 Tydaway 40 84 58 389 22 Wadi Investments 40 84 62 398 23 Lyght 40 84 64 403 24 Hopper Wholesale 40 84 66 411 25 Button Bathrooms 40 84 68 416 Financial reporting 2 Audit and integrated 1 ICAEW 2022 Contents iii Title Marks Time allocation (Mins) Question Answer Page 26 Jupiter 30 63 71 423 27 Poe, Whitman and Co 30 63 74 429 28 Precision Garage Access 30 63 79 437 29 Tawkcom 30 63 82 443 30 Expando Ltd 30 63 85 447 31 NetusUK Ltd 30 63 88 452 32 Verloc Group 30 63 92 455 33 KK 30 63 96 464 34 UHN (July 2014) (amended) 45 95 98 470 35 Couvert (November 2014) 40 84 102 478 36 ERE (November 2014) 34 71 106 485 37 Congloma 40 84 111 495 38 Heston 30 63 114 502 39 Larousse 40 84 119 511 40 Telo 30 63 123 520 41 Newpenny (amended) 40 84 126 526 42 Earthstor 40 84 131 535 43 EyeOP 30 63 134 544 44 Topclass Teach 30 63 137 552 45 Zego 40 84 141 559 46 Trinkup 32 68 145 567 47 Key4Link 28 58 148 573 48 Konext 40 84 153 581 49 Elac 30 63 157 591 50 Recruit1 30 63 159 596 Audit and integrated 2 Real exam (July 2015) Real exam (November 2015) Real exam (July 2016) Real exam (November 2016) Real exam (July 2017) iv Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Title Marks Time allocation (Mins) Question Answer Page Real exam (November 2017) 51 EF 40 84 165 605 52 Wayte 30 63 168 612 53 SettleBlue 30 63 171 619 54 EC 40 84 177 625 55 Raven plc 30 63 180 632 56 MRL 30 63 183 641 57 Zmant plc 42 88 189 649 58 Chelle plc 30 63 192 658 59 Solvit plc 28 59 195 665 60 Vacance plc 40 84 199 671 61 JKL plc 30 63 202 681 62 Roada Ltd 30 63 205 688 63 Your Nature plc 45 95 209 695 64 RTone plc 30 63 213 704 65 Gentri plc 25 52 216 712 66 HC plc 40 84 221 719 67 React Chemicals plc 30 63 224 727 68 Hyall and Forbes 30 63 228 735 69 SSD 42 88 233 745 70 Beta World 30 63 237 754 71 GlamFood 28 59 240 761 72 Panther Metals Ltd 40 84 248 769 73 E-Van Ltd 30 63 252 781 Real exam (July 2018) Real exam (November 2018) Real exam (July 2019) Real exam (November 2019) Real exam (August 2020) Real exam (November 2020) Real exam (July 2021) ICAEW 2022 Contents v Title Time allocation (Mins) Question Answer 30 63 255 790 75 Practice Question 1 45 95 260 797 76 Practice Question 2 35 74 262 802 77 Practice Question 3 30 63 264 805 78 Practice Question 4 30 63 266 809 79 Practice Question 5 45 95 268 812 80 Practice question 6 40 84 275 823 Marks 74 Hughes Watson LLP Page Data Analytics Software vi Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exam Your exam will consist of: • Three written questions – 100 marks • Pass mark – 50 • Exam length – 3.5 hours The ACA student area of our website includes the latest information, guidance and exclusive resources to help you progress through the ACA. Find everything you need, from exam webinars, past exams, marks plans, errata sheets and the syllabus to examiner and tutor-written articles at icaew.com/examresources. The exam will be open book. Students will be able to access their personal ICAEW Bookshelf, and any ICAEW digital learning materials held there, during the exam. Students will also be permitted to take any written or printed material into the exam, subject to practical space restrictions. To see the recommended text(s) for this exam, go to icaew.com/permittedtexts. Corporate Reporting data analytics software resources ICAEW has introduced data analytics software (DAS) into ACA exams, starting with the Audit and Assurance exam in March 2021, followed by Corporate Reporting in July 2021. The DAS in the Corporate Reporting exam will form part of Question 1 only. Advance Information will be issued four weeks before the exam. The Advance Information comprises of two elements: • 11 months data for a company in the data analytics software; and • An Advance Information document with scenario and background information. In the exam, candidates will have access to the data in the DAS for the same company for the full 12 months. There will be no changes to the 11 months’ data which you will have already had an opportunity to examine in the Advance Information. Typically, there will be a total of around 15-20 marks in the Corporate Reporting exam for the direct use of the DAS that cannot be obtained without using it. The DAS contains a series of visualisations which you may be required to interrogate, analyse and interpret. However, you will not be able to copy visualisations (or any other information) from the DAS into your answer. It is therefore important that you demonstrate communication skills in your exam answer to convey your understanding and analysis of the visualisations and data. You will need to be familiar with how the software works and its various functions and you are strongly advised to work through the guidance notes and practice questions that you will find on the ICAEW website here: https://www.icaew.com/for-current-aca-students/changes-to-ourqualifications/exams/corporate-reporting-das-resources The application of the DAS tools to the data may require using key skills including data assimilation, structuring of data, exercising judgement and applying professional scepticism. These skills may be needed, for example, to identify and investigate unusual patterns and trends from visualisations produced by the DAS. Alternatively, they might be needed to identify and investigate a notable, and potentially high risk, transaction. Once an unusual trend or notable transaction has been identified, the nature of the investigations could be to consider the underlying causes and any audit risks. For example, having found an issue with one transaction, it may be appropriate to use judgement to widen the search for other similar or related transactions which may exhibit the same risk. It might not always be possible to clearly identify the nature and rationale of the notable transaction or trend. However, the data may enable you to devise questions for management to obtain information and explanations which would help you to identify key audit risks. In using real company data and real-world commercial DAS, these skills are intended to replicate and test the knowledge and understanding used in auditing in the workplace. Applying professional scepticism to the DAS and to the data is important. For example, where the DAS has analysed data and concluded that an account is low risk, it is appropriate to apply professional scepticism to question whether that conclusion is appropriate, perhaps based on other information provided in the Corporate Reporting exam. ICAEW 2022 Introduction vii Professional skills Professional skills are essential to accountancy and your development of them is embedded throughout the ACA qualification. The level of competency in each of the professional skills areas required to pass each module exam increases as ACA trainees progress upwards through each Level of the ACA qualification. The professional skills embedded throughout this Question Bank provide the opportunity to develop the knowledge and professional skills required to successfully pass the exam for this module. During your question practice, remain mindful that you should be demonstrating each of the four professional skills within your answers. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the full ACA professional skills development grids which can be found at icaew.com/examresources. The following advice will help you demonstrate each of the professional skills when completing your answers to questions in this Question Bank. Questions in the Corporate Reporting exam are long, and often complex, and will require application of the full set of professional skills, as well as knowledge and techniques. The exam is open book, so, as in professional life, ability to use, find and apply information is more important than memorising it. Below are the key skills required in the Corporate Reporting exam that you will need to master. Professional skills focus: Assimilating and using information The Corporate Reporting exam requires you to earn 100 marks in 210 minutes, which means around 84 minutes for Question 1 and around 63 minutes for each of questions 2 and 3, although the allocation of marks may vary slightly. There is a great deal of information in each question, with multiple information sources. Assimilating and using this information is a key skill, paying particular attention to the requirements so as not to lose focus. Professional skills focus: Structuring problems and solutions Sometimes a structure will be provided by the nature of the question, for example explaining financial reporting issues with calculations, then adjusting the financial statements. Sometimes an appropriate structure will arise from an IFRS, for example IFRS 15 has a step-by-step process for recognising revenue. However, the structure may well be implicit, rather than explicit. Question 1 will require familiarity with live data analytics software to help you make sense of the case presented in the scenario. Professional skills focus: Applying judgement The requirement to apply judgement is likely to arise in the context of an ethical dilemma, or a complex audit scenario, for example reliance on the work of a component auditor. It will also be needed in financial analysis, not least in determining what to focus the analysis on. While many recent IFRS have eliminated choices in accounting policy, there is still scope for exercising judgement, for example in impairment of financial assets. Professional skills focus: Concluding, recommending and communicating Most questions require you to come to some kind of decision or conclusion. If you make a mistake in your calculations, but your conclusion is consistent with your figures and arrived at by reasoned argument, you will be given credit for it, even if it is different from the model answer. viii Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Question Bank x Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 1 Kime Kime plc is in the property industry, operating in both the commercial and private housing sectors. Kime uses the cost model for measuring its property portfolio in its financial statements and has a 30 June year end. You are Jo Ng, Kime’s recently appointed financial controller. Your role is to prepare the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X2 before the auditors start work next week. The finance director has supplied you with some work papers containing a trial balance and outstanding issues ( Exhibit) which have been prepared by a junior assistant. The finance director gives you the following instructions: “The auditors are due to start their audit work on Monday and I would like to be aware of any contentious financial reporting issues before they arrive. Review the outstanding issues identified by the junior assistant (Exhibit) and explain the potentially contentious financial reporting issues. Determine any adjustments you consider necessary and explain the impact of your adjustments on the financial statements, identifying any alternative accounting treatments. The board of directors has indicated that accounting policies should be selected which maximise the profit in the current year. Using the trial balance and after making adjustments for matters arising from your review of the outstanding issues (Exhibit) prepare a draft statement of financial position and statement of comprehensive income.” Requirement Respond to the finance director’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit: Work papers prepared by the junior assistant Trial balance at 30 June 20X2 Additional information Land 1 Buildings – cost Debit Credit £m £m 30.5 132.7 Buildings – accumulated depreciation 82.5 Plant and equipment – cost 120.0 Plant and equipment – accumulated depreciation Trade receivables 22.8 2 Cash and cash equivalents 174.5 183.1 Ordinary share capital (£1 shares) 100.0 Share premium 84.0 Retained earnings at 1 July 20X1 102.0 Long-term borrowings Deferred tax liability at 1 July 20X1 80.0 3 33.0 Trade and other payables 54.9 Sales Operating costs ICAEW 2022 549.8 322.4 Financial reporting 1 1 Additional information Debit Credit £m £m Distribution costs 60.3 Administrative expenses 80.7 Finance costs 4.8 –––––– 1,109.0 1,109.0 Additional information and outstanding issues (1) Freehold land and buildings – at 30 June 20X2 Land Buildings Total £m £m £m 34.0 118.4 152.4 Additions – 26.8 26.8 Disposals (3.5) (12.5) (16.0) At 30 June 20X2 30.5 132.7 163.2 At 1 July 20X1 – 84.8 84.8 Charge for the year – 5.9 5.9 Disposals ––––– (8.2) (8.2) At 30 June 20X2 ––––– 82.5 82.5 At 30 June 20X2 30.5 50.2 80.7 At 30 June 20X1 34.0 33.6 67.6 Cost: At 1 July 20X1 Accumulated depreciation: Carrying amount: The accounting policy states that land is not depreciated and all buildings are depreciated over their expected useful life of 50 years with no residual value. Additions – total £26.8 million The additions comprise two major commercial property projects (these are the first construction projects undertaken by Kime for a number of years): • Renovation of Ferris Street property (£8.8 million) Kime commenced this renovation during the year ended 30 June 20X2. The budgeted cost of this project is £15 million, of which £12 million (80%) has been designated as capital expenditure by the project manager. The remaining £3 million is charged in the budget as repairs and maintenance cost. In the year ended 30 June 20X2, the company incurred costs of £11 million on the project. Therefore I have capitalised 80% of the cost incurred in line with the original budget. • Construction of a sports stadium in London (£18 million) On 1 July 20X1, Kime began constructing a sports stadium for a local authority, which was expected to take 20 months to complete. Kime agreed a total contract price of £34 million. The contract specifies that control of the sports stadium is transferred to the local authority as it is 2 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 constructed and that Kime has an enforceable right to payment. Total contract costs were expected to be £16 million, however costs incurred at 30 June 20X2 are £18 million and these have been capitalised in the year ended 30 June 20X2. Reliable estimates of costs to complete the project have been certified by the company’s own surveyor to be £4.5 million. He has also provided a value of work completed to date of £23.8 million. In the year ended 30 June 20X2, Kime raised invoices totalling £17 million to the local authority and recognised this amount in revenue for the year. The local authority had paid all outstanding invoices by 30 June 20X2. Disposals Kime disposed of two properties during the year: Cost of land Cost of buildings Accumulated depreciation at disposal date Property £m £m £m FX House 2.0 8.0 4.2 Estate agency buildings 1.5 4.5 4.0 Total 3.5 12.5 8.2 FX House This property was leased to a third party under an agreement signed on 1 January 20X2. This is a 40year lease and the title to both the land and buildings transfers to the lessee at zero cost at the end of the lease term. The annual rental is £2 million payable in advance. The present value on 1 January 20X2 of the lease payments discounted at the interest rate of 10% implicit in the lease was £21.5 million, which clearly exceeds the carrying amount at the date of disposal and the lease is therefore a finance lease. I have derecognised the property and recognised a loss on disposal equal to the carrying amount of £5.8 million in administrative expenses for the year ended 30 June 20X2. The first annual lease payment received on 1 January 20X2 has been credited to finance costs for the year ended 30 June 20X2. Estate agency buildings Due to the recession Kime has reconsidered its business model and closed down its high street estate agencies buildings from which it operated its private housing business. The estate agencies business is now operated entirely online. In May 20X2 a contract for the sale of these buildings, including land was agreed for a price of £10 million, with the sale to be completed in September 20X2. A gain has been recognised in administrative expenses in profit or loss of £8 million and a receivable of £10 million in trade receivables. (2) Trade receivables and forward contract Included in trade receivables is an amount due from a customer located abroad in Ruritania. The amount (R$60.48 million) was initially recognised on 1 April 20X2 when the spot exchange rate was £1= R$5.6. At 30 June 20X2, the exchange rate was £1 = R$5.0. No adjustment has been made to the trade receivable since it was initially recognised. Given the size of the exposure, the company entered into a forward contract, at the same time as the receivable was initially recognised on 1 April 20X2, in order to protect cash flows from fluctuations in the exchange rate. The forward contract is to sell R$60.48 million and the arrangement satisfies the necessary criteria to be accounted for as a hedge, under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. At 30 June 20X2, the loss in fair value of the forward contract was £1.5 million. The company elected to designate the spot element of the hedge as the hedging relationship. The difference between the change in fair value of the receivable and the change in fair value of the forward contract since inception is the interest element of the forward contract. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 3 (3) Property management services On 1 June 20X2, Kime entered into a contract to provide management services for 50 residential properties owned by a local authority. The services are to be provided for three years at £8 million per year starting on 1 July 20X2, and the local authority has paid a deposit of £1 million on 1 June 20X2. Kime has recorded this deposit as revenue. (4) Current and deferred taxation I have not yet made any adjustments for deferred or current taxation, but have been told to make the following assumptions: • The tax rate is 24%. • Taxable profits are calculated on the same basis as IFRS profits except for temporary differences arising on plant and equipment. • The deferred tax temporary taxable differences have risen by £14 million over the year to 30 June 20X2 after the effects of accounting for depreciation on plant and equipment only. No tax relief is available on freehold buildings and land. 2 Mervyn plc Mervyn plc manufactures electrical components for the motor trade. Mervyn is in the process of finalising its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7. Due to cash flow problems Mervyn sold two pieces of its freehold land during the current financial year. The land was held in the financial statements at cost. The finance director, reviewing the draft financial statements, has asked for your advice on these sales as well as on some unusual features identified. An extract from the statement of changes in equity in the draft financial statements shows: Retained earnings £‘000 At 1 October 20X6 2,190 Profit for the year 1,471 Dividends paid (515) At 30 September 20X7 3,146 There is a note explaining that there is no ‘other comprehensive income’ in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as there are no gains and losses other than those recognised in profit or loss for the year. The statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income shows an ‘exceptional’ gain relating to gains on the two land bank sales: £‘000 The Ridings 100 Hanger Hill Estate 250 350 A contract for the sale of land at The Ridings was entered into in June 20X7 conditional upon obtaining a detailed planning consent, but only outline consent had been obtained by 30 September 20X7. Planning consent was received in October and the land sale was completed in November 20X7. Tax of £27,000 has been provided on the sale. The sale of land at Hanger Hill to the Beauford Corp on 1 October 20X6 took place under a sale and leaseback arrangement. The terms of the lease arrangement were: 4 Lease term Five years Rentals first payable on 30 September 20X7 £80,000 per annum Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 On 1 October 20X6 the carrying amount of the Hanger Hill land was £900,000 and the proceeds of the sale were equal to its fair value of £1,150,000. The first rental was paid on its due date and charged to operating expenses. Beauford Corp is obliged to take possession of this land at the conclusion of the lease and Mervyn plc has no right to repurchase it. The cumulative discount factor for a five-year annuity at 10% (the interest rate implicit in the lease) is 3.791. Operating expenses include £405,000 relating to the company’s defined benefit pension scheme. This figure represents the contributions paid into the scheme in the year. No other entries have been made relating to this scheme. The figures included in the draft statement of financial position represent opening balances as at 1 October 20X6: £‘000 Pension scheme assets 2,160 Pension scheme liabilities (2,530) (370) Deferred tax asset 85 (285) After the year end, a report was obtained from an independent actuary. This gave valuations as at 30 September 20X7 of: £‘000 Pension scheme assets 2,090 Pension scheme liabilities (2,625) Other information in the report included: Current service cost 374 Payment out of scheme relating to employees transferring out 400 Reduction in liability relating to transfers 350 Pensions paid 220 Interest rate on high quality corporate bonds at 1 September 20X7 10% All receipts and payments into and out of the scheme can be assumed to have occurred on 30 September 20X7. Mervyn’s accounting policy is to recognise any gains and losses on remeasurement of the defined benefit asset or liability (actuarial gains and losses) in accordance with IAS 19, Employee Benefits. In the tax regime in which Mervyn operates, a tax deduction is allowed on payment of pension contributions. No tax deduction is allowed for benefits paid. The rate of tax applicable to 20X6, 20X7 and announced for 20X8 is 23%. In March 20X7, a customer of Mervyn brought legal proceedings against Mervyn for alleged injury to employees and loss of business through a fault in one of Mervyn’s products. In September 20X7, the case came to court but Mervyn’s lawyers think that it could be a very lengthy case and believe that Mervyn will lose the case. The actual cost of damages and timing of the case are far from clear but management have made a number of estimates. They believe that the best outcome for Mervyn will be damages of £200,000 payable in one year’s time. The worst possible outcome would be for the case to continue for three more years in which case the estimate of damages and costs is £1,500,000 payable in three years’ time. A further estimate, between these two extremes, is that damages of £800,000 will be payable in two years’ time. Management’s estimates of probabilities are best outcome 25%, worst case outcome 15% and middle ground outcome 60%. No provision nor any disclosure has been made for this court case in the financial statements. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 5 At the request of one particular customer, Mervyn has a new arrangement that it will hold the goods that it sells until such time as the customer needs them, and they are kept in a separate storage area exclusive to that customer. The customer is invoiced for the goods when they are ready for delivery, but they are set aside until the customer needs them, ready for delivery. This particular component is made exclusively for that customer. The accountant of Mervyn has not been recognising the revenue on these sales until the delivery has taken place to the customer. At 30 September 20X7, there were goods with a selling price of £138,000 and cost of £99,000 which had not yet been delivered to the customer. These goods had been included at cost when the inventory count took place. The company granted share appreciation rights (SARs) to its employees on 1 October 20X5 based on 10,000 shares. The SARs provide employees at the date the rights are exercised with the right to receive cash equal to the appreciation in the company’s share price since the grant date. The rights vested on 30 September 20X7 and payment was made on schedule on 1 November 20X7. The fair value of the SARs per share at 30 September 20X6 was £6, at 30 September 20X7 was £8 and at 1 November 20X7 was £9. The company has recognised a liability for the SARs as at 30 September 20X6 based upon IFRS 2, Share-based Payment but the liability was stated at the same amount at 30 September 20X7. If any figures are to be discounted, a rate of 10% per annum should be used. Requirement Explain how each of the above transactions should be treated in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7 and prepare a statement of amended profit for the year ended 30 September 20X7. Total: 30 marks 3 Billinge You are Anna Wotton, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, and have recently been appointed as the financial controller at Billinge, a manufacturer of electrical components for vehicles. Billinge is a public limited company with a number of subsidiaries located throughout the country and one foreign subsidiary, Quando. Peter McLaughlin, Finance Director of Billinge, is in the process of finalising the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 20X3. However, he is unsure about the impact of deferred taxation on various transactions of the company, because the previous financial controller, Jen da Rosa, always dealt with this side of the financial statements preparation. Peter has provided you with a file (Exhibit) prepared by Jen before she left, which contains a number of transactions that have deferred tax implications. He has asked you to prepare a briefing note which provides explanations and calculations of the deferred tax implications for each of the transactions in the file (Exhibit) on the consolidated financial statements of Billinge for the year ended 31 October 20X3. In the country in which Billinge operates, the applicable tax rate is 30%. Peter has asked you to use the working assumption that Billinge will continue to pay tax at the current rate of 30%. Requirement Prepare the briefing note requested by Peter McLaughlin. Total: 30 marks Exhibit: Deferred tax issues identified by Jen da Rosa (1) Fair value adjustment On 1 November 20X2, Billinge acquired a 100% subsidiary, Hindley for £10 million. On that date, the fair value of Hindley’s net assets was £8 million and the carrying amount was £7 million, which is also the tax base under local tax law. The difference between the fair value and book value of net assets relates to an item of property, plant and equipment which Hindley currently has no plans to sell. (2) Share options On 1 November 20X1, Billinge granted 1,000 share options each to its 500 employees providing they remained in employment until 31 October 20X4. The fair value of each option was £5 on 1 November 20X1, £6 on 31 October 20X2 and £7 on 31 October 20X3. Local tax law allows a tax 6 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 deduction at the exercise date of the intrinsic value of the options. The intrinsic value of each option was £3 at 31 October 20X2 and £8 at 31 October 20X3. The percentage of employees expected to leave over the vesting period was 20% as at 31 October 20X2 and has been revised upwards to 25% as at 31 October 20X3. The deferred taxation on this transaction was correctly accounted for in the year ended 31 October 20X2 but the finance director is unsure how to account for the deferred taxation in the current year. (3) Goods purchased from subsidiary A wholly owned subsidiary, Ince, sold goods for £5 million to Billinge on 20 September 20X3 at a mark-up of 25%. At 31 October 20X3, Billinge has sold a quarter of these goods to third parties. The financial director does not understand how this transaction should be dealt with in the financial statements of the subsidiary and the group for taxation purposes. (4) Profits from foreign subsidiary Quando, the 100% owned foreign subsidiary of Billinge, has undistributed post-acquisition profits of 5 million Corona which would give rise to additional tax payable of £0.4 million if remitted to Billinge’s tax regime. As Quando is a relatively new and rapidly expanding company, Billinge intends to leave the earnings within Quando for reinvestment. (5) Property, plant and equipment On 1 November 20X2, Billinge purchased an item of property, plant and equipment for £12 million which qualified for a government capital grant of £2 million. The asset has a useful life of five years and is depreciated on a straight line basis. Capital allowances are restricted by the amount of the grant. Local tax law specifies a tax writing down allowance of 25% per annum. (6) Lease Due to the age of its assets, Billinge has recently begun a programme of capital expenditure. Until now, Billinge has always purchased its assets outright for cash. However, due to liquidity problems, Billinge had to lease an item of machinery on 1 November 20X2. The asset has an expected economic life of five years and the lease term is also for five years. Both the present value of future lease payments and fair value of the asset are £6 million. The annual lease payments are £1.5 million payable in arrears on 31 October and the interest rate implicit in the lease is 8% per annum. Under local tax law the company can claim a tax deduction for the annual rental payment as the asset does not qualify for capital allowances. 4 Longwood The Longwood Group is a listed European entity specialising in high grade alloy production for civil aviation, military and specialist engineering applications. On 1 January 20X7, Longwood completed the acquisition of a private company, Portobello Alloys, to strengthen its product offering in high performance electro-magnetic alloys. The total price paid to acquire the entire share capital of Portobello Alloys was £57 million in cash paid on the deal date, along with a further £10 million in deferred cash and 5 million shares in The Longwood Group, both to be paid or issued in three years’ time. The share price of The Longwood Group was £1.88 at 1 January 20X7, but rose to £2.04 shortly after the acquisition was completed. The best estimate of the share price on the transfer date in three years is £2.25. The appropriate discount rate for deferred consideration is 10%. Longwood paid its bankers and lawyers fees of £0.8 million in connection with the deal. Longwood estimates that £0.2 million of the finance department costs relate to time spent on the acquisition by the Finance Director and his team. Below is the draft ‘deal-date’ statement of financial position of Portobello Alloys. You may assume the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities are equal to their fair values, except as indicated in the information that follows. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 7 Portobello Alloys – Statement of financial position at 1 January 20X7 Carrying amount £m Property, plant and equipment 18.92 Development asset 0.00 Investments in equity instruments 4.37 Deferred tax asset 0.77 Non-current assets 24.06 Inventory 7.33 Accounts receivable and prepayments 4.17 Cash and equivalents 4.22 Current assets 15.72 Total assets 39.78 Long-term debt 16.34 Post-retirement liability 0.37 Deferred tax liability 1.86 Non-current liabilities 18.57 Accounts payable and accruals 7.91 Current portion of long-term debt 3.40 Current liabilities 11.31 Share capital 2.50 Share premium 1.20 Retained earnings 6.20 Equity Total liabilities and equity 9.90 39.78 Both Longwood and Portobello report to 31 December each year. The Board has asked your firm to examine the deferred tax implications of various areas relating to the acquisition. Research and development Portobello Alloys applied a policy of expensing all development expenditure as incurred. Longwood’s policy is to capitalise development cost as an intangible asset under IAS 38. The carrying amount of the development asset in the deal-date statement of financial position was £0 million. The fair value of the development asset was actually £5.26 million at the deal date. None of this development asset will be amortised over the next year. Property, plant and equipment Portobello’s premises are located on a prime piece of commercial real-estate. The surveyors have indicated that the land is worth £2.73 million in excess of its carrying amount in the financial statements of the company. The Longwood Group has no intention of selling the property as, if it changed location, they could lose some of the key staff. Longwood’s policy is to carry assets at depreciated cost, and it does not revalue any assets on a regular basis. 8 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Retirement benefit obligation Portobello operates a defined benefit plan for its key research and production employees. The plan asset manager has made some bad equity investments over the years, and the plan is in deficit by £1.65 million. Portobello only recognised a liability of £0.37 million in its financial statements. The local tax authorities grant tax relief on the cash contribution into the plan. Tax losses Portobello made a disastrous foray into supplying specialist alloys to a now defunct electronics business, Electrotech. It set up a special division, took on new premises and staff, and spent a lot of money on joint development with its client. Electrotech promptly went into liquidation. Portobello incurred total tax losses of £7.40 million over the two years that it was involved with Electrotech – it has now paid all the redundancy costs, sold all the assets and closed the division. To date, Portobello Alloys has only relieved £1.20 million of the losses. The revised forecast numbers for Portobello’s performance post-acquisition suggest it will be able to relieve the balance of losses in the next couple of years (see below). Up to the date of the deal, the management forecasts used to calculate the deferred tax in the financial statements had only anticipated relieving £2.20 million of the losses, as indicated in the schedule below. Profit forecasts for tax loss utilisation 20X7 20X8 Total £m £m £m Forecast taxable profit – original 0.98 1.22 2.20 Forecast taxable profit – revised 1.90 4.74 6.64 Enacted tax rates Deferred taxes in the deal-date statement of financial position extracted above were calculated using a tax rate of 30%. However, the corporate tax rate for Portobello has been enacted to fall to 23% for the period after 1 January 20X7. A schedule of the composition of the deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the deal-date statement of financial position is shown below. Deferred tax schedule Carrying amount Tax base Temporary difference Deferred tax 30% £m £m £m £m 18.92 13.78 (5.14) (1.54) 4.37 3.30 (1.07) (0.32) Post-retirement liability (0.37) 0.00 0.37 0.11 Unrelieved tax losses – recognised 0.00 2.20 2.20 0.66 Property, plant and equipment Investments in equity instruments (note) (1.09) Deferred tax liability (1.86) Deferred tax asset 0.77 (1.09) Note: On initial recognition of the investments in equity instruments, an irrevocable election had been made to record gains and losses in other comprehensive income. The finance director has asked you to produce the following information: (1) Calculate the adjustment required to the deferred tax figures in the financial statements of Portobello Alloys solely in respect of the change in enacted tax rates and draft the required journal. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 9 (2) Calculate the adjustment required to the deferred tax asset relating to unrecognised tax losses in Portobello’s financial statements resulting from the revised estimates of profitability over the next two years. You should provide a draft correcting journal. (3) Calculate the deferred tax effect of the consolidation adjustments in respect of: (a) fair value adjustments to property, plant and equipment (b) fair value adjustments to the development asset (c) fair value adjustments to the post-retirement liability (4) Calculate the goodwill arising in the consolidated financial statements in respect of this acquisition. (5) Explain the deferred tax treatment of goodwill under two possible deal structures for the acquisition of Portobello Alloys: (a) As the acquisition actually took place, with the purchase of the shares of Portobello Alloys. (b) Under an alternative structure, with the purchase of the assets and liabilities of Portobello Alloys instead, which would have granted tax relief charged over 15 years on the straightline basis on purchased goodwill. Requirement Prepare the information required by the finance director. Total: 30 marks 5 Upstart Records ca plc (Upstart) is a listed company and the parent company for a group that operates in the music equipment industry. You are Thomas Mensforth, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, and you joined Upstart six months ago. You have received the following email from Susan Ballion, the Group Finance Director of Upstart: To: Thomas Mensforth From: Susan Ballion Date: 17 July 20X5 Subject: Upstart I have been called away to an urgent meeting, so I need your assistance to finalise some aspects of the Upstart consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X5. I attach details of transactions involving Liddle Music Ltd (Liddle) that occurred during the year ended 30 June 20X5 (Exhibit 1). I also attach the draft statements of profit or loss for the Upstart Group and for Liddle for the year ended 30 June 20X5. The draft group statement of profit or loss consolidates all group companies except Liddle (Exhibit 2). Finally, there are two financial reporting issues concerning the parent company that I have not had time to deal with (Exhibit 3). These will need to be resolved before the consolidated financial statements can be prepared. I would like you to: (1) show and explain, with supporting calculations, the appropriate financial reporting treatment of goodwill and non-controlling interests for Liddle in Upstart’s consolidated statement of financial position at 30 June 20X5. Use the proportion of net assets method to determine non-controlling interests; (2) explain, with calculations, the appropriate accounting treatment in respect of the issues in Exhibit 3; (3) prepare Upstart’s revised consolidated statement of profit or loss for the year ended 30 June 20X5 to include Liddle. This should take account of any adjustments arising from the calculations above; and 10 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (4) explain (without calculations) the impact on Upstart’s consolidated financial statements if the fair value method for measuring non-controlling interests were to be used instead of the proportion of net assets method. Requirement Respond to Susan Ballion’s email. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Transactions in respect of Liddle Upstart purchased 250,000 ordinary shares in Liddle on 1 January 20X3 for £23 each, when Liddle had in issue 1,000,000 £1 ordinary shares and retained earnings of £6.6 million. There are no other reserves and there has been no change to Liddle’s ordinary share capital since that date. Upstart appointed two of the six directors on the Liddle board and recognised the investment as an associate in its group financial statements for the years ended 30 June 20X3 and 30 June 20X4. Shares purchased on 1 October 20X4 On 1 October 20X4, Upstart purchased a further 450,000 shares in Liddle from existing shareholders. At this date, the fair value of Upstart’s original 250,000 shares in Liddle had risen to £30 each. The consideration was as follows: • 800,000 new ordinary £1 shares in Upstart issued on 1 October 20X4; the market price of one share in Upstart at this date was £11.50. • Cash of £2 million payable on 1 October 20X4. • Cash of £3 million payable on 1 October 20X6. • Cash of £3 million payable on 1 October 20X7, subject to Liddle increasing profits for the year ending 30 June 20X7 by 35% compared with its profits for the year ended 30 June 20X4. The board of Upstart believes there is a 50% probability of this profit increase being achieved. Upstart paid professional fees of £250,000 in respect of this share purchase. These fees have been debited to the cost of the investment in Liddle in Upstart’s individual company statement of financial position. Upstart has an annual cost of capital of 9%. On 1 October 20X4, the fair value of Liddle’s assets and liabilities was equal to their carrying amount, with the exception of buildings which had a carrying amount of £1.4 million and a fair value of £3 million. These buildings had a remaining useful life of 20 years at 1 October 20X4. Depreciation is included in cost of sales. Liddle has not made any adjustment for the increase in the fair value of the buildings in its financial statements. Shares purchased on 1 April 20X5 On 1 April 20X5, Upstart purchased 100,000 shares in Liddle from other shareholders at a price of £35 each. Financing On 1 October 20X4, to assist in funding the share purchases, Upstart borrowed €4 million from a German bank when £1 = €1.30, taking advantage of a lower interest rate than offered by UK banks. Interest on the loan, at 6% per annum, is payable annually in arrears on 30 September. No accounting entries in relation to the loan have been made in Upstart’s financial statements except to recognise the loan at 1 October 20X4 at £3.077 million in non-current liabilities. The average exchange rate from 1 October 20X4 to 30 June 20X5 was £1 = €1.28 and the rate on 30 June 20X5 was £1 = €1.25. Loan to Liddle Upstart made a loan to Liddle of £2 million on 1 October 20X4 at an interest rate of 8% per annum. The loan is repayable on 1 October 20X7. Loan interest has been correctly accounted for in the individual statements of profit or loss for both Upstart and Liddle. Trading with Liddle Upstart made monthly sales of £120,000 to Liddle in the year ended 30 June 20X5. These sales were at a mark-up on cost of 60%. At 30 June 20X5, Liddle had £560,000 of the purchases from Upstart in inventories. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 11 Exhibit 2: Draft statements of profit or loss for the Upstart Group (excluding Liddle) and for Liddle for the year ended 30 June 20X5 Upstart Group Liddle £’000 £’000 Revenue 23,800 15,600 Cost of sales (7,400) (5,400) Gross profit 16,400 10,200 Operating costs (3,500) (1,500) Profit from operations 12,900 8,700 890 180 (520) (300) Profit before tax 13,270 8,580 Taxation (2,350) (1,800) Profit for the year 10,920 6,780 Note: Retained earnings at 1 July 20X4 15,840 9,000 Investment income Interest paid Exhibit 3: Outstanding financial reporting issues Restructuring Upstart has announced two major restructuring plans. The first plan is to reduce its capacity by the closure of two of its retail outlets, which have already been identified. This will lead to the redundancy of 20 employees, who have all individually been selected and communicated with. The costs of this plan are £300,000 in redundancy costs, £200,000 in retraining costs and £50,000 in lease termination costs. The second plan is to re-organise the finance and information technology department over a one-year period but this will not be implemented for two years. The plan results in 20% of finance staff losing their jobs during the restructuring. The costs of this plan are £250,000 in redundancy costs, £300,000 in retraining costs and £200,000 in equipment lease termination costs. No entries have been made in the financial statements for the above plans. Share options On 1 July 20X3, Upstart made an award of 1,000 share options to each of its seven directors. The condition attached to the award is that the directors must remain employed by Upstart for three years. The fair value of each option at the grant date was £50 and the fair value of each option at 30 June 20X5 was £55. At 30 June 20X4, it was estimated that three directors would leave before the end of three years. Due to an economic downturn, the estimate of directors who were going to leave was revised to one director at 30 June 20X5. The expense for the year as regards the share options had not been included in profit or loss for the current year and no directors had left by 30 June 20X5. 6 MaxiMart plc MaxiMart plc operates a national chain of supermarkets. You are Vimal Subramanian, the Assistant Financial Controller, and the accounting year end is 30 September 20X1. It is now 15 November 20X1 and the company’s auditors are currently engaged in their work. Jane Lewis, the Financial Controller, is shortly to go into a meeting with the audit engagement partner, Roger MacIntyre, to discuss some unresolved issues relating to employee remuneration, hedging and the customer reward card. To save her time, she wants you to prepare a memorandum detailing the correct financial reporting treatment. She has sent you the following email, in which she explains the issues. 12 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 From: jlewis@maximart.com To: vsubramanian@maximart.com Date: 15 November 20X1 Subject: Financial statements of MaxiMart I am pleased you can help me out with the information for my forthcoming meeting with Roger MacIntyre – as you know, I have been tied up with other work, and have not had time to look into these outstanding issues. As you will see (Exhibit 1) the principal issues concern remuneration. Historically we have had a problem with high staff turnover due to low salaries and having to work evenings and weekends. To encourage better staff retention, we introduced a share option scheme. Details of the scheme are given in Exhibit 1. I need you to show how the share option scheme should be dealt with in the financial statements of MaxiMart for the year ended 30 September 20X1. Exhibit 1 also has details of the company pension scheme, which was introduced a few years ago to encourage management trainees to stay with us. Since many of our rivals no longer provide defined benefit schemes, this gives MaxiMart an edge. It would help in the meeting if I could show Roger MacIntyre the relevant extracts from the financial statements. You will need to show the amounts to be recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of MaxiMart for the year ended 30 September 20X1 and in the statement of financial position at that date so far as the information permits, in accordance with IAS 19, Employee Benefits (revised 2011). You should also include the notes, breaking down the defined benefit pension charge to profit or loss, other comprehensive income, net pension asset/liability at the year end and changes in the present value of pension obligation and the fair value of plan assets. There will be a deferred tax effect arising from the pension plan, but we will deal with that on a later occasion, as there isn’t time before the meeting. I also attach details of three further issues (Exhibit 2). The first relates to our Reward Card. I believe there is a recent IFRS relevant to the treatment of these schemes, but I can’t remember exactly what it says. The second issue is a futures contract. It would be good if you could explain how we should treat this and show the double entry. The third issue is a proposed dividend – we need to know if the proposed treatment is correct. Please draft a memorandum showing the appropriate treatment of these transactions together with explanations and any necessary workings. Requirement Prepare the memorandum required by Jane Lewis. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Staff remuneration Share options On 1 October 20X0, the board decided to award share options to all 1,000 employees provided they remained in employment for five years. At 1 October 20X0, 20% of employees were expected to leave over the vesting period to 30 September 20X5 and as at 30 September 20X1, this expectation had risen to 25%. The fair value of these options at 1 October 20X0 was £2 and this had risen to £3 by 30 September 20X1. The number of options per employee is conditional on the average profit before any expense for share options over the five years commencing 1 October 20X0 as follows: Average profit Number of options per employee From £1m up to £1.2m 100 Above £1.2m up to £1.4m 120 Above £1.4m up to £1.6m 140 Above £1.6m up to £1.8m 160 ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 13 Average profit Number of options per employee Above £1.8m 180 Profit before share option expense for the year ended 30 September 20X1 was £0.9 million and profit for the following four years was forecast to rise by £0.2 million a year. The awarding of the options was also conditional on the share price reaching at least £8 per share by 30 September 20X5. The share price at 30 September 20X1 was £6. Pension scheme MaxiMart set up a funded defined benefit pension plan for management-track employees three years ago. The plan provides a pension based on 1/80th of the final salary for each year worked for the company, subject to a minimum employment period of eight years. The following information has been provided by the actuary for the year ended 30 September 20X1: (1) The present value in terms of future pensions from employee service during the year is £90,000. This has been determined using the projected unit credit method. (2) The present value of the obligation to provide benefits to current and former employees has been calculated as £2.41 million at 30 September 20X1 and the fair value of plan assets was £2.37 million at the same date. (3) The interest rate on high quality corporate bonds relevant to the year was 5%. The following has been extracted from the financial records: (1) The present value of the defined benefit obligation was £2.2 million at 30 September 20X0 and the fair value of the plan assets was £2.3 million at the same date. (2) Pensions paid to former employees during the year amounted to £60,000. (3) Contributions paid into the plan during the year as decided by the actuary were £68,000. With effect from 1 October 20X0, the company amended the plan to increase pension entitlement for employees. The present value of the improvement in benefits was calculated by the actuary to be approximately £100,000 at 1 October 20X0. The present value of the plan liability at 30 September 20X1 correctly reflects the impact of this increase. (4) The company recognises gains and losses on remeasurement of the defined benefit asset or liability (actuarial gains and losses) in accordance with IAS 19, Employee Benefits. (5) Pension payments and the contributions into the plan were paid on 30 September 20X1. Exhibit 2: Other transactions Reward card MaxiMart offers its customers a reward card which awards customers points based on money spent. These points may be redeemed as money off future purchases from MaxiMart or as free/discounted goods from other retailers. Revenue from food sales for the year ended 30 September 20X1 amounted to £100 million. At the year end, it is estimated that there are reward points worth £5 million arising from this revenue which are eligible for redemption. Based on past experience, it is estimated that only about two in five customers are likely to redeem their points. Futures contract MaxiMart entered into a futures contract during the year to hedge a forecast sale in the year ended 30 September 20X2. The futures contract was designated and documented as a cash flow hedge. At 30 September 20X1, had the forecast sale occurred, the company would have suffered a loss of £1.9 million and the futures contract was standing at a gain of £2 million. No accounting entries have been made to record the futures contract, because the Financial Controller is not sure whether or not it is effective, and would like some advice on how to test for this. Proposed dividend The company has a good relationship with its shareholders and employees. It has adopted a strategy of gradually increasing its dividend payments over the years. On 1 November 20X1, the board proposed a dividend of 5p per share for the year ended 30 September 20X1. The shareholders will approve the dividend along with the financial statements at the general meeting on 1 December 20X1 and the dividend will be paid on 14 December 20X1. The directors feel that the dividend 14 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 should be accrued in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X1 as a ‘valid expectation’ has been created. 7 Robicorp plc Robicorp plc is a listed company that develops robotic products for the defence industry. You are Marina Nelitova, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant working within the finance team at Robicorp. You receive the following email from Alex Murphy, who was appointed finance director of Robicorp in October 20X4. To: Marina Nelitova From: Alex Murphy Date: 3 November 20X4 Subject: Review of financial statements for year ended 30 September 20X4 I am attending a board meeting next week, and have concerns over the way my predecessor has treated some transactions in the financial statements (Exhibit 1). I would like you to review these transactions and: • recommend any adjustments, with accompanying journal entries, that are required to make the accounting treatment comply with IFRS, explaining the reasons for your proposed changes; and • revise the draft basic earnings per share figure (Exhibit 2), taking into account your adjustments, and calculate the diluted earnings per share. Ignore any tax consequences for now. Requirement Reply to Alex Murphy’s email. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Transactions requiring further review (1) On 1 October 20X3 Robicorp started work on the development of a new robotic device, the XL5. Monthly development costs of £2 million were incurred from that date until 1 January 20X4, when Robicorp made a breakthrough in relation to this project. On that date the XL5 was deemed financially and commercially viable and thereafter development costs increased to £2.5 million per month until development work was completed on 30 June 20X4. The XL5 went on sale on 1 August 20X4. By 30 September 20X4, Robicorp had received orders for 3,000 units priced at £25,000 per unit, of which it had manufactured and delivered 1,200 units to customers. The terms of trade required a non-refundable payment in full on receipt of the order. Robicorp anticipates the XL5 having a commercial life of four to five years, with total sales of 36,000 units over that period. Variable production costs are £11,000 per unit. In the draft financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X4, all XL5 development costs have been capitalised. Cash received in respect of the 3,000 units ordered has been recognised as revenue because the orders are non-cancellable. Entries made to reflect the above are: DEBIT Intangible assets CREDIT Cash DEBIT Cash CREDIT DEBIT CREDIT ICAEW 2022 £21m £21m £75m Revenue Cost of sales Cash £75m £33m £13.2m Financial reporting 1 15 CREDIT Accrued variable production costs £19.8m On 1 January 20X4, to help fund the XL5 development and production, Robicorp issued a £40 million, 3% convertible bond at par. The bond is redeemable on 1 January 20X7 at par. Interest is paid annually in arrears on 31 December. Bondholders have the choice on 1 January 20X7 of either converting the bonds into equity shares at the rate of 10 £1 shares for every £100 of bonds, or redeeming the bonds at par. Similar non-convertible bonds for a company such as Robicorp pay interest at 10% per year. Robicorp anticipates that all bondholders will choose to convert the bonds into shares. Therefore in the draft financial statements the bonds have been treated as equity shares. In the draft financial statements the following accounting entries have been made in respect of the bond and interest: DEBIT Cash £40m CREDIT Share capital £4m CREDIT Share premium £36m DEBIT CREDIT Finance costs £0.9m Accruals £0.9m (2) On 1 October 20X3, Robicorp introduced a share option scheme for 30 senior executives. Each executive was granted 48,000 share options on that date. Each option gives the right to acquire one share in Robicorp, for an exercise price of £4 per share, if the executive is still in employment with the company at 1 October 20X6, and the share price at that date is at least 30% higher than the price at 1 October 20X3. The executives will be able to exercise these options from 1 October 20X7. The fair value of an option was £3.50 at 1 October 20X3 and £5.30 at 30 September 20X4. By 30 September 20X4, one executive had left her job. Robicorp expects one more executive to leave by 1 October 20X6. The Robicorp share price at 30 September 20X4 was 32% higher than at the grant date. The average share price of Robicorp for the year ended 30 September 20X4 was £7.60. No accounting entries have been made in respect of the share option scheme. (3) On 1 April 20X3, Robicorp bought 400,000 shares in Lopex Ltd for £6 each. This represents 3% of the ordinary share capital of Lopex. An irrevocable election was made by Robicorp to treat this as an equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income. At 30 September 20X3, Lopex’s shares had a fair value of £9.20 each and Robicorp measured its investment at £3.68 million in its financial statements at that date. A gain of £1.28 million was recognised in other comprehensive income with a corresponding other component of equity being created at 30 September 20X3. On 1 August 20X4 Saltor plc, an unrelated company, acquired all the shares in Lopex in a share-forshare exchange. The terms were 2.5 shares in Saltor for each share in Lopex. At 1 August 20X4, immediately before the takeover by Saltor, the fair value of a Lopex share was £11.20. Saltor’s shares at 1 August 20X4 were trading at £5.50 each. No entries have been made in Robicorp’s financial statements for the year to 30 September 20X4 to reflect the share-for-share exchange. Its investment continues to be recognised at £3.68 million. Robicorp intends to sell its shareholding in Saltor and to classify the investment as at fair value through profit or loss. At 30 September 20X4, Saltor’s shares had a bid-offer spread of 480–485 pence. A sales commission of 4 pence per share would be incurred upon disposal. (4) Robicorp granted interest-free loans to its employees on 1 October 20X3 of £8 million. The loans will be paid back on 30 September 20X5 as a single payment by the employees. The market rate of interest for a two-year loan on both of the above dates is 6% per annum. The loans have been classified as financial assets at amortised cost under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. No accounting entries have been made to date in respect of these loans. 16 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 2: Robicorp – Calculation of basic earnings per share for year ended 30 September 20X4 Profit after taxation £66.27m Share capital Number of £1 ordinary shares At 1 October 20X3 40m Convertible bond issue 1 January 20X4 4m At 30 September 20X4 44m Basic earnings per share = 150.6 pence (£66.27m/44m shares). 8 Flynt plc You are Miles Goodwin, the newly-appointed financial controller of Flynt plc, a company that manufactures electronic components for the computer industry. You receive the following email from Andrea Ward, the CEO of Flynt. To: Miles.Goodwin@flynt.co.uk From: Andrea.Ward@flynt.co.uk Subject: Finalisation of consolidated financial statements for year ended 31 May 20X6 Miles, I know you have just joined us, but I would be grateful if you could look at the impact of some issues that were left unresolved by your predecessor, Shane Ponting (Exhibit 1). I have been very busy recently and have not had the chance to look at these issues myself. I would like you to redraft the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. I attach a draft for you to work from (Exhibit 2). Please explain the reasoning for any adjustments you make, as I would like a greater understanding of the impact of these issues on our post-tax profits. You should also give journal entries. I have a meeting with the board shortly, and we are concerned about earnings per share (EPS). I would therefore be grateful if you would also calculate the basic EPS for the year ended 31 May 20X6 and the diluted EPS if applicable. At this stage do not worry about any adjustments to the current or deferred tax charge; just assume an effective rate of 23%. Requirement Draft a reply to the email from Andrea Ward. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Consolidated financial statements for year ended 31 May 20X6: Unresolved issues – arising from notes prepared by Shane Ponting On 1 September 20X5 the board approved a share option scheme for 20 senior executives. On that date each executive was granted options over 10,000 shares at an exercise price of £39 per share, which was the market price at 1 September 20X5. Each option gives the rights to one share. The options vest on 1 September 20X9 subject to the following conditions: (1) Each executive remains in the employment of Flynt until 1 September 20X9. (2) The share price of Flynt has increased by at least 50% at 1 September 20X9. The fair value of an option was estimated to be £12.60 at 1 September 20X5 and £19.40 at31 May 20X6. This is the first time that Flynt has operated such a scheme. As there is no cash cost to the company, I have not made any adjustments to the financial statements. The share price of Flynt at 31 May 20X6 was £52 and the average share price for the nine months to 31 May 20X6 was £48. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 17 At 31 May 20X6 there were still 19 executives in the scheme, but I anticipate there will only be 16 still employed by 1 September 20X9. Lease of surplus machinery On 1 June 20X5 Flynt leased some surplus machinery to Prior plc, an unrelated company, on the following terms: Lease term and remaining useful life of machinery 5 years Carrying amount and fair value of machinery at 31 May 20X5 £612,100 Annual instalment payable in arrears £150,000 Interest rate implicit in lease 10% per annum Residual value guaranteed by Prior plc £61,100 Expected residual value at 31 May 20Y0 £70,000 Initial direct costs incurred by Flynt £1,000 I have treated the agreement as an operating lease and recognised lease rental income of £150,000. I have also charged depreciation of £122,420 and written off the direct costs incurred to profit or loss. Acquisition of Dipper plc On 1 December 20X5 Flynt purchased 100% of the ordinary shares of Dipper plc for a consideration of £6.4 million when Dipper had net assets with a fair value of £4.9 million including a deficit on a defined benefit pension scheme of £0.4 million. Goodwill of £1.5 million therefore arose on acquisition. The consideration given was 150,000 ordinary shares in Flynt. This was the first equity issue for a number of years. There were 1.4 million ordinary shares in issue on 31 May 20X5. Flynt operates a defined contribution scheme, and I am unfamiliar with how to deal with Dipper’s defined benefit scheme. We obtained the following figures from Dipper’s actuaries at the acquisition date: Fair value of scheme assets £2.2m Present value of pension obligations £2.6m Estimated service cost from 1 December 20X5 to 31 May 20X6 £560,000 Interest rate on high quality corporate bonds 5% per annum The total contributions paid into the scheme by Dipper from the acquisition date to 31 May 20X6 were £480,000, and I have charged this sum to operating costs. I have had a letter from Dipper’s pension fund advising me that they have paid out £450,000 to pensioners in the same period. I have not adjusted the deficit in the statement of financial position. Dipper recognises remeasurement (actuarial) gains and losses immediately in accordance with IAS 19, Employee Benefits. I intend to continue to apply IAS 19 in the group financial statements but I do not know how to calculate the remeasurement gain or loss. I have been advised by the scheme actuary that at 31 May 20X6 the fair value of the pension assets was £2.08 million and the present value of pension obligations was £2.75 million at that date. We conducted an impairment review of goodwill at the end of our accounting period and estimated that goodwill arising on the acquisition of Dipper was worth £1.1 million. I have therefore debited £400,000 to other comprehensive income. No other adjustments were required to goodwill. 18 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 2: Draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for year ended 31 May 20X6 20X6 20X5 £’000 £’000 Revenue 14,725 13,330 Cost of sales (7,450) (7,560) Gross profit 7,275 5,770 (3,296) (3,007) Operating costs Other operating income Operating profit Investment income Finance costs Profit before tax Income tax expense Profit after tax 150 –––––– 4,129 2,763 39 32 (452) (468) 3,716 2,327 (1,003) (628) 2,713 1,699 (400) –––––– 2,313 1,699 Other comprehensive income Goodwill impairment Total comprehensive income for the year Note: All calculations should be to the nearest £’000. 9 Gustavo plc You are Anita Hadjivassili, the recently appointed financial controller at Gustavo plc, a manufacturer of sports equipment. During the year ended 30 September 20X6, Gustavo has sold and purchased shares respectively in two companies, Taricco Ltd and Arismendi Inc. You have just received the following email from the CEO, Antonio Bloom. To: Anita Hadjivassili From: Antonio Bloom Subject: Draft Financial Statements for the Gustavo group I attach extracts from the draft financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X6 ( Exhibit 1). I know you are still unfamiliar with Gustavo’s business, so I have also attached some file notes prepared by your predecessor (Exhibit 2). I would like you to prepare the draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 20X6 including other comprehensive income, as I need to present it at the next board meeting. Please provide briefing notes to explain the impact of the share transactions (Exhibit 2) on the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Please show separately the profit attributable to the non-controlling interest. I would also like you to advise on the impact that any future changes in exchange rates will have on the consolidated statement of financial position. Ignore any further income tax or deferred tax adjustments. Requirement Respond to Antonio’s email. Total: 30 marks ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 19 Exhibit 1: Extracts from the draft financial statements for year ended 30 September 20X6 Gustavo Taricco Arismendi £’000 £’000 Kr’000 35,660 28,944 48,166 Cost of sales (21,230) (22,164) (30,924) Gross profit 14,430 6,780 17,242 Operating costs (5,130) (4,956) (9,876) 9,300 1,824 7,366 580 108 – Revenue Profit from operations Investment income Finance costs (2,450) (660) Profit before taxation 7,430 Income tax expense (2,458) (360) (2,240) 4,972 912 3,670 11,720 4,824 14,846 4,972 912 3,670 Dividends paid (1 July) (3,000) (600) –––––– At 30 September 20X6 13,692 5,136 18,516 10,000 2,000 5,000 Profit for the year 1,272 (1,456) 5,910 Retained earnings At 1 October 20X5 Profit for the year Other financial information Ordinary share capital (shares of £1/Kr1) Profits arise evenly throughout the year for all three companies. Exhibit 2: File notes for key issues in year Taricco Gustavo bought 1.5 million ordinary shares in Taricco Ltd on 1 January 20X2 for £15 million when Taricco had retained earnings of £2.4 million. The proportion of net assets method was used to value the non-controlling interest as the acquisition occurred before IFRS 3 was revised. At the acquisition date the fair value of Taricco’s net assets was equal to the carrying amount. Prior to 1 October 20X5 there had been goodwill impairments in relation to Taricco of £2.5 million. There have been no changes in share capital or other reserves since acquisition. On 1 April 20X6 Gustavo sold 800,000 shares in Taricco for £19.8 million. Gustavo continues to be represented by two directors on Taricco’s board to oversee its remaining interest in the company. (Taricco’s board consists of eight directors.) The only entry in Gustavo’s financial statements regarding the sale has been to credit a suspense account with the sale proceeds. It was estimated at 1 April 20X6 that Gustavo’s remaining shares in Taricco had a fair value of £8.2 million. Arismendi On 1 January 20X6 Gustavo bought 4 million shares in Arismendi Inc, a company located overseas, (where the local currency is the Kr) for Kr75.6 million (£12.6 million). Professional fees relating to the acquisition were £400,000, and these have been added to the cost of the investment. At 1 January 20X6 Arismendi owned property which had a fair value of Kr14.4 million (£2.4 million) in excess of its carrying amount. This property had a remaining life of eight years at this date. 20 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Gustavo would like to adopt the fair value method to measure the non-controlling interest. At 1 January 20X6 the market price of Arismendi’s shares was Kr12 each. An impairment review of goodwill took place at 30 September 20X6, and no impairment was deemed necessary. Exchange rates which may be relevant are: 1 January 20X6 £1:Kr6 Average Jan-Sep £1:Kr5 30 September 20X6 £1:Kr4 ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 21 22 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 10 Inca Ltd Inca Ltd supplies specialist plant and machinery to the oil drilling industry. On 1 May 20X0 Inca acquired 80% of Excelsior Inc, a company based in Ruritania, where the currency is the CU. You are Frank Painter, a chartered accountant employed on a temporary contract following the retirement of the Inca finance director. You have been asked to assist the managing director in finalising the financial statements of Excelsior and the Inca group for the year ended 30 April 20X1. Both Inca and Excelsior prepare their financial statements using IFRS. You receive the following email from the managing director of Inca. To: Frank Painter From: Inca MD Date: 25 July 20X1 Subject: Finalising Financial Statements Acquisition of Excelsior Excelsior is the first subsidiary that Inca has acquired, and so I would be grateful for some advice in relation to the consolidated financial statements and also in finalising the financial statements of Excelsior. The cost of the investment in Excelsior was CU120 million, and at 1 May 20X0 Excelsior had retained earnings of CU64 million. There were no fair value adjustments to the net assets of Excelsior. Inca uses the proportion of net assets method to value non-controlling interest. Assistance needed I wish to show your findings to my fellow board members, as they are concerned about Excelsior’s effect on the consolidated financial statements. I have not told them that I have asked for your input as I would like to make a favourable impression in terms of my accounting knowledge. I have provided you with the draft statements of financial position for both companies (Exhibit 1). I have also provided some exchange rates (Exhibit 2). The accountant at Excelsior is unqualified. He has identified a number of outstanding financial reporting issues (Exhibit 3). I have heard that there is an option of valuing non-controlling interests at fair value, rather than using the proportion of net assets method, as we do. The fair value of the non-controlling interest in Excelsior is CU20 million. I understand that using this method would change the figures for goodwill and perhaps the exchange difference relating to goodwill. Please prepare a working paper for me which comprises: • an explanation of the appropriate financial reporting treatment for each of the issues identified by the Excelsior accountant (Exhibit 3); • the consolidated statement of financial position of Inca at 30 April 20X1, assuming there are no adjustments to the individual company financial statements other than those you have proposed; and • a calculation of goodwill assuming that Inca values the non-controlling interest in Excelsior at its fair value of CU20 million. Do not tell anyone else that you are preparing this working paper for me. In return I will ensure that you are given a permanent contract in the Inca group. In order to save costs I am not intending to replace the Inca finance director as I can do this role myself with your help. Requirement Prepare the working paper requested by the managing director. In addition to the working paper, explain any ethical concerns that you have, as Frank Painter, in relation to the managing director’s email, and set out the actions you intend to take. Note: Ignore any UK current tax implications. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 23 Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Draft statements of financial position at 30 April 20X1 Inca Excelsior £m CUm Investment in Excelsior 24.0 – Property, plant and equipment 32.4 64.0 Intangible assets 12.4 7.0 Total non-current assets 68.8 71.0 9.8 16.6 17.4 35.2 1.6 12.8 Total current assets 28.8 64.6 Total assets 97.6 135.6 4.0 10.0 Share premium account 12.0 16.0 Retained earnings 41.6 48.0 12.0 4.4 5.8 48.0 Current liabilities 22.2 9.2 Total equity and liabilities 97.6 135.6 Non-current assets Current assets Inventories Trade receivables Cash Equity and liabilities Share capital £1/CU1 Non-current liabilities Deferred tax Loans Exhibit 2: Exchange rates £1 = CU 1 May 20X0 5.0 Average for year 4.8 30 April 20X1 4.5 US$1 = CU 1 May 20X0 3.2 Average for year 3.0 30 April 20X1 2.8 Exhibit 3: Excelsior – Outstanding financial reporting issues prepared by Excelsior accountant Excelsior’s draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income shows an after-tax loss of CU16 million for the year ended 30 April 20X1. The current tax has been correctly calculated by our tax advisers. 24 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 However, I am not familiar with deferred tax and some of the more complex financial reporting rules and the following matters are outstanding: (1) At 1 May 20X0 there was a deferred tax liability of CU4.4 million in the statement of financial position and no adjustments have been made to this figure in the draft financial statements at 30 April 20X1. This deferred tax provision was solely in relation to the differences between the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and the tax base. The carrying amount of property, plant and equipment on 1 May 20X0 was CU60 million, compared with its tax base of CU38 million. At 30 April 20X1 these figures were CU64 million and CU36 million respectively. Companies in Ruritania pay tax at a flat rate of 20%. This rate is not expected to change in future years. (2) In the year ended 30 April 20X1 Excelsior capitalised development costs of CU7 million. These costs are likely to be amortised over four years from 1 May 20X2. Under Ruritanian tax law such costs are deductible when incurred. (3) The tax trading loss carried forward in respect of the year ended 30 April 20X1 is CU16 million. Excelsior has reliable budgets for a taxable profit of CU5 million for each of the next two financial years, but it has no accurate budgets beyond that date. Tax losses can be carried forward indefinitely under Ruritanian tax law. (4) On 1 May 20X0 Excelsior issued a 5% bond to American financial institutions. The bond had a nominal value of US$16 million and is repayable on 30 April 20X3. The bond was issued at a discount of US$1 million, and is redeemable at a premium over nominal value of US$1.79 million. Interest of US$800,000 is paid every 12 months commencing 30 April 20X1. The implicit interest rate on the bond is approximately 10.91%. The loan has been translated on 1 May 20X0 and the interest paid in relation to the bond has been charged to profit or loss. This sum was CU2.24 million (US$800,000 × 2.8) but no other adjustments have been made. According to Ruritanian tax law, the only tax deduction in respect of the bond is for nominal interest which is tax deductible when paid. Debits and credits relating to discounts and premiums are not tax deductible. (5) On 1 April 20X1 Excelsior made a loan of CU2 million to one of the directors of the company, who also happens to be a prominent politician. I do not expect any of this sum to be recoverable, but it would be politically embarrassing to disclose this in the financial statements. The loan has been included in trade receivables and no adjustments have been made. On the grounds of materiality, the board is very keen to exclude any reference to the loan. 11 Aytace plc Aytace plc is the parent company of a group that operates golf courses in Europe. It has had investments in a number of 100% owned subsidiaries for many years, as well as owning 40% of the share capital in Xema Limited since 20X0. You are Frank Brown, a Chartered Accountant. You have recently taken up temporary employment with Aytace while the financial controller, Meg Blake, is on maternity leave. You receive the following email from the finance director, Willem Zhang. To: Frank Brown From: Willem Zhang Subject: Draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 May 20X3 Prior to maternity leave, Meg prepared a first draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and has noted some outstanding matters relating to transactions in the year (Exhibit). ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 25 Please prepare a working paper which comprises: • advice, with explanations and relevant calculations, on the appropriate financial reporting treatment of the outstanding matters highlighted by Meg in the Exhibit; and • a revised consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, showing clearly the financial reporting adjustments you have proposed. Ignore any tax consequences arising from the outstanding matters, as these will be finalised by our tax advisers. Requirement Prepare the working paper requested by the finance director. Total: 30 marks Exhibit: Briefing notes prepared by Meg Blake for year ended 31 May 20X3 Aytace Group – Draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 May 20X3 £’000 Additional Information Revenue 14,450 1 Operating costs (9,830) Operating profit 4,620 Income from associate 867 Other investment income 310 Finance costs Profit before tax Tax 1, 2 4 (1,320) 4,477 (1,220) Profit for the year 3,257 Additional information on outstanding matters I have not had sufficient time to look into the following matters because of my personal circumstances. (1) Golf tournament On 1 December 20X2 Aytace won the tender to host an annual international golf tournament for each of the next four years. The first golf tournament will take place in September 20X3. The tender process commenced on 5 August 20X2 and the tender was submitted on 8 November 20X2. Internal management time costs of £1.2 million were incurred in relation to the tender submission. These costs were capitalised and are being amortised from 1 December 20X2 over a four-year period. Therefore £150,000 (6/48 × £1.2 million) has been recognised in profit or loss as an operating cost for the year ended 31 May 20X3. A separate contract was subsequently signed on 1 February 20X3 with a satellite television company for the exclusive rights to broadcast the tournament. The contract fee is £4.8 million for the whole four years of the tournament. The broadcaster made an advance payment of £1.0 million to Aytace on 1 May 20X3. This amount was initially credited to a contract liability. I then decided to recognise revenue on the satellite television contract evenly over a four-year period from 1 February 20X3. An amount of £400,000 (£4.8m × 4/48) is therefore recognised as revenue in profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X3. (2) Defined benefit pension scheme Aytace operates a defined benefit pension scheme. Employees are not required to make any contributions into the scheme. Aytace recognises remeasurement (actuarial) gains and losses immediately through other comprehensive income in accordance with IAS 19, Employee Benefits (revised 2011). 26 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The scheme assets had a fair value of £12.2 million and £13.5 million at 31 May 20X2 and 31 May 20X3 respectively. Scheme obligations had a present value of £18 million and £19.8 million at 31 May 20X2 and 31 May 20X3 respectively. At 1 June 20X2 the interest rate on high quality corporate bonds was 6%. In the year ended 31 May 20X3, employer contributions paid into the scheme were £0.9 million, and pensions paid by the scheme during the year amounted to £1.1 million. These payments took place on 31 May 20X3. The service cost for the year ended 31 May 20X3 was £1.2 million. Aytace decided to improve the pension benefit at 1 June 20X2 for staff who will have worked at least five years for the company at the date the benefit is claimed. The scheme actuary calculated the additional benefit obligation in present value terms to be £400,000. The only entry in the financial statements in respect of the year ended 31 May 20X3 was to recognise in profit or loss the contributions paid to the scheme by Aytace, with no adjustment to the scheme obligations in the statement of financial position. (3) Holiday pay The salaried employees of Aytace are entitled to 25 days paid leave each year. The entitlement accrues evenly over the year and unused leave may be carried forward for one year. The holiday year is the same as the financial year. At 31 May 20X3, Aytace has 900 salaried employees and the average unused holiday entitlement is three days per employee. 5% of employees leave without taking their entitlement and there is no cash payment when an employee leaves in respect of holiday entitlement. There are 255 working days in the year and the total annual salary cost is £19 million. No adjustment has been made in the financial statements for the above and there was no opening accrual required for holiday entitlement. (4) Investment in Xema On 1 January 20X0, Aytace bought 40% of the issued ordinary share capital of Xema Ltd, a sportswear company, for £2.3 million. Aytace has had significant influence over Xema since this date and has used the equity method to account for the investment. At 1 January 20X0, Xema had an issued ordinary share capital of 1 million £1 ordinary shares and retained earnings of £3.4 million. There has been no change to Xema’s issued share capital since 1 January 20X0. At 31 May 20X2 retained earnings were £4.8 million. Xema’s statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X3 was as follows: £’000 Revenue 5,400 Operating costs (3,600) Operating profit 1,800 Other investment income 240 Finance costs Profit before tax (720) 1,320 Tax Profit for the year (300) 1,020 On 1 September 20X2 Aytace bought the remaining 60% of Xema’s ordinary share capital for £12.4 million, at which date its original 40% shareholding was valued at £3.8 million. There were no material differences between carrying amounts and fair values of the identifiable net assets of Xema at 1 September 20X2. I recognised the investment in Xema using the equity method and credited £867,000 to profit or loss (profit for the year of £1.02m × 3/12 × 40% plus £1.02m × 9/12 × 100%). (5) Executive and employee incentive schemes Aytace introduced two incentive schemes on 1 June 20X2. No entries have been made in relation to either of these schemes in the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X3. The first incentive scheme is for executives. Aytace granted 100,000 share options to each of five directors. Each option gives the right to buy one ordinary share in Aytace for £6.40 at the vesting ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 27 date of 31 May 20X5. In order for the options to vest, Aytace’s share price must rise by a minimum of 35% from the market price on 1 June 20X2 of £6.40 per share. In addition, for a director’s options to vest, he/she must still hold office at 31 May 20X5. Aytace’s share price was only £5.80 at 31 May 20X3, and I am not confident that we will achieve the required price increase of 35% by the vesting date. The fair value of a share option at 1 June 20X2 was estimated to be £2.70, but this had fallen to £1.90 by 31 May 20X3. Most of the board has been with Aytace for a number of years, and none has left in the last 12 months. I would anticipate only one director leaving prior to the vesting date. The second incentive scheme is an employee scheme in the form of share appreciation rights for senior managers. The vesting date is 31 May 20X5, and managers must be still in employment at that date. There are 60 managers eligible for the scheme, each of whom has appreciation rights over 4,000 shares. Under the scheme each manager will receive a cash amount equal to the fair value of the rights over each share. I anticipate 50 of the managers being in the scheme at 31 May 20X5. The fair value of the rights was £2.85 per share at 1 June 20X2 and £2.28 per share at 31 May 20X3. 12 Razak plc Razak plc is a listed parent company. During the year ended 30 September 20X2 Razak plc increased its shareholding in its only equity investment, Assulin Ltd. Razak publishes magazines in the UK. You are Kay Norton, a chartered accountant and a member of the Razak financial reporting team. You report to the Razak group finance director, Andrew Nezranah, who is also a chartered accountant. You receive the following email: To: Kay Norton From: Andrew Nezranah Date: 29 October 20X2 I have recently joined the board and I am preparing for our annual update presentation to our bank. As part of this update, I have been asked to present the bank with draft consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X2. I appreciate that there will be tax issues to finalise at a later stage, but the bank has said that it is not interested in these at present. For a number of years Razak plc held 15% of the ordinary share capital of Assulin, a paper pulp manufacturer. On 31 March 20X2 this shareholding was increased to 80%, as we wanted to secure continuity of supply in relation to paper pulp. Further details of this transaction can be found in Exhibit 1. Razak plc’s draft financial statements at 30 September 20X2 are summarised in Exhibit 2. In addition I have some concerns about Razak plc’s purchase of a bond in Imposter plc (Exhibit 3). The directors are proposing to introduce a pension plan for next year (Exhibit 4) and are perhaps unclear on how to account for it. Please would you: • provide explanations of how the increase in the stake in Assulin will be treated in Razak’s consolidated financial statements; • explain any adjustments needed to account for the purchase of the Imposter bond in Razak’s consolidated financial statements and evaluate any ethical issues arising from this matter; • prepare Razak’s consolidated statement of financial position at 30 September 20X2 after making all relevant adjustments; and • explain how the proposed pension plan would be accounted for in the financial statements. 28 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Requirement Reply to Andrew’s email. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Shareholding in Assulin In 20W4 (eight years ago), Razak plc bought 75,000 shares in Assulin for £6 each. An irrevocable election was made on purchase to classify this investment as being at fair value through other comprehensive income. At 30 September 20X1, the shares had a fair value of £16 each, and a cumulative increase in fair value of £750,000 had been recognised in other comprehensive income and was held in equity. In Razak plc’s draft statement of financial position, the increase in the share valuation has also been included in the investment in Assulin. On 31 March 20X2 a further 325,000 shares in Assulin were purchased for £25 each. This sum has been added to the investment in Assulin. In addition to the cash consideration of £25 per share, Razak plc agreed to pay a further £6 per share on 31 March 20X4, subject to a condition that Assulin’s management team, each of whom owned shares in Assulin, remain with the company to that date. It is considered to be highly probable that this condition will be met. No adjustments for a contingent payment have been included in Razak’s financial statements. Razak has a cost of capital of 9%. On 31 March 20X2, the fair value of an Assulin share was estimated to be £20. Razak has decided to use the fair value (full goodwill) method to measure non-controlling interest. The statements of financial position of Assulin at 30 September 20X2 and 31 March 20X2 were as follows: 30 September 20X2 31 March 20X2 £’000 £’000 3,460 3,210 Inventories 610 580 Receivables 400 280 Cash at bank 70 90 4,540 4,160 £1 ordinary shares 500 500 Retained earnings 2,740 2,540 800 800 Trade payables 290 240 Tax payable 210 80 4,540 4,160 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Current assets Total assets Equity Non-current liabilities Loan from Razak plc Current liabilities Total equity and liabilities Included in Assulin’s non-current assets is a property which had a carrying amount of £1.2 million at 31 March 20X2. This property was estimated to have a fair value of £2.6 million at this date, and a remaining useful life of five years. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 29 Exhibit 2: Draft statement of financial position for Razak plc at 30 September 20X2 £’000 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 6,000 Investment in Assulin 9,325 Loan to Assulin 800 Other financial assets 1,193 17,318 Current assets Inventories 1,255 Receivables 960 2,215 Total assets 19,533 Equity £1 ordinary shares 2,800 Share premium account 7,400 Retained earnings 2,510 Other components of equity 750 13,460 Non-current liabilities 2,788 Current liabilities Bank overdraft 1,220 Trade payables 865 Tax payable 1,200 3,285 Total equity and liabilities 19,533 Exhibit 3: Imposter bond Razak plc purchased a 6% bond in Imposter plc on 1 October 20X1 (the issue date) at par for £1.2 million. On recognition, Razak created a separate allowance of £7,000 for 12-month expected credit losses (present value of lifetime expected credit losses of £100,000 × 7% chance of default within 12 months). The bond has an effective annual rate of interest of 7.5%. No repayments were made in the year ended 30 September 20X2. At 30 September 20X2, the credit quality of the bond was considered to have significantly deteriorated. The present value of lifetime expected credit losses was revised to £600,000. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of lifetime expected credit losses is 7.5%. It is currently recognised in ‘other financial assets’ in the draft statement of financial position at £1,193,000, which is the value on initial recognition net of the 12-month expected credit losses. The chief executive of Razak plc is also a director of Imposter and has a 5% shareholding in Imposter. The chief executive authorised the purchase of the bond. There is no record of this matter in the board minutes. 30 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 4: Proposed pension plan The directors of Razak are considering setting up a pension plan in the next accounting period with the following characteristics: (1) The pension liabilities would be fully insured and indexation of future liabilities will be limited up to and including the funds available in a special trust account set up for the plan, which is not at the disposal of Razak. (2) The trust account will be built up by the insurance company from the surplus yield on investments. (3) The pension plan will be an average pay plan in respect of which the entity pays insurance premiums to a third party insurance company to fund the plan. (4) Every year 1% of the pension fund will be built up and employees will pay a contribution of 4% of their salary, with the employer paying the balance of the contribution. (5) If an employee leaves Razak and transfers the pension to another fund, Razak will be liable for, or is refunded the difference between the benefits the employee is entitled to and the insurance premiums paid. In the light of the above, the directors believe that the plan will qualify as a defined contribution plan under IAS 19, Employee Benefits rather than a defined benefit plan, and will be accounted for accordingly. 13 Melton plc Melton plc (‘Melton’) owns a number of subsidiaries that operate high quality coffee bars. You are a recently appointed investment analyst for a major investment bank that owns 6% of the issued equity of Melton. You have been asked to analyse the profitability, cash flows and investor ratios of Melton. You need to prepare notes for a meeting with the investment team to determine whether the investment bank should consider disposing of its investment. One of your colleagues has left you a note of background information concerning Melton (Exhibit 1) and some financial information (Exhibit 2). Your meeting notes should do the following: (1) Evaluate the investment team member’s comment (Exhibit 1 point (8)), explaining the usefulness and limitations of diluted earnings per share information to investors. (2) Analyse the profitability, cash flow and investor ratios of Melton plc, calculating additional relevant ratios to assist in your analysis. Your notes should identify and justify matters that you consider require further investigation. (3) Explain the validity or otherwise of your colleague’s statement that Melton plc is unable to pay a dividend because of the debit balance on consolidated retained earnings (Exhibit 1, point (7)). (4) Discuss the reporting implications of the issue raised in the director’s comment in Exhibit 1, point (9). Requirement Prepare the meeting notes for the investment team. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Notes on background information for Melton (1) Melton has a reputation for depreciating its assets more slowly than others in the sector. (2) The strategy of the group is to fund new outlet capital expenditure from existing operating cash flows without the need to raise new debt. (3) Like for like revenue growth in the sector is estimated at 4.1% pa. (4) Grow ‘outlet profits’ (gross profits) as a percentage of outlet revenue year on year. (5) Increase promotional and advertising spend on new outlets to encourage strong initial sales. (6) Management are accused of concentrating on new outlet openings to the detriment of existing outlets. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 31 (7) Melton is unable to pay dividends as the company has a debit balance on its consolidated retained earnings. (8) One member of the investment team has questioned the usefulness of diluted earnings per share, which, he believes, ‘adds in unnecessary complications that may never happen’. (9) Melton acquired 8,000 out of the 10,000 shares of R.T. Café Ltd, which operates a chain of cafés offering simple food and a good but limited range of coffees. Mr Bean, one of the directors of Melton, has stated the following: “While R.T. Café Ltd is profitable, long-term it is not a good fit with the image we are trying to portray. I suggest we dispose 2,000 of our shares in this subsidiary in January 20X8. Preliminary enquiries suggest that we could make a profit of £500,000, which would be a nice boost to earnings per share for next year.” Exhibit 2: Financial information Melton plc: Consolidated statement of profit or loss for the year ended 30 September 20X7 20X6 £’000 £’000 37,780 29,170 Cost of sales (28,340) (22,080) Gross profit 9,440 7,090 (6,240) (4,480) 3,200 2,610 Revenue Administrative expenses Profit from operations Finance costs (410) Profit before taxation (420) 2,790 Tax 2,190 (610) (460) Profit for the year 2,180 1,730 Earnings per share – basic 26.8p 21.3p Earnings per share – diluted 21.2p 19.2p No dividends have been paid or proposed in 20X6 and 20X7. Melton plc: Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 September 20X7 £’000 £’000 20X6 £’000 £’000 Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations (Note) 6,450 4,950 Interest paid (410) (440) Tax paid (320) (260) 5,720 4,250 Net cash from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of non-current assets Proceeds on sale of non-current assets (5,970) (5,790) 20 Net cash used in investing activities 30 (5,950) (5,760) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds of share issue 32 Corporate Reporting 240 20 ICAEW 2022 20X7 £’000 Borrowings Net cash from financing activities £’000 650 20X6 £’000 £’000 2,000 890 2,020 ––––– ––––– 660 510 Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 2,480 1,970 Cash and cash equivalents carried forward 3,140 2,480 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Note: Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations for the year ended 30 September Profit before tax Finance cost Depreciation and amortisation Loss on disposal of non-current assets (Increase)/decrease in inventories (Increase) in receivables Increase in trade payables Cash generated from operations 20X7 20X6 £’000 £’000 2,790 2,190 410 420 3,060 2,210 30 10 (40) 10 (250) (20) 450 130 6,450 4,950 Analysis of revenue, outlet profits and new outlet openings for the years ended 30 September 20X6 and 20X7 30 new outlets were opened during the year ended 30 September 20X7 to bring the total to 115. 20X7 20X6 £’000 £’000 Outlets open at 30 September 20X6 354 343 Outlets opened in current financial year 258 – Outlets open at 30 September 20X6 87 83 Outlets opened in current financial year 69 – Revenue per outlet Gross profit per outlet Additional information 20X7 20X6 Gross margin 25.0% 24.3% Gearing (net debt/equity) 35.2% 44.4% Current ratio 0.56:1 0.48:1 Trade payables payment period 86 days 103 days Return on capital employed (ROCE) 20.0% 19.1% ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 33 20X7 20X6 Cash return on capital employed (CROCE) 40.2% 36.3% Revenue per employee (£’000) 41.1 37.9 Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) (£’000) 6,260 4,820 Non-current asset turnover 1.68 times 1.49 times Share price (at 30 September) 302p 290p 14 Aroma Jo West owned a highly successful technology business which she sold five years ago for £20 million. She then set up an investment entity that invests primarily in smaller private businesses in need of short to medium term funding. Jo sits on the board as a non-executive director of a number of the entities that her business has invested in and is often able to offer valuable business advice to these entities, especially in the area of research and development activities. You are Lois Mortimer, a member of Jo’s investment management team. Jo has been approached by the managing director of Aroma, a small private entity looking for investment; she has asked you, as a member of her investment management team, to produce a report analysing the financial performance of Aroma for the year ended 30 June 20X1 and its financial position at that date. Your report should contain a recommendation as to whether she should consider this investment further. Jo has sent you the following email: To: loismortimer@westinvestments.com From: jowest@westinvestments.com Date: 31 August 20X1 Subject: Financial performance of Aroma Thank you for agreeing to do this report for me. I’ve got hold of some extracts from Aroma’s financial statements (Exhibit). Some background detail for you: Aroma has been trading for more than 10 years manufacturing and selling its own branded perfumes, lotions and candles to the public in its 15 retail stores and to other larger retailing entities. Revenue and profits have been steady over the last 10 years. However, 18 months ago, the newly appointed sales director saw an opportunity to sell the products online. Using longterm funding, she set up an online shop. The online shop has been operating successfully for the last 14 months. The sales director also used her prior contacts to secure a lucrative deal with a boutique hotel chain for Aroma to manufacture products for the hotel, which carry the hotel chain name and logo. The contract was set up on 1 January 20X1. The managing director of Aroma now believes that the business could take advantage of further sales opportunities and does not wish to lose the momentum created by the sales director. The bank that currently provides both the long-term loan and an overdraft facility has rejected Aroma’s request for additional funds on the basis that there are insufficient assets to offer as security (the existing funding is secured on Aroma’s property, plant and equipment). Requirement Prepare the report required by Jo West. Total: 30 marks 34 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit: Financial statements extracts Statement of profit or loss for the year ended 30 June 20X1 20X0 £’000 £’000 6,000 3,700 Cost of sales (4,083) (2,590) Gross profit 1,917 1,110 Revenue Administrative expenses (870) (413) Distribution costs (464) (356) Finance costs (43) (34) Profit before tax 540 307 (135) (80) 405 227 Income tax expense Profit for the year The revenues and profits of the three business segments for the year ended 30 June 20X1 were: Retail operations Online store Hotel contract £’000 £’000 £’000 Revenues 4,004 1,096 900 Gross profit 1,200 330 387 320 138 82 Profit before tax The online store earned a negligible amount of revenue and profit in the year ended 30 June 20X0. Statement of financial position as at 30 June 20X1 20X0 £’000 £’000 380 400 20 10 400 410 1,260 1,180 455 310 ––––– 42 1,715 1,532 2,115 1,942 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets – development costs Current assets Inventories Receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total assets ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 35 20X1 20X0 £’000 £’000 Share capital (£1 equity shares) 550 550 Retained earnings 722 610 1,272 1,160 412 404 363 378 68 ––––– 431 378 843 782 2,115 1,942 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Total equity Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings Current liabilities Payables Short-term borrowings (overdraft) Total liabilities Total equity and liabilities 15 Kenyon You work for a team of investment analysts at Inver Bank. Kenyon plc, a listed entity, operates a number of bottling plants. The entity’s business consists primarily of contract work for regular customers. Revenue from existing contracts has increased in the year and in November 20X0 Kenyon plc secured a new contract with a high profile drinks company. Kenyon plc paid a dividend of £100 million during the year ended 31 October 20X1. Gary, a client, recently received the latest published financial statements of Kenyon plc and was impressed by the level of profitability and the dividend paid. He was also impressed with the fact that the share price had increased from £2.80 per share on 31 October 20X0 to £4.90 on 31 October 20X1. Gary is now considering acquiring some of Kenyon plc’s shares and has asked for your advice in an email: “I am interested in your views on whether it is worth investing in Kenyon plc. It would be useful in making my decision if you could produce a report which: (1) analyses the financial performance of Kenyon plc for the year to 31 October 20X1 and its financial position at that date and discusses whether or not it is a good investment at this time; (2) and, in addition: (a) shows the best and worst case potential impact of the contingent liability on Kenyon plc’s profitability and investment potential; and (b) discusses any further information I may need to access regarding the contingent liability in advance of making a final investment decision.” You have obtained the financial statements of Kenyon plc (Exhibit 1), together with some further information (Exhibit 2). Requirement Prepare the report required by Gary Watson. Total: 30 marks 36 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 1: Financial statements Kenyon plc: Statements of financial position as at 31 October 20X1 20X0 £m £m 381 346 56 ––– 437 346 Inventories 86 40 Receivables 72 48 3 60 161 148 598 494 150 150 50 50 Retained reserves 265 223 Total equity 465 423 38 5 95 66 Total liabilities 133 71 Total equity and liabilities 598 494 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Investment in associate (see Exhibit 2) Current assets Cash and cash equivalents Total assets EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Share capital (50 pence shares) Share premium Non-current liabilities Pension liability (see Exhibit 2) Current liabilities Trade and other payables Kenyon plc: Statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 October 20X1 20X0 £m £m 663 463 Cost of sales (395) (315) Gross profit 268 148 Distribution costs (27) (20) Administrative expenses (28) (17) Revenue ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 37 20X1 20X0 £m £m Share of profit of associate (see Exhibit 2) 7 – Investment income 1 6 Profit before tax 221 117 Income tax expense (45) (24) Profit for the year 176 93 (48) (10) 14 2 Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax (34) (8) Total comprehensive income 142 85 Other comprehensive income (not re-classified to P/L): Remeasurement loss on pension assets and liabilities (see Exhibit 2) Tax effect of other comprehensive income Exhibit 2: Additional information Investment in associate Kenyon plc acquired 40% of AB, its associate on 1 April 20X1 for £49 million. Pension liability The actuary has provided the valuations of pension assets and liabilities as at 31 October 20X1 in the financial statements. However, as yet the actuary has not informed Kenyon plc of the contribution level required for the year to 31 October 20X2. Contingent liability The notes to the financial statements include details of a contingent liability of £10 million. On 5 October 20X1, Kenyon plc suffered a chemical leak at one of the bottling plants and there is currently an investigation into the potential damage this caused to a nearby river and surrounding area. The investigation is at an early stage and it is not yet clear whether Kenyon plc was negligent. As stated in the notes to the financial statements Kenyon plc’s lawyers have intimated that, in their opinion, Kenyon plc is likely to lose the case. No obligation has been recorded because the amount of potential damages could not be measured with sufficient reliability at the year end. However, the lawyers have given a range of possible estimates of between £7 million and £13 million. The case is due to be decided by 31 October 20X2. 38 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 16 Dormro Note: For formatting reasons it is recommended that this question is done as home study/in a paperbased context. You are Bernie Eters, an audit assistant manager working for FG, ICAEW Chartered Accountants. The audit engagement manager in charge of the Dormro Ltd and Dormro group audit gives you the following briefing: “This audit is turning into a nightmare and I need your assistance today. The Dormro finance director has just informed me that Dormro acquired an investment in Klip Inc., an overseas company resident in Harwan, on 31 January 20X2, which is not included in the consolidation schedules. Klip is audited by a local Harwanian auditor. I am also unhappy about the level of detailed testing carried out by our audit senior. I have provided you with the following relevant work papers: Exhibit 1 Extract from Dormro audit planning memorandum. Exhibit 2 Consolidation schedule, notes and outstanding audit procedures. Exhibit 3 Information concerning the acquisition of Klip provided by Dormro finance director; statement of financial position for Klip; and audit clearance from Klip auditors in Harwan. I have a meeting with the audit partner tomorrow and I need to inform her of any issues relating to the group financial statements and to provide a detailed summary of the progress of our work. Please review all the information provided and prepare a work paper which: (1) identifies and explains any known and potential issues which you believe may give rise to material audit adjustments or significant audit risks in the group financial statements; and (2) outlines, for each issue, the additional audit procedures, if any, required to enable us to sign our audit opinion on the group financial statements. Also, please include in your work paper a revised consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 April 20X2, which includes the overseas subsidiary, Klip.” Requirement Prepare the work paper requested by the audit engagement manager. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Extract from Dormro audit planning memorandum for year ended 30 April 20X2 Group planning materiality has been set at £250,000. Dormro has two wholly-owned UK subsidiaries; Secure Ltd and CAM Ltd. Secure was set up several years ago and supplies security surveillance systems. CAM is a specialist supplier of security cameras and was acquired by Dormro on 31 October 20X1. CAM is a growing business with profitable public sector contracts. The UK companies have a 30 April year end and FG audits all the UK companies. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 39 Exhibit 2: Dormro: consolidation schedules for the year ended 30 April 20X2 Statement of financial position Dormro Secure CAM Adjs. £’000 £’000 £’000 45 2,181 788 – – – Note Group £’000 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Goodwill Investments 10,180 – 3,014 9,490 1 (3,239) 2 15 (10,010) 1 3,380 2,947 6,251 185 Current assets Inventories – Trade receivables Intercompany receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total assets 6,327 4,292 4,849 9,141 2,045 – 1,474 567 (706) 382 12,837 9,147 10,455 (7,278) 200 10 510 (520) 1 200 4,523 973 1,758 (1,758) 2 5,496 54 (867) 2,962 (100) 3 568 (1,481) 2 (3,519) 3 –––––– – 243 25,161 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Share capital Retained earnings at 1 May 20X1 Profit/(loss) for the year Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings 8,000 – – 4 37 5,702 4,513 – 3,329 90 23 – 622 12,837 9,147 10,455 (7,278) 767 23,407 28,097 (14,049) 2 (767) 3 8,000 Current liabilities Trade and other payables Intercompany payables Current tax payable Total equity and liabilities 10,252 (3,419) 3 – 645 25,161 Statement of profit or loss Revenue Cost of sales Administrative expenses – (740) (19,703) (4,532) (19,455) (4,688) 9,727 2 767 3 (100) 3 2,344 40 Corporate Reporting 37,455 (29,431) (6,949) 2 ICAEW 2022 Dormro Secure CAM Adjs. £’000 £’000 £’000 Finance income/(cost) 50 (39) 31 (15) Profit/(loss) before tax 77 (867) 3,985 (2,093) (23) –––––– (1,023) 512 54 (867) 2,962 (1,581) Income tax expense Profit/(loss) for the year Note Group £’000 2 27 1,102 2 (534) 568 Notes (1) This adjustment eliminates investments in the subsidiary companies Secure and CAM. The equivalent adjustment in the prior year was £10,000 and related to the elimination of share capital in Secure. The increase in the current year is due to the acquisition of CAM for £10 million which I have agreed to the bank statement. In addition, £170,000 was paid to acquire the shares in Klip and there is an investment of £15,000 held by CAM both of which are below the materiality level. (2) This adjustment removes from the statement of profit or loss half of CAM’s results as the subsidiary was acquired on 31 October 20X1. In addition, all pre-acquisition retained earnings have been eliminated and treated as part of the goodwill calculation. (3) These adjustments eliminate intragroup balances and management charges from Dormro to its subsidiaries. The difference of £100,000 between the receivables and payables has been written off to profit or loss and is concerning a dispute between Secure and CAM. (4) This loan was taken out by Dormro on 1 May 20X1. I have agreed the balance to the loan agreement, noting capital repayable over eight years in equal annual instalments commencing 1 May 20X2 and an effective interest rate of 6.68%. An arrangement fee of £200,000 has been expensed to profit or loss and interest is payable at 6% annually in arrears. An adjustment is required to accrue for interest of £480,000. Outstanding audit procedures I have reconciled all balances from the consolidation schedules to the audit work papers for each company, noting no exceptions. The following procedures are outstanding: Secure Review of the directors’ assessment of the company’s ability to continue as a going concern given the loss for the year, the overdraft balance and the company’s reliance on loans from other group companies. CAM Final conclusion on the adequacy of the inventory obsolescence provision. CAM has applied the group accounting policy in determining its provision, but this is based on historical sales. Given the technical issues with the product range, I am concerned that the calculated provision may be understated by around £220,000. Audit procedures on the provision for warranty costs of £205,000 (20X1: £275,000). Management have failed to supply any supporting documentation for this provision. Secure and CAM Receipt of bank confirmation letters and confirmation of balances due to other group companies. Exhibit 3: Information concerning the acquisition of Klip provided by Dormro finance director On 31 January 20X2, Dormro paid H$918,000 (£170,000) to acquire 90% of the issued ordinary share capital of Klip which trades in Harwan where the currency is the Harwan dollar ($H). Klip makes security cameras and is a supplier company to CAM. There were no adjustments to the fair value of the net assets acquired except that inventory required a write down of H$1,000,000. None of this inventory had been sold at the year end. Dormro measures non-controlling interest using the proportion of net assets method. The rate of exchange at 30 April 20X2 was H$4.2 = £1 and the average rate for the three months to 30 April 20X2 was H$4.8 = £1. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 41 Klip – Statement of financial position as at 30 April 20X2 H$’000 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 1,940 Current assets Inventories 2,100 Trade receivables 600 Cash and cash equivalents Total assets 40 4,680 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Share capital Retained earnings at 1 May 20X1 200 1,200 Profit for the year 500 Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings 1,400 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 1,380 Total equity and liabilities 4,680 Clearance from Harwanian auditors of Klip To: Finance director, Dormro, United Kingdom From: Mersander Partners, Harwan Date: 26 July 20X2 Subject: Audit of Klip for the year ended 30 April 20X2 We have performed an audit of the accompanying reporting package of Klip for the year ended 30 April 20X2 in accordance with Harwanian Standards on Auditing and using materiality specified by you of £250,000. The reporting package has been prepared in accordance with group accounting policies as notified by Dormro. Where no group policy has been notified, the reporting package has been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those adopted in previous years. The net profit for the year increased by 10% compared to the previous year. This is due to a decrease in inventory obsolescence provisions when the group accounting policy was applied. There is no outstanding audit work which would affect our opinion and there are no uncorrected audit adjustments. In our opinion, the reporting package of the entity has been prepared in all material respects in accordance with group accounting policies and presents fairly the results of Klip for the year ended 30 April 20X2 and its financial position as at that date. Mersander Partners 42 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 17 Johnson Telecom Johnson Telecom plc (Johnson) is a telecommunications consultancy company delivering telecoms support to businesses across Europe. Johnson’s treasury department uses financial instruments for both speculative and hedging purposes. The company has an accounting year end of 31 December. The company’s financial statements show the following financial instruments: Extracts from financial statements at 31 December Draft 20X6 20X7 £’000 £’000 485 321 98 102 143 143 726 566 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 Financial assets Investments in equity Derivatives Debt investments Financial liabilities Loan note You are Poppy Posgen, a newly qualified audit senior at Beckett & Co, Chartered Accountants, and you are assigned to the statutory audit of Johnson for the year ended 31 December 20X7. You have received the following email from your manager, Annette Douglas. To: Poppy Posgen From: Annette Douglas Date: 7 February 20X8 Subject: 20X7 Financial Statements Poppy, Following our meeting yesterday, I would like you to review the way Johnson have accounted for a number of financial instruments. As you know, the Finance Director, who has prepared the supporting documentation, is on sick leave at the moment and is not expected to return to work until after the financial statements are published. The Financial Controller has provided all the information she can find, but lacks the background knowledge on these financial instruments. I have attached below the notes that the audit junior has taken in relation to the financial instruments. Bear in mind that planning materiality for the financial statements as a whole is £80,000, and we have set a lower performance materiality level for investments at 20% of planning materiality. Investments in equity The £485,000 balance at 31 December 20X6 represents two small investments in UK equity shares. Johnson has held the investment in Cole for a number of years, and sold it on 14 August 20X7 for £242,000. The investment in International Energy plc was acquired on 1 November 20X6. Both Cole plc and International Energy plc are listed companies. Valuation at 31 Draft at 31 Historical cost December 20X6 December 20X7 Cole plc (50,000 shares) Routers plc (16,000 shares) ICAEW 2022 £’000 £’000 £’000 163 230 – – – 93 Audit and integrated 1 43 Valuation at 31 Draft at 31 Historical cost December 20X6 December 20X7 International Energy plc (30,000 shares) £’000 £’000 £’000 270 255 228 433 485 321 On initial recognition of the investments in both Cole plc and International Energy plc an irrevocable election was made to measure them at fair value through other comprehensive income, with any fair value gains or losses accumulated in other components of equity. A new investment of 16,000 shares (out of a total of 50,000 shares) in Routers plc was made on 8 November 20X7. In the Finance Director’s absence, the Financial Controller could not find supporting documents for the investment. According to the Financial Times on that date, the bid-offer spread was £5.80–£5.83 at acquisition. The Directors explained to me that this investment is a short-term investment and is held for trading, with the aim of generating a profit if the price changes. As a result, it was designated as at fair value through profit or loss. The journal entries in respect of the disposal of Cole plc and the acquisition of the new investment in Routers plc are shown in Exhibit 2. Derivatives The balance comprises two derivatives: (1) Put option There is a put option to hedge against a fall in the share price of the 30,000 shares in International Energy. The put was purchased on 1 January 20X7 at £2 per option and is exercisable at £9.00 until 31 December 20X8. In the absence of the Finance Director, who prepared the documentation to support this hedge, the documentation cannot be found. The option is accounted for using hedge accounting. The Directors are unfamiliar with the hedge accounting rules and have asked us to outline the hedging principles, and explain how fair value hedge accounting changes the way the investment and option are accounted for. They have also asked us to provide suitable documentation to support the fair value hedge. As the original documentation has been lost, the Directors have suggested they may backdate the documentation as 1 January 20X7. (2) Interest rate swap The interest rate swap is a five-year variable-to-fixed interest rate swap to hedge the interest rate risk of the loan note liability. The swap was entered into on 30 November 20X6. In the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X6, the swap was recorded at a fair value of £38,000. The swap was designated as a hedge at inception and the hedging documentation was reviewed by the audit team as part of last year’s statutory audit. The company applies cash flow hedge accounting to this swap. The Finance Director has prepared a note on the accounting treatment of the interest rate swap (see Exhibit 5). The terms of the swap: • £2 million notional amount • Pay 7% fixed, receive variable at SONIA • Semi-annual payments The fair value of the swap at 31 December 20X7, based on current SONIA rates, is £30,000. 44 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Debt investments The debt investment is a four-year quoted bond in Spence and May plc acquired on 1 January 20X6 and meets the IFRS 9 conditions to be measured at amortised cost (the business model test and cash flow characteristics test). Half of the holding was sold on the last day of this year for £83,000. Terms: • Acquired at nominal value of £140,000 • Redemption at premium of £10,000 on 31 December 20X9 • Coupon 10% pa, payable six-monthly in arrears (5% per six-month period) • Effective interest rate is 11.79% per annum (5.73% per six-month period) Loan note The loan note was issued at nominal value on 31 December 20X6 and is a five-year note at SONIA with semi-annual payments. Issue and redemption of the loan is at the nominal value of £2 million. The variable interest rate payments are hedged by the interest rate swap referred to in the Derivatives section above. Actions I need you to: (1) evaluate the accounting treatment adopted in the draft financial statements for the above financial instruments, showing any journal entries where relevant. Explain any audit adjustments required; (2) draft a summary of the hedge accounting rules and hedging principles as requested by the Directors, along with a sample hedging documentation. Explain separately how we should approach the Directors’ proposal to use hedging documentation prepared by us to support the put option; (3) identify and explain five key risks that arise from the derivatives trading activities, and the internal controls that should be in place to mitigate these risks; and (4) identify and explain any additional audit evidence the audit team will need to obtain with regards to the financial instruments. Requirement Prepare a memorandum giving the information required by Annette Douglas. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Market information as at 31 December 20X7 Share prices Day’s close Mid market Bid Offer £ £ £ £ International Energy plc 7.70 7.62 7.60 7.64 Routers plc 5.84 5.86 5.85 5.88 Put option Fair value of option (per share) 31 December 20X6 £2 31 December 20X7 £2.40 ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 45 Exhibit 2: Journal entries in respect of investments Cole plc £’000 DEBIT Cash £’000 242 CREDIT Investment 230 CREDIT Profit or loss 12 Being the disposal of the investment in Cole plc Routers plc £’000 DEBIT Investment CREDIT £’000 93.28 Cash 93.28 Being acquisition of investment in Routers plc Exhibit 3: Bloomberg market data SONIA 31 December 20X6 7.0% 30 June 20X7 7.5% 31 December 20X7 7.5% Exhibit 4: Supporting workings for Spence and May bonds The amortised cost is calculated every six months in line with the frequency of the coupon payments. Operating balance Interest at 5.73% Cash flow (5% × 140,000) Closing balance £ £ £ £ 30 Jun 20X6 140,000 8,022 (7,000) 141,022 31 Dec 20X6 141,022 8,081 (7,000) 142,103 30 Jun 20X7 142,103 8,143 (7,000) 143,246 31 Dec 20X7 143,246 8,208 (7,000) 144,454 Period ended Journal entries in respect of the bonds £’000 DEBIT Debt investment 1.2 DEBIT Cash 7.0 CREDIT Interest income £’000 8.2 Being re-measurement of amortised cost at 31 December 20X7 • De-recognise 50% of the amortised cost of the investment holding. • Resulting gain of £10,773 (83,000 – (144,454/2) is recognised in profit or loss. £’000 DEBIT CREDIT 46 Corporate Reporting Cash Debt investment £’000 83 83 ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 5: Accounting note on the loan and interest rate swap Loan note and interest rate swap • The interest rate swap (IRS) provides a cash flow hedge against the interest payments on the loan note. • Hedge accounting is permitted as: – the hedge is a perfect hedge as all terms match (currency, maturity, nominal amount); and – documentation has been in place since inception. • The amortised cost of the loan will remain at £2 million as the loan issue and redemption are both at par. • The entries through the year are as follows: – The £150,000 variable rate interest for 12 months to 31 Dec 20X7 is charged to profit or loss and accrued until payment is made (£2m × 7.5%). – The net settlement on the interest rate swap is £10,000 ((7.5% – 7%) × £2m). This is received from the swap bank as a cash settlement and reduces the £150,000 variable rate interest expense on the loan note to £140,000, being the fixed rate cost. – The £8,000 change in the fair value of the swap is released from equity (other components of equity). This represents the settlement of £10,000 less the unwinding of the discounting in the future swap settlements. £’000 DEBIT Profit or loss – Interest expense CREDIT Interest accrual DEBIT Interest accrual CREDIT Cash DEBIT Cash CREDIT £’000 150 150 150 150 10 Profit or loss – Interest expense DEBIT Equity CREDIT 10 8 Derivative asset 8 18 Biltmore The Biltmore group, a property business which came into being on 1 January 20X8, owns a number of investment properties. The parent company, Biltmore plc, and the other members of the group, had no connection before that date. The directors of Biltmore plc have a reputation for adopting aggressive accounting practices. At the audit planning meeting, the need for professional scepticism was highlighted. Materiality for the financial statements as a whole is set at 1% of the group’s total assets. Total group assets at the year end are £2,423 million. You are Jane Smith, a senior in James & Co, an accounting firm. David Williams, the audit partner, has sent you the following email. To: Jane Smith From: David Williams, Audit Partner Date: 5 February 20X9 Subject: Investment properties owned by Biltmore group ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 47 Following our earlier discussion, I would like you to prepare a report on the investment properties owned by the various members of the Biltmore Group at 31 December 20X8. Details of the investments are in an Appendix. As you know, this is a complex area of the audit. The valuation of investment properties was identified as an area where there is a particular risk of material misstatement. All the detailed audit fieldwork has been completed, but the financial statements have yet to be finalised and agreed by the board of directors, and the auditor’s report is still under consideration. One thing I’m particularly concerned about is the misclassification of assets. As we have seen throughout this audit, the directors are very reluctant to make adjustments to reclassify such assets, arguing that “you’d end up with the same total assets figure anyway”. Your report should cover the following: (1) The appropriate treatment of each investment property in the consolidated financial statements of the Biltmore Group as at 31 December 20X8, with justifications in each case. (2) A calculation of the adjustments that would have to be made to the figures in the draft financial statements in order to show the corrected figures relating to investment properties in the consolidated financial statements. (3) A summary and explanation of the impact on our auditor’s report if the directors refuse to put through the reclassification adjustments, setting out the reasons for your conclusion. Requirement Prepare the report required by the audit partner. Total: 40 marks Exhibit: Appendix: Details of Biltmore investments The draft financial statements are as follows: Summarised statements of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 20X8 Biltmore plc Subone plc Subtoo plc £m £m £m Rental income 500 – 300 Gains on investment properties 100 80 50 (2) – (1) (12) (8) (9) (140) (50) (25) 446 22 315 Biltmore plc Subone plc Subtoo plc £m £m £m 38 – 19 Investment properties 1,000 850 510 Investments 2,000 –––– –––– 3,038 850 529 3 2 1 Revenues Operating costs Depreciation of property Administration Finance costs Net profit Summarised statements of financial position as at 31 December 20X8 Property, plant and equipment (excluding investment properties) Current assets 48 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Biltmore plc Subone plc Subtoo plc £m £m £m 3,041 852 530 Equity 1,539 351 279 Non-current liabilities 1,500 500 250 2 1 1 3,041 852 530 Current liabilities All of the property, plant and equipment is in the form of land and buildings. All of these were professionally revalued as at the date of Biltmore plc’s investment in the group members. Biltmore plc owns 100% of the share capital of Subone plc and 80% of Subtoo plc. All companies show all of their investment properties at fair value, unless otherwise stated. All properties have an estimated useful life of 20 years. The following information relates to the properties classed as investment properties in the draft statement of financial position of the group members: Biltmore plc Present carrying amount £m Harmony Tower 3 – a medium-sized office block in London’s Docklands This property was purchased in February 20X8 for £200 million. The directors have decided to leave this property valued at cost because they do not believe that they can measure its fair value reliably. Harmony Tower 3 is flanked by two identical buildings, neither of which is owned by any member of the Biltmore Group. The owner of neighbouring Harmony Tower 2 sold the property on the open market in December 20X8 for £150 million. The owner of Harmony Tower 1 has put the property on the market for £160 million. 200 Grove Place – an office block in Birmingham City Centre This property had a fair value of £220 million on 1 January 20X8. During the year Biltmore plc spent £30 million on a major programme of improvement and refurbishment and capitalised these costs. The latest valuation report, dated December 20X8, suggests that the property’s fair value remains at £220 million. 250 Head office – upper floors Biltmore plc’s head office is a 12-floor office block. The company occupies the bottom four floors and has left the top eight floors vacant. The directors claim that they intend to hold these vacant floors for their ‘investment potential’ and are not actively seeking a tenant or buyer. An architect’s report on the building states that it would be difficult to remodel the building so as to let or sell the upper floors to a third party. The upper floors are recognised in the financial statements at £100 million. The fair value attributed to the upper floors on 1 January 20X8 was £80 million. 100 Northwest Forward – a mixed retail and office complex in Lancaster This complex had a fair value of £240 million on 1 January 20X8. Biltmore plc rents out 99% of the floor space in this development, but occupies a small suite of management offices on the site. The complex cannot be sold separately. ICAEW 2022 300 Audit and integrated 1 49 Biltmore plc Present carrying amount £m Buy-to-let portfolio – Teesside Biltmore plc owns a large number of flats and houses in the Northeast of England. These had a fair value of £150 million as at 1 January 20X8. There was a downturn in house market prices in that region at the end of January 20X9. The portfolio’s value was estimated at £120 million at that time. 150 Essex Mall Subone plc’s principal asset is the site of Essex Mall, which is presently under construction. This will be a major shopping development and all of the units in the mall are under contract to retail chains, with leases commencing from the estimated completion date of 1 September 20X9. Subone plc intends to sell the development once it is completed. The cost of the site and building work as at 1 January 20X8 was £600 million. A further £170 million was spent on the work done during the year ended 31 December 20X8. 850 The directors of Subone plc believe that the property has a fair value of £850 million in its present state. Subone plc’s head office Subone plc occupies a prestigious London office block which is leased from Subtoo plc on a five-year lease. The property had a fair value of £120 million on 1 January 20X8. 150 Coventry building Subtoo plc owns a building in Coventry. Subtoo plc commenced development of the Coventry building in March 20X8 with a view to resale. At that time its fair value was £345 million. The property remains on the market as at the present date. There have been several expressions of interest, but no formal offers. 360 19 Hillhire You are an audit senior with Barber and Kennedy, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Peter Lanning, one of the firm’s audit managers, has just been assigned to the audit of Hillhire plc after the previous audit manager was signed off sick. Peter has given you some notes made by the previous manager at the initial audit planning meeting (Exhibit 2), along with some other information, and he has given you the following instructions: “I would like you to assist me in the audit planning and first I would like you to prepare a memorandum which identifies the key audit risks relating to Hillhire’s financial statements using extracts from the financial statements for 20X7 and 20X8 (Exhibit 1) for the year ended 31 March 20X8. You should also outline the main audit procedures that we should carry out in respect of these matters and, where appropriate, state (Exhibit 3) the correct financial reporting treatment including journals for any potential adjustments that you identify at this stage. It appears that major issues to consider include a discontinued activity, the acquisition of Loucamion SA, the company’s recent use of financial instruments for hedging purposes and the proposal to introduce a major new system. In addition, the company has granted share options to senior employees as an incentive. These have not been accounted for in the current financial statements. 50 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The financial controller has argued that the share options granted are not an expense and therefore they have not been reflected in the financial statements. He is saying that even if they were to be accounted for as an expense, they do not yet vest as the vesting period is three years. You are given relevant information in Exhibit 4. You should review all of the information to hand and identify any required adjustments and any other considerations associated with the audit in terms of audit risk, ethics and our own practice management, that should be addressed before commencing the detailed audit work.” Requirement Draft the memorandum requested by the audit manager. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Extracts from draft financial statements Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 March 20X8 Draft £’000 Revenue £’000 20X7 Audited £’000 £’000 283,670 257,850 Cost of sales (187,220) (167,900) Gross profit 96,450 89,950 Administrative expenses (excluding amortisation) Amortisation (35,020) (34,610) (1,960) (970) Total administrative expenses (36,980) (35,580) 59,470 54,370 (17,750) (15,910) 41,720 38,460 (10,090) (9,270) Profit for the year from continuing operations 31,630 29,190 Loss for the year from discontinued operations (4,390) –––––––– Profit for the year 27,240 29,190 20X8 Draft 20X7 Audited Profit from operations Finance costs Profit before tax Taxation Statement of financial position at 31 March £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 ASSETS Non-current assets Goodwill 12,000 5,000 Other intangible assets 40,680 28,740 452,130 434,510 10,260 6,130 515,070 474,380 Property, plant and equipment Financial non-current assets ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 51 20X8 Draft £’000 £’000 20X7 Audited £’000 £’000 Current assets Inventories 4,280 3,820 Receivables 86,430 78,160 Cash and cash equivalents 19,540 15,910 110,250 97,890 40,130 ––––––– 665,450 572,270 Share capital 10,900 10,900 Share premium 63,250 63,250 Revaluation surplus 30,900 30,900 105,330 85,030 210,380 190,080 Long term borrowings 382,340 313,100 Deferred tax liabilities 22,290 19,740 404,630 332,840 Bank overdraft 11,160 10,270 Trade and other payables 32,810 33,950 6,470 5,130 50,440 49,350 665,450 572,270 Non-current assets held for sale Total assets EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Reserves Non-current liabilities Current liabilities Tax liabilities Total equity and liabilities Exhibit 2: Notes taken by previous audit manager at planning meeting Hillhire plc is a long-established company that has grown rapidly, both organically and by acquisition over the last 10 years. It hires out commercial vehicles using a large network of depots throughout the United Kingdom and also in Europe through a number of wholly owned subsidiaries. The company’s management has announced that 15 of its less profitable depots are to be sold off. Each depot is viewed as a cash generating unit in its own right. The depots that are for sale are clustered in Scotland and the decision to sell them is part of a strategic decision to withdraw from this area. The results of these depots have been disclosed separately as discontinued operations in the draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The announcement was made on 1 January 20X8 and management’s intentions were minuted in the board minutes. Marketing of the depot is not due to start until May or June 20X8 as Hillhire is yet to find alternative storage for the vehicles currently stored in these depots which it is intending to relocate to other parts of the business. At 1 January the carrying value of the depots was £44.52 million. They have been classified as held for sale at a fair value less costs to sell of £40.13 million. At 1 January the depots had a remaining useful life of 25 years. The loss on the discontinued operations of £4.39 million is only the loss on the classification of the depots to assets held for sale. On 1 April 20X7 Hillhire acquired 100% of the share capital of a competitor company, Loucamion SA, based in France. The functional currency of Loucamion is the euro. The main reason for the 52 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 acquisition was the perceived value of the customer relationships built up by Loucamion in its local market. Assets and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition included £4 million in respect of customer lists. Confidentiality agreements prohibit Loucamion from selling or exchanging information about its customers on the list. At 1 April 20X7 the useful life of the list was estimated to be 10 years and the intangible asset has been amortised on this basis. A loan note was issued at nominal value on 1 April 20X7 and is included in the statement of financial position. It is a five year note at SONIA plus 2%. Issue and redemption of the loan is at nominal value of £200 million. The variable interest rate payments are hedged by an interest rate swap (see below). The company has entered into a five year interest rate swap on 1 April 20X7 for a notional amount of £200 million to hedge the interest rate risk of the loan note liability. A swap agreement has been signed whereby Hillhire plc will pay a fixed rate of 8% to a counterparty on this amount and the counterparty will pay SONIA plus 2% to Hillhire plc. Payments are semi-annual. This swap was designated as a cash flow hedge on 1 May 20X7 and the directors of Hillhire plc believe that it is effective as such. No adjustment has been made for interest for the six months to 31 March 20X8, and no entries have yet been made for the change in fair value. SONIA rates are as follows: 1 April 20X7 7% 30 September 20X7 7.5% 31 March 20X8 7.5% Exhibit 3: Email from Alison Ritchie, partner responsible for Technology Risk Services in Barber and Kennedy To: Peter Lanning From: Alison Ritchie Date: 10 April 20X8 Subject: Hillhire I understand that you are now managing the audit of Hillhire plc. You should be aware that my team has been approached to tender for a one-off assurance assignment for this client. This would involve a review of risks and advice on controls in Hillhire’s new online booking system, which has been piloted in 20 of their UK depots since 2 January 20X8, prior to a planned national launch later in the year. At present, each depot operates its own bookings. Customers who wish to hire a vehicle must contact the nearest depot directly and make a booking by telephone. Transactions are logged on a networked PC system that operates independently within each branch. Every evening, this information is uploaded to the head office’s computer system. Head office then processes credit card payments due from personal customers and invoices business customers using information supplied by the depots. The new system provides a centralised booking system via the company’s website. Customers can make a booking online rather than by telephone. If the vehicle type required by the customer is unavailable at that depot, the system can arrange to have a vehicle transferred from another depot provided the distance is not too great. All transactions are processed by the new system immediately, thereby accelerating the billing process. Now that the system has been piloted, it will be extended to all depots. This will require a central register to be compiled for all vehicles held at every branch. The standing data for business customers will also have to be transferred to the new system. It would be useful to discuss this at the earliest opportunity. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 53 Exhibit 4: Details of share option scheme On 1 April 20X7, 100 share options have been granted to each of the top senior 50 employees. The options vest after three years on condition that the employees remain in the employment of Hillhire; the directors believe that 10% of senior employees will leave during the three-year period. The scheme is not expected to be available to new employees. Employing a binomial lattice model gives a fair value for the option on grant date of £10 and a value of £8 at the year-end. 20 Maykem You are an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, working as an audit senior in a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You receive the following message from one of the audit managers in your office: “I know you are unassigned today and I really need your help. Max, the senior on the audit of Maykem Ltd for the year ended 31 May 20X8, has gone off sick and I would like you to take over his responsibilities. There are three urgent issues I would like you to address initially: Current liabilities An assistant has completed procedures on current liabilities but Max has not yet reviewed her work. Please examine the assistant’s work attached (Exhibit 1) and prepare a list of review points explaining, for each of the current liabilities, any key weaknesses in the audit procedures completed to date and the additional audit procedures necessary. As part of your review, select and explain the significant financial reporting issues which need to be addressed prior to the completion of the audit. Pension Maykem operates a defined benefit pension plan. The assets of the plan are held separately from those of the company in funds under the control of trustees. At a recent meeting with the client I was told that the senior accountant who used to deal with the pension plan left suddenly during the year. This individual has not been replaced and the directors are proposing that the only amount that they need to recognise in profit or loss is the cash contribution paid by the company in the year of £306,000. I need to speak to the directors about this tomorrow. I would like you to prepare a schedule for me setting out the correct accounting treatment and any adjustments that need to be made. It would also be helpful if you could set out the key audit issues we need to consider. I do not require a detailed list of audit procedures at this stage. Information relating to the plan is attached (Exhibit 2). Ethical issue Sophie, the trainee on the audit team, who is originally from France, has sent me an email yesterday saying that she has an investment which tracks the performance of Euronext (French Stock Exchange), which includes ParisMet. I am fairly confident that this is not a problem, but I would like you to confirm whether or not this is the case with reference to the ICAEW Code of Ethics. Your notes will then provide evidence that we have considered the issue. Other information Maykem Ltd manufactures and distributes refrigeration equipment and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a listed French company, ParisMet. ParisMet’s recent results have been disappointing and we believe that group management is under pressure to announce increased revenues and profit for the year ended 31 May 20X8. Our audit approach to Maykem Ltd is wholly substantive and materiality has been set at £250,000. Thanks for your help on this.” Requirement Respond to the audit manager’s message. Ignore the impact of any taxes (including indirect taxes). Total: 40 marks 54 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 1: Maykem Ltd – Audit – 31 May 20X8 Work performed on current liability balances Current liabilities are analysed as follows: 20X8 20X7 £’000 £’000 13,342 15,208 Accruals 5,749 4,579 Indirect taxes 2,625 2,302 Payroll taxes 1,214 1,304 15,435 18,167 500 –––––– 38,865 41,560 20X8 20X7 £’000 £’000 11,023 12,586 2,319 2,622 13,342 15,208 Trade payables Contract liabilities Surplus property provision Trade payables This balance is made up as follows: Trade payables ledger Goods received not invoiced From a discussion with Maggie Phillips (financial controller), the balance has decreased compared to the prior year as fewer goods were purchased in the last month of the year, compared with the last month of the previous year. Audit procedures carried out: • Agreed trade payables balance to ledger, noting there are no reconciling items. • Reviewed trade payables ledger for unusual items. Debit balances totalling £345,601 were noted. An adjustment has been raised to reclassify these to trade receivables. • Reconciled the five largest balances to statements received from the suppliers. The results of this work are summarised below: Balance per ledger Payments in transit (note 1) Invoices in transit (note 2) Other Balance per statement £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Metalbits Ltd 2,563 – 239 – 2,802 Hingeit Ltd 2,073 451 34 – 2,558 Metallo Spa 1,491 – 302 62 1,855 Boxit Ltd 1,282 231 459 – 1,972 Bitso Supply Ltd 1,184 104 510 –– 1,798 8,593 786 1,544 62 10,985 Supplier Note 3 Notes (1) All payments in transit were agreed to the trade payables ledger and to the cash book before the year end, and to bank statements after the year end. They all appear as reconciling items on the bank reconciliation. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 55 (2) All invoices in transit were agreed to supplier statements and to invoices posted to the trade payables ledger after year end. (3) Metallo Spa invoices Maykem in euro. The supplier statement balance and invoices in transit balance above have been translated at the year-end rate of €1.45:£1. Per discussion, the balance per the trade payables ledger has been translated at a rate of €1.51:£1 as this is the rate in a forward currency contract taken out to hedge purchases from Metallo. The ‘other’ reconciling item shown above arises from the difference in exchange rates used. Accruals Accruals and the audit work performed is analysed as follows: 20X8 20X7 £’000 £’000 Note 235 150 1 Bonus 4,000 2,300 2 General and administration 1,504 1,895 3 10 – 4 –––– 234 4 5,749 4,579 Commission Legal fees Royalties payable Notes (1) The commission accrual represents sales commission payable for May 20X8. This amount was paid in June 20X8 and has been agreed to the June payroll. The balance is much higher than in the prior year because of exceptionally high sales in May 20X8. (2) Staff bonuses will not be paid until September 20X8. The amount accrued is based on an estimate prepared by the finance director. The accrual is much larger than in the prior year as a result of a significant increase in the directors’ bonuses which are based on company performance targets agreed by group management. (3) An analysis of general and administrative accruals was obtained and all items over £25,000 were agreed to supporting documentation. (4) From a discussion with Maggie Phillips, in May 20X7 Maykem received a letter from MegaCo plc, alleging that Maykem had breached one of MegaCo’s patents and claiming royalties on sales of all products in which the patented refrigeration technology was used. Although Maykem disputed MegaCo’s claim, a provision was made in the 20X7 accounts for estimated royalties payable on sales to date. At that time the Maykem directors considered it more likely than not that some payment would be made, given MegaCo’s far superior size and resources. Maykem has now sought independent legal advice and, in April 20X8, wrote to MegaCo plc totally refuting the breach of patent claim. MegaCo’s directors acknowledged the letter, stating that they would respond after taking their own legal advice. To date nothing further has been heard from MegaCo. On this basis, the provision for royalties has been released. The accrual for legal fees represents the amount payable for legal advice taken to date. Contract liabilities Contract liabilities represent service revenues relating to future periods. When customers buy a refrigeration unit from Maykem, they may choose to buy a three-year maintenance contract in addition to the normal one-year warranty. Revenue for the maintenance contracts is deferred and released on a straight line basis over the period to which the contracts relate. During 20X8, Maykem has reassessed the costs it incurs in providing maintenance services. These costs have reduced considerably as the reliability of the product has improved. As a result the margin earned on the maintenance element is far in excess of that earned on the original product sale. An exercise has therefore been undertaken to recalculate how the total revenue from a product and maintenance sale should be allocated between the two elements so that the percentage margin earned on each element is equal. This revised split of revenue has been retrospectively applied to all maintenance arrangements still in force at 31 May 20X8, resulting in the recognition of nearly £4 million of additional revenue. 56 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The contract liabilities balance has been agreed to a detailed analysis which has been tested for accuracy and completeness as part of our procedures on revenue. The revised calculations splitting the revenue between the two elements have also been tested without exception. Surplus property provision This relates to leasehold factory premises which, until January 20X8, were occupied by Maykem’s domestic refrigeration division. The trade of this division together with all related inventory was sold to Coolit on 1 January 20X8. The sale excluded the leasehold premises and manufacturing plant as Coolit did not want these. From a discussion with Maggie Phillips, Maykem’s directors believe that it will take some time to find a replacement tenant for the leasehold factory premises, as they are not in good condition. The lease for the factory expires in May 20Y8 (in 10 years’ time) and the annual rental is £250,000. The provision of £500,000 is based on the finance director’s view that it will take two years to let the premises. Included within profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X8 is a net gain on the sale of the domestic refrigeration business, which has been calculated as follows: £’000 Proceeds from sale of trade and inventory 1,300 Carrying amount of assets sold (200) Provision for surplus property (500) Net gain on sale of business 600 Exhibit 2: Pension Plan The terms of the pension plan have been summarised by Maykem as follows. • Employees contribute 6% of their salaries to the plan. • Maykem contributes, currently, the same amount as the employees to the plan for the benefit of the employees. • On retirement, employees are guaranteed a pension which is based upon the number of years’ service with the company and their final salary. The following details relate to the plan in the year to 31 May 20X8: £’000 Present value of obligation at 1 June 20X7 3,600 Present value of obligation at 31 May 20X8 4,320 Fair value of plan assets at 1 June 20X7 3,420 Fair value of plan assets at 31 May 20X8 4,050 Current service cost 360 Pension benefits paid 342 Total contributions paid to the scheme for year to 31 May 20X8 306 Gains and losses on remeasurement (actuarial gains and losses) are recognised in accordance with IAS 19, Employee Benefits. The interest rate on high quality corporate bonds at 1 June 20X7 was 5%. Assume cash contributions are received and pension payments are made at the year end. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 57 21 Tydaway You are Gerry Melville, an audit senior in A&B Partners LLP. Today you receive a voicemail message from your manager, Mary Cunningham: “Hello Gerry. I’d like you to help me to plan our audit of Tydaway Ltd for the year ending 31 July 20X1. In particular, the inventory section of our audit did not go well last year. Tydaway is a long-standing audit client of A&B Partners and has for many years manufactured metal filing cabinets at its factory in South London. On 30 September 20X0, Tydaway acquired a division of a competitor’s business which produces high-quality wooden office furniture. This business, now known as Woodtydy, continues to operate from a factory in North London as a division of Tydaway. It continues to maintain its own separate accounting records and its results have not yet been incorporated in Tydaway’s monthly management accounts. I’ve left on your desk extracts from Tydaway’s most recently available management accounts which are for the 10 months ended 31 May 20X1 (Exhibit 1), notes from last year’s audit file on inventory valuation (Exhibit 2) and information on Woodtydy’s inventory supplied by the Woodtydy financial controller (Exhibit 3). Tydaway’s annual inventory count took place on 30 June 20X1 (a month before the year-end) and it was attended by audit assistant, Dani Ford. Dani’s inventory count notes are also on your desk (Ex hibit 4). As Dani is on study leave from next week, it’s important that you raise any questions with her as soon as possible. What I need you to do is the following: (1) Review Dani’s inventory count notes (Exhibit 4) and prepare a list of issues and queries for her to address before she goes on study leave. Your list should include brief explanations of the points raised so that Dani understands why any additional information is required. (2) For each of the relevant financial statement assertions in respect of inventory: (a) highlight any particular concerns or issues which you have identified from your review of Exhibits 1, 2 and 3; and (b) prepare a summary of the key audit procedures we will need to perform to ensure that we have adequate audit assurance on inventory. Assume that audit planning materiality is £40,000 as in the prior year. We have also been asked to give our client some accounting advice. Tydaway is finding the market for the metals required to make the filing cabinets increasingly competitive. As a result it has been looking for new suppliers and has identified one in China. Tydaway is to be invoiced by the Chinese company in US dollars (as this is the functional currency of the Chinese company). On 15 July 20X1 the company intends to enter into a contract with the Chinese company to purchase metals with a contract price of $500,000. This is a large order but it has been made in the light of the lead time for transporting the raw materials. The metal will be delivered to Tydaway on 15 December 20X1 and payment will be made on that date. The directors are concerned about the impact of foreign exchange risk and are considering whether to enter into a forward contract on 15 July 20X1 to purchase $500,000 on 15 December 20X1. They have asked me to meet them next week to discuss their options. I would like you to prepare some information that I can refer to in my meeting as follows: (3) Set out, using journal entries, the impact of this contract on the financial statements for the years ending 31 July 20X1 and 31 July 20X2 under each of the following scenarios: (a) There is no hedging arrangement put in place. (b) Tydaway enters into the forward contract, but does not satisfy the conditions for hedge accounting. (c) Tydaway enters into the forward contract, satisfies the conditions for hedge accounting and chooses fair value hedge accounting. (d) Tydaway enters into the forward contract, satisfies the conditions for hedge accounting and chooses cash flow hedge accounting. (4) Explain and compare the financial reporting treatment for the four scenarios above. I do not require you to consider the tax implications of these issues and I do not require you to list hedging accounting conditions. 58 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 I have made some additional notes and working assumptions for you to use (Exhibit 5). We also need to consider the implications for our forthcoming audit. If hedge accounting is used certain documentation must be kept. Please provide a list of the documentation we would be expecting to see. I look forward to reviewing your work later today.” Requirement Respond to Mary Cunningham’s instructions. (Assume that today is 5 July 20X1) Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Extracts from Tydaway Ltd management accounts for the 10 months to 31 May 20X1 Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 10 months to 31 May 20X1 20X0 £’000 £’000 External customers 4,282 5,912 Sales to Woodtydy 135 ––––– 4,417 5,912 2,431 3,197 296 (10) Other purchase costs, including freight 77 45 Movement in inventory at standard cost (99) 20 Notes Revenue generated by South London factory 1 South London factory costs Raw materials at standard cost Purchase price variances Total raw material cost of goods sold 2,705 3,252 – 5 Labour 873 869 Overheads and delivery costs 345 354 3,923 4,480 11% 24% Movement in inventory provision Total factory cost of goods sold Margin as a percentage of total revenue 2 Statement of financial position 31 May 20X1 31 May 20X0 £’000 £’000 Raw materials 340 270 Raw material element of work-in-progress 131 157 55 –––– 526 427 (20) (20) 506 407 Notes Inventory analysis Raw material element of finished goods Inventory provision ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 3 4 59 Notes (1) Represents goods sold to Woodtydy in the period since Tydaway acquired the division on 30 September 20X0. (2) Purchase price variances are adverse in the period ended 31 May 20X1 as a result of an unexpected increase in the price of steel. In addition, normal bulk discounts were unavailable on components bought at short notice to fulfil a major order which was shipped in May 20X1 and gave rise to a one-off adverse price variance of £25,000. (3) Raw material inventory has increased as a result of a slow-down in customer orders. During June 20X0, certain components were purchased in bulk in anticipation of orders which have not materialised. Of these purchases, components costing approximately £60,000 remain in inventory at 31 May 20X1. (4) Finished goods held in inventory represent the cost of goods produced for Swishman plc, a customer which ordered customised products in its corporate colours for a major office refurbishment. Swishman has recently experienced financial difficulties and has cancelled its order, leaving Tydaway with a number of finished cabinets already painted in Swishman’s specified colours. It is possible that these cabinets can be used to fulfil other orders, but they will need to be stripped and repainted at a total cost of around £10,000. A legal claim for £30,000 has already been made against Swishman for breach of contract. Swishman has offered £6,000 in full and final settlement of the liability. Exhibit 2: Notes on inventory valuation from prior year audit file for Tydaway • Raw materials are valued at standard cost. Standard costs are reviewed and updated on the first day of each financial year and are then left unchanged throughout the year. Historically, our audit testing on the valuation of a sample of items has led us to conclude that standard costs generally represent a reasonable approximation to the actual cost of purchase. • Standard costs include an uplift of 1.5% of the material cost to cover freight and other purchase costs. • Inventories of finished goods are typically very low as all goods are shipped to the customer as soon as they are complete. • Work in progress (WIP)* is valued initially at the standard cost of its raw material components. An adjustment is made at the year end (for statutory accounts purposes only) to include in inventory an appropriate percentage of labour and factory overhead, calculated as follows: – ((Units in WIP × 50%) ÷ (Total units produced in the year)) × (Total factory labour + Factory overhead) *WIP is on average 50% complete – Provision is made for any obsolete raw materials. No provision is required against finished goods or WIP as filing cabinets are typically built to order for specific customers. Exhibit 3: Information on Woodtydy’s inventory supplied by Woodtydy financial controller (1) At 31 May 20X1, the Woodtydy business had total inventory as analysed below: £’000 Raw materials 230 Work in progress 120 Finished goods 159 509 Provision (58) 451 (2) Raw materials are valued at the latest invoice price. (3) Each customer order is recorded on a separate job card. As materials are allocated to an order, they are booked out of raw materials and booked on the job card at the latest invoice price. The time spent on the job is then recorded on the card and a cost of £30 per hour is included in inventory to reflect the cost of direct labour and factory overhead. At the period end, the job cards are sorted into complete and incomplete items and recorded as finished goods or work in progress as appropriate. 60 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (4) Provision is made on a line-by-line basis for any items which are obsolete, slow-moving or can only be sold for less than cost. Exhibit 4: Notes on inventory count attendance prepared by Dani Ford I attended an inventory count at Tydaway’s South London factory on 30 June 20X1. As no inventory count is planned at 31 July, the inventory quantities from this count will be posted to the book inventory records and updated for purchases and sales made in the last month of the financial year. The count was well organised and all counters were briefed beforehand. Counters worked in teams of two, with one counting and the other recording the quantity counted and comparing it to the quantity shown on the book inventory system, as supplied on the printed inventory list prepared beforehand. Where the quantity counted differed by more than 10% from that on the system, a second count was performed by a team from another area of the warehouse. I performed independent counts on a sample of 25 types of raw material, noting the following differences: • Quantities of smaller components were estimated by weighing a sample of 10 to 20 items and comparing their weight to the weight of the total inventory of that item in order to estimate the overall quantity. When we performed our own tests, we noted differences of up to 5% in quantity for such items. This does not appear unreasonable given the estimation involved. • All tins of paint and chemicals were treated as full tins although some of them were only partly full. From a discussion with the inventory controller this is unlikely to have resulted in any material overstatement of inventory. • Two differences were noted in samples taken from the mezzanine area of the stores. In both cases, the counters had recorded a count which agreed with the quantity on the system whereas our count showed less in one case and more in the other. Our counts were agreed with the counters and the inventory sheets were updated to record the correct quantities. I performed counts on a sample of five types of work in progress. All counts were accurate. I inspected the despatch areas, noting that there were no shipments in progress during the count. In the goods received area, I noted a large consignment of filing cabinet drawers which had not been counted. From a discussion with the inventory controller, these drawers had just been returned from a subcontractor who finishes the premium range to a high standard. They will be booked back into WIP after the count is complete. Exhibit 5: Additional notes and assumptions Proposed contract with China Hedging Tydaway is considering two alternatives: • Do not hedge and therefore accept any consequent exchange rate risks. • Enter into a foreign exchange forward contract on 15 July 20X1 to purchase $500,000 on 15 December 20X1. At 15 July 20X1, the spot exchange rate is expected to be £1 = $1.6108. At 15 July 20X1, the five-month forward rate is also expected to be £1 = $1.6108. The forward rate contract will have a zero fair value at 15 July 20X1. At 15 July 20X1, the contract with China would be a firm commitment and, if Tydaway decides to enter into the forward contract at that date, it is unsure whether it would be better to treat it as a fair value hedge or as a cash flow hedge for financial reporting purposes. However, it may be that Tydaway cannot satisfy the hedge accounting conditions, although it is hoped it will be able to do so. Working assumptions For illustrative purposes I would like you to adopt the following working assumptions as one possible scenario of future exchange rate movements: At 31 July 20X1 Spot £1 = $1.5108 Fair value of forward contract £20,544 positive (ie, in favour of Tydaway) ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 61 At 15 December 20X1 Spot £1 = $1.4108 Fair value of forward contract £43,994 positive (ie, in favour of Tydaway) 22 Wadi Investments The Wadi Investments Group invests in capital markets and real estate primarily in the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Your firm is responsible for the audit of Wadi Investments and the consolidated financial statements. The audit has already commenced but you have been asked to join the team as the manager is concerned that there is not the appropriate level of expertise in the current team. You have been sent the following email from your manager. To: APerdan@ABCAccountants From: TFlode@ABCAccountants Date: 30 July 20X9 Subject: Audit of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X9 Amar, I am very glad that you are joining the audit as things have not been going well. I have had a fairly inexperienced team and I am concerned about some of the work which has been prepared to date. We are responsible for both the parent company audit and the audit of the group. Work has already started on the audit of the parent company. I have briefly reviewed most of the working papers produced to date but have not been able to look at them in detail. My review has raised a number of concerns which I would like you to address in a report which I can use to evaluate how to approach the remaining audit work. I have listed my concerns below and have attached a number of other relevant documents including relevant exchange rates (Exhibit 2). I have confirmed the exchange rates myself so you should use these in any calculations. Audit of the parent: Wadi Investments Acquisition of Strobosch We have been told that Wadi purchased an 80% subsidiary on 1 January 20X9. It is an investment company based in Ruritania and its functional currency is the Ruritanian rand (RR). Some work has been done on the investment in the parent’s statement of financial position but from my review of the audit assistant’s working paper (Exhibit 1) a number of significant issues have not been addressed. Please identify these including any audit adjustments that may be required. You should also review the work performed by the junior and list any additional procedures which are needed. Investment property The group carries all land and buildings, including investment property, at fair value. On 15 March 20X9 the head office building in London was vacated and is to be leased out for the next five years to a company outside the Wadi Group. The building originally cost £90 million back on 3 April 20X6 and as at the next valuation on 30 June 20X7 it was valued at £112 million. Its fair value at 15 March 20X9 was £124 million and at 30 June 20X9 is £128 million. The depreciation policy for buildings is straight line over 50 years, measured to the nearest month. Our audit work to date shows that the asset has been included in property, plant and equipment in the year end statement of financial position but any further work on this issue is outstanding. Please can you set out how to account for the change in the use of this asset and outline the audit adjustments required. You should also list the audit procedures which should be performed. Audit of Wadi Investments Group This is still at the planning stage and there are a number of issues which I would like your help with. 62 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (1) The Strobosch audit is being conducted by a local firm, Kale & Co. I am familiar with the firm and its practices and am confident that they will do a professional job. However, I need to communicate with them and will have to draft a letter of instruction. Please draw up a checklist of the points which I need to include so that I can ensure that all necessary matters are covered. (2) At a recent meeting with the finance director of Wadi, he mentioned that the investment in Strobosch was financed by a number of Ruritanian Rand loans in order to hedge the foreign currency exposure and that hedging provisions are to be adopted. Total exchange losses on the loans for the six months to 30 June 20X9 are £36 million. He also mentioned a loan made to Strobosch on 1 January 20X9 to assist with expansion plans. Further details regarding the net investment in Strobosch and the loan to Strobosch are attached (Exhibit 3). Please identify the audit and financial reporting issues that we will need to consider. Requirement Respond to the manager’s instructions. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Audit assistant’s working paper for the acquisition of Strobosch Client: Wadi Investments Year end: 30 June 20X9 Prepared by: Sam Brown Investment in Strobosch £m Cash paid on 1 January 20X9 675 8% debentures 360 Costs 18 1,053 Analysis of costs £m Costs of internal merger and acquisitions team at Wadi Investments 2 Issue costs of debentures 6 Legal costs (RR23m × 0.45) 10 18 Note: I have been told that the IRR on the debentures is 4.42% per six-month period but I am not sure what the relevance of this is. Interest on the debentures is paid every six months. Work performed (1) Agreed cash paid to bank statement. (2) Agreed £360 million debentures to matching liability in the statement of financial position. (3) Obtained a schedule of the breakdown of costs. (4) Cast total and agreed spot rate. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 63 Exhibit 2: Exchange rates The following exchange rates should be used for the preparation of the 20X9 financial statements. Date RR:£ 1 January 20X9 1:0.45 30 June 20X9 1:0.47 Average for six months to 30 June X9 1:0.46 RR = Ruritanian rand Exhibit 3: Hedge of net investment Extract from the financial statements of Strobosch as at 30 June 20X9 Draft RRm Property, plant and equipment 389 Investment property 1,453 Financial assets 659 Current assets 124 Total assets 2,625 Share capital 300 Retained earnings 1,720 2,020 Non-current liabilities 518 Current liabilities 87 Total liabilities and equity 2,625 • Retained earnings at acquisition were RR1,440 million and the fair value of net assets at acquisition was RR1,865 million. • The long-term liabilities of Strobosch include RR444 million in respect of a five-year interest free loan of £200 million made by Wadi on 1 January 20X9. 23 Lyght The accounting firm for which you work, Budd & Cherry, is a five partner firm of chartered accountants in general practice. It has 30 staff and it generated fee income last year of £5.2 million. Budd & Cherry has recently gained a new client, Lyght plc (Lyght), as a result of a competitive tender. The formalities connected with appointment as auditor, including communication with the previous auditor, have been completed. The tender was for the audit work, but there is a strong possibility that Budd & Cherry may also be appointed to carry out the tax work and some advisory work for Lyght. Gary Orton has been appointed as manager on the Lyght audit for the year to 30 April 20X8 and you are the senior. Gary calls you into his office and explains the situation: “Lyght is by far the largest company that our firm has gained as a client so it’s really important that we do a good job and impress the board – not least because, if we are given the tax and advisory work, our expected total fees from Lyght will be around £500,000 next year. The previous three auditors have each lasted only three years before the audit was put out to tender by the Lyght board. I want to make sure we retain them as a long-term client. They might be looking for an AIM listing in two to three years’ time and there will be major additional fees for our firm if we are appointed as their reporting accountants for that process. 64 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 At the moment we are likely to make a low recovery on the audit, as we had to make a low bid to win the work. We therefore need to carry out the audit efficiently, but also look for opportunities to sell tax and other services to the client. If I can help gain the tax and other advisory work for a client like this, I think I could be made a partner in Budd & Cherry and, as the senior, there could also be a big promotion in it for you. Harry Roberts, our ethics partner, has some concerns over the fact that this is a large client for a firm of our size and that the audit fee is so low. He is therefore monitoring the situation. Please provide me with a memo including some notes explaining any ethical issues that should be drawn to his attention. We are commencing the audit in a fortnight, on 25 May 20X8, and I have already been out to the client for a few days with a junior. I have provided some background notes (see Exhibit 1). I have also been to see the board and some matters have arisen that I have recorded in my briefing notes (see Exhibit 2). I would like you to explain the audit and ethical issues arising from the matters raised in the briefing notes, including the relevant audit procedures we should carry out during the audit. Where relevant, you should also describe the appropriate financial reporting treatment in each case. Please include your comments in the memo referred to above.” Requirement Respond to the request of Gary Orton, the audit manager. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Background notes Lyght plc is a family-owned company which is controlled and resident in the UK. It purchases public sector assets from hospitals and from the armed forces within the EU, then sells them to governments and private sector companies, frequently in developing countries. Sales and purchases are invoiced either in sterling or in the currency of the foreign customer or supplier. The assets are those which are no longer required by the public sector bodies, but they are still serviceable. Health equipment includes expensive machinery for monitoring patients, as well as more basic nursing equipment such as beds, blankets and appliances. Lyght does not purchase weapons from the armed forces, as it has no licence to do so, but it acquires a wide variety of small and large items including vehicles, equipment, boats, tents and clothing. Draft results for 20X8 show that Lyght plc generated revenue of £107 million from which a profit before tax of £12 million was generated. The carrying amount of its net assets at 30 April 20X8 is £36 million. Leslie Moore is the principal shareholder of Lyght plc, with a holding of 55%. He is also Chairman of the board and the Chief Executive. His daughter, Emma Everton, is finance director and has a 15% shareholding. VenRisk, a venture capital company, has a 25% shareholding and has significant influence, with the remaining shares being held by senior management. Exhibit 2: Manager’s briefing notes (1) Lyght has grown significantly in the last few years and is in the process of updating its IT systems with work already completed by an external contractor on the sales and purchase ledger systems including both hardware and software. The project is ongoing and the next stage is to install new, more sophisticated IT systems to monitor the flows of goods across the globe and for management accounting purposes. Lyght directors have asked our firm if we wish to tender for a small part of this work, including advice on the internal controls to be built into the new system. The total cost of the new system will be about £9 million, of which £5 million will be the costs of IT consultants’ time in installation, data transfer and writing new software. Work would commence in July 20X8 and would take about a year to complete. (2) Only about £2 million of inventories (out of a total carrying amount of approximately £20 million) are held in the UK at any time. Inventories are normally shipped shortly after purchase. High value inventories usually have an identified buyer prior to purchasing them, and goods are shipped to the buyer within two months of acquisition. Smaller, low value goods are held at depots in the countries of the intended customers so they are available for prompt sale. Our appointment as auditors was only formalised after the year end and as a result we were not able to attend year-end inventory counts. I am therefore worried about how we will audit inventory. I am also worried about how inventories are going to be valued. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 65 (3) A large batch of used tyres was acquired by Lyght from an army transport depot for £1,000 in August 20X7. However, they were sold a few weeks later for £105,000 to a foreign company, Hott, in which VenRisk has a 30% equity holding giving it significant influence. Leslie Moore personally arranged the sale with the manager of the depot. An invoice has been found for £3,487 for personal gifts and entertainment for the depot manager paid for by Lyght. It also appears from a few enquiries I made that the depot manager is a cousin of Leslie Moore. (4) At the start of the year Lyght took out a 10-year non-cancellable lease on some offices that were part of a new city centre development. Lyght has been keen to upgrade its offices for a while in order to impress customers, particularly representatives of overseas governments. The lease payments, payable each year in advance, are £150,000. The present value of future lease payments has been calculated at £950,000 and has been recognised as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The right-of-use asset is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over 10 years, and the lease liability amortised. (5) As a result of entering this lease management decided that the existing head office should be sold. The decision was taken on 1 January 20X8 and the draft financial statements show that the property was classified as held for sale from this date. On 1 January 20X8 the property which had been revalued in the past had a carrying amount of £2 million prior to being transferred to assets held for resale. Its fair value was estimated at £1.6 million and costs to sell of £20,000. The remaining useful life of the property at the date of reclassification was 20 years. The company is not planning to market the property until May 20X8. (6) Included in Lyght’s trade receivables at 30 April 20X8 is an amount due from its customer Cristina of £2,577,000. This relates to a sale which took place on 1 May 20X7, payable in three annual instalments of £1,000,000 commencing 30 April 20X8, discounted at a market rate of interest adjusted to reflect the risks of Cristina of 8%. Based on previous sales where consideration has been received in annual instalments, the directors of Lyght estimate a lifetime expected credit loss in relation to this receivable of £1,505,760. The probability of default over the next 12 months is estimated at 25%. For trade receivables containing a significant financing component, Lyght chooses to follow the IFRS 9 three-stage approach for impairments (rather than always measuring the loss allowance at an amount equal to lifetime credit losses). The £2,577,000 was recorded in receivables and revenue, but no other accounting entries have been made. 24 Hopper Wholesale You are an audit senior in a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You receive the following voicemail message from one of the audit managers in your office. “I need some help urgently with one of our clients, Hopper Wholesale Ltd. Hopper is an unquoted company that supplies retailers with basic goods such as sugar, salt and similar items. It buys goods in bulk and packages them in its own factory using simple packets bearing the ‘Hopper Value’ label. Draft financial statements show revenue of £21.4 million, profit before tax of £2.75 million and total assets of £65 million. Callum the senior on the audit is unwell and is likely to be off for the rest of the week. The final audit meeting for the reporting period to 31 December 20X8 is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. I have reviewed the audit file and have identified a number of areas where audit procedures are incomplete. I will email you a summary of these including some background information (Exhibit 1). I have spoken to the junior staff on the audit and they have confirmed that these are areas where they have little experience and require some guidance. I would like you to prepare a summary of audit procedures for each of the outstanding matters. I would also like you to explain the key audit issues which need to be addressed in each case – this will help the juniors to gain a better understanding of their work. One more point. The directors of Hopper Wholesale Ltd are interested in sustainability reporting and are proposing to include social and environmental information in their financial statements. They would like us to clarify whether they are required to publish this information. Please outline the current situation so that I can pass on the information to them. If they do include social and environmental information, they would like us to produce a verification report. I will email you a copy of the statements they are planning to make (Exhibit 2). We have not been involved in this type of work before so I would like you to outline the evidence which we should be able to obtain in order to 66 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 verify these statements and any difficulties we may experience in validating the information. You should also indicate any professional issues that we need to consider if we accept this work. Thanks for your help on this.” Requirement Respond to the audit manager’s voicemail. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Hopper Wholesale Ltd – Audit – 31 December 20X8 Manager’s review notes: Summary of outstanding matters (1) Inventory In September 20X8 the company took delivery of 30,000 tonnes of flour from a former competitor who was going out of business. Normally Hopper would not carry this level of inventory of an individual line, representing a nine-month supply at normal rates of consumption; however, the competitor was selling at a 10% discount to open market prices. Hopper paid £4.5 million for the flour. At the time sales budgets suggested that 10,000 tonnes would be sold at a profit by 31 December 20X8, which has proved to be the case and that the remaining 20,000 tonnes would be sold steadily throughout the first half of 20X9. The directors were concerned that the market price for flour can be volatile and so they took steps to protect the company by entering into an agreement with a third party, Sweetcall, a food manufacturer, under which Hopper has the right to sell 20,000 tonnes at the end of June 20X9 at an agreed price of £140 per tonne. Hopper paid £250,000 for this option and this amount is recognised in the statement of financial position within sundry receivables. If the price of flour falls then the company will be able to retain their competitive advantage by selling the bulk consignment to Sweetcall and replacing their own inventory with purchases on the open market. The price of flour at 31 December had fallen to substantially less than £140 per tonne and Sweetcall has offered £400,000 to Hopper to cancel the option. Audit procedures completed The quantity of flour inventory has been established by attendance at the inventory count. Inventory has been valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Satisfactory audit procedures have been carried out in this respect. (2) Financial assets The company has made a number of investments in shares in listed companies. These have been recognised in non-current assets at £3.25 million. They have been classified as at ‘fair value through other comprehensive income’. A gain has been recognised in other comprehensive income of £515,000 in respect of these investments. Audit procedures completed The only audit procedure performed is reperformance of the calculation of the gain recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. (3) Receivable The statement of financial position shows a receivable balance of £50,000. This amount is owed to Hopper Wholesale Ltd by Bourne Ltd, a company which is controlled by Hopper’s managing director, Jack Maddison. We have been told that it is due to be repaid within the next 12 months. No information about this transaction is provided in the notes to the financial statements. Audit procedures completed A written representation has been obtained confirming the amount and that the company is controlled by Jack Maddison. (4) Share option scheme On 1 January 20X8, Hopper Wholesale Ltd gave 100 employees 500 share options each which vest on 31 December 20X9. The options are dependent on the employees working for the entity until the vesting date. During 20X8, five employees left and Hopper Wholesale Ltd anticipates that in total 10% of the current employees will leave over the two-year period, including the five employees who left during 20X8. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 67 The fair value of the options has been estimated as follows: 1 January 20X8 £12 31 December 20X8 £14 31 December 20X9 £15 The share options have been recorded in the financial statements as an expense in profit or loss and a credit to non-current liabilities of £700,000 (100 × 500 × 14). Audit procedures completed Agreed number of employees in the scheme to details set out in the contract. The fair value of the share options has been confirmed with management. The adjustment required has been recalculated and agreed to the client’s calculation. Exhibit 2: Social and environmental report – suggested assertions (1) We do not use suppliers who use child labour. (2) All our staff are paid at least 10% above the minimum wage. (3) We have reduced staff sickness to the rate of 2.4% calendar days. (4) We have reduced the tonnage of waste sent to landfill by 10%. (5) Through enhanced health and safety procedures, industrial accidents have been reduced by 40%. 25 Button Bathrooms Button Bathrooms Ltd (BB) is a retailer of bathroom fittings and accessories. You are a senior in Rudd & Radcliffe LLP, the auditors of BB. The meeting You have been called to a meeting with the engagement partner, Carol Ying, in respect of the audit of BB’s financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X1. Carol opened the meeting. “I would like you to act as senior on the BB audit. In the past year there have been some significant changes in BB’s business model and in its accounting and internal control systems. As a consequence, I believe there is greater control risk than in previous years. In addition, the company is seeking an AIM listing in 20X2 and the board is very keen to present the company’s performance as favourably as possible. I realise that you are new to this client, so I have provided some background notes about the company and the changes that have occurred this year (Exhibit 1). Especially note BB’s new, and very successful, e‑commerce activity and the defined benefit pension scheme. I have also provided you with the draft management accounts (Exhibit 2). I have some particular concerns about the revenue recognition procedures that BB has adopted since installing its new information systems. An audit junior has provided some notes from a preliminary audit visit (Exhibit 3), but he did not have time to follow up on these matters. I am due to meet the finance director of BB next week and I would like you to provide briefing notes for me which: (1) With respect to each of the matters raised by the audit junior (Exhibit 3): (a) Explain the financial reporting issues that arise and show any adjustments that will be required to the draft management accounts. (b) Describe the key audit risks and the related audit procedures that we should carry out. (2) Other than the issues raised by the audit junior, set out the audit risks which arise in respect of the new e-commerce activities of BB, including those relating to SupportTech, and explain how we should address these in our audit procedures. (3) Outline the audit issues we will need to consider regarding the outsourcing of the payables ledger function. Details are provided below. You do not need to refer to any general issues relating to SupportTech that you have already referred to in (2). 68 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 This morning I received an email from the finance director of BB (Exhibit 4) relating to a cyber‑security breach at SupportTech. Fortunately as the breach occurred two days ago it does not have any direct impact on the current year’s audit. However, I do need to respond to his email and therefore I would like your briefing notes to include a summary of points that can form the basis of my response. Please ignore any tax issues.” Requirement Respond to the instructions of Carol Ying. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Background details and recent changes History BB was established 23 years ago as an upmarket retailer of bathroom fittings and accessories. By 20W9 (two years ago) it was operating from 30 showrooms. Of these, 20 large showrooms sold BB’s full product range and it offered a service to design, supply and install bathrooms in customers’ houses. Products sold included baths, showers, toilets, taps, washbasins and bathroom accessories. The other 10 smaller showrooms sold only bathroom accessories, a distinctive BB product range including towels, bathrobes, lighting and decorative items. Competition and reorganisation By 20W9 competition from comparable retailers, combined with the recession, forced BB to reconsider its business model. The board believed that the company’s overheads were too high. As a consequence, between 1 July 20X0 and 31 December 20X0, BB closed the 10 smaller showrooms and ceased selling its bathroom accessories range from the other 20 showrooms. New e-commerce activity BB decided to adopt an e-commerce business model for sales of all products in its range, including bathroom accessories, and it commenced the development of a website on 1 July 20X0. The website was completed and ready for use by 31 December 20X0. It enables customers to design their own bathrooms online, select the required products and pay in advance, also online. The total cost of website development in the year ended 30 June 20X1 was £1 million. This was capitalised and is to be written off over five years. After initial development, the operation of the website, including collection of payments from customers, was outsourced to an external service provider, SupportTech plc. BB receives the cash from SupportTech each month after deduction of a service charge fee. The selling prices of products have been reduced by approximately 10% for online sales, compared with the showroom prices. Inventories of a wide range of products were previously stored in four regional warehouses. Customer orders for less popular items, not in inventory, needed to be ordered by BB, which sometimes caused delays of up to four weeks. From 1 January 20X1 the range and the value of inventories held were significantly reduced. Goods sold via the website are all ordered from the manufacturer automatically after the information is input by the customer. Distribution of goods to the customer is outsourced by BB to a third-party courier. Costs of reorganisation, including redundancies (but excluding website development costs), in the year to 30 June 20X1 amounted to £1.5 million. Further costs of £1 million are to be paid in August 20X1 as a result of the reorganisation. There have been problems with the new business model including high returns of goods from customers compared with those sold through showrooms. There have also been errors in goods delivered arising from customers’ misunderstanding of the website. Outsourcing of payables ledger function Last year’s audit identified a number of control issues with respect to payables and in the first half of this year staff turnover in this department was high. Following the success of the outsourcing of online sales to SupportTech management decided to outsource the payables ledger function too. Staff were told of the decision including details of redundancies on 1 April 20X1. SupportTech took over responsibility for the payables ledger from 1 May 20X1. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 69 Details of the way in which the system works are as follows: • Purchase orders are raised by BB and a delivery note is signed on receipt of the goods. • SupportTech is sent soft copies of the purchase orders and the signed delivery notes. • SupportTech receives invoices from suppliers directly and matches them to the purchase order and delivery note. • The Finance Director of BB receives a schedule detailing all the payments to be made for a given month one week before SupportTech processes the payments. This must be authorised by the Finance Director before the payments are processed. • A portal has been set up which allows the Finance Director to interrogate purchase ledger accounts held by SupportTech. The system does not allow the Finance Director to update or revise the accounts. Exhibit 2: Draft management accounts: Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income Years to 30 June 20X1 20X0 £’000 £’000 Showrooms 30,000 60,000 Online sales 33,000 Revenue Cost of sales (49,000) (42,000) Gross profit 14,000 18,000 Administration expenses (5,000) (5,000) Distribution costs (5,000) (6,000) Marketing costs for website (1,000) Less Website development cost – amortisation (100) Reorganisation costs (1,500) SupportTech fees (1,800) Premises costs (2,500) Pension contributions Profit on sale of eight small showrooms Profit (3,000) (192) 4,000 –––––– 908 4,000 All products sold from showrooms make a gross margin of 30% on selling price. Exhibit 3: Notes on matters arising during interim audit – A. Junior (1) Customers ordering online pay in full at the time of ordering. BB recognises revenue when the cash is received from SupportTech. I am concerned about revenue recognition and in particular cut-off, but I did not have a chance to look at this more closely. (2) A New Year promotion was held for showroom sales on 1 January 20X1. Any customers placing an order for a complete bathroom suite were given two years’ interest free credit provided a 10% deposit was paid. Delivery of the suites was guaranteed by the end of March 20X1. The promotion was very successful, and the total value of sales made to customers under this offer was £520,000. I have confirmed that this amount has been recorded in sales and have traced a number of orders through the sales system as part of my sales testing work. No cut-off issues were identified. I was told by the Finance Director that BB’s own incremental borrowing rate is 7% but that of its customers is 10% but I don’t understand the relevance of this information. 70 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (3) The 10 small showrooms were closed down between 1 July 20X0 and 31 December 20X0. However, two of these (Bradford and Leeds) were still not sold by 30 June 20X1. These two showrooms are disclosed in the BB statement of financial position as property, plant and equipment at their carrying amounts of £1 million each. The Leeds site was acquired by BB fairly recently and is stated at cost less depreciation. The Bradford site was revalued on 30 June 20X0 from its carrying amount of £700,000 to £1 million. The original cost of the Bradford site was £900,000. A contract was agreed in June 20X1 for the sale of the Bradford showroom for £1.15 million, with the sale to be completed in September 20X1. The Leeds showroom is being advertised, but there is currently no buyer identified. (4) I am unclear about what audit procedures should be carried out with respect to the website development costs and how these should be treated in the financial statements. (5) Button Bathrooms started a defined benefit pension scheme on 1 July 20X0. I have obtained the following information at 30 June 20X1: £’000 Present value of obligation 249.6 Fair value of plan assets 240.0 Current service cost for the year 211.2 Contributions paid 192.0 Interest cost on obligation for the year 38.4 Interest on plan assets for the year 19.2 The only entry which has been made in respect of this is the recognition of the contributions paid as an expense in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. I have agreed these payments to the cash book and bank statement. However, I am not sure whether the other information is relevant and whether I should have performed any other audit procedures. Exhibit 4: Email from finance director of BB To: Carol Ying <c.ying@ruddandradcliffe.com> From: Andrew Brown <a.brown@buttonbathrooms.com> Date: 15 July 20X1 Subject: Cyber-attack at SupportTech plc I have just been informed by our account manager at SupportTech, to whom we outsource the operation of our website and our payables ledger function, that the company experienced a significant cyber-attack two days ago which successfully breached its security systems. I have been assured that the situation has been resolved however I am not clear what the potential consequences of this for us could be and was hoping you could advise. Surely as it is SupportTech’s system that has been attacked there can be no direct consequences for us? If there are, what measures could we take to prevent this situation arising with other suppliers? 26 Jupiter It is 15 January 20X9. You are the audit senior on the external audit of Jupiter Ltd. The company’s year end is 31 December 20X8. The audit manager Jane Clarke has asked you to take responsibility for the audit procedures on development costs. You have a schedule of development costs produced by the client (Exhibit 1), a summary of the board minutes produced by Jane on a preliminary visit to the client (Exhibit 2) and some notes of a meeting between the Finance Director of Jupiter Ltd and Jane Clarke (Exhibit 3). You receive the following voicemail message from Jane Clarke. “As you know I would like you to take responsibility for the audit procedures on development costs. My review of the board minutes and my recent conversation with the finance director of Jupiter Ltd have given me some cause for concern in this area so we need to get this right. I would like you to ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 71 prepare a memorandum which sets out the audit issues and the audit procedures required to address these. You should also refer to any financial reporting issues which arise. Please quantify, as far as you can based on the information currently available, any adjustments required. I would also like you to consider any potential professional and ethical implications for our firm based on the discoveries I have made – including matters we should consider in respect of the internal audit function. James Brown the audit junior has been doing some work on the audit of trade payables. He has obtained some information from the client (Exhibit 4) but is unsure how to progress. I would be grateful if you could review the information he has obtained and make some notes for James explaining the main audit issues and an outline of the audit procedures required to address these. See you later!” Requirement Prepare the summary and notes requested by Jane Clarke in her voicemail message. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Development costs recognised in the year ended 31 December 20X8 £’000 Cost 01.01.X8 10,000 Additions 2,000 At 31.12.X8 12,000 Amortisation 01.01.X8 500 For the period 500 At 31.12.X8 1,000 31.12.X7 9,500 31.12.X8 11,000 Exhibit 2: Jupiter Ltd: Summary of minutes of board meetings Jupiter manufactures a device which converts vegetable oil into diesel, thereby creating an inexpensive and sustainable fuel that can be used in conventional diesel-engine cars. This device was developed over several years. Significant development costs were incurred in the process and these were capitalised. The device went into full production at the beginning of 20X7. A total of £4 million was capitalised on the development of this device. The development costs are amortised on a straight line basis over the device’s estimated useful life of eight years. There is a balance of £3 million remaining after £1 million was amortised over the last two years. It was expected that the conversion device would be replaced by more advanced technology at the end of the eight year period. Jupiter is in the process of developing a car engine that will run on vegetable oil. This project is the result of an unexpected breakthrough in a research project that had not been expected to yield useful results. A major car manufacturer has looked at a prototype engine and has agreed in principle to offer this engine as an option on its range of compact cars. Jupiter has not applied for a patent for the vegetable oil engine technology. Development costs on this engine were capitalised at £6 million on 31 December 20X7. A further £2 million has been capitalised during the year ended 31 December 20X8. None of these costs have been amortised because development work on the car engine is not yet completed. The car engine is currently expected to go into full production in the first quarter of 20Y0. In December 20X8, the internal audit department completed a review on the likely impact of the launch of the new engine on the sales of Jupiter’s core product, the conversion device. The internal auditors produced the following cash flow forecast relating to the conversion device business over 72 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 the next six years. The pre-tax discount rate specific to the conversion device is estimated at 15%, after taking into account the effects of general price inflation. Year Future cash flows 1 2 3 4 5 6 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 770 700 520 350 330 300 Two weeks ago, Jupiter’s management became aware of the fact that the company’s largest competitor is working on a car engine that will run on vegetable oil and will enter production in the third quarter of 20X9. The competitor has a contract to supply this engine to a major car manufacturer and is in the process of completing non-disclosure agreements with several other manufacturers. Once this formality has been completed the competitor will offer to license their technology to all major car companies. No formal announcement of this technology will be made until February 20X9 at the earliest. Jupiter is extremely concerned because the ability to run cars on vegetable oil may cut short the life expectancy of the vegetable oil to diesel conversion device. They are also concerned that their proposed car engine might not come into commercial production unless it is significantly better than their competitor’s forthcoming model. No details on the competitor’s engine are as yet available. Jupiter only knows about it because they used a firm of commercial investigators to find out what progress the rest of the industry was making on alternative fuel sources. As part of this investigation, a senior design engineer from the competitor was interviewed for a job that did not actually exist. He was encouraged to talk about projects that he had been involved in during his time with the competitor. He gave sufficient information about the new engine for Jupiter’s directors to be extremely concerned. The engineer then became suspicious of the investigator who was conducting the interview and refused to disclose any further information about the new engine. The Board has instructed the internal audit department to conduct a detailed risk assessment of this discovery. Exhibit 3: Jupiter Ltd: Notes of meeting with Finance Director The Finance Director stated that Jupiter fully intended to continue to amortise the development costs of the diesel converter over the remainder of its eight-year estimated useful life and to continue to capitalise development costs. She said that the internal audit department was working on ways to complete the preparation of the financial statements as early as possible in January 20X9 and she asked that the audit work be timetabled so that the audit report could be signed by 31 January at the very latest. That way, any subsequent announcement by the competitor would not constitute an event after the reporting period under IAS 10. She said that the matters discussed in the board minutes were to be treated as confidential. Indeed, the company had effectively obtained this information through fraudulent misrepresentation and so it would not be appropriate to use it in the preparation of the annual report. Jupiter has borrowed heavily in order to fund these two development projects. The bank loan covenant specifies a maximum gearing ratio. I have done a quick calculation of the effect of an immediate write-off of the development costs and the company would be in default of this borrowing condition. Exhibit 4: Jupiter Ltd: Summary of trade payables Analysis of trade payables 31.12.X8 31.12.X7 £’000 £’000 Myton Engineering Ltd 2,400 2,400 Overseas suppliers 1,750 900 Other suppliers 995 1,107 GRNI (goods received but not invoiced) 720 288 5,865 4,695 ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 73 Notes (1) Myton Engineering Ltd is the sole supplier of a key component which goes into the fuel conversion device. In previous years the company has refused to respond to requests to confirm any year end balance and does not issue statements. In addition this year Myton has introduced a reservation of title clause on all invoices to Jupiter Ltd. (2) During the year the clerk responsible for managing overseas suppliers resigned as she had found a job closer to home. The company has been unable to find a permanent replacement for her. The overseas suppliers balance at 31 December 20X8 includes £75,000 in respect of goods which are still in transit but which have been recognised in inventory. (3) ‘Other suppliers’ relates to around 150–200 small suppliers which produce a range of components. This balance is net of £125,000 of debit balances. (4) The company experienced a computer problem in the last week of the reporting period which meant that no purchase invoices could be processed. 27 Poe, Whitman and Co You are an audit senior with Poe, Whitman and Co, a firm of chartered accountants. Upon returning to the office this week from vacation, you find the following email in your inbox from Margaret Fleming, one of your firm’s audit managers. To: Audit Senior <a.senior@poe.whitman> From: Margaret Fleming <m.fleming@poe.whitman> Date: 2 April 20X7 Subject: Commedia Ltd I hope you had a good holiday. As you may know I have recently been given managerial responsibility for the firm’s new audit client Commedia Ltd, and I understand that you will be the senior on the group’s audit for the year ended 28 February 20X7. We have only recently been appointed auditor following the unexpected resignation of the previous auditor just two weeks ago. Please could you consider the practical and ethical issues specifically in connection with our late appointment and the steps we should take to ensure that these issues do not affect the performance of our duties as the group’s auditor. Please also summarise for me the relevant audit procedures and our reporting responsibilities which arise from the Commedia engagement being a new audit for Poe, Whitman and Co. I have also attached to this email some notes on the Commedia group (Exhibit 1). In addition to providing some background information on the group, the notes also include information on some specific events that occurred within the group during the year. I would like you to identify the audit risks relating to these events and draft the audit procedures required to mitigate them. Finally, I attach an email I received last week from Bob Kerouac (Exhibit 2), requesting advice on some financial reporting matters. Please draft a response in note form for me to use at the meeting I have arranged with Bob for next week. Requirement Respond to the email from your audit manager. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Commedia group background notes Commedia Ltd (Commedia) Commedia is an independent television production company with annual revenues last year of approximately £60 million. The company’s creative team develops ideas for television programmes, which are then ‘pitched’ to one or more of the television broadcasting companies within the UK. If the pitch is successful, the programme is commissioned by the broadcaster and then made by Commedia to an agreed budget. 74 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 During the year, a number of Commedia’s customers changed the terms of some of their commissions from a ‘funded’ to a ‘licensed’ basis. Funded commissions The broadcaster is responsible for funding the entire production budget (which includes an agreed management fee for Commedia) in monthly instalments as the production progresses. Upon delivery of the programme to the broadcaster, all future rights to exploit the programme are signed over to the broadcaster. Licensed commissions Under these arrangements, Commedia is paid an agreed amount, in full, upon delivery of the programme. The broadcaster acquires the rights to broadcast the programme an agreed number of times, with Commedia retaining all residual rights to future exploitation of the programme. The price paid by the broadcaster for a licensed commission is 25% to 30% lower than that for the equivalent funded commission. Where the cost of making the programme exceeds the value of the licensed commission payment, the difference is carried forward as an intangible asset by Commedia to write off against future revenues arising from the residual rights held. At the start of this accounting period, 1 March 20X6, Commedia had two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Scherzo Ltd and Riso Ltd. The subsidiaries were set up by Commedia Ltd many years ago. All three companies have the same 28 February year end and they are all audited by your firm. Scherzo Ltd (Scherzo) Scherzo is a concert and events promotion company. The company stages major popular and classical music concerts throughout the year, which are held principally in open-air venues. Disposal of shareholding On 30 April 20X6, Commedia disposed of 70% of its shareholding in Scherzo to that company’s management team for a possible total sum of £20 million. £15 million of this total was paid in cash on completion of the sale, with the remainder to be paid 15 months later, contingent on the profit of the company for the year ended 28 February 20X7. Scherzo has also appointed your audit firm as its auditor. Extracts from the terms of the sale of shares in Scherzo are set out below. Extracts from contract for sale of shares in Scherzo Ltd (1) The completion date for the disposal of the shares was 30 April 20X6. (2) Total possible consideration for the shares is £20 million, split as follows: (a) £15 million payable on completion. (b) £5 million payable on 31 July 20X7 if the pre-tax profit of the company for the year ended 28 February 20X7 is at least £5 million. (c) If the pre-tax profit for the year ended 28 February 20X7 is below £3 million, no further consideration is payable. (d) For pre-tax profit between £3 million and £5 million, the further consideration payable is calculated as follows: Further consideration = £5m × (pre-tax profit less £3m)/£2m (3) Pre-tax profit for the purpose of this contract is defined as ‘Profit before tax per the company’s audited financial statements excluding the following items: (a) Total directors’ emoluments in excess of £350,000. (b) Exceptional items (ie, items of income and expense of such materiality that IAS 1 requires their nature and amount to be disclosed separately). ‘Rock in the Park’ concert Scherzo was responsible again this year for ‘Rock in the Park’, a major outdoor series of popular music concerts spanning three days in July 20X6. On the evening of the third day, part of the stage collapsed causing injury to some members of the stage crew and audience. The incident also led to the cancellation of the rest of the concert, including the performance scheduled for the event’s most well known performer. Scherzo had sub-contracted the erection and maintenance of the stage to another company, Highstand Limited. The directors of Scherzo have included a provision in the year-end financial statements of £2 million. This is to allow for the cost of refunding all monies received from the sale of tickets to the concerts, and to recognise the cost of personal injury claims received by the company as at the year end. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 75 Riso Ltd (Riso) Riso’s sole activity is the operation of a large television studio which it hires out to customers for the production of television programmes. The television studio is based in a former glass bottle factory and is occupied by Riso under a 10-year lease, originally taken out on 1 March 20X3. The studio is hired out to Commedia (on an arm’s length basis) approximately 30% of the time for the filming of its own commissions. For the remaining 70% of the time the studio was, until recently, hired out to two different broadcast companies, each for the production of their own competing daytime television drama serial. During the year ended 28 February 20X7, one of these broadcasters announced that, due to poor viewing figures, it would no longer be making a drama serial. Riso has spent the last three months looking for an alternative customer, but has so far been unsuccessful. The directors of Riso are aware that there is currently surplus capacity in UK-based studio facilities, due to a reduction in UKproduced programmes. This reduction has been brought about by an increase in programmes imported from overseas and reduced TV advertising budgets. The directors of Riso have produced a forecast of future pre-tax cash-flows for the company as follows: Year ending 28 February £’000 inflow/(outflow) 20X8 (100) 20X9 (50) 20Y0 900 20Y1 1,375 20Y2 1,495 20Y3 1,695 Riso made an initial £8 million investment in the television production equipment required for its studio on 1 March 20X3. No further capital expenditure is likely to be required for the foreseeable future. The company expects the equipment to have an expected useful life of 10 years at which point its disposal value is estimated to be £2 million. Riso depreciates the equipment on a straightline basis. The carrying amount of the company’s other assets and liabilities at 28 February 20X7, was £250,000. Exhibit 2: Copy of email from Bob Kerouac To: Margaret Fleming <m.fleming@poe.whitman> From: Bob Kerouac <bkerouac@commediagroup> Date: 26 March 20X7 Subject: Year end financial statements Margaret, It was good to meet you recently. Further to our scheduled meeting in two weeks’ time, there are some matters in connection with the current year financial statements that I want to discuss with you. I hope that when we meet you can provide me with advice on their appropriate treatment in the financial statements for the year ended 28 February 20X7. The matters are as follows: (1) Disposal of our majority holding of shares in Scherzo: as you know, we sold the majority of our shares held in this company during the year. I would be grateful if you could provide me with some advice on how to account for this disposal in Commedia’s own financial statements for the year; and also how the remaining investment in Scherzo is now to be treated in the group’s consolidated financial statements. 76 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (2) Treatment of the television production equipment in Riso: as you are aware, we have recently lost a major contract in this company due to cancellation by our customer of their daytime TV drama serial. This has given rise to a loss in the company this year, and will mean future losses if an alternative customer cannot be found. I am unsure how, if at all, this affects the value and presentation of the equipment in the financial statements of Riso. I am particularly concerned as we recently had the equipment externally valued at a figure of £4 million. Please could you clarify this issue for me, indicating what adjustments, if any, are required to ensure proper presentation in the financial statements for the year. I am unsure whether this is of use to you, but the pre-tax annual rate of return that the market would expect from this type of investment is 10%. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 77 78 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 28 Precision Garage Access Precision Garage Access plc (PGA) is a listed company which manufactures and installs garage doors for private residences. You are a senior working for PGA’s auditors and are currently supervising the planning and interim audit work for the year ending 30 September 20X6. You are also carrying out a review of the interim financial statements for the nine months to 30 June 20X6. As part of the planning process, an audit junior, Claire Chalker, has completed some initial analytical procedures on the management accounts for the nine months ended 30 June 20X6. She has provided some background information (Exhibit 1) and set out some basic financial data and notes ( Exhibit 2). She does not however have the experience to analyse this data in order to identify audit risks. The engagement manager, Gary Megg, reviewed Claire’s work and sent you the following email: To: A Senior From: Gary Megg Date: 26 July 20X6 Subject: PGA Audit I have been through the notes prepared by Claire. I think she has highlighted some interesting points, but she has not really analysed the data in any depth or identified key audit issues. There appear to be some financial reporting issues arising from her work which may require adjustment to the management accounts. Prior to our audit planning meeting next week I would like you to do the following: (1) Carry out revised analytical procedures using Claire’s data and other information provided. This work should: (a) identify any unusual patterns and trends in the data which may require further investigation. Show supporting calculations (where appropriate assume 360 days in a year for the purpose of computing any ratios); and (b) outline the audit risks that arise from the patterns and trends identified in the analytical procedures and set out the audit procedures you would carry out. (2) Set out the financial reporting issues that arise from the above audit work with respect to the interim financial statements for the nine months ended 30 June 20X6 and are expected to arise for the year ending 30 September 20X6. I do not require any detailed disclosure requirements. I do not require you to consider tax, or deferred tax, implications at this stage. There is one further matter which I would like you to look at. I have just received an email from David May, the finance director of PGA. The board has acknowledged that the company is experiencing difficulties retaining key staff. This is particularly the case with senior and middle management. Whilst a bonus scheme has been introduced this year in place of a pay rise (see Claire’s notes below) the directors realise that they need to encourage individuals to commit to the company longer-term. David has come up with a proposal for a share based bonus scheme but is concerned about its effects on future profits. I have attached his email which provides details of the scheme and the information he requires (Exhibit 3). I would like you to produce the information he has requested so that I can forward it on to him. Please use his working assumptions. I think that his predicted share price increases may be optimistic in the current climate but I can discuss this with him at a later date. Many thanks, Gary Requirement Respond to the engagement manager’s instructions. Total: 30 marks ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 79 Exhibit 1: Background information prepared by Claire Chalker PGA makes and installs two types of garage doors: • Manually operated wooden doors – the ‘Monty’. The list price of the Monty was increased by 5% on 1 October 20X5 to £840 each, including installation. • An electrically operated set of metal doors with a motor – the ‘Gold’. The list price of the Gold was increased by 5% on 1 October 20X5 to £2,520 each, including installation. Nearly all doors are made to order. Each of the two types of door is made on a separate production line at PGA’s factory in the south of England. Production equipment is specialised and highly specific to each of the separate production processes. PGA makes about 70% of its sales of both products in Germany and France where it has a network of sales offices. All selling prices are set at 1 October each year. Prices for overseas markets are fixed in euro at this time, at the equivalent of pound sterling prices. The company has had a difficult trading year so far, due to the general economic downturn. The trading performance in the year ending 30 September 20X6 is thus expected to be weaker than in the previous year. In previous years, approximately equal quantities of Gold and Monty doors have been sold. However, sales of the Gold have suffered particularly badly this year, as customers appear unwilling to spend large sums on their garage doors in the current economic climate. Sales of Gold doors are not expected to increase in the foreseeable future. Customers are either individual householders or small building companies. Discounts may be given to building companies for large orders but PGA sales staff have stated that door prices to individual customers are never discounted. Exhibit 2: Financial data and notes prepared by Claire Chalker Management accounts – Statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income Notes Revenue: 9 months to 30 June 20X5 Year ended 30 Sept 20X5 £’000 £’000 £’000 7,500 9,600 10,400 14,000 28,800 31,200 (6,700) (7,800) (9,200) (15,500) (23,400) (27,600) (700) 7,200 4,800 (1,200) (1,200) (1,600) (450) –––––– –––––– (2,350) 6,000 3,200 1 Monty Gold Cost of sales: Draft 9 months to 30 June 20X6 2 Monty Gold Gross profit/(loss) Fixed administrative and distribution costs Exceptional item Staff bonus scheme Profit/(loss) before tax Income tax expense Profit/(loss) for the period 80 Corporate Reporting 3 –––––– (2,350) (1,680) 4,320 (900) 2,300 ICAEW 2022 Management accounts – Extracts from statements of financial position Notes At 30 June 20X6 At 30 June 20X5 At 30 Sept 20X5 £’000 £’000 £’000 Current assets Inventories 4 3,500 3,500 1,200 Trade receivables 4 2,400 4,300 1,000 Notes (1) Revenue: Inventory records show the number of doors sold as (see below). Sales volumes in the final quarter of the year ending 30 September 20X6 are expected to be the same as the final quarter of the year ended 30 September 20X5 for both the Monty and the Gold. Revenue from garage doors is recognised when they are delivered to a customer’s house. Revenue from installation is recognised when the contract is completed to the customer’s satisfaction. (2) Cost of sales: The production process for the Gold is technologically advanced, so annual budgeted fixed production costs of £12 million are expected. For the Monty, annual budgeted fixed production costs are £4 million. These fixed costs have not changed for some years and are incurred evenly over the year, with an equal amount being recognised in each quarter. The variable cost per unit for each product is budgeted at 50% of selling price. (3) Staff bonus: As a result of current economic uncertainty, there was a zero general pay increase for employees. However, a bonus scheme was introduced under which a payment to employees of £600,000 will be made for the full year if revenue for the year ending 30 September 20X6 exceeds £26 million. (4) Inventories and receivables: Inventories consist mainly of partly-made doors. There is little finished inventory as doors are normally made to order. Sales are normally on 30 day credit terms. 9 months to 30 June 20X6 9 months to 30 Year ended 30 Sept June 20X5 20X5 Monty 9,000 12,000 13,000 Gold 6,000 12,000 13,000 Exhibit 3: Extract of email from David May: share based bonus scheme To tie in middle and senior managers to the company, a bonus would be given to existing managers after three years of continued employment from 1 October 20X6, on which date the scheme would commence. If these employees leave before 30 September 20X9 they will receive no bonus. Also, however, I want to link the bonus to company performance – which I think is best achieved by basing it on share price. The proposal is to either: (A) issue 600 shares; or (B) pay a bonus equivalent to the value of 600 shares at the date of redemption for each existing manager. The amount would only be given in either case after three years’ service. Those managers joining after 1 October in any year would not qualify for the scheme in that year. The problem is that these managers would probably stay for three years to receive the bonus and then leave. My idea is – and this is the clever part – to have the same bonus scheme every year so, whenever managers leave, they would be giving up a large sum in bonuses that have not vested. Using Proposal A as an example, if we start the scheme on 1 October 20X6, each eligible manager will receive 600 PGA ordinary shares on 30 September 20X9. There would then be another scheme on 1 October 20X7 for 600 shares which would vest on 30 September 20Y0 (ie, three years later), and the same again in each future year. The same rolling system would apply if we decide to go with Proposal B instead. My working assumptions are as follows: • The PGA share price will be £8 on 1 October 20X6 and increase by 25% in the first year and then 20% per annum thereafter (our future order book looks strong and I believe that there are signs that the economic outlook is improving). ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 81 • There are 80 eligible managers now. It is assumed that 10 managers (all of whom are currently in employment) will leave during each year and 10 managers will join. • The fair value of the share based cash settled instrument is equal to the share price. Information required I would like the following information: (1) Using my working assumptions, prepare a computation of the effect on profit of this scheme for each of the years ending 30 September 20X7, 20X8 and 20X9 under the following alternative assumptions: (a) Proposal A – the bonus is given in the form of 600 PGA shares per manager each year. (b) Proposal B – the bonus is paid in cash as an amount equivalent to 600 PGA shares per manager each year. (2) An explanation of why the impact on profit may vary: (a) from year to year for each proposal (b) between the two proposals 29 Tawkcom Note: For formatting reasons it is recommended that this question is done as home study/in a paperbased context. You are the senior responsible for the audit fieldwork at Tawkcom Ltd, the UK trading subsidiary of Colltawk plc, a major international telecommunications group, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Tawkcom provides data and communication services to commercial and public organisations. These services utilise Tawkcom’s UK-wide fibre optic network, a valuable and unique asset built up over many years. You are currently completing the final audit of Tawkcom for the year ended 30 September 20X9. The audit has not gone smoothly and reporting to the group audit team is overdue. The most significant incomplete area of audit procedures is the work on property, plant and equipment (PPE), which has been allocated to a junior member of your team, Jo Carter. You are due to meet the audit manager, Jan Pickering, this evening to discuss progress on this work. Jan has just left you this voicemail: “The Colltawk group financial statements are due to be signed off early next week and I’m very worried about the work we have left to do on Tawkcom. PPE is a key audit area for this business and Jo is likely to require detailed guidance if she is to complete the procedures satisfactorily. I know you’ve been very busy but I need you to look today at what she’s done so far (Exhibit 1), both to identify any unresolved audit or financial reporting issues and to determine what audit procedures we have left to do. I’ve sent you some extracts from the group audit instructions (Exhibit 2) so you can take these into account in determining the required audit procedures. (1) Notes explaining any financial reporting and audit issues you have identified from your review of Jo’s work to date (Exhibit 1). (2) A list of the additional steps we will need to perform to complete our audit procedures on PPE, both for group reporting and to support our opinion on the statutory financial statements of Tawkcom. (3) A summary identifying where the group audit team may provide useful evidence in completing the audit of PPE. I am also aware that there have been some changes to the auditing standards relating to auditor’s reports and in particular the introduction of ISA (UK) 701 on Key Audit Matters. I haven’t had time yet to look at the new standard in detail so I would be grateful if you could put together a few notes on this and its relevance if any to Tawkcom and the group.” Requirement Prepare the documents Jan has asked you to bring to this evening’s meeting. Total: 30 marks 82 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 1: PPE work papers prepared by Jo Carter Summary of balances The group reporting pack for Tawkcom at 30 September 20X9 includes the following schedule. All balances and movements have been agreed to the register of PPE and to the schedules used for detailed testing. Freehold land and buildings Leasehold improv. Fixtures Network and assets equipment £’000 £’000 £’000 32,000 4,160 0 Investment property Total £’000 £’000 £’000 162,831 19,255 0 218,246 3,409 34,391 2,406 0 40,206 (102) 0 0 (7,160) 0 0 0 0 3,936 3,936 25,450 7,467 197,222 21,153 3,936 255,228 476 882 38,697 14,577 0 54,632 0 298 2,875 4,051 0 7,224 Disposals (95) (98) Carried forward at 30 September 20X9 381 Carried forward at 30 September 20X9 25,069 Cost/valuation Brought forward at 1 October 20X8 Additions Disposals Transfer from assets held for sale Carried forward at 30 September 20X9 (6,550) (508) Accumulated depreciation Brought forward at 1 October 20X8 Charge for the year 0 (129) 0 (322) 1,082 41,572 18,499 0 61,534 6,385 155,650 2,654 3,936 193,694 Summary of procedures performed Opening balances Opening balances have been agreed to prior year signed financial statements with the exception of the opening cost for Network assets. This is greater than the balance shown in the prior year financial statements by £1.3 million due to an audit adjustment to remove from non-current asset additions the cost of certain repairs to and maintenance on the fibre optic network. This was recognised in the financial statements but not reflected in the register of PPE or in the group reporting pack, as it was not considered material for group purposes. Additions A sample of additions was selected for each category of PPE using group materiality of £4 million to determine the sample size. Each item in the sample was physically inspected where possible, verified as a capital item and, where appropriate, agreed to a third party invoice. Further information is provided below: Leasehold improvements Tawkcom has one leasehold property, its head office building. This building is leased under a 20-year lease, expiring in 20Z5. During the year ended 30 September 20X9, Tawkcom completed a major refurbishment programme to update and improve all office accommodation. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 83 Network assets Additions comprise new fibre optic cable laid to extend network coverage or to connect a particular customer to the network. Tawkcom’s own staff perform much of the work and additions could not therefore be agreed to third party invoices. Instead they were agreed to project sheets detailing the material, labour and overhead costs incurred on each stretch of cable. Additions are higher than in the prior year as group management instructed the local finance director to increase the day rates used for staff time so they were consistent with the rates used to compute charges to external customers. A rough calculation indicates that the increase in rates has increased additions to network assets by around £5 million. Physical inspection of the network assets was not possible as the fibre optic cabling is laid underground. Disposals There were only three significant disposals in the year ended 30 September 20X9. (1) In June 20X9, Tawkcom disposed of office equipment with a cost of £332,000 to AR Hughes Ltd. The accounting assistant informed me that this company is owned by friends of Max Dudley, Tawkcom’s finance director. The group finance director approved the disposal. The accumulated depreciation of £62,000 was correctly removed from the register of PPE. There were no proceeds and a loss of £270,000 was included within the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. (2) In September 20X9, the company’s freehold property in Scotland, Glasgow House, was sold to LJ Finance plc, a finance company owned by the bank for the Colltawk group. The group finance team arranged this transaction and local management has limited information. Tawkcom is still occupying the building as it has been leased back from LJ Finance under a 20-year lease, which can be extended to 50 years at Colltawk’s option. An external valuer revalued Glasgow House at 30 September 20X7, along with the company’s other freehold properties. Its value of £5.8 million was agreed to the prior year audit work papers. The valuation and associated accumulated depreciation were correctly removed from the register of PPE, cash proceeds of £7 million were vouched to the bank account on 30 September 20X9 and the gain of £1,295,000 was agreed to the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. (3) Tawkcom disposed of land for £1.5 million recognising a profit on disposal in profit or loss of £750,000. The contract was entered into on 31 July 20X9 conditional upon detailed planning approval being granted. By 30 September 20X9 outline planning consent only had been granted. Full planning consent was received on 20 October and the sale was completed on 30 October 20X9. Sale proceeds were agreed to the cash book and bank statement. The cost of land was correctly removed from the register of PPE and the profit on disposal correctly calculated. Transfer from assets held for sale In the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X8, a freehold property, surplus to Tawkcom’s requirements, was transferred out of PPE and shown separately as a non-current asset held for sale. Our prior year audit files concluded that this treatment was correct on the basis that the property was being actively marketed and a sale at its carrying amount of £3.9 million was considered imminent. This sale was not concluded and management has now decided to retain the property for the time being until the property market has improved. To generate some return from the property, management intends to divide the property into small office units which it will rent out as office space under short-term rental agreements. In order to make this more attractive to prospective tenants, Tawkcom will provide services such as telecommunications, reception, secretarial support and meeting rooms. As the property is now being held for its investment potential, it has been transferred back into PPE and designated as an investment property. Depreciation charge for the year The Tawkcom financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X8 disclose the following depreciation policy. 84 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets over the following periods: Freehold buildings 50 years Leasehold improvements 20 years (the minimum term of the lease) Network assets 20 years Fixtures and equipment 3–10 years For each category of asset, an expectation for the depreciation charge for the year ended was formed using the above rates and taking into account the timing of additions and disposals. The following points were noted: (1) No depreciation has been charged on freehold buildings as these properties are carried at valuations which the finance director believes reflect their market value at the reporting date and the buildings are maintained to a high standard. (2) The depreciation charge for network assets is considerably lower than expected. This is as a result of a group wide review of useful lives conducted by head office. This review concluded that the life of network assets is greater than 20 years and a revised useful life of 22 years has been applied to all such assets. Calculations of the revised carrying amounts for a sample of assets were reviewed and verified as accurately reflecting for each asset the unexpired portion of a 22-year life. Exhibit 2: Extracts from the Group audit instructions for the Colltawk plc group for the year ended 30 September 20X9 Risk of fraud and misstatement The following key risks have been identified and should be considered by all subsidiary audit teams: (1) The group has banking covenants on long-term bank loans requiring it to maintain a certain ratio of non-current assets to net borrowings (defined as bank borrowings and lease creditors less cash). As a result, management may have an incentive to overstate non-current assets or to understate net borrowings. (2) Subsidiary management participates in the group’s bonus scheme. The level of bonus to be paid depends on the performance both of the individual subsidiary and of the group as a whole. Management may therefore have an incentive to overstate profit either at a subsidiary or group level. Materiality and reporting of misstatements Pre-tax materiality for the Colltawk group audit is £4 million. All individual misstatements over £200,000 should be reported to the group audit team. 30 Expando Ltd You are a supervisor in the audit department of Jones & Co. You are currently in charge of the audit of Expando Ltd (Expando), a private limited company which imports and retails consumer electronic equipment. Expando’s year-end is 30 June 20X7. Today you are in the office when you receive the following email from the audit senior who is working for you on the audit of Expando: To: Audit Supervisor From: Audit Senior As you are aware we are nearing the completion of the audit of Expando Ltd, however, there are a number of outstanding issues which need to be addressed. I have summarised these in an attachment (Exhibit 1). Unfortunately I am not sure how these should be dealt with in the financial statements so I have not been able to revise the draft financial statements provided by the client ( Exhibits 2 and 3). The audit partner has specifically requested a set of revised financial statements as he wants to take them to the meeting with Expando’s finance director tomorrow. I am also unclear whether these issues have any implications for our remaining audit procedures. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 85 I was hoping that you may be able to help me as follows: (1) Explain the financial reporting treatment of the outstanding issues. (2) Complete the draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of financial position where indicated and make any appropriate adjustments and corrections. (3) List any additional audit procedures which I need to do. A couple of final points. I have found a list of procedures performed by the auditors of Titch (see point 5 below). I am not quite sure what to do with these. Shouldn’t we do the audit of Titch? The client has a member of the accounts department who is due to go on maternity leave in three months’ time. I have been asked if we can provide temporary help to cover for their absence. Can we do this? Requirement Respond to the audit senior’s email. Assume that the tax figures will be audited by your firm’s tax audit specialists, so you can ignore tax (including deferred tax) for now. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Notes of outstanding issues (1) With the exception of the property referred to in Note 4, below, all of Expando’s trading premises are held on short leases (less than 12 months), and are not shown on the statement of financial position. The land recorded on the statement of financial position refers to the storage facility in Northern England. This is not depreciated. During the year it was revalued upwards, by £1 million, to £5 million. The valuation was commissioned in the early summer of 20X6, to support the company’s fundraising. (2) New finance was taken out on 1 July 20X6, in the form of an issue of a £2 million debenture loan. Issue costs were £150,000. The coupon rate on the debenture is 3%. Its terms provide that it was issued at par but that it will be redeemed at a premium. The overall effective interest rate for Expando is 7%. (3) On 1 September 20X6, Expando acquired the business of Minnisculio, a small competitor, for £250,000. The acquisition was structured as a purchase of trade and assets, with £20,000 allocated to inventories and the balance to goodwill. Expando has not conducted an impairment review in respect of goodwill as there is no indication of circumstances which would give rise to an impairment. (4) Prior to the acquisition by Expando of its trade and assets, Minnisculio had negotiated the acquisition of new freehold premises, to be acquired on 1 October 20X6 for a consideration of £125,000. The asset was estimated to have a useful life of 20 years and a policy of straight-line depreciation was to be adopted. These premises were, however, surplus to requirements after Minnisculio’s business had been acquired by Expando. On 31 March 20X7 the management took the decision to sell the premises at which date the fair value less costs to sell amounted to £115,000. (5) On 1 October 20X6, Expando acquired 25% of Titch Ltd, for a consideration of £400,000. Titch is co-owned by three other UK companies, each of which holds 25% of its shares. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen events which are not expected to be repeated, Titch made a trading loss for its year ended 30 September 20X7 of £350,000. The results of Titch have not been reflected in Expando’s draft financial statements with the exception of the tax effect which has been dealt with by the tax department. (6) The tax impact of the above is being dealt with by the tax department. 86 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 2: Summary draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and statement of changes in equity Year ended Revenue Less operating expenses Operating profit 30 June 20X7 (draft) 30 June 20X6 (audited) £’000 £’000 4,430 3,660 (3,620) (2,990) 810 670 (260) (200) Profit before tax 550 470 Taxation (91) ( 141) Profit for the year 459 329 Gain on property revaluation 1,000 ––––– Total comprehensive income for the year 1,459 329 Retained earnings Revaluation surplus £’000 £’000 Balance at 1 July 20X6 713 – Total comprehensive income for the year 459 1,000 1,172 1,000 30 June 20X7 (draft) 30 June 20X6 (audited) £’000 £’000 5,000 4,000 125 – 2 2 650 – 2,155 520 Interest payable – Note 2 above Other comprehensive income: Statement of changes in equity 30 June 20X7 (extract) Balance at 30 June 20X7 Exhibit 3: Summary draft statement of financial position Period end date Non-current assets Land Premises – Note 4 above Plant and machinery Investments – Notes 3, 5 above Current assets Current liabilities Taxation (91) (141) (300) (149) 6% bank loan (3,333) (3,333) 3% debenture – Note 2 above (1,850) – Deferred tax To be completed – Net assets To be completed 899 Other Non-current liabilities ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 87 30 June 20X7 (draft) 30 June 20X6 (audited) £’000 £’000 86 86 100 100 Revaluation surplus – Note 1 above 1,000 – Retained earnings 1,172 713 Equity 2,358 899 Period end date Share capital Share premium 31 NetusUK Ltd You are a senior on a large team which is planning for the audit of NetusUK Ltd, a media company, for the year ending 30 June 20X9. NetusUK is a wholly owned subsidiary of an Australian parent company, Netus Oceania (also audited by your firm), and contributes a very substantial proportion of the revenue and profit reported by the Netus Oceania Group. Your team is required to report to your firm’s Australian office in Perth on the results of NetusUK and also to report on NetusUK’s statutory UK accounts. Netus Oceania is planning to raise additional capital from shareholders and the deadlines for group reporting are very tight. Your firm is required to provide the final report to the Perth office by 16 September 20X9. You receive an email from the manager with overall responsibility for the NetusUK audit, Louise Manning: To: A. Senior From: L. Manning Date: 3 July 20X9 Subject: NetusUK audit planning Welcome to the Netus team. As you know, we have a large team assigned as this is a very significant client. I’m asking each team member to take responsibility for a particular section of our work and to prepare a detailed audit plan, setting out the procedures to be performed at our final audit visit in August. Materiality for planning purposes has been set at £1.5 million. You will be responsible for staff costs and the assets and liabilities related to staff costs in the statement of financial position. NetusUK has around 5,000 permanent employees, 1,000 of whom are remunerated on an hourly basis. A time sheet system records time for hourly paid staff and overtime for those salaried staff who are entitled to overtime payments. The company runs a single computerised payroll system covering both hourly paid and salaried staff and all staff are paid monthly. Each staff member is allocated to one of the company’s 80 departments, which range in size from three to 400 employees. Results of our review of controls at the interim audit showed that controls were poor so a substantive approach is to be adopted. Management’s attitude regarding controls has been a concern in the past however they are aware of the issues and have told us that they are in the process of resolving them. Attached to this email is an extract from NetusUK’s June 20X9 draft accounts (Exhibit 1) showing the items for which I wish you to take responsibility. I need you to send me the following planning documentation so that I can complete the overall planning file for this audit and submit it for manager review. Apart from item (2) below, your responses should concentrate solely on the audit of staff costs and related assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position. You do not need to consider any corporation tax or deferred tax balances. 88 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Planning documentation required (1) The following documents are required: (a) Briefing notes for Harry Thomas the Finance Director (see Exhibit 2) so he understands what entries he needs to make to account correctly for pension costs and where he can obtain any additional information necessary. (b) A schedule summarising the audit procedures you believe we should complete at our final visit in August. For the substantive procedures, please be specific about the procedures you plan to perform on each relevant balance. (2) Your comments on any other matters, including ethical issues, you think we should take into account in planning our audit procedures more generally or any concerns you have as a result of the information you have been given. I look forward to receiving your audit planning. In addition to this I would like your assistance with a special project. Our firm is looking into the possibility of using data analytics in future as a means of making our audit process more efficient. At the interim audit our IT specialists were given permission by NetusUK to use our newly devised data analytics tool as part of a pilot scheme. A journals dashboard was produced as a result ( Exhibit 3). I have not been part of the working party involved in the data analytics project and am unclear as to what this is all about and its relevance to our audit work. Please produce some notes for me explaining what data analytics is. Then I would like you to look at the information produced and set out how this could assist in our risk assessment process. You should also indicate any further analysis which we could perform using the data analytics tool. Louise Requirement Respond to Louise Manning’s email. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Extract from NetusUK’s draft accounts for the year ended 30 June 20X9 Summary of staff costs reflected in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year to 30 June 20X9 Cost of sales Distribution Administrative costs expenses Total year to 30 June 20X9 Total year to 30 June 20X8 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Payroll 78,301 40,815 33,974 153,090 141,496 Pension cost 10,487 5,466 4,550 20,503 12,634 5,690 0 2,451 8,141 1,065 341 287 2,074 2,702 2,396 94,819 46,568 43,049 184,436 157,591 Temporary staff Employee expenses Total staff costs Summary of staff cost related balances in the statement of financial position at 30 June 20X9 30 June 20X9 30 June 20X8 £’000 £’000 Employment taxes 6,903 6,287 Employer’s pension contributions payable 2,397 1,484 Current liabilities ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 89 30 June 20X9 30 June 20X8 £’000 £’000 Temporary staff 204 119 Commission payable on June sales 454 429 Accruals Note: For the purposes of the draft accounts pension costs comprise only employer contributions payable to NetusUK’s defined benefit pension scheme. The rate of employer contribution increased from 10% of pensionable salary to 15% of pensionable salary with effect from 1 July 20X8 following an actuarial valuation which showed a significant deficit. Exhibit 2: Briefing notes To: L. Manning From: H.Thomas@Netus Date: 1 July 20X9 Subject: Audit planning Hi Louise You already have our draft accounts for the period ended 30 June 20X9 which have been prepared on the same basis as last year’s group reporting. As you know, the group head office has never required us to include adjustments for the pension scheme deficit. I’ve just received instructions from head office which state that, for this year’s group reporting, they want full compliance with IFRS and will not be making central adjustments for our pension scheme. I’m going to need your help in calculating the necessary entries as I have no real experience of accounting for pension schemes and you’ve always helped me with the entries for our statutory accounts. As you know, we have one UK defined benefit pension scheme open to all employees. Head office has told me that I should recognise the actuarial gains and losses immediately. I look forward to receiving your advice on these matters and to discussing your detailed audit plan. Regards Harry 90 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 3: Journals dashboard COMPANY: NETUSUK 01.07.X8 – 30.06.X9 Journals Dashboard Automated vs Manual 440 Total no. of journals Value 25% £3,874,000 Total value of journals 75% £8,805 Average value of journals Volume 10 Number of users 60% 40% Automated ICAEW 2022 Volume × × × × × × × £12k £8k £5k £18k as W on g £15k 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 Th om ng h dl ey do n y le £13k Ly n n w ar ds Ed to £53k Si £17k ay × Ri Average Value × D al Finance Finance Sales Finance Finance Finance Sales Volume × s Finance Finance Finance 900 850 800 750 700 650 600 550 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 C on w Andrews Conway Dalton (financial controller) Edwards Farley Lyndon Ridley Singh Thomas Wong × Value £000 dr ew Department An Creator ID Fa r Top 10 users Manual £18k £2k Audit and integrated 2 91 32 Verloc Group You, Ruth Smith, are a newly-promoted audit manager at Marlow & Co, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You arrive at the office on a Monday morning and find the following email from Leonard Kurtz, the audit engagement partner for Verloc Group. To: Ruth Smith From: Leonard Kurtz Date: 4 October 20X9 Subject: Verloc Group audit Ruth, I know that you have not been involved in the Verloc Group audit before, but as you probably know, the audit manager on this account has just resigned and I need you to step in. I’m looking for someone who can pick things up quickly and run with it, and you look like the right person for the job. I attach the following information, which I have just received from Verloc Group’s Finance Director: • Individual statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the companies in the group (Exhibit 1). • Notes on the main transactions during the year ended 30 September 20X9 (Exhibit 2). • Draft consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income with supporting workings (Exhibit 3). The Finance Director has not yet sent me the statements of changes to equity and statements of financial position but he promises to have them ready for us at the audit planning meeting this afternoon. I have also forwarded to you some handover notes prepared by your predecessor (Exhibit 4), which may help us in planning the audit this year. Ahead of the audit planning meeting, please review the information provided and: (1) explain any financial reporting and auditing issues that arise, and describe the actions that we should take in response to each issue, including matters to be discussed with the Finance Director; and (2) draft the revised consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income that you would expect to see after adjusting for the financial reporting issues. Come and see me at 1pm so we can go through the main points before we head off to the meeting with Verloc Group. Thanks, Leonard Kurtz Requirement Respond to the audit partner’s email. Assume that the tax figures will be audited by your firm’s tax audit specialists, so you can ignore tax for now. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for three entities for the year ended 30 September 20X9 Verloc Winnie Stevie £’000 £’000 £’000 6,720 6,240 5,280 Cost of sales (3,600) (3,360) (2,880) Gross profit 3,120 2,880 2,400 Revenue 92 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Verloc Winnie Stevie £’000 £’000 £’000 Administrative expenses (760) (740) (650) Distribution costs (800) (700) (550) Investment income Finance costs Profit before tax Income tax expense 80 – (360) (240) 1,280 1,200 – (216) 984 (400) (360) (300) 880 840 684 Remeasurement gains on defined benefit pension plan 110 – 40 Tax effect of other comprehensive income (30) ––––– (15) 80 ––––– 25 960 840 709 Profit for the year Other comprehensive income (not reclassified to P/L): Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax Total comprehensive income for the year Exhibit 2: Notes on the main transactions during the year ended 30 September 20X9 (1) Verloc acquired 160,000 of the 200,000 £1 issued ordinary shares of Winnie on 1 May 20X9 for £2,800,000. The reserves of Winnie at 1 May 20X9 were £2,050,000. A year end impairment review indicated that goodwill on acquisition of Winnie was impaired by 10%. The group policy is to charge impairment losses to administrative expenses. The group policy is to value the noncontrolling interest at the proportionate share of the fair value of the net assets at the date of acquisition. The fair value of the net assets acquired was the same as the book value with the exception of an investment property, which had been valued at the time of acquisition to be £960,000 above its book value. The property has an estimated total useful life of 50 years, and has been depreciated on the cost model. At the date of acquisition Winnie had owned this property for 10 years. (2) The group policy is to charge depreciation on buildings to administrative expenses on a monthly basis from the date of acquisition to the date of disposal. (3) Verloc disposed of 40,000 £1 ordinary shares of Stevie on 1 July 20X9 for £960,000. Verloc had acquired 75,000 of the 100,000 £1 issued ordinary shares of Stevie for £980,000 on 1 November 20X6, when the balance on reserves was £1,020,000. The fair value of the shareholding retained at 1 July 20X9 was £792,000. There was no evidence of goodwill having been impaired since the date of acquisition. The reserves of Stevie at 1 October 20X8 were £1,300,000. (4) Winnie paid a dividend of £100,000 on 1 September 20X9 and Verloc has recorded its share in investment income. (5) Verloc holds several investments in equity instruments, including some unquoted shares, and accounts for these in accordance with IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. Gains on subsequent measurement of £46,000 occurred in the year. The financial controller, however, is unsure how this should be presented within the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and so has yet to include it. (6) The previous year Verloc had obtained a loan of £800,000 from Inver Bank to invest in a retail outlet. However, due to a recession the outlet did not produce the expected income, and Verloc had difficulty servicing the debt. During the year ended 30 September 20X9, Verloc negotiated with Inver Bank to transfer the ownership of the retail outlet to the bank in settlement of the outstanding debt. The market value of the retail outlet is £770,000. Its carrying amount was also £770,000 as it was measured at fair value. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 93 Exhibit 3: Draft consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income with supported workings Verloc Group Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 20X9 £’000 £’000 Revenue (6,720 + (6,240 × 5/12) + 5,280) 14,600 Cost of sales (3,600 + (3,360 × 5/12) + 2,880) (7,880) Gross profit 6,720 Administrative expenses (760 + (740 × 5/12) + 650 + 119 (W2)) (1,837) Distribution costs (800 + (700 × 5/12) + 550) (1,642) Finance costs (360 + (240 × 5/12) + 216) (676) Profit before tax 2,565 Income tax expense (400 + (360 × 5/12) + 300) (850) Profit for the year 1,715 Other comprehensive income: Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss Remeasurement gains on defined benefit pension plan (110 + 40) 150 Tax effect of other comprehensive income (30 + 15) (45) Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 105 Total comprehensive income for the year 1,820 Profit for the year attributable to: Owners of the parent 1,202 Non-controlling interest (W1) 513 1,715 Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to: Owners of the parent 1,291 Non-controlling interest (W1) 529 1,820 WORKINGS (1) Non-controlling interests PFY TCI £’000 £’000 Winnie As stated in Attachment 1 (840 × 5/12) 350 Additional depreciation on fair value adjustment (10) 340 94 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 NCI share (NCI in TCI is the same as Winnie has no OCI) PFY TCI £’000 £’000 × 20% = 68 = 68 684 709 × 65% × 65% = 445 = 461 513 529 £’000 £’000 Stevie As stated in Attachment 1 Total NCI (2) Goodwill (Winnie) (to calculate impairment loss for year) Consideration transferred 2,800 NCI at proportionate share of fair value (20% × 3,210) 642 Less net assets at acquisition: Share capital Reserves 200 2,050 (2,250) Goodwill 1,192 Impairment (10%) 119 (3) Goodwill (Stevie) £’000 £’000 Consideration transferred 980 NCI at proportionate share of fair value (25% × 1,120) 280 Less net assets acquired: Share capital Reserves 100 1,020 (1,120) 140 (4) Adjustment to equity on part disposal of Stevie £’000 Fair value of consideration received 960 Increase in NCI in net assets at disposal (483 (W5) × 35%/75%) (225) Adjustment to parent’s equity ICAEW 2022 735 Audit and integrated 2 95 (5) Non-controlling interests (SOFP) £’000 NCI at acquisition (W3) 280 NCI share of post acquisition reserves to disposal (25% × [(1,300 + 709 × 9/12) – 1,020]) 203 NCI at part disposal 483 Movement in NCI (483 × 35%/75%)) (225) 258 (6) Intragroup dividend Intragroup dividend income from Winnie = £100,000 × 80% group share = £80,000 Eliminate from ‘investment income’ bringing balance to zero. Exhibit 4: Handover notes – Verloc Group Verloc is a family-owned retail business which had grown organically. In recent years, it has sought to expand in the domestic market by acquiring other synergistic businesses: Stevie in 20X6 and Winnie in 20X9. We are auditors for Verloc, and have been auditing the individual financial statements of Stevie as well, although I am unsure whether this arrangement will continue. The Verloc Group audit has always been extremely time-pressured. In the three years when I have worked on this audit, the Board has insisted each time that the audit must be completed by 1 November. This deadline is completely artificial of course, but that’s what the Group policy is. Fortunately, this audit is very straightforward compared to most of the firm’s other audit engagements and presents low audit risk. Therefore, audit procedures can be simplified as much as possible. For example, related party transactions and share capital are of low risk, so audit procedures can be minimised on these two accounts. Also, the timescale is such that there is insufficient time to apply the firm’s statistical sampling methods in selecting trade receivables balances for testing. It is more efficient to pick the sample based on the audit team members’ own judgement. Materiality for the financial statements as a whole was £200,000, based on £12.8 million of revenue, £2.1 million of profit before tax and £11.1 million of gross assets. I expect similar materiality levels can be used on the 20X9 audit. Last year, I gave two audit juniors the tasks of auditing trade payables and going concern. They reviewed each other’s work. This worked very well all round: reducing my review time and providing good training for the audit juniors. On a separate matter, I spoke with the Finance Director at a networking function two months ago, and he mentioned that the Board is preparing for a listing on the London Stock Exchange in a bid to raise long-term finance. I don’t know where they are now on their listing plans. 33 KK Kemsler Kessinger Ltd (KK) is a manufacturer of industrial cutting equipment. You are a senior who has recently been assigned to the audit of KK. You work for Wight and Jones LLP (WJ), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. WJ has recently been appointed as auditor for the KK consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X4. WJ is also the auditor of all KK group companies and associates. The engagement partner, Emma Happ, invited you to a meeting with her to plan some aspects of the KK audit. Emma opened the meeting: “KK is a new client of WJ and we are still trying to understand fully its management processes and corporate governance. My particular concern is that the interim audit discovered transactions with directors and other related parties during the year which I suspect may not be at arm’s length. 96 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 We need to make sure that the financial reporting treatment is appropriate in the KK consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X4 and that all necessary disclosures are made in each of the individual company financial statements. I have met with the KK chief executive, Mike Coppel. As a result of this discussion, I have prepared some background information (Exhibit 1). In addition, the audit senior on the KK interim audit, Russell Reed (who no longer works for WJ), raised some matters of concern (Exhibit 2). One further issue is that Mike is unhappy with the due diligence work which was performed by the accountants Trebant & Edsel LLP (TE) for KK’s purchase of the shares in Crag Ltd (Exhibit 1). Mike is considering asking WJ to review their work so the KK board can decide whether to undertake litigation against TE. However, Mike emphasised that, while he is happy with the work of WJ so far, he would like the audit for the year ended 30 June 20X4 to be completed to his satisfaction before he would consider awarding this new review work to WJ, or indeed reappointing WJ for the audit engagement next year. Please prepare notes for me as follows. (1) For each of the issues in Exhibit 2: (a) describe the appropriate financial reporting treatment in the KK consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X4. Explain and justify whether or not disclosure of any related party transactions needs to be made in the individual financial statements of the companies concerned for the year ended 30 June 20X4, setting out any required disclosures; and (b) explain the key audit issues and the audit procedures to be performed. (2) Identify and explain the key audit issues which arise from the acquisition by KK of shares and options in Crag. (3) Explain the ethical implications for WJ of Mike’s suggestion that WJ carry out review work in respect of the due diligence assignment performed by TE. Please ignore tax and deferred tax for now.” Requirement Respond to the instructions of Emma Happ, the engagement partner. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Background information KK manufactures industrial cutting equipment at its factory in the UK. In the year ended 30 June 20X4, the KK group had revenue of £126 million, made a profit before tax of £13 million and had net assets of £88 million at that date. Share ownership and the board The ordinary share ownership and directors of KK at 30 June 20X4 were as follows: Director role Shareholding in KK Mike Coppel Chief executive 15% Holly Reaney Finance director 5% Janet Coppel Production director 10% Dans Venture Capital Co (DVC) – 40% Harry Harker Non-executive director (appointed by DVC) Yissan plc – Monica Orchard Non-executive director (appointed by Yissan plc) ICAEW 2022 – 30% – Audit and integrated 2 97 No directors joined or left the KK board during the year ended 30 June 20X4. Mike and Janet Coppel are married to each other. Group structure, other investments and transactions Most of the component parts used by KK in its manufacturing process are imported. One supplier, Yissan, supplies 32% of KK’s components. Yissan acquired its 30% shareholding in KK in 20X1 and actively exercises its votes. Yissan has the right to appoint a director to the board. KK owns 40% of the ordinary shares in Seal Ltd and exercises significant influence. KK owns 35% of the ordinary shares in Moose Ltd and appoints two of its five board members. The remaining 65% shareholding is owned by Finkle Inc, a US registered company. KK owns 30% of the ordinary shares in Finkle Inc. The remaining 70% of the shares are held by a single unrelated individual. On 1 August 20X3, KK acquired 45% of the ordinary shares in Crag Ltd, a competitor company. The remaining 55% of the ordinary shares continue to be held by Woodland plc. Crag had previously been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Woodland which is an unrelated company. Under the terms of the share purchase, KK has an option, exercisable up to three years from the date of the share purchase, which allows it to buy an additional 15% holding of Crag ordinary shares from Woodland at an exercise price per share which is 10% higher than the actual price per share paid to purchase the 45% shareholding. KK has been exercising its votes as a shareholder of Crag. Since 1 August 20X3, the fair value per ordinary share of Crag is estimated to have risen by 13%. Crag’s marketing director, who was appointed by KK, has implemented a new successful marketing strategy which has been a key factor in increasing the fair value per share. The ordinary shares of all companies are voting shares. All companies have a 30 June accounting year end. Exhibit 2: Interim audit notes – prepared by Russell Reed (1) Seal sold £12 million of goods to Crag, spread evenly over the year ended 30 June 20X4. I am not clear how this should be treated and whether there should be separate disclosure of these transactions and, if so, what needs to be disclosed. (2) On 6 June 20X4, Seal sold goods to Moose at a price of £2 million. At 30 June 20X4, none of these goods remained in inventories held by Moose. There were no other transactions between Seal and Moose during the year ended 30 June 20X4. (3) On 15 December 20X3, Mike Coppel purchased a cutting machine from KK for £300,000. At the date of sale, the carrying amount of the machine was £240,000 and its fair value was estimated to be £380,000. (4) On 2 October 20X3, KK repaid a £9 million interest-free loan from Yissan. The loan was originally raised on 12 March 20X1. (5) On 20 January 20X4, Crag sold goods which had cost £1 million, to KK for £1.5 million. One quarter of these goods remain unsold by KK at the end of the year. There were no other transactions between Crag and KK during the year ended 30 June 20X4. 34 UHN (July 2014) (amended) You work for Hartner as an audit senior. Hartner is a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You have recently been asked to act as an audit senior on the audit of UHN plc, an AIM-listed company. UHN manufactures electronic navigation systems for the aircraft industry. It has survived periods of economic uncertainty and order levels have started to recover. In addition, low interest rates and the ability to keep costs controlled have improved the company’s financial performance in recent years. The audit engagement partner, Petra Chainey, gives you the following briefing: “We have been very short-staffed on the UHN audit and Greg Jones, the audit senior, has been acting as the audit manager on this assignment. Greg has just gone on study leave and I would like you to take on his role for the remainder of the audit. Before he left, Greg prepared a handover note ( Exhibit 1) which includes information on UHN’s covenants and its draft summary financial statements for the year ended 31 March 20X4. The handover note also includes Greg’s summary of the key financial reporting issues. These issues are either unresolved or, in Greg’s opinion, issues where the directors have exercised judgement in the application of accounting policies and estimates in the 98 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 preparation of the financial statements for UHN. The planning materiality is £100,000. The audit closure meeting is scheduled for this Friday. I have also forwarded you an email from the UHN finance director, Melvyn Hansi, requesting Hartner to accept a one-off assignment (Exhibit 2). I need to respond quickly to this email as the matter is urgent. I am concerned that if we do not do as UHN requests, they may engage with another assurance firm, not just for this one-off engagement, but also for future audits. We may not have the expertise in-house to complete this one-off assignment as the nature of UHN’s industry is specialised, but I am sure we can put together a convincing report. I would like you to prepare a working paper in which you: (1) Set out and explain the implications of the financial reporting issues in Greg’s handover note (Exhibit 1). For each issue, recommend the appropriate financial reporting treatment, showing any adjustments that you would need to make to the draft summary financial statements. (2) Using your recommendations above, evaluate and explain the overall impact of your adjustments on the gearing ratio and the interest cover ratio at 31 March 20X4 in accordance with the bank’s loan covenants. (3) Explain the key audit risks that we need to address before signing our audit report on the financial statements. I do not need the detailed audit procedures; just concentrate on the key risks. (4) Explain the responsibility and accountability of the UHN board for cyber security and make appropriate recommendations. I will ask the tax department to review any further deferred tax and current tax adjustments. I would also like you to prepare a file note explaining the ethical implications for our firm if we decide to accept the one-off assignment (Exhibit 2).” Requirement Prepare the working paper and the file note requested by the audit engagement partner. Total: 45 marks Exhibit 1: Handover note prepared by Greg Jones Loan covenants UHN is financed by equity and debt. In 20X0, UHN was rescued from insolvency by its bank, which provided a £20 million loan, repayable in 20X8. The loan contract with the bank stipulates two covenants which are based on the year-end audited financial statements. Failure to meet either covenant could result in the loan facility being withdrawn. The covenants are as follows: (1) The gearing ratio is to be less than 130%. The ratio is defined as: ((Non-current liabilities (excluding provisions and deferred tax liability)) ÷ (Equity (Share capital and reserves))) × 100% (2) The interest cover is to be greater than 3. The ratio is defined as: Profit before finance costs (including exceptional items) ÷ Finance costs Covenants are determined at each 31 March year end. As part of the loan agreement, audited financial statements must be presented to the bank within four months of the accounting year end. UHN – Draft summary financial statements for the year ended 31 March 20X4 Statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 March 20X4 £’000 Revenue Operating costs Exceptional item (Issue 1) Operating profit ICAEW 2022 56,900 (49,893) 5,040 12,047 Audit and integrated 2 99 £’000 Finance costs Profit before tax (2,200) 9,847 Statement of financial position at 31 March 20X4 £’000 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment (Issue 2) 20,040 Current assets Inventories (Issue 3) 21,960 Trade receivables 15,982 Cash and cash equivalents 2,128 40,070 Total assets 60,110 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Share capital – ordinary £1 shares Share premium Retained earnings Total equity 1,000 15,000 1,500 17,500 Non-current liabilities Loans 20,000 Long-term provision (Issue 4) 8,520 Deferred tax liability 1,000 Total non-current liabilities 29,520 Current liabilities Trade and other payables (Issue 3) Short-term provision (Issue 4) Total current liabilities 12,350 740 13,090 –––––– Total equity and liabilities 100 Corporate Reporting 60,110 ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting issues identified by Greg Jones Issue 1 – Sale and leaseback of factory On 31 March 20X4, UHN entered into a sale and leaseback agreement for its freehold factory in Swindon. The factory was originally acquired by UHN on 31 March 20W4 (10 years ago), at which point it had a useful life of 30 years and a zero residual value. The sale proceeds from the sale and leaseback agreement were £8 million, which is equal to the fair value of the freehold factory. The property was leased back on a 20-year lease from 31 March 20X4 at an annual rental of £611,120 to be paid annually in arrears. The first lease rental will be payable on 31 March 20X5 and the directors have decided to charge it to the statement of profit or loss in the year ending 31 March 20X5. The profit on the disposal of the factory and land has been included as an exceptional item as follows: Factory £’000 Disposal proceeds Less carrying amount at 31 March 20X4 8,000 (2,960) Profit recognised as an ‘exceptional item’ 5,040 The IFRS 15 criteria for a genuine sale have been met. Although we have vouched this transaction to the lease agreement and other documents (and there is plenty of evidence on the audit file relating to this transaction), as it is such a material amount I thought I would draw it to your attention. I have calculated the interest rate implicit in the lease to be 8% per annum. Issue 2 – Service centre in Russia On 1 April 20X3, UHN set up a service centre in Russia at a cost of RUB266 million. The service centre is situated at Moscow airport and operates as a repair depot for flights in and out of Moscow airport. The service centre had an estimated useful life of six years at 1 April 20X3, with a zero residual value. In March 20X4, new regulations were introduced in Russia which prevented extended stays at Moscow airport for a number of major airlines. Therefore, significantly fewer aircraft could be serviced at UHN’s Moscow service centre. The UHN finance director recognised this regulatory change as an impairment indicator and carried out an impairment test exercise at 31 March 20X4 on the service centre. As a consequence of this exercise, the service centre was determined to have a value in use of RUB180 million and a fair value less cost to sell of RUB204 million at 31 March 20X4. The finance director therefore calculated an impairment charge of RUB18 million. He translated this at RUB48 = £1 to give an impairment charge of £375,000 in operating costs. I haven’t studied this area of financial reporting at college yet, so I thought I should bring it to your attention. I have checked the exchange rates which are as follows: At 1 April 20X3: RUB53 = £1 At 31 March 20X4: RUB48 = £1 Issue 3 – Hedge against increase in price of titanium UHN uses titanium in its production process and holds titanium inventory of around 680,000 kilograms to ensure a constant supply for production. UHN’s selling price of its products is linked to the price of titanium. On 1 January 20X4, UHN had 680,000 kilograms of titanium at a total cost of £8.2 million in inventory. At that date, UHN signed a futures contract to deliver 680,000 kilograms of titanium at £14 per kilogram on 30 September 20X4 to hedge against a possible price fluctuation of titanium. At 31 March 20X4, the market price of titanium was £15 per kilogram and the futures price for delivery on 30 September 20X4 was £16.60 per kilogram. The arrangement was clearly designated as hedge accounting for financial reporting purposes in the documentation prepared on 1 January 20X4, and it meets the criteria for hedge accounting set out in IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. However, no adjustment has been made in the financial statements to 31 March 20X4 to use hedge accounting or to adjust the fair value of the inventory. I was informed ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 101 that, as UHN had met the interest cover requirement for its bank covenant for the year ended 31 March 20X4, the directors want to hold back profit in order to recognise it in the year ending 31 March 20X5. The loss on the futures contract of £1.768 million is included in operating costs and in trade and other payables. Issue 4 – Provision for claim for damages In 20X0, a cargo plane, fitted with a navigation system installed by UHN, crashed in the Saharan desert. There was no loss of life, but the owner of the plane blames the crash on a failure of the UHN navigation system. It is alleged that UHN’s computer system had been hacked and the information used to attempt to hi-jack the plane. UHN has strenuously denied this and contested the legal case. However, as the UHN directors believed that it was probable that there would be a settlement, but were uncertain as to the amount, a provision was made on 31 March 20X2 for the most likely outcome of £10 million to be settled in approximately three years. The provision was discounted at 8% per annum. In March 20X4, to avoid further bad publicity, UHN settled out of court with the owner of the plane and agreed to pay £9.1 million. The payment terms have been agreed as 25% payable in April 20X4 and 75% payable in April 20X5. No adjustments have been made to the financial statements as a result of the settlement because the directors believe that the existing provision should cover the payments they will be required to make. Exhibit 2: Email from finance director of UHN To: Petra Chainey From: M Hansi Date: 21 July 20X4 Subject: One-off assignment The UHN board is in disagreement about UHN’s approach to cyber security. The operations director believes that a cyber incident would be so rare that despite the fact that the effects would be potentially significant it is not worth spending large amounts on attempting to mitigate risks. He pointed out that the responsibility for cyber security lies with the IT senior manager who is not a board director but is responsible for the IT and security budget. The finance director believes that the amount UHN pays for cyber insurance premiums could be reduced if it could demonstrate good cyber security practices. Other directors complain that there is a lack of information regarding security breaches. The HR director complained that she first heard about the hacking allegations and the attempted hijacking of the cargo plane in the press. I would like Hartner to report to the board of directors about whether our spending on cyber security matters is providing value for money. I would like Hartner to accept this one-off assignment. I expect that Hartner will be able to charge a low fee for this work as I am sure you will be able to use some of this report as part of your audit work. 35 Couvert (November 2014) You are Anton Lee, a recently-qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant working for Pryce Gibbs LLP (PG), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You are currently assigned as audit senior to the audit of Couvert plc for the year ended 31 August 20X4. Couvert is a listed company. Couvert sells high-quality carpets. It has struggled during the recession as demand for its products has fallen. However, the company’s directors are now confident that it will benefit from the expected recovery in the carpet industry. Couvert has several subsidiaries, most of them carpet retailers. In 20X3, Couvert’s directors decided to implement a strategy of vertical integration in order to protect the company’s sources of supply. On 1 September 20X3, as part of this strategy, Couvert acquired 55% of the ordinary share capital of Ectal, a carpet manufacturer based in Celonia. Background information on the investment in Ectal is 102 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 provided (Exhibit 1). On 1 March 20X4, Couvert also acquired 100% of the shares of Bexway Ltd, a UK carpet manufacturer. Mary, the audit manager assigned to the Couvert audit for the year ended 31 August 20X4, left PG last week to start a new job in Australia. The audit partner, Lucille Jones, has sent you the following email: To: Anton Lee, audit senior From: Lucille Jones, audit partner Date: 3 November 20X4 Subject: Couvert audit I have assigned a new audit manager to the Couvert audit, but he is currently concluding another engagement, and will not be able to join you until next week. In the meantime, there are several urgent tasks outstanding on the Couvert audit. Our deadline for completion of the audit work is 12 November 20X4. Couvert is due to release its preliminary results to the stock market one week later. I am concerned that Couvert has only today received year-end financial information from its subsidiary Ectal (Exhibit 2) for consolidation into the Couvert group financial statements. I am also perturbed by the apparent lack of involvement by Couvert’s management in Ectal’s affairs. Ectal has not prepared regular management accounting reports during the year. Another concern is the conduct of the audit of Ectal by the local Celonian auditor, Stepalia LLP; they have not communicated the results of their audit to us. We originally assessed audit risk for Ectal as moderate, but given the lack of information received we may need to look at this assessment again. Ectal is material to Couvert’s consolidated financial statements. Also, I’ve just received a request for advice regarding two financial reporting issues from Couvert’s finance director. His email is attached (Exhibit 3). I would like you to prepare a working paper in which you do the following: (1) Analyse and explain, using analytical procedures, the financial performance and position of Ectal for the year ended 31 August 20X4 (Exhibit 2). Include enquiries that will need to be made of Ectal’s management and its auditor Stepalia arising from these analytical procedures. (2) Identify and explain your concerns about the corporate governance arrangements at Ectal and the impact of these on the financial reporting of the investment in Ectal in Couvert’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 August 20X4. (3) Explain, in respect of the audit of Ectal by Stepalia: (a) the actions to be taken by PG; and (b) the potential implications for the group auditor’s report. (4) Explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for the two issues identified by Couvert’s finance director (Exhibit 3). Requirement Respond to the audit partner’s email. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Background information on Couvert’s investment in Ectal Ectal was incorporated 20 years ago in Celonia, a country well known in the carpet industry for the high quality of its wool products and its skilled labour force. The currency of Celonia is the Celonian dollar (C$). Ectal was founded by Ygor Vitanie, who held a majority shareholding until, on 1 September 20X3, Couvert purchased 55% of Ectal’s ordinary share capital from him, at a substantial premium. The remaining 45% of the shares are now held as follows: Ygor Vitanie 35% Other members of the Vitanie family 10% ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 103 Corporate governance arrangements Ygor is Ectal’s managing director, and his daughter, Ruth, is the manufacturing director. There are three other directors nominated by Couvert. These are Couvert’s marketing director, finance director and operations director. Ygor has the casting vote in cases where voting is tied. Since 1 September 20X3, Couvert’s operations director has attended four of Ectal’s monthly board meetings, Couvert’s finance director has attended one board meeting in November 20X3 and Couvert’s marketing director has been unable to attend any of the meetings because of other commitments. External audit arrangements PG does not have a correspondent or branch office in Celonia. The audit of Ectal continues to be conducted by a local Celonian audit firm, Stepalia, which was first appointed to the Ectal audit several years ago. PG issued group audit instructions to Stepalia several months ago, but has received very little information from Stepalia. Component materiality for the Ectal audit was set at the planning stage at C$20 million. Due diligence Due diligence in respect of Couvert’s acquisition of Ectal was carried out jointly by PG and Stepalia. The principal member of PG’s staff involved in the due diligence exercise was Mary, the PG audit manager who has just left the firm. Exhibit 2: Year-end financial information received from Ectal The Ectal financial statements have been prepared in compliance with IFRS. Ectal: Statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 August 20X4 20X4 Actual 20X4 Budget 20X3 Actual C$m C$m C$m 305.4 358.6 350.4 4.8 –––––– –––––– 310.2 358.6 350.4 5.9 (8.3) (18.6) (192.8) (205.7) (194.1) Employee expenses (26.3) (25.8) (21.0) Depreciation expense (52.4) (60.8) (59.4) Impairment of property, plant and equipment (60.0) – Other expenses (29.7) (21.0) (21.2) (5.1) (5.0) (5.0) (50.2) 32.0 31.1 –––––– (10.0) (9.3) (50.2) 22.0 1.8 Revenue Other income Change in finished goods and WIP Raw materials and consumables used Finance costs (Loss)/profit before tax Tax (Loss)/profit after tax 104 Corporate Reporting – ICAEW 2022 Ectal: Statement of financial position at 31 August 20X4 20X4 Actual 20X4 Budget 20X3 Actual C$m C$m C$m 551.3 622.5 603.7 Inventories 98.0 90.0 92.1 Trade receivables 50.7 55.0 57.0 1.5 15.0 10.1 Current assets 150.2 160.0 159.2 Total assets 701.5 782.5 762.9 5.0 5.0 5.0 Retained earnings 529.0 621.5 599.2 Loan from director 50.0 50.0 50.0 Provisions 16.0 –––––– –––––– Non-current liabilities 66.0 50.0 50.0 Trade and other payables 98.7 96.0 99.4 2.8 – – –––––– 10.0 9.3 Current liabilities 101.5 106.0 108.7 Total equity and liabilities 701.5 782.5 762.9 Property, plant and equipment Cash Ordinary share capital Short-term borrowings Current tax payable Exhibit 3: Email to Lucille Jones from Couvert’s finance director Lucille I would appreciate your advice on the following two financial reporting issues that affect Couvert’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 August 20X4. Issue 1 – Accounting for retirement benefits As you know, the Group’s pension plan is a defined contribution plan, which is open to employees in most, but not all, of our subsidiaries. However, as part of our vertical expansion strategy we purchased 100% of the shares of Bexway Ltd halfway through the financial year, on 1 March 20X4. Bexway has a defined benefit scheme for senior staff. Bexway’s accountant retired shortly after the takeover and there is now no one at the company who understands the accounting for a defined benefit scheme. The only accounting entry that has been made since recognising the net pension liability on acquisition is in respect of employer contributions paid. This amount has been debited to staff costs. I have the following information about the pension plan between 1 March 20X4 and 31 August 20X4: £’000 Current service cost for six months (estimated by actuary) Fair value of plan assets at 1 March 20X4 ICAEW 2022 604 8,062 Audit and integrated 2 105 £’000 Present value of plan liabilities at 1 March 20X4 8,667 Contributions paid into plan by Bexway on 31 August 20X4 842 Retirement benefits paid out by plan 662 Fair value of plan assets at 31 August 20X4 (estimated by actuary) 8,630 Present value of plan liabilities at 31 August 20X4 (estimated by actuary), not including amendment to plan (see below) 8,557 On 14 April 20X4, Bexway’s directors decided to amend the pension plan by increasing the benefits payable to members with effect from 1 September 20X4. From this date benefits will increase, as will the contributions payable by Bexway. I am informed by the actuary that the present value of plan liabilities should be increased by £500,000 at 31 August 20X4 in this respect. The applicable six-month discount rate is 3%. I am unfamiliar with current practice in respect of accounting for defined benefit plans. Please advise me of the correct accounting treatment for the plan for the six months ended 31 August 20X4 and provide me with the appropriate journal entries for Bexway. Issue 2 – Financial asset On 1 April 20X4 Couvert’s board bought a put option contract over 500,000 shares in an Australian wool-producing company, The Brattle Company. The exercise price of the option is £6.00 per share and it will expire on 31 March 20X5. The bank has supplied me with the following information about the put option: Market price of one share in Brattle Value of put option contract 1 April 20X4 31 August 20X4 £6.00 £5.90 £63,000 £95,000 I recorded the initial investment of £63,000 as an investment in equity instruments, but I have made no other accounting entries in respect of this asset and I am not sure whether any adjustment is necessary. Please explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for this item, and set out the appropriate journal entries. I look forward to your response to my queries. 36 ERE (November 2014) ERE Ltd (ERE) designs, manufactures and installs medical equipment for healthcare providers. ERE is currently unlisted but its shareholders are considering an AIM listing within the next three years. The chief executive, Frank Mann, owns 30% of the shares in ERE and the remaining 70% are owned by private equity investors. ERE has a 31 July accounting year end. You are Tom Tolly, an audit senior with Ham and Heven LLP (HH), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. HH has audited ERE for a number of years. You have just returned to work after study leave and you have received the following email from your audit manager setting out your assignment for today. To: Tom Tolly From: Audit manager Date: 3 November 20X4 Subject: ERE – audit of payables and deferred tax for the year ended 31 July 20X4 ERE’s financial controller, Josi Young, is a former employee of HH. She left HH in August 20X4 before completing her training contract and shortly afterwards secured a job with ERE. Josi had been a member of the ERE audit team for a number of years before leaving HH. 106 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 I assigned Chris King, a junior audit assistant, to the payables and deferred tax sections of the ERE audit as I felt confident that Josi would be able to provide him with some assistance. However, I now have some concerns with the work that he has produced. I have attached a working paper that I asked Chris to prepare summarising the audit procedures he has performed on payables and deferred tax (Exhibit). I would like you to review this working paper and prepare a report for me in which you: (1) explain the key weaknesses in the audit procedures performed by Chris. Identify the audit risks arising in respect of ERE’s payables and deferred tax and the audit procedures that should be completed in order to address each risk; (2) identify and explain the financial reporting issues and recommend appropriate adjustments; (3) summarise on a schedule of uncorrected misstatements the adjustments that you have recommended. Explain the further action that we should take in respect of the uncorrected misstatements; and (4) identify and explain any ethical issues for HH, and recommend any actions for HH arising from these issues. Requirement Prepare the report requested by your audit manager. Total: 34 marks Exhibit: Working paper: prepared by Chris King ERE: Audit procedures for payables and deferred tax for the year ended 31 July 20X4 The planning materiality is £120,000. Payables and deferred tax per the statement of financial position are as follows: Reference to audit procedures 20X4 20X3 £’000 £’000 Trade payables (1) 13,709 14,628 Other payables (2) 2,620 550 Deferred tax (3) 440 950 20X4 20X3 £’000 £’000 11,820 12,036 345 52 1,544 2,540 13,709 14,628 (1) Audit procedures for trade payables Trade payables comprise: Trade payables ledger balances Add: Debit balances Add: Goods received not invoiced Total trade payables Trade payables ledger balances I reviewed a sample of 10 supplier statement reconciliations selected for me by Josi, who has performed reconciliations for all the major suppliers. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 107 I re-performed the reconciliations for the three largest suppliers, which represented 89.8% of the total trade payables balances at 31 July 20X4, as follows: Mesmet plc KH GmbH Medex £’000 £’000 £’000 Balance per ledger 2,563 1,739 1,962 Payments in transit 950 – 250 Invoices in transit 525 – 540 Mesmet invoices ‘on hold’ 1,230 – – Disputed Medex invoices –––– ––––––––– 850 Balance per supplier statement 5,268 see below 3,602 44.6 14.7 30.5 % of trade payable ledger balances I agreed payments in transit to the cash book and to the bank reconciliation. All payments were presented within 30 days of the year end. All invoices in transit were agreed to invoices posted in August 20X4. Mesmet invoices ‘on hold’ I queried the invoices ‘on hold’ on Mesmet’s supplier statement. Josi was unsure about these invoices, but said that they have now ‘disappeared’ from Mesmet’s most recent supplier statement. ERE’s finance director has told her not to contact Mesmet to query these invoices as he deals personally with the Mesmet finance department. KH KH is a new supplier and invoices ERE in euro. The supplier statement shows a balance of €2 million at 31 July 20X4. On 1 October 20X3, ERE purchased a large consignment of monitors from KH for €4 million and recorded this transaction at the exchange rate on that date. ERE paid €2 million to KH on 1 April 20X4 and made a final payment of €2 million on 1 November 20X4 at the exchange rate on that date of €1.28:£1. The year-end ledger balance has been adjusted for an exchange gain. I have checked the calculation of the exchange gain using the following exchange rates: €/£ €’000 £’000 1 October 20X3 1.15 4,000 3,478 1 April 20X4 1.20 (2,000) (1,667) Exchange gain Year-end balance (72) 1,739 The €/£ exchange rate at 31 July 20X4 was €1.27:£1. Disputed Medex invoices I queried the £850,000 of disputed Medex invoices with Josi and have noted below her explanation: Medex supplies components to ERE. ERE used these components to manufacture its oxygen units, which are installed for hospital customers in operating theatres. On 10 August 20X4, legal proceedings were commenced against ERE by a hospital which claims that failure of the oxygen units installed by ERE during the year ended 31 July 20X4 caused delays to the performance of operations. The hospital is claiming £1.2 million compensation for loss of income. On 14 September 20X4, ERE appointed legal advisers who suggested that it is possible, but not likely, that the claim will succeed. However, the legal advisers estimate that, if the case is settled, it would be in July 20X6. Also, they have advised that legal costs will be £100,000, which will also be settled at that date. Josi has included an accrual for the legal fees as part of ‘other payables’ (see below). The ERE board does not want to disclose any information regarding the legal case as the directors believe that it will cause reputational damage for ERE. 108 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 ERE believes that the Medex components were faulty. Therefore Josi has requested credit notes from Medex in respect of invoices for these components and has credited purchases with £850,000 and debited the Medex payable ledger account. Debit balances This is an adjustment to reclassify debit balances as receivables. I have checked that the debit entry of this adjustment is included in receivables. Goods received not invoiced I reviewed the list of goods received not invoiced and noted several items dating from January 20X4. Josi informed me that she is still chasing invoices from the suppliers for these goods but as the amount involved is only £115,000, and therefore less than materiality, I have not carried out any further audit procedures. (2) Audit procedures for other payables Other payables comprises: Legal fees (see above) 20X4 20X3 £’000 £’000 100 – Provision for restructuring: Redundancy payments One-off payments to employees for relocation costs Costs of removing plant and machinery 270 50 400 720 – 1,100 – Payroll and other current taxes 200 200 Other accruals 500 350 2,620 550 Lease cost of factory Total Provision for restructuring On 1 October 20X4, ERE closed down a manufacturing division which operated from a factory in the North of England. I have agreed the provision for restructuring to the budget and also to the board minutes which stated that negotiations with employee representatives and the factory landlord were completed on 30 July 20X4 and a formal announcement was made to all employees on 31 July 20X4. Lease cost of factory ERE signed a 10-year lease for the factory on 1 August 20X0 at an annual rental of £240,000, payable annually in arrears. At that date, the present value of the future lease payments was £1,853,280, based on the interest rate implicit in the lease of 5%. A right-of-use asset had been set up for £1,853,280, and was being depreciated over the period of the lease term. It was noted in the board minutes that, following the closure of the division on 1 October 20X4, ERE has the choice of subleasing the factory to another company for the remaining six years at an annual rental of £60,000 payable annually in arrears; or paying £1.1 million as compensation to the factory landlord to terminate the lease. The directors asked Josi to obtain more information and to prepare calculations using an annual discount rate of 5%. Until this information is made available, a provision of £1.1 million has been made in the draft financial statements. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 2 109 (3) Audit procedures for deferred tax Josi has provided the following deferred tax computation and notes: Deferred tax computation £’000 Taxable temporary difference: Carrying amount of plant and equipment at 31 July 20X4 12,800 Tax base of plant and equipment at 31 July 20X4 (8,600) Taxable temporary difference on plant and equipment 4,200 Deferred tax liability on taxable temporary difference at 20% 840 Deferred tax asset in respect of carried forward trading losses (400) Deferred tax balance 440 Notes (1) Accounting profits equal taxable profits except in respect of depreciation. (2) ERE made a tax loss of £2 million in the year ended 31 July 20X4. Under current tax legislation this loss can be carried forward indefinitely. ERE has prepared a budget for 20X5 and 20X6 which shows taxable profits of £500,000 and £750,000. No projections are available after this date due to the uncertainty of tax law. (3) ERE revalued its head office building on 31 July 20X4. The revalued carrying amount at 31 July 20X4 was £5 million and its tax base was £4 million. Gains on property are charged to tax at 20% on disposal. However, ERE has no intention of selling its head office therefore no deferred tax liability has been recognised. (4) I have agreed the carrying amount of plant and machinery to the financial statements and the tax base to the company tax return. 110 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2015) 37 Congloma Congloma plc is a UK listed company and it is the parent of a group of manufacturing companies located across the UK. Your firm, A&M LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants, has audited Congloma and its subsidiaries for three years. You are assigned to the group audit team for Congloma for the year ending 31 August 20X4. Your manager, Harri Merr has asked for your help to finalise audit planning. Other audit teams from your firm are responsible for the individual audits of Congloma’s subsidiaries. You meet with Harri, who gives you the following instructions: “I’ve provided some background information (Exhibit 1). The Congloma finance director, Jazz Goring, has asked A&M to assist her in determining how a number of significant transactions should be treated in the Congloma consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 August 20X4. She also wants to understand the overall impact of these transactions on the consolidated profit before taxation. I’ve forwarded her email to you (Exhibit 2), together with an attachment comprising briefing notes from the Congloma corporate finance team which provides some further details of the transactions ( Exhibit 3). These briefing notes were presented at the Congloma board meeting in May 20X4 before the significant transactions were completed. Jazz has assured me that none of the details changed when the deals were finalised, so we can use this information for audit planning purposes. I would like you to: (1) draft a response to Jazz’s email (Exhibit 2) and its attachment (Exhibit 3). In your response you should: (a) set out and explain, for each of the transactions she identifies, the correct financial reporting treatment in Congloma’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 August 20X4. Recommend and include appropriate adjustments and calculations; and (b) calculate the consolidated profit before taxation for the year ending 31 August 20X4, taking into account the adjustments you have identified; and (2) set out, in a working paper, the additional audit procedures that we will need to perform as a result of the transactions Jazz has identified. Include an explanation of the impact that the transactions will have on the scope of our audit procedures and the identification of components that we consider to be significant. The additional audit procedures that you identify should include those we will perform both at the significant component subsidiaries and head office. These procedures should only be those of relevance to our opinion on the Congloma consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 August 20X4. At this stage, I am not interested in the procedures we will need to perform in order to sign an audit opinion on each individual group company.” Requirement Respond to Harri’s instructions. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Background information provided by the audit manager, Harri Merr Our experience of the Congloma audit is that the group is generally well managed and maintains reliable accounting records. We have noted, however, that the finance team’s experience of more complex transactions is limited and they do not always make the correct accounting entries or appreciate fully the financial reporting implications of such transactions. The scope of the work to be performed by the group audit team in respect of the group financial statements is as follows: • Audit procedures on the group financial statements and consolidation • Direction and review of the audit procedures performed by other teams from our firm at all significant components • Review procedures on the results of components which are not significant ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2015) 111 Based on the group’s latest financial projections, I have determined planning materiality for the group audit at £350,000. Exhibit 2: Email from Congloma Finance Director, Jazz Goring To: Harri Merr From: Jazz Goring Date: 17 July 20X4 Subject: Significant transactions After a period of over a year with no acquisitions or disposals, June 20X4 was a busy month for our corporate finance team. In addition to the information provided below, you will find further details in the attached briefing notes from the Congloma corporate finance team which were presented at our board meeting in May 20X4 (Exhibit 3). The board is pressing me for a forecast of the consolidated profit before tax for the year ending 31 August 20X4. Therefore, it would be helpful to have your advice on the financial reporting treatment of the transactions set out below. Before accounting for the effect of any adjustments arising from these transactions, our latest forecasts show a consolidated profit before tax of £7 million for the year ending 31 August 20X4. Further investment in Oldone Ltd In 20W4, 10 years ago, Congloma subscribed £9.6 million for an 80% shareholding in Oldone on the incorporation of the company. At that date, Anthony Myers, the Oldone chief executive subscribed for the remaining 20% of Oldone shares. On 1 June 20X4, Anthony retired and sold his shares in Oldone to Congloma for £4 million. Oldone is expected to make a profit before taxation of £500,000 in the year ending 31 August 20X4. As for all our group companies, Oldone’s profits are not seasonal, but accrue evenly throughout the year. The identifiable net assets of Oldone at 31 May 20X4 were £14 million and, in our interim financial statements at that date, we recognised a non-controlling interest of £2.8 million, using the proportion of net assets method always adopted by Congloma. I will instruct an expert valuer to determine the fair value of Oldone’s assets so that I can calculate the goodwill to be included in the consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 August 20X4. However, I need your advice on how to eliminate the non-controlling interest balance of £2.8 million from the consolidated statement of financial position at 31 August 20X4. Issue of convertible bonds On 1 June 20X4, Congloma raised £10 million through an issue of convertible bonds to third party investors. Further details are included in the attached briefing notes (Exhibit 3). For the time being, I have recognised the £10 million as a liability. Investment in Neida Ltd On 1 June 20X4, Congloma acquired 45% of Neida’s issued ordinary share capital and voting rights for £3 million. Neida’s remaining ordinary shares and voting rights are currently held equally by the two individuals who founded the company. Congloma has an option to acquire a further 20% of Neida’s ordinary share capital in the future. Neida is engaged in developing practical applications for Lastlo, an innovative new material. We expect that the use of Lastlo will improve the durability and performance of a number of Congloma’s products. I believe that Congloma’s holding of 45% of Neida’s ordinary share capital and voting rights gives it significant influence and so propose to account for Congloma’s investment in Neida as an associate. As you will see from the attached briefing notes (Exhibit 3), Neida has very few assets or liabilities, so the key impact on the group financial statements will be the recognition of the investment of £3 million. 112 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Disposal of 75% interest in Tabtop On 30 June 20X4, 75% of the ordinary shares and voting rights in Tabtop Ltd, which was wholly owned by Congloma, were sold to a third party for £6 million. The carrying amount of the net assets (excluding goodwill) of Tabtop on 30 June 20X4 was £5.6 million and the carrying amount of goodwill relating to Tabtop in Congloma’s consolidated statement of financial position at that date was £1.5 million. Therefore I have calculated, and propose to include, a group profit on the sale of £0.3 million (£0.3 million = £6.0 million – (75% of £5.6 million) – £1.5 million). Further details of this transaction are included in the attached briefing note (Exhibit 3). I propose to equity account for our non-controlling interest following the share sale. The disposal should save you some time on the audit compared to last year, as now you will not need to perform group audit procedures on Tabtop. Impairment of investment in Shinwork Ltd Congloma has an 80% holding of the ordinary share capital of Shinwork Ltd. Demand for Shinwork’s products has fallen and cash flow projections show that its business will have a value in use of £9.2 million at 31 August 20X4. We will therefore need to record an impairment in our group financial statements for the year ending 31 August 20X4. I am not quite sure how to calculate this impairment charge from the information I have and would welcome your advice. It would be helpful if you could highlight any other financial reporting points that I should consider. At 31 August 20X4, key financial data for Shinwork is projected to be as follows: £m Carrying amount of net separable assets 8.0 Carrying amount of goodwill relating to Shinwork in Congloma consolidated statement of financial position 4.0 Non-controlling interest (determined using the proportion of net assets method) 1.06 Exhibit 3: Briefing notes from the Congloma corporate finance team, presented to the Congloma board meeting on 21 May 20X4 Issue of convertible bond Proposed terms for the convertible bond issue have now been agreed. On 1 June 20X4, Congloma will raise £10 million by issuing 100,000 5% convertible bonds, each with a par value of £100. Each bond can be converted on or before its maturity date of 31 May 20X7 into 10 shares in Congloma plc. Interest will be payable annually in arrears. By issuing a convertible bond, we not only obtain longer-term finance for the group, but also secure a lower interest rate. The annual interest rate for similar debt without the conversion rights would be 8%. Investment in Neida We propose to proceed with the acquisition of 45% of the issued share capital of Neida for £3 million on 1 June 20X4. We will also have a call option to acquire, from the two founding shareholders, a further 20% of Neida’s ordinary share capital and voting rights for £1.5 million. Neida expects to exercise this option before 1 June 20X9. The draft shareholder agreement states that the board of Neida will comprise the two founding shareholders and two individuals nominated by Congloma. Most decisions will be made by a majority of the directors, but decisions about major research and development projects cannot be made without the agreement of both of the Congloma-nominated directors. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2015) 113 Neida is expected to make a loss of £300,000 in the year ending 31 August 20X4 and the projected carrying amounts of its net assets at the date of acquisition (1 June 20X4) are as follows. £’000 Property, plant and equipment 150 Net current assets 50 Net assets 200 Given the nature of these assets and liabilities, their fair values are equal to their carrying amounts. Disposal of 75% interest in Tabtop Tabtop has been making losses for a number of years and is also incurring net cash outflows to an extent that the Congloma group no longer wishes to fund. Its projected loss for the year ending 31 August 20X4 is £3 million. We have received an offer of £6 million for 75% of the Tabtop ordinary shares which we believe we should accept. In addition, Congloma will retain a holding of 25% Tabtop’s ordinary share capital, which experts tell us would have a fair value of £1 million. Congloma would continue to exercise some influence on the business through a seat on the board. 38 Heston Heston plc is a listed company which manufactures engines. It has four autonomous divisions, which operate from separate factories. Heston has no subsidiaries. You recently joined Heston as deputy to the finance director, Edmund Rice. Edmund sent you the following email. To: Deputy finance director From: Edmund Rice, finance director Date: 20 July 20X5 Subject: Finalisation of the annual report – year ended 30 June 20X5 The past few years have been difficult for Heston, but a new chief executive, Franz Zinkler, was appointed in 20X4 and he is beginning to change things. Despite this, the year ended 30 June 20X5 was again a challenging year. I have provided you with a document giving some background information about Heston and its recent history (Exhibit 1). We need to publish our financial statements shortly. Draft financial statement information has been prepared (Exhibit 2), but there are a number of issues which will require adjustment (Exhibit 3). I need to provide an explanation of Heston’s financial performance for the year ended 30 June 20X5 and its position at that date. This is for the finance director’s section of the management commentary in the annual report. I also need to make a presentation to financial analysts about Heston’s financial performance and position following publication of the annual report. This will include some tough questions about the financial statements and the company’s underlying performance. I need your assistance with the following: (1) I would like you to: (a) set out and explain the financial reporting adjustments required in respect of the issues in Exhibit 3; and (b) prepare an adjusted statement of profit or loss for the year ended 30 June 20X5 and an adjusted statement of financial position at that date in a form suitable for publication (including comparative figures for the year ended 30 June 20X4, in the form that they would appear in the financial statements for year ended 30 June 20X5). Do not worry about the tax or deferred tax effects of your adjustments at this stage. 114 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (2) To help me to prepare my section of the management commentary and to help me answer questions, please analyse Heston’s performance and position for the year ended 30 June 20X5. Include calculations and use the adjusted financial statements. Outline any further information needed, so I can ask somebody to investigate. Requirement Respond to the instructions of the finance director. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Company background – prepared by the finance director Heston produces engines. Heston has four divisions which are not separate subsidiaries and are part of the Heston plc legal entity; they are autonomous and operationally independent of each other. Each of its four separate divisions produces a different type of engine for: cars, motor bikes, boats and lawn mowers. Trading has been difficult for all the divisions in recent years, but particularly for the Lawn Mower Division, because there was a major new entrant into this industry in August 20X4. The chief executive, Franz, therefore decided that Heston should sell off the Lawn Mower Division (Exhibit 3). For the other three divisions, the key risk was a potential fall in future sales volumes. Such a fall would affect Heston significantly because about 70% of cost of sales comprises fixed manufacturing costs, which need to be incurred irrespective of sales volumes. To counter the risk of falling volumes, Franz decided to reduce all selling prices in these three divisions by 10% from 1 July 20X4. Financial analysts have responded favourably to these decisions, but have been enquiring about their impact on profit. Exhibit 2: Draft financial information for the year ended 30 June 20X5 – prepared by the finance director Draft financial information for the statement of financial position at 30 June 20X5 20X4 £’000 £’000 113,660 120,400 Development costs 10,380 10,380 Inventories 32,300 23,200 Trade and other receivables 36,100 30,400 (Overdraft) / Cash (8,400) 5,600 ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 184,040 189,980 Share capital 37,000 37,000 Retained earnings 85,220 68,520 Long-term borrowings 22,000 39,000 Trade and other payables 31,600 39,400 Current tax payable 4,420 6,060 Provision for redundancy costs 3,800 ––––––– 184,040 189,980 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2015) 115 Draft financial information for the statement of profit or loss for the year ended 30 June 20X5 20X4 £’000 £’000 436,000 451,700 Cost of sales (306,180) (318,500) Distribution costs and administrative expenses (107,200) (101,400) Finance costs (1,500) (1,500) Income tax expense (4,420) (6,060) 16,700 24,240 Revenue Profit for the year Exhibit 3: Issues requiring adjustment in the financial statements – prepared by the finance director Disposal of the Lawn Mower Division Impact on results On 1 January 20X5, Franz decided to dispose of the Lawn Mower Division, which had recently started making losses. The Heston board formally approved the decision on 1 March 20X5 and the division’s assets were advertised for sale at their fair value from 1 April 20X5. Heston intends to sell only the division’s non-current assets (including its brand name, GrassGrind). It is expected that these assets will be sold to a range of different buyers. The land and buildings are expected to be sold at their fair value of £13 million and plant at its fair value of £7 million. Selling costs are expected to be 4% of the fair value for these assets. The Lawn Mower Division brand name, GrassGrind, including the legal right to trade under that name, is expected to realise only £800,000. The brand was internally generated by Heston and so is not recognised in the financial statements. Draft financial information for the year ended 30 June 20X5 (Exhibit 2) includes the following amounts in respect of the Lawn Mower Division: 20X5 20X4 £’000 £’000 92,000 119,300 Cost of sales (72,084) (77,400) Distribution costs and administrative expenses (Note) (33,800) (34,700) (13,884) 7,200 2,600 (1,400) (11,284) 5,800 Revenue Income tax credit/(charge) (Loss)/profit after tax Note: Staff working in the Lawn Mower Division will be made redundant when the division is sold and a provision for redundancy costs of £3.8 million has been recognised in distribution costs and administrative expenses for the year ended 30 June 20X5. Impact on property, plant and equipment Heston uses the cost model for property, plant and equipment. 116 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 An analysis of the property, plant and equipment figure in the draft financial statements is as follows: Land Buildings Plant and equipment Total £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 5,600 6,000 12,000 23,600 – (960) (3,400) (4,360) ––––– (120) (860) (980) 5,600 4,920 7,740 18,260 Carrying amount at 30 June 20X5 32,200 34,700 28,500 95,400 Total carrying amount at 30 June 20X5 37,800 39,620 36,240 113,660 Lawn Mower Division: Cost at 30 June 20X4 and 30 June 20X5 Accumulated depreciation at 1 July 20X4 Depreciation charge for the year ended 30 June 20X5 Carrying amount at 30 June 20X5 Continuing activities: (ie, the other three divisions) The buildings are being depreciated over a 50-year life to a zero residual value. The plant and equipment is being depreciated on a 10% reducing balance basis. The company’s policy is to recognise all depreciation charges in cost of sales. There were no acquisitions or disposals of property, plant and equipment during the year ended 30 June 20X5. Cash flow hedge On 1 May 20X5, Heston entered into a contract to purchase 6,000 tonnes of steel. The contract is for delivery in September 20X5 at a price of £165 per tonne. Heston uses steel to make most of its engines and makes regular purchases of steel. At 30 June 20X5, an equivalent new contract, for delivery of 6,000 tonnes of steel in September 20X5, could be entered into at £158 per tonne. Heston does not intend to take physical delivery of the 6,000 tonnes of steel, but intends to settle the contract net in cash, then purchase the actual required quantity of steel as regular production needs arise. The contract is designated as a cash flow hedge of the highly probable forecast purchase of steel. All necessary documentation was prepared to qualify the contract as a cash flow hedge, and the arrangement meets the criteria in IFRS 9, Financial Instruments to qualify for hedge accounting and the hedge effectiveness tests. No accounting entries have been made in the draft financial statements. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2015) 117 118 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2015) 39 Larousse You are Alex Chen, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. You have just started work as financial controller at Larousse plc, an unlisted company, which is the parent company of the Larousse Group. The Larousse Group is a successful business, supplying fashion clothing to supermarkets and department stores both in the UK and internationally. Larousse plc designs clothes, but does not manufacture them. However, about 18 months ago the board decided on a new business policy of vertical integration with its key suppliers. On 1 October 20X4, Larousse plc acquired 100% of the ordinary share capital of two separate companies, HXP Ltd and Softex Ltd. HXP and Softex are manufacturers of clothing and both companies supply to Larousse plc. Currently, Larousse’s finance director, Dennis Speed, who is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, is out of the country negotiating new contracts with some of the company’s significant customers. The accounting assistant, Marie Ellis, has just started a two-week period of study leave. Larousse’s managing director, Hal Benny, sends you the following email: To: Alex Chen From: Hal Benny Date: 2 November 20X5 Subject: Draft consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X5 Welcome to Larousse. It is unfortunate that both Dennis and Marie are away as there is a lot of urgent accounting work to complete. Consolidated financial statements Marie started to draft consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X5, but she did not have time to complete the task before going on study leave. Her draft consolidation schedule (Exhibit 1) is unfinished and she has prepared some notes that will help you to complete it (Exhibit 2). I need you to check Marie’s work carefully as she has told me that she is not very knowledgeable about advanced aspects of financial statement preparation. Performance analysis Following the acquisition of HXP and Softex on 1 October 20X4, I would like to understand the difference in the post-acquisition performance of the two subsidiaries, particularly as there is significant intra-group trading between them (Exhibit 2, Note 3). Social responsibility reporting and assurance The board would like to discuss some proposals for social responsibility reporting and assurance for the Larousse Group. I have prepared a brief summary of these proposals and related performance targets (Exhibit 3). Also, it has been suggested to me by one of my fellow directors that our auditors could be asked to provide an additional assurance report which could be published in our annual report. Instructions In summary, I would like you to: (1) prepare the consolidated statement of profit or loss for the Larousse group for the year ended 30 September 20X5 and the consolidated statement of financial position at that date, correcting any errors. Provide explanations and journal entries for any adjustments you make. You may assume for now that tax and deferred tax will remain unchanged as a result of your adjustments; (2) prepare notes for the board analysing and comparing the performance and profitability of the two subsidiaries for the year ended 30 September 20X5; and ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2015) 119 (3) respond to the proposals from the board about social responsibility reporting by: (a) explaining the responsibilities of the Larousse Group’s external auditors in respect of the proposed social responsibility reporting (Exhibit 3); and (b) determining the scope of an additional assurance report by the external auditors and describing the type of work that might be involved in providing verification of progress on the four key targets (Exhibit 3). Requirements 39.1 Respond to the instructions in Hal Benny’s email. 39.2 Identify any potential ethical issues arising for you and for Dennis Speed from the circumstances set out in the file note in Exhibit 4. Describe the actions that you should take. Note: Work to the nearest £100,000. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Larousse Group – draft consolidation schedule for the year ended 30 September 20X5 – prepared by Marie Ellis Larousse plc HXP Softex Adjs. £m £m £m £m 56.5 12.0 16.0 84.5 (33.3) (7.5) (12.5) (53.3) Administrative expenses (8.3) (1.5) (1.5) Selling and distribution costs (4.7) (0.7) (1.4) Finance costs (1.6) –––– ––––– 8.6 2.3 0.6 (1.7) (0.5) (0.2) 6.9 1.8 0.4 38.0 10.8 16.0 Goodwill – HXP – – – Goodwill – Softex – – – Investment in HXP 12.0 – – (12.0) 1 – Investment in Softex 22.0 – – (22.0) 2 – 9.2 1.9 1.7 12.8 10.8 2.0 2.1 14.9 – 0.6 2.0 2.6 ––––– –––– ––––– 92.0 15.3 21.8 Note Group £m Statement of profit or loss Revenue Cost of sales Profit before tax Income tax expense Profit for the year (1.0) 4 (12.3) (6.8) ––––– (1.6) (1.0) 10.5 ––––– (2.4) (1.0) 8.1 Statement of financial position Non-current assets PPE 64.8 2.6 1 5.6 2 Current assets Inventories Trade receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total assets 120 Corporate Reporting ––––– (28.4) ––––– 100.7 ICAEW 2022 Share capital Larousse plc HXP Softex Adjs. £m £m £m £m 10.0 4.0 5.0 (4.0) 1 – (5.0) 2 – Share options Retained earnings at 1 October 20X4 Profit for the year Note Group £m 10.0 – – – 1.0 4 1.0 35.8 7.4 14.0 (7.4) 1 35.8 (14.0) 2 6.9 1.8 0.4 (1.0) 4 8.1 28.4 – – 2.0 1 30.4 Trade and other payables 8.2 1.6 2.2 12.0 Current tax payable 1.7 0.5 0.2 2.4 Short-term borrowings 1.0 – – 1.0 ––––– –––– ––––– 92.0 15.3 21.8 Non-current liabilities Current liabilities Total equity and liabilities ––––– (28.4) ––––– 100.7 Exhibit 2: Notes for completion of draft consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X5 – prepared by Marie Ellis (1) Acquisition of HXP On 1 October 20X4, Larousse plc acquired 100% of the ordinary share capital of HXP for £12 million in cash. The fair values of the recognised net assets at the date of acquisition were equivalent to their carrying amounts. Additional deferred consideration of £6 million will be payable in cash on 30 September 20X7. Dennis told me to use an annual discount rate of 5%. However, I was not sure what to do with this information, so have ignored it. I have added one-third of the deferred consideration into the goodwill calculation, as follows: £m Consideration in cash 12.0 Deferred consideration 2.0 14.0 Less: share capital and retained earnings at date of acquisition (11.4) Goodwill on consolidation 2.6 (2) Acquisition of Softex On 1 October 20X4, Larousse plc acquired 100% of the ordinary share capital of Softex for £22 million in cash. The fair values of the recognised net assets at the date of acquisition were equivalent to their carrying amounts. Dennis left a note on the file saying that Softex also had an unrecognised internally-generated research asset valued at £2 million at the date of acquisition. This asset relates to the development of a waterproof fabric coating developed by Softex’s manufacturing team. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2015) 121 As it is an intangible asset, I felt that it was prudent to ignore this in my goodwill calculation, shown below: £m Consideration in cash 22.0 Less: share capital and retained earnings at date of acquisition (19.0) Goodwill on consolidation 3.0 (3) Intra-group trading I know that some adjustments will be required for intra-group trading, but I have not had time to do them. I have set out information about intra-group trading in the following table: HXP Softex Percentage of revenue from sales to Larousse plc 50% 50% Percentage of revenue from sales outside the group 50% 50% Gross profit margin on intra-group sales 40% 20% Percentage of intra-group purchases for the year remaining in Larousse plc’s inventories at 30 September 20X5 20% 25% Intra-group receivable from Larousse plc at 30 September 20X5 £1.2 million £1.4 million Following a review of inventories at 30 September 20X5, the board decided that the inventories in Softex were impaired and should be written down by £1.2 million. I have therefore adjusted Softex’s cost of sales and inventories by £1.2 million, producing revised figures of £12.5 million for cost of sales and £1.7 million for inventories. (4) Share options On 1 October 20X4, Larousse plc introduced a share option scheme for senior staff. Each share option entitles the holder to subscribe for one Larousse plc share. On 1 October 20X4, 1,000 share options were granted to each of 50 employees and directors. The share options will vest on 30 September 20X8 to those employees who are still in employment with Larousse plc at that date. In the year ended 30 September 20X5, four of the 50 employees left the company and it is expected that a further two employees will leave in each of the remaining years until the shares vest. The fair value of each option was £20.00 at 1 October 20X4, and £21.74 at 30 September 20X5. I have calculated the cost of the share option scheme in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X5 as follows: 1,000 × (50 – 4) × £21.74 = £1m (to nearest £100,000) This expense is included in administrative expenses and is credited to equity. Exhibit 3: Proposals for social responsibility reporting and assurance – prepared by Hal Benny In recent years, the fashion industry has been subject to criticism. This criticism results from the fashion industry’s perceived indifference to issues such as the wellbeing of staff in developing countries, the use of child labour and the environmental impact of its activities in cotton production and dyeing. Now that the Larousse Group has direct interests in production and supply through our new shareholdings in HXP and Softex, it is timely to reconsider our social responsibility policies and reporting. Both HXP and Softex produce a significant proportion of their fashion range in countries with low economic standards of living. We know that staff in their factories are paid very low wages and that working conditions are challenging. 122 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 I have provisionally set four key performance targets for achievement by HXP and Softex: • A clean water initiative is to be undertaken to mitigate the environmental effects of fabric dyeing and cotton production. Scientists will monitor water quality regularly. • An effective health and safety programme is to be launched in the factories. • The use of child labour (children under 16 years of age) is to be eliminated within three years. • Training and development programmes are to be carried out to improve the skills of all factory workers. Progress towards achievement of these targets will be disclosed as part of sustainability reporting to stakeholders in the social responsibility section of the Larousse Group’s annual report for the year ending 30 September 20X6. Exhibit 4: Ethics file note prepared by Alex Chen On my first day at Larousse, I was sitting in the staff coffee bar where I overheard a conversation between two of the office administrators. They were gossiping about Dennis Speed, the Larousse finance director. According to their conversation, Dennis Speed may have been involved in unethical activities in respect of Larousse plc’s takeover of HXP. Dennis is married to Lola Gonzalez, a director of HXP. Prior to the takeover, Lola owned 30% of the shares in HXP. It was suggested that Larousse overpaid substantially for HXP, and that Dennis facilitated the overpayment in order to benefit his wife. He did this, allegedly, by colluding with his wife to falsify records submitted to the accountants who undertook due diligence in respect of the takeover. Dennis is apparently not well liked; the administrative staff regard him as intimidating and it seems they would be pleased if he lost his job. 40 Telo You are Sophie Blake, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. You have been appointed as the financial accountant of Telo plc, an unlisted company engaged in running marketing campaigns for its clients. Telo was established five years ago and its ordinary share capital is held equally by its three founder shareholders. All three remain directors, and are actively involved in running the business. The directors’ intention is to achieve an AIM listing within the next three years. Your predecessor was John Birch, a part-qualified accountant who left Telo last month. Before he left, John prepared a draft trial balance as at 31 August 20X5, the company’s year end, together with some notes (Exhibit). Telo’s auditors are TCC Associates who were appointed three years ago. TCC completed a brief interim audit in May 20X5, and is due to start work on the final audit next week. Telo’s operations director has given you the following instructions: “Sophie, I have discussed with TCC the information that they will require next week. I would like you to review John’s draft trial balance and related notes (Exhibit) and prepare a working paper in which you: (1) explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment of the four matters highlighted in John’s notes, setting out any necessary adjustments; and (2) prepare, including your adjustments, a draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 August 20X5, and a statement of financial position at that date. The current tax charge in the trial balance of £350,000 was estimated by John, and you can assume for the purpose of preparing the draft financial statements that it is correct. Adjustments in respect of deferred tax may, however, be required.” Requirement Respond to the instructions of the operations director. Work to the nearest £1,000. Total: 30 marks ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2015) 123 Exhibit: Draft trial balance at 31 August 20X5 − prepared by John Birch Additional information Debit Credit £’000 £’000 Operating costs 1 11,353 – Inventories and work-in-progress at 1 September 20X4 1 4,355 – Sales 2 – 15,680 Selling costs 1,162 – Administrative expenses 2,340 – – 70 350 – – 60 3,281 – Trade payables – 3,965 Current tax payable – 350 82 – – 5,051 Other income: property letting Current tax charge Ordinary share capital Trade receivables 2 Cash Retained earnings at 1 September 20X4 Revaluation surplus at 1 September 20X4 3 – 971 Property at 53 Prospect Street 3 3,335 – 242 – – 110 – 243 ––––– ––––– 26,500 26,500 Computer and office equipment – at cost Computer and office equipment – depreciation at 31 August 20X5 Deferred tax at 1 September 20X4 4 Additional information (1) Cost of sales The cost of sales is calculated by adjusting operating costs for opening and closing inventories and work-in-progress. Inventories and work-in-progress are estimated at each year end in respect of all of Telo’s current marketing campaigns. Unfortunately, I have recently found that an addition error was made in the calculation of inventories and work-in-progress at 31 August 20X4 and brought forward on 1 September 20X4. Inventories and work-in-progress at that date should actually have been recognised at £3,742,000. On 31 August 20X5, inventories and work-in-progress are valued at £4,437,000. (2) Invoices In September 20X4, Telo won the contract to provide marketing services to a client, Sourise, which is based in Nemisland. The contract specified that services should be invoiced twice a year, and that invoices should be denominated in Nemisland dollars (N$). Telo sent an invoice for N$220,000 on 31 December 20X4, and another invoice for N$180,000 on 30 June 20X5. Sourise experienced financial difficulties during the year, but following refinancing was able to pay Telo N$250,000 on 31 August 20X5. 124 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 I recorded the invoices using the relevant exchange rates on the invoice dates, as follows: Date Rate Invoice amount (to nearest £’000) 31 December 20X4 £1 = N$1.06 £208,000 30 June 20X5 £1 = N$1.16 £155,000 On 31 August 20X5, I translated the cash receipt of N$250,000 at the exchange rate at that date of £1 = N$1.12. I set the cash receipt first against the 31 December 20X4 invoice, which settled it in full, then set the balance against the 30 June 20X5 invoice. Following further correspondence with Sourise, Telo’s directors have decided to make a specific allowance of 50% against the outstanding receivable at 31 August 20X5. I have not had time to make this adjustment. (3) 53 Prospect Street The property at 53 Prospect Street was bought by Telo on 1 September 20X2 for £2 million (land £300,000 and buildings £1.7 million). The directors decided to measure the property under the revaluation model, and to apply an annual depreciation rate to the buildings of 1%, assuming no residual value. The first revaluation of the 53 Prospect Street property took place on 31 August 20X4. A chartered surveyor valued the property at £3,180,000 (of which land comprised £600,000). No change was made to the expected useful life of the property at that date. It was clear by late 20X4 that the property was too small for Telo’s rapidly-increasing scale of operations, and the business moved to offices at 15 Selwyn Road on 1 January 20X5. The 15 Selwyn Road offices are occupied under a lease of nine months. Telo has elected to take advantage of IFRS 16’s recognition exemptions in respect of the 15 Selwyn Road offices. The Telo directors decided to retain ownership of 53 Prospect Street, and to let it out as an investment property. A five-year lease was agreed with an unrelated party, which moved into the property on 1 January 20X5. The carrying amount of 53 Prospect Street in the trial balance is £3,335,000 and comprises: £’000 Property at valuation at 31 August 20X4 3,180 Installation of air conditioning system (March 20X5) 100 Professional fees in respect of leasing 53 Prospect Street 25 Costs of relocation to 15 Selwyn Road 30 3,335 As commercial property prices in the area are rising rapidly, the same chartered surveyor who conducted the valuation at 31 August 20X4 was asked to revalue the property again at 1 January 20X5 and at 31 August 20X5. She produced the following valuations: Date Land Buildings £’000 £’000 1 January 20X5 620 2,600 31 August 20X5 650 2,850 On 1 January 20X5, the Telo directors decided to measure 53 Prospect Street using the fair value model. (4) Deferred tax balance The deferred tax balance of £243,000 brought forward at 1 September 20X4 arose in respect of the property at 53 Prospect Street. It was calculated at a tax rate of 20% which continues to be the applicable rate at 31 August 20X5. Gains on property, plant and equipment are taxed when the asset is sold. However, the tax rules for calculating gains on investment properties follow the accounting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2015) 125 rules: gains are taxed when they are recognised in the statement of profit or loss. No other temporary differences arose, including on computer and office equipment, either at 31 August 20X4 or 31 August 20X5. 41 Newpenny (amended) You are Cary Lewis, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant working for a firm of accountants and auditors, Linton LLP. You are the senior assigned to the audit of Newpenny plc, a UK company which manufactures and distributes a range of vacuum cleaners. You are currently planning the Newpenny audit for the year ending 31 December 20X5. Your audit manager calls you into his office and briefs you: “I have received an email (Exhibit 1) from Rosa Evans, the Newpenny finance director. She needs our advice on some financial reporting matters and has also provided information about the purchasing procedures Newpenny now has in place (Exhibit 2). She would like us to take these updated procedures into account when planning our audit approach, so that we can place more reliance on internal controls in our audit of trade payables and accruals. Our audit of Newpenny’s trade payables and accruals for the year ended 31 December 20X4 relied wholly on substantive audit procedures. The results of these audit procedures are summarised in a memorandum (Exhibit 3). I need you to prepare the following: (1) An email replying to Rosa Evans in which you provide, with explanations, the financial reporting advice she has requested (Exhibit 1). (2) A memorandum to me in which you respond to Rosa’s suggestion that we should place more reliance on internal controls in our audit of Newpenny’s trade payables and accruals for the year ending 31 December 20X5. I have set out in a note (Exhibit 4) how you should structure this memorandum and the information you should include. (Ignore the results of the data analytics noted below.) (3) I have some concerns about Newpenny’s purchase order and receipt of materials systems. I have therefore taken the opportunity to analyse the purchase data using Linton’s new data analytics system, DAACA. I have provided a ‘dashboard’ showing the results of this analysis (Exhibit 5). Using this data, set out and explain any further concerns (in addition to those identified in (2) above) regarding Newpenny’s internal control system for purchase orders.” Requirement Prepare the documents requested by your audit manager. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Email from Rosa Evans Jones Engineering Ltd (JE) supplies Newpenny with vacuum cleaner motors. Historically we have agreed with JE annually in advance the price per motor and JE has invoiced Newpenny at the agreed price on delivery. In the year ended 31 December 20X4, Newpenny purchased 75,000 JE motors and the budget, prepared at 1 January 20X5, for the year ending 31 December 20X5 showed that Newpenny would require 100,000 JE motors. The price agreed on 1 January 20X5 was £20 per motor. When our new purchasing manager joined Newpenny in May 20X5, he renegotiated the contract with JE, resulting in a revised contract for the year ending 31 July 20X6. The renegotiated contract has the following terms: • The price per JE motor is reduced to £19 for all motors delivered to Newpenny on or after 1 August 20X5 and this is invoiced by JE to Newpenny on delivery. • If the total number of motors ordered in the year ending 31 July 20X6 is less than 100,000 then Newpenny will pay an additional £1 for each motor purchased in the year ending 31 July 20X6 (resulting in a price per motor of £20). • If the total number of motors ordered in the year ending 31 July 20X6 exceeds 110,000, then JE will give Newpenny a refund which will reduce to £18.50 the price per motor supplied in the year ending 31 July 20X6. 126 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 At the moment, we are recording the liability to pay JE as invoices are received. Please explain to me any further accounting entries or disclosures I should make in Newpenny’s financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X5. In the last month, Newpenny had an issue with a few of its Model2000 industrial vacuum cleaners. Customers complained that the vacuum cleaners overheat and one customer alleged that their vacuum cleaner was the cause of a serious fire. Under its one-year warranty, Newpenny provides free replacement cleaners to those who complain within the warranty period. To date, eight vacuum cleaners at a total cost of £1,200 have been replaced and Newpenny made an offer of £5,000 in compensation to the customer who reported a fire. Newpenny sells around 10,000 Model2000 vacuum cleaners each year. The costs to date have been covered by the warranty provision made each year on the basis of past claims. Please advise me of the approach I should take when assessing the need for any additional provision in the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X5. Your audit approach I understand that in last year’s audit of trade payables and accruals you relied wholly on evidence obtained from substantive testing and did not test the operating effectiveness of our controls. We have introduced updated purchasing internal control procedures and I would like you to rely as much as possible on the controls we now have in place. Please give this some consideration as you perform your detailed audit planning. I attach a copy of our updated purchasing internal control procedures (Exhibit 2) to assist you. Rosa Exhibit 2: Newpenny’s updated purchasing internal control procedures – prepared by Newpenny purchasing manager in July 20X5 Background Newpenny’s purchases can be categorised as follows: (1) Materials (including components) used in the manufacture of vacuum cleaners (2) Services such as utilities and agency staff Purchase orders Purchase orders for materials are prepared by the manufacturing department and sent to the relevant supplier. The orders are authorised by a manufacturing manager in accordance with the authorisation limits set by the finance department and are entered in the purchasing IT system by an assistant in the purchasing department. Manufacturing managers each have a limit of £5,000 for a single order and have a maximum total order value of £100,000 per month. Authorisation by a senior manufacturing manager is required for orders above these limits. Purchase orders for services are prepared and authorised by the relevant departments. Receipt of materials When materials are received at the factory, staff in the goods received department match the quantity and type of materials received to a purchase order on the system. If matched, the delivery is accepted and the purchasing IT system is updated. This entry automatically generates a ‘goods received not invoiced’ (GRNI) accrual at standard cost and the printing of a ‘received’ sticker which is attached to the goods. The store’s manager checks for the presence of this sticker before moving the goods into the store area. Goods are moved out of the store area when requested for use in production. The goods are then deducted from stores records (inventory) and transferred to production costs. Standard costs for each material or component are set at 1 January each year. The goods received department staff are instructed that if there is no matching purchase order on the system, materials should not be accepted. Receipt and posting of invoice Invoices are received by various departments and forwarded to the finance department. If the invoice is for materials, it is matched to the goods received entry (thus removing the GRNI accrual) and posted to the purchase ledger. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2015) 127 If the invoice is for services for which there is an authorised purchase order, it is posted to the purchase ledger immediately without further authorisation. If there is no authorised purchase order, the invoice is sent to the relevant department for approval and only posted to the purchase ledger once that approval has been obtained. Month end accruals process At the end of each month, an assistant in the finance department reviews open purchase orders (ie, those orders which have not been matched to goods received or invoice) on the system and determines whether the ordered materials or services were supplied before the month end. Accruals are made for all items supplied before the month end. The accruals listing is reviewed by the financial controller, who requests supporting information for a sample of items selected at random. Where a supplier provides a monthly statement, this is reconciled to the balance on the purchase ledger and GRNI accrual for that supplier by a member of staff in the finance department. Cash payments Every two weeks, all items due for payment are selected from the purchase ledger and added to the automated payment run. The payment run is reviewed and authorised by the financial controller and one of the other bank signatories before being notified to the bank. The payment is posted to both the cash book and the purchase ledger. Bank and purchase ledger control account reconciliations are performed at each month end by the financial controller. Exhibit 3: Memorandum on trade payables and accruals from the audit working papers for the year ended 31 December 20X4 We performed the planned audit procedures on trade payables and accruals. The following findings were noted: • Our audit procedures on post year-end invoices identified omitted accruals of £103,000 relating to invoices for agency staff work performed before the year end, but invoiced a month later. • A review of the GRNI accrual listing revealed old items amounting to £50,000. Newpenny staff were unable to explain why invoices had not been received and matched to these receipts of materials. Exhibit 4: Audit manager’s note − memorandum on Newpenny’s controls over purchasing Your memorandum should first explain any general points about Newpenny’s control environment for payables and accruals. You should then consider the audit assertions relevant to payables and accruals balances, setting out the following for each assertion: • An explanation of the assertion as it relates to trade payables and accruals • The key control activities you have identified from the information provided • Your initial assessment as to whether the controls you have identified individually or in combination with other controls are capable of ensuring that the audit assertion is met • An explanation of any potential internal control deficiencies identifying: – any gaps you have identified in the control activities; – matters on which you require additional information; and – areas where you are concerned that the controls may not be designed effectively to meet the relevant assertion. Exhibit 5: Dashboard of results from the application of DAACA data analytics Newpenny management has made available to Linton all its data files with respect to its purchases, stores and payables system. Linton’s Data Analytics and Controls Assessment system (DAACA) has been applied to this data. The DAACA system tested 100% of items for all types of product ordered and received, in the year ended 31 December 20X4. It analysed data and identified outliers in respect of each of the following: Test 1: Size and timing of individual orders and monthly totals for each manufacturing manager. Test 2: Matching of all orders with goods received notes (GRNs). 128 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Based on the above analytics, the following results have been obtained in the form of the standard output of the DAACA system, which is the data dashboard. Test 1: DAACA system – data dashboard Outliers Frequency of value of individual orders for John Fuller for the year Outcome Average value per individual order £3,246 Average value of monthly totals of orders £64,379 % of individual orders exceeding £4,000 35% % of individual orders in last three days of the month 27% Frequency of John exceeding £90,000 of orders in a month 7 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% £0 -£ 10 £1 00 00 1£2 00 £2 0 00 1£3 00 £3 0 00 1£4 00 £4 0 00 1£5 00 0 Test One manufacturing manager, John Fuller, was identified as an outlier showing the following data: Test Outcome Frequency of value of individual orders for the year 30 Average value per individual order £2,343 Average value of monthly total orders per manager £45,864 Frequency of managers exceeding £90,000 in any one month 16 Frequency of managers exceeding £100,000 in any one month (requiring approval from senior manager) 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 £0 -£ 10 £1 00 00 1£2 00 £2 0 00 1£3 00 £3 0 00 1£4 00 £4 0 00 1£5 00 0 Number of manufacturing managers zero Test 2: DAACA system – data dashboard Test Number of orders matched with GRN Top 4 suppliers Average no of days delivery terms exceeded Outcome 13,546 Number of unmatched orders 1,175 Number of unmatched orders over 2 months old 22 Number of unmatched GRNs 17 Wilson Man Inc UUP Ltd Jones plc -5 ICAEW 2022 0 5 10 Real exam (November 2015) 129 130 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2016) 42 Earthstor Earthstor plc is listed on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange. It is a retailer of clothing and footwear and sells products to customers in the UK. You are a newly-qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant working for the auditors of Earthstor. Your firm is currently undertaking the audit of Earthstor for the year ended 30 June 20X6 and you have replaced Greg Troy, the audit senior who has recently been reassigned to another client. You report to Tom Chang, the audit manager. Tom Chang gives you the following briefing: “I have provided you with a draft statement of financial position at 30 June 20X6, prepared by Earthstor’s finance department (Exhibit 1). Greg reviewed the minutes of the directors’ quarterly board meetings and prepared a file note in respect of some financial transactions undertaken by Earthstor during the year ended 30 June 20X6 ( Exhibit 2). Greg has set out Earthstor’s draft financial reporting treatment and some additional information for these transactions, but Greg had concerns about whether the financial reporting treatment is correct (Exhibit 3). Planning materiality is £2.4 million, which represents 5% of profit before tax. We agreed with the audit committee that we will report to them each misstatement above £120,000 identified during our audit. Please prepare a working paper in which you: (1) explain the financial reporting implications of each of the transactions noted by Greg from the board minutes (Exhibits 2 and 3). Recommend appropriate accounting adjustments. Please ignore any tax or deferred tax implications of these adjustments; (2) identify the key audit risks arising from each of the transactions (Exhibits 2 and 3) and recommend the audit procedures that we will need to complete in order to address each risk; (3) prepare a revised draft statement of financial position at 30 June 20X6 (Exhibit 1). This should include any adjustments identified in (1) above; and (4) explain any corporate governance issues for Earthstor that you identify from Greg’s file note (Exhibit 2). Also, identify any ethical issues for our audit firm and recommend the actions that our firm should take.” Requirement Prepare the working paper requested by Tom Chang. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Earthstor − Draft statement of financial position at 30 June 20X6 – prepared by Earthstor finance department £’000 ASSETS Non-current assets Intangible assets – website development costs Financial asset – investment in TraynerCo Property, plant and equipment 31,300 8,000 56,309 Current assets Inventories 144,380 Trade and other receivables 22,420 Cash and cash equivalents 71,139 ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2016) 131 £’000 Total assets 333,548 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Ordinary share capital (£1 shares) Retained earnings Translation reserve (TraynerCo) 10,000 163,362 (1,500) 171,862 Non-current liabilities 12,175 Current liabilities 149,511 Total equity and liabilities 333,548 Exhibit 2: File note – Transactions noted from review of the minutes of the directors’ quarterly board meetings – prepared by Greg Troy I have summarised the key points from the minutes of the board meetings which relate to complex financial transactions during the year. I have also set out in a separate file note (Exhibit 3) Earthstor’s draft financial reporting treatment for the year ended 30 June 20X6, for each transaction. I am not sure that the draft financial reporting treatment is always correct. Meeting on 10 September 20X5 TraynerCo is an unquoted Malaysian company which supplies Earthstor with footwear, a core product for Earthstor. An interruption in supply from TraynerCo would affect Earthstor’s ability to trade successfully in the footwear market. TraynerCo suffered a serious cash flow problem in June 20X5 and Earthstor’s CEO, Dominic Roberts, reports that, on 1 July 20X5, he instructed the finance director to provide emergency finance to TraynerCo. This is an interest-free loan of MYR20 million, repayable at par on 30 June 20X7. (MYR is the currency of Malaysia.) Loans of equivalent risk in the marketplace have an annual effective interest rate of 6%. In order to secure footwear supplies, the directors retrospectively approve the loan. Dominic proposes a long-term investment in TraynerCo. Henry Min, an entrepreneur, owns 100% of the share capital in TraynerCo. Dominic states that Henry Min has agreed to sell 10% of his shareholding in TraynerCo to Earthstor for MYR45 million. The date of the transaction will be 1 October 20X5. Although the board approves the purchase of the 10% shareholding in TraynerCo, there is a dissenting vote from the finance director, who believes that the price to be paid for the shares is above the market price. The finance director states that he will provide further evidence of the market price valuation. Meeting on 10 January 20X6 The board records the resignation of the finance director on 1 January 20X6. In his resignation letter to the board, the finance director states that he can no longer work with Dominic, who is dominating the board and allowing a close friendship with Henry Min to compromise his judgement. The HR director presents a short report on the process for recruiting a new finance director. Dominic joins the meeting via teleconference from Singapore. Dominic tells the board that, in the interim period, the finance department will have to cope until a replacement finance director is appointed. Dominic is negotiating the purchase of an office building in Singapore for Earthstor, which will be rented out entirely to third parties. He asks the board to approve this transaction in advance. Although details of the purchase are not available, Dominic considers that it is a good investment opportunity for Earthstor. After the Singapore office building has been purchased by Earthstor, TraynerCo will relocate its administration function on 1 August 20X6 to Singapore for tax reasons and has agreed to occupy one floor of this Singapore office building. Dominic states that no rent will be charged to TraynerCo as he recently agreed a very low price for Earthstor’s purchases of footwear from TraynerCo. 132 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Meeting on 10 March 20X6 Dominic decided to cancel this board meeting. Meeting on 30 June 20X6 Dominic reports that the purchase of the Singapore office building has been successful and presents details of the deal. Earthstor paid SG$10 million on 1 February 20X6 when the exchange rate was £1 = SG$2.1. (SG$ is the currency in Singapore.) Dominic states that this is a good price as a similar property was sold for SG$11 million in June 20X6. Dominic announces the launch on 1 May 20X6 of the new Earthstor website which fully integrates with Earthstor’s inventory and order processing systems. The website now enables goods to be despatched to the customer within four hours of the order being placed. The website will provide future benefits to the business for seven years. Exhibit 3: Draft financial reporting treatment for the year ended 30 June 20X6 Set out below are Earthstor’s draft financial reporting treatment and some additional information for the financial transactions during the year noted from my review of the minutes of the directors’ quarterly board meetings (Exhibit 2). MYR20 million interest-free loan to TraynerCo This loan is recognised in trade and other receivables, translated at the exchange rate on 1 July 20X5 of £1 = MYR5. No other entries have been made in respect of this loan. The average exchange rate for the year ended 30 June 20X6 was £1 = MYR5.5 and the exchange rate at 30 June 20X6 was £1 = MYR6. Investment in 10% of TraynerCo’s shares The investment in TraynerCo is recognised as a financial asset at its cost on 1 October 20X5 of £9.5 million (MYR45 million at £1 = MYR5, plus legal fees of £0.5 million). It is translated at the year-end exchange rate at 30 June 20X6 of £1 = MYR6. A loss of £1.5 million is presented through other comprehensive income in a translation reserve in the statement of financial position. On initial recognition, an irrevocable election was made to recognise valuation gains and losses in other comprehensive income. In July 20X6, Henry Min sold a further 10% holding of his shares in TraynerCo to a Malaysian entity for MYR36 million. This valuation reflects a fall in the value of TraynerCo’s shares since 1 October 20X5 caused by poor trading results since 1 October 20X5. This fall is due to market conditions. Purchase of Singapore office building The Singapore office building is held at cost in property, plant and equipment. It is translated at the date of acquisition. No depreciation has been charged and the accounting policy for investment properties states that they should be recognised at fair value. The exchange rate at 30 June 20X6 was £1 = SG$2.7. New Earthstor website The following website development costs have been included in non-current assets: £’000 Planning costs 3,000 Professional fees for photography and other graphic design 1,300 Fee paid to Tanay (Note) 5,000 Internal software development costs 22,000 31,300 Note: £5 million was paid to Tanay, an internationally-famous singer, who is the ‘name behind the Earthstor brand’. The above costs have not been amortised in the financial statements. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2016) 133 43 EyeOP You are Greta Hao, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant working in the finance department at HiDef plc, an AIM-listed company which manufactures medical equipment. HiDef has several wholly-owned subsidiaries and prepares consolidated financial statements. Its year end is 30 November. On 1 December 20X4, HiDef bought 50,000 of the 1 million issued ordinary shares in EyeOP Ltd, for £700,000. EyeOP makes medical imaging cameras. On initial recognition, HiDef made an irrevocable election to recognise valuation gains and losses on its investment in 50,000 EyeOP shares in other comprehensive income. On 30 November 20X5, the fair value of the 50,000 shares was £2.5 million and the increase in fair value of £1.8 million was recognised in HiDef’s consolidated other comprehensive income for the year ended 30 November 20X5. HiDef intends to buy a further 650,000 of EyeOP’s ordinary shares on 1 August 20X6 for £85 million. The fair value of EyeOP’s net assets at 1 August 20X6 is expected to be £63 million. EyeOP has a 31 December year end. The fair value of HiDef’s original shareholding of 50,000 shares is expected to be £6.2 million on 1 August 20X6. HiDef intends to use the proportion of net assets method to value non-controlling interests. You receive the following briefing from the HiDef CEO: “A finance assistant has provided some financial information, which comprises: • a draft forecast statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for EyeOP for the year ending 31 December 20X6; and • some notes on outstanding financial reporting issues and assumptions for 20X7 (Exhibit 1). The HiDef directors want to understand the impact of buying a further 650,000 shares in EyeOP on the group’s ability to achieve the key group performance targets. I have provided you with the forecast consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the HiDef group (excluding the impact of the proposed purchase of 650,000 EyeOP shares) for the year ending 30 November 20X6, together with other information and key group performance targets (Exhibit 2).” The CEO’s instructions “I would like you to prepare a report for me in which you: (1) calculate the goodwill relating to the proposed purchase of 650,000 ordinary shares in EyeOP on 1 August 20X6, which would be included in HiDef’s consolidated statement of financial position as at the year ending 30 November 20X6. For this purpose, use the expected fair value of EyeOP’s net assets at 1 August 20X6 of £63 million; (2) explain the impact of each of the outstanding financial reporting issues (Exhibit 1) on EyeOP’s forecast financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X6. Recommend appropriate adjustments using journal entries; (3) prepare a revised forecast consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for HiDef for the year ending 30 November 20X6. Assume that HiDef buys 650,000 shares in EyeOP on 1 August 20X6 and include any adjustments you recommend in respect of the outstanding financial reporting issues (Exhibit 1); and (4) analyse the impact of the purchase of 650,000 shares in EyeOP on HiDef’s key performance targets (Exhibit 2) for the year ending 30 November 20X6 and, where possible, for the year ending 30 November 20X7. Please ignore any tax or deferred tax consequences.” Requirement Respond to the CEO’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Financial information provided by the EyeOP finance assistant £m Revenue (Note 2) 178.9 Cost of sales (Note 2) (92.6) 134 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 £m Gross profit 86.3 Administrative expenses (Note 1) (36.3) Non-recurring item – development costs (Note 2) (14.0) Profit from operations 36.0 Finance costs (12.2) Profit before tax 23.8 Income tax (4.8) Profit for the year 19.0 ––––– Other comprehensive income for the year Total comprehensive income for the year 19.0 Depreciation of £4.1 million and lease rentals of £5.5 million are included in cost of sales. The leases are for less than 12 months, and EyeOP has taken advantage of the IFRS 16 recognition exemptions for short-term leases. Outstanding financial reporting issues (1) Pension schemes EyeOP contributes to two pension schemes on behalf of its employees: Scheme A and Scheme B. The total contribution paid to the company’s pension schemes of £9.2 million is recognised in administrative expenses. The breakdown of the contribution and details of the schemes are as follows: Details A EyeOP will make a contribution of £6.4 million to scheme A in the year ending 31 December 20X6. This scheme is for directors and employees who have worked for more than five years for the company. EyeOP has a contractual obligation to ensure that its contributions are sufficient to provide a pension to the scheme members at retirement. The pension is based on an average of the member’s final three years’ salary. Scheme A is separately constituted from Scheme B (see below). Scheme A is now closed to new members. B EyeOP will make a contribution of £2.8 million to Scheme B in the year ending 31 December 20X6. This scheme is for employees who are not eligible for Scheme A. Contributions create, for an employee, a right to a portion of the scheme assets, which can be used to buy an annuity on retirement. Contributions are fixed at 7% of the annual salary for the employer and 3% for the employee. The following information relates to Scheme A as reported in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X5: £m Pension scheme assets 22.0 Present value of the obligation (60.0) Post-employment net benefit obligation (38.0) ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2016) 135 The scheme actuary provided the following information: • During the year ending 31 December 20X6, 15 senior employees will be made redundant and as a consequence, EyeOP will commit to pay additional pensions to these employees under the terms of their redundancy. This contributes an additional £4.2 million to the present value of the pension obligation. • The valuation of the pension scheme assets and the present value of the pension obligation at 31 December 20X6 are now expected to be £32.6 million and £74.5 million respectively. • Other information estimated for the year ending 31 December 20X6: Yield on high-quality corporate bonds 5% pa £m Current service cost 5.9 Benefits paid to former employees 2.1 Actual return on scheme assets 6.3 Except for the recognition of the pension contributions of £9.2 million in administrative expenses, no adjustments have been made to the draft forecast statement of profit or loss for the year ending 31 December 20X6. (2) Medical imaging camera – Medsee On 1 October 20X4, EyeOP started to develop a new medical imaging camera, the Medsee. Monthly development costs of £4 million were incurred from that date until 1 January 20X6, when EyeOP made a technical breakthrough in relation to this project. On 1 January 20X6, the Medsee was deemed financially and commercially viable and thereafter development costs decreased to £3.5 million per month until development work was completed on 30 April 20X6. Marketing and production of the Medsee began on 1 May 20X6. EyeOP expects to receive orders for 600 cameras priced at £60,000 each in the year ending 31 December 20X6. The terms of trade require a non-refundable payment of 25% of the selling price on receipt of the order. The order is non-cancellable. There will be 50 cameras manufactured and delivered to customers in the year ended 31 December 20X6 who will pay EyeOP the remaining 75% of the selling price in January 20X7. EyeOP anticipates the Medsee having a commercial life of four years, with total sales of 3,500 cameras over that period. It is anticipated that 875 cameras will be delivered in the year ending 31 December 20X7. Variable production costs are £22,000 per camera. In the forecast statement of profit or loss for the year ending 31 December 20X6, EyeOP intends to expense all Medsee development costs. Because the orders are non-cancellable, EyeOP intends to recognise revenue in respect of the 600 cameras which customers will order by 31 December 20X6. Entries made in the forecast financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X6 to reflect the above are: £m DEBIT Cash 9.0 DEBIT Receivables 27.0 CREDIT DEBIT CREDIT Revenue Cost of sales Inventories £m 36.0 13.2 13.2 Assumptions for year ending 31 December 20X7 It is expected that the variable production cost per Medsee camera, and its selling price, will remain unchanged in the year ending 31 December 20X7. Other revenue and costs are also expected to remain constant. 136 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 2: HiDef consolidated forecast statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ending 30 November 20X6 (excluding the impact of the proposed purchase of 650,000 EyeOP shares) 20X6 £m Revenue 383.0 Cost of sales (264.2) Gross profit 118.8 Administrative expenses (102.0) Profit from operations 16.8 Finance costs (5.5) Profit before tax 11.3 Income tax (2.3) Profit for the year 9.0 –––––– Other comprehensive income for the year Total comprehensive income for the year 9.0 Other information Depreciation of £28.1 million and lease rentals of £35.5 million are included in cost of sales. The leases are for less than 12 months, and HiDef has taken advantage of the IFRS 16 recognition exemptions for short-term leases. HiDef’s consolidated revenue and costs are expected to remain constant for the foreseeable future. Revenue for the year ended 30 November 20X5 was £400 million. Key group performance targets for HiDef Revenue growth Increase of 7% each year Gross profit percentage Greater than 35% EBITDAR*/Interest Greater than 12 *EBITDAR = Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rentals. 44 Topclass Teach You are Mo Ranza, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant who recently joined Jones, Smith & Wilson LLP (JSW) as an audit senior. You receive the following briefing from Sue Jessop, the JSW engagement partner: Welcome to JSW. I need your help on the audit of Topclass Teach plc (TT) for the year ending 31 August 20X6. TT provides education and training, and it operates from an extensive campus. TT has been an audit client of JSW for a number of years. Our interim audit visit at TT starts next week and I am concerned that we have not yet planned our audit approach on property, plant and equipment (PPE). The TT financial controller has sent me the PPE note from the management accounts for the nine months ended 31 May 20X6. This gives you an idea of the significance of the PPE balances (Exhibit 1). Planning materiality for the TT audit is £2 million and we will report each proposed misstatement over £40,000 to the audit committee. The only documentation regarding PPE on our audit file is a planning memorandum prepared in June 20X6 (Exhibit 2) by an audit assistant, Naomi Wills. This was not reviewed by the audit senior or manager and, while it includes some useful information, it does not specifically identify or comment on the audit risks. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2016) 137 I’ve received an email from the TT finance director, Karel Kovic, which requests advice on the financial reporting implications of a proposed agreement and updates us on some recent developments at TT (Exhibit 3).” Partner’s instructions “What I need you to do is to use the information I have provided to do the following: (1) Draft a response to Karel’s request for advice on the financial reporting implications of the proposed agreement with Beddezy on the TT financial statements for the year ending 31 August 20X6 (Exhibit 3). You can ignore any tax or deferred tax consequences. (2) Identify and explain the inherent, control and detection audit risks associated with the audit of PPE in TT’s financial statements for the year ending 31 August 20X6. (3) Prepare an outline audit approach for TT’s PPE balance at 31 August 20X6 which explains those aspects of our audit of PPE where: (a) we are able to test and place reliance on the operating effectiveness of controls; (b) we will need expert input; (c) audit software can be used to achieve a more efficient audit; (d) substantive analytical procedures will provide us with adequate audit assurance; and (e) tests of details should be performed during our interim audit visit. We can discuss detailed audit procedures once we have agreed on the audit approach.” Requirement Respond to the instructions of Sue Jessop, the JSW engagement partner. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: PPE note from TT management accounts for the 9 months ended 31 May 20X6 – prepared by TT financial controller Freehold land and buildings Assets under construction Fixtures, fittings and equipment Total £m £m £m £m 129.5 2.8 29.5 161.8 – 21.8 4.1 25.9 13.5 (13.5) – – –––––– ––––– (1.5) 143.0 11.1 32.1 186.2 At 1 September 20X5 6.1 – 15.4 21.5 Charge for the period 2.4 – 2.8 5.2 –––––– ––––– (0.9) (0.9) 8.5 ––––– 17.3 25.8 At 1 September 20X5 123.4 2.8 14.1 140.3 At 31 May 20X6 134.5 11.1 14.8 160.4 Cost or valuation At 1 September 20X5 Additions Assets coming into use Disposals At 31 May 20X6 (1.5) Depreciation Disposals At 31 May 20X6 Carrying amount 138 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The forecast for the three months ending 31 August 20X6 includes movements in PPE as follows: Freehold land and buildings Assets under construction Fixtures, fittings and equipment Total £m £m £m £m 134.5 11.1 14.8 160.4 – 8.0 0.5 8.5 Depreciation charge for the period (0.8) – (1.0) (1.8) Revaluation gain 40.0 –––– –––– 40.0 173.7 19.1 14.3 207.1 Cost or valuation At 31 May 20X6 Additions At 31 August 20X6 The revaluation gain shown above is an estimate as the valuation will not be completed until early September 20X6. Exhibit 2: Interim audit memorandum on PPE – prepared by Naomi Wills in June 20X6 This memorandum summarises relevant information from our prior-year audit file and discussions with TT management to date to assist us in determining the risks associated with our audit of the PPE balance at 31 August 20X6. Points noted are as follows: • TT’s freehold land and buildings comprise teaching facilities, including lecture theatres, classrooms and specialised laboratories. TT also has surplus land on its campus. • No audit adjustments were raised in relation to PPE balances during our audit of TT for the year ended 31 August 20X5. • Prior-year audit work concluded that controls over the TT purchasing function (including the purchase and classification of PPE) were appropriately designed and operating effectively. • The TT register of PPE is maintained on a system which is separate from the main accounting ledger. This system was developed by the TT finance department and uses spreadsheets run on a laptop to calculate month-end journals and prepare year-end reports. • Freehold land and buildings are recognised at fair value in the financial statements. The most recent valuation was performed by a professional valuer on 31 August 20X3. TT is planning to use its own estate’s department to determine the value of freehold land and buildings at 31 August 20X6. A significant increase in value is expected as property values in the area have increased by an average of 25%. • During August 20X6, the TT finance department plans to conduct a physical verification exercise focussing on small equipment and IT assets, as these are considered the categories of PPE most susceptible to theft or other loss. • TT has a number of major capital projects in progress during the financial year ending 31 August 20X6. The construction of a new business school was completed in May 20X6 at a total cost of £13.5 million. Assets under construction include the refurbishment of two science laboratories and the replacement of the IT system for recording attendance and marks. Exhibit 3: Email from Karel Kovic to Sue Jessop – Request for advice and update I need your advice on the financial reporting implications of a proposed agreement with Beddezy plc, a UK company which runs an international chain of hotels. Under this agreement, which we plan to finalise before 31 August 20X6, Beddezy will build both a hotel and a management training centre using surplus land on our campus. An outline of the key terms of the proposed agreement is as follows: • TT will sell land with a carrying amount of £3 million to Beddezy for £5 million. • Beddezy will build two separate buildings on that land: a hotel and a management training centre. Each building will occupy half of the land bought by Beddezy. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2016) 139 • The hotel will be operated by Beddezy. TT expects to use approximately half of the hotel capacity for its visitors, but it has no commitment to do so. The prices of hotel rooms will be determined by Beddezy based on market conditions and are expected to vary over time. TT has no rights to acquire the hotel, or the land occupied by the hotel, at any stage in the future. • The management training centre will comprise lecture theatres and teaching facilities, with a wide variety of uses. It will be built by Beddezy and is expected to cost £4 million to build, excluding the cost of the land. It will be completed by 31 August 20X7. For 15 years from that date, TT will have exclusive use of the management training centre to run training courses and conferences. In return, TT will pay to Beddezy (on 1 September each year) £300,000 to cover both the rental of the management training centre and the supply of Beddezy staff to clean and maintain the building, provide security and run the main reception. These staff will work under the direction of a building manager employed by TT. If TT employed the staff it would cost approximately £100,000 per annum. Update on other matters Here is an update on some other matters before you begin your interim audit visit. Harry George, our PPE accountant, is on long-term sick leave so his role is being covered by one of the surveyors within the estates department. Key aspects of Harry’s role include maintaining our PPE register and reviewing all accounting for major building projects. Work on the two science laboratories refurbishment is progressing. Work on Laboratory 1 was completed on 1 July 20X6 and the laboratory is now back in use. Work on Laboratory 2 is also well advanced, but progress has slowed as new regulatory requirements for some of our advanced engineering courses mean that TT needs to make changes to the plans. The changes we need to make include additional building work to demolish and reposition a number of dividing walls, which is expected to add approximately £100,000 to the total cost 140 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2016) 45 Zego You are Andy Parker, an audit senior working for Terry & Jonas LLP (TJ), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You have just been assigned to the audit of Zego Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Lomax plc, a listed company. Lomax and its subsidiaries operate in the aerospace sector. You have received the following email from Grace Wu, the audit manager with overall responsibility for the Lomax Group audit. To: Andy Parker From: Grace Wu Date: 7 November 20X6 Subject: Zego audit for the year ended 31 October 20X6 As you are new to this audit, I have provided some background information about Zego and the Lomax Group (Exhibit 1). The final audit starts next week. Zego’s finance director, Carla Burton, went on maternity leave in September 20X6. Before she left, Carla prepared a schedule of information relating to Zego’s non-current assets (Exhibit 2). Our contact in Zego’s finance department is now Julia Brookes, a part-qualified accountant who was appointed as the financial controller earlier this year. Julia has prepared draft financial statements for the year ended 31 October 20X6 (Exhibit 3). Two days ago, I met with Grahame Boyle, the Lomax Group finance director, and I attach notes relating to Zego from that meeting (Exhibit 4). Yesterday I had a meeting with Zego’s chief executive, Jurgen Miles, where we discussed some important issues arising from the draft financial statements and the current risks and difficulties that Zego is facing. I attach notes of that meeting (Exhibit 5). Prepare the following documents. (1) Notes explaining and, where possible, calculating adjustments that are required to Zego’s draft financial statements for the year ended 31 October 20X6 (Exhibit 3). Do not prepare revised financial statements, but you should clearly identify areas where more information is required to make appropriate adjustments. (2) A working paper setting out the results of preliminary analytical procedures. Include relevant calculations and explain any issues arising for the audit from the analytical procedures. Your calculations should take into account any adjustments that you have proposed to the financial statements. (3) A memorandum explaining the key audit risks for Zego. Set out the implications of these risks for the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 20X6 of: (a) Zego (b) Lomax plc (c) The Lomax Group Requirement Prepare the documents requested by Grace Wu, the audit manager. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Background information about Zego and the Lomax Group – prepared by Grace Wu, audit manager The Lomax Group supplies communication products to the aerospace industry. The Lomax Group’s strategy in recent years has involved the development of new markets and products, partly through its own research and development activities and partly through acquisitions of related businesses. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2016) 141 Zego Ltd specialises in fibre-optic aerospace products. During 20X3 and 20X4 Zego’s research and development team developed a product called Ph244. By 31 October 20X5, orders were received for this product and the criteria had been fulfilled for recognition of a significant amount of development expenditure as an intangible asset. During November and December 20X5, Ph244 achieved expected sales targets. However, in January 20X6, Zego’s largest competitor announced the launch of a rival product which has proved superior to Ph244. Zego’s sales of Ph244 since January 20X6 have fallen. Planning materiality for Zego has been estimated at £250,000 and for the Lomax Group at £5 million. We consider all adjustments under £10,000 to be clearly trivial. The Lomax Group has committed to make a preliminary announcement of its earnings on 5 January 20X7. Exhibit 2: Schedule of information relating to Zego’s non-current assets – prepared in September 20X6 by Carla Burton, Zego’s finance director Analysis of forecast non-current assets between Ph244 related assets and other assets for the year ending 31 October 20X6 Property, plant and equipment (PPE) 20X6 20X6 20X5 20X5 Forecast Ph244 Forecast Other PPE Ph244 Other PPE £m £m £m £m Balance at 1 November 5.8 10.0 0.3 8.9 Additions 1.8 2.2 6.0 1.5 (0.5) (0.7) (0.5) (0.4) 7.1 11.5 5.8 10.0 20X6 20X6 20X5 20X5 Forecast Ph244 Forecast Other R&D Ph244 Other R&D £m £m £m £m 7.2 8.2 – 7.9 – 1.6 7.2 2.3 (1.2) (1.8) ––– (2.0) 6.0 8.0 7.2 8.2 Depreciation Balance at 31 October Intangible asset: research and development (R&D) Balance at 1 November Additions Amortisation Balance at 31 October In the above analysis R&D comprises capitalised development costs. Recoverable amounts (1) I believe it is unlikely that impairment losses will arise in respect of ‘Other PPE’ or ‘Other R&D’. (2) Included in the £7.1 million forecast for Ph244 PPE at 31 October 20X6 is £6.2 million for a specially-constructed building for the production of Ph244. It is likely that this building could be sold for £8 million if it were adapted for more general use. Adaptation costs are currently estimated at £1.5 million. This building could continue to be used in Zego’s business if future research and development projects are undertaken. 142 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (3) A market is likely to continue to exist for Ph244, although at a much reduced level of activity. Estimated net cash inflows are: Year ending 31 October 20X7: £1.4 million Year ending 31 October 20X8: £1.0 million Year ending 31 October 20X9: £0.5 million We would need to discount these at around 8% per annum. No significant cash flows are expected to arise after 31 October 20X9. Exhibit 3: Zego Ltd – Draft financial statements for the year ended 31 October 20X6 – prepared by Julia Brookes, Zego’s financial controller Zego Ltd: Statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 October 20X6 20X6 20X5 £m £m 24.8 31.4 Cost of sales (15.2) (18.8) Gross profit 9.6 12.6 (7.2) (8.8) 2.4 3.8 (1.8) (1.4) 0.6 2.4 Revenue Operating expenses Operating profit Finance costs Profit before tax Income tax Profit for the year ––––– (0.6) 0.6 1.8 20X6 20X5 £m £m Property, plant and equipment 18.6 15.8 Intangible asset: R&D 14.0 15.4 32.6 31.2 12.0 7.8 4.6 5.8 ––––– 3.6 16.6 17.2 49.2 48.4 4.0 4.0 17.0 16.4 21.0 20.4 Zego Ltd: Statement of financial position at 31 October 20X6 ASSETS Non-current assets Current assets Inventories Trade receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total assets EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Ordinary share capital Retained earnings ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2016) 143 Long-term liabilities: borrowings 20X6 20X5 £m £m 20.6 22.4 0.6 0.6 21.2 23.0 3.8 4.4 – 0.6 3.2 –––– 7.0 5.0 49.2 48.4 Deferred tax Current liabilities Trade payables Tax payable Overdraft Total equity and liabilities Zego Ltd: Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 October 20X6 20X6 20X6 20X5 20X5 £m £m £m £m Cash flows from operating activities Profit before tax 0.6 2.4 Depreciation 1.2 0.9 Amortisation 3.0 2.0 Finance costs 1.8 1.4 6.6 6.7 (4.2) 0.4 1.2 (0.7) (0.6) 0.9 3.0 7.3 Interest paid (1.8) (1.4) Tax paid (0.6) (0.7) Adjustments for: Change in inventories Change in trade receivables Change in trade payables Cash generated from operations Net cash from operating activities 0.6 5.2 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment (4.0) (7.5) Investment in development assets (1.6) (9.5) Net cash used in investing activities (5.6) (17.0) Loan (repayment)/financing (1.8) 13.0 Net change in cash and cash equivalents (6.8) 1.2 3.6 2.4 (3.2) 3.6 Cash flows from financing activities Opening cash and cash equivalents Closing cash and cash equivalents 144 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 4: Notes of a meeting with Grahame Boyle, the Lomax Group Finance Director – prepared by Grace Wu, audit manager (1) Lomax paid £18 million for 100% of the shares in Zego on 1 August 20X3, resulting in £3.75 million of goodwill on consolidation. Zego’s performance until the year ended 31 October 20X5 was slightly worse than expected. In particular, the investment in Ph244 was a big disappointment. (2) Lomax made loans of around £10 million to Zego and Lomax’s main board directors have stated that no more cash will be forthcoming to support Zego. From now on, Zego’s directors must raise all of its finance from sources external to the Lomax Group. (3) Lomax has no plans to sell its investment in Zego in the near future, but it is likely to take more steps to exercise control. Exhibit 5: Notes of a meeting with Jurgen Miles, Zego’s Chief Executive – prepared by Grace Wu, audit manager (1) The development of Ph244 has been expensive and a disappointment. At 31 October 20X6, Zego had a balance of capitalised development costs of £6 million in respect of the Ph244 product technology (Exhibit 2). How much of this investment can be recovered is now uncertain. Zego recently received an offer of £2.4 million for the Ph244 product technology from a non-UK competitor. This offer includes the rights to use this intangible development asset and related plant and equipment, but not the existing inventories or the specially-constructed production building for Ph244. The Zego board is considering the offer. It is likely that Zego would incur around £200,000 in legal and related fees if it accepts the offer. (2) Zego needs to renegotiate its bank finance. Of the long-term borrowings of £20.6 million in the statement of financial position at 31 October 20X6, £11 million is owed to the company’s bank. The remainder is owed to Lomax plc. Zego met a required repayment of £1 million to the bank on 1 June 20X6. A further repayment of £1 million is due on 1 December 20X6. The bank holds fixed and floating charges over Zego’s assets, and agreed covenants requiring an interest cover ratio of at least 1.2 and the gearing ratio to be no higher than 130% (calculated as net debt/equity). Although these covenants were not breached at 31 October 20X6, based on the draft financial statements, the bank has called for a meeting which will take place next week. It seems likely that further conditions will be imposed by the bank in order to continue the existing level of financing. Jurgen thinks that additional financial support will be provided by Lomax, and is hopeful that finance will be provided for a new project which will require development investment of around £7 million. Jurgen knows that Lomax has stated that there will no more finance available for Zego. However, he is confident that finance will, ultimately, be provided by Lomax if it becomes really necessary. (3) Of the inventories of £12 million at 31 October 20X6, £3.6 million relates to Ph244 products. Production of Ph244 ceased in June 20X6. Sales of £1.4 million of Ph244 at a gross profit margin of 40% are expected in the year ending 31 October 20X7. 46 Trinkup Trinkup plc operates a chain of coffee shops which sell coffee, tea and cakes. Its accounting year end is 30 September. On 1 October 20X5, Trinkup acquired 80% of the ordinary share capital of The Zland Coffee Company (ZCC), a coffee producer and distributor. Trinkup has no other subsidiaries. You have recently started a new job as the financial accountant at Trinkup. The financial controller gives you the following briefing: “I need your help in preparing the consolidated financial statements for the Trinkup group now that we have acquired ZCC. ZCC operates in Zland, a country where the currency is the krone (K). Trinkup paid K350 million for its investment in ZCC. As ZCC is not a listed company, Trinkup intends to use the proportion of net asset method to value the non-controlling interest. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2016) 145 ZCC prepares its financial statements using Zland GAAP. Although there are similarities between Zland GAAP and IFRS, there are differences in pension accounting and deferred tax is not recognised under Zland GAAP. I have provided you with a working paper which contains the draft financial statements for Trinkup and ZCC for the year ended 30 September 20X6, and notes on the outstanding financial reporting issues (Exhibit). I would like you to do the following. (1) Set out and explain the appropriate adjustments for the outstanding financial reporting issues (Exhibit) for the year ended 30 September 20X6 for: (a) the individual company financial statements of Trinkup and ZCC; and (b) the consolidated financial statements. You should assume that the current tax charges are correct, but you should include any deferred tax adjustments. (2) Prepare Trinkup’s consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 20X6. Please use the adjusted individual company financial statements. (3) Calculate Trinkup’s consolidated goodwill and consolidated foreign exchange reserve at 30 September 20X6. Show your workings.” Requirement Respond to the financial controller’s instructions. Total: 32 marks Exhibit: Working paper prepared by the financial controller Draft statements of comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 20X6 Notes Trinkup ZCC £m Km Revenue 1 189.2 494.6 Cost of sales 1 (124.0) (354.2) 65.2 140.4 – Gross profit Other operating income 2 15.7 Operating expenses 2 (35.0) (188.8) 45.9 (48.4) Profit/(loss) before tax Tax 3 Profit/(loss) for the year Other comprehensive loss 4 Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year (9.0) –––––– 36.9 (48.4) –––––– (56.6) 36.9 (105.0) Draft statements of financial position at 30 September 20X6 Notes Trinkup ZCC £m Km 127.3 244.5 64.8 – Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 6 Financial asset – investment in ZCC Amount owed by ZCC 5 36.4 – Net current assets 1 30.8 101.0 259.3 345.5 146 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Notes Trinkup ZCC £m Km 150.0 50.0 Retained earnings at 1 October 20X5 52.8 240.5 Profit/(loss) for the year 36.9 (48.4) ––––– (56.6) 239.7 185.5 19.6 – ––––– 160.0 259.3 345.5 Equity Share capital Pension reserve 4 Non-current liabilities Deferred tax Long-term loan owed to Trinkup 5 Outstanding financial reporting issues Notes (1) In the year ended 30 September 20X6, Trinkup bought coffee from ZCC for K294 million. Trinkup paid for the coffee on delivery and there are no trading amounts owing to ZCC at the year end. At 30 September 20X6, Trinkup’s inventory includes £18 million of coffee bought from ZCC. ZCC charges a mark-up of 30% on cost of goods sold. (2) Trinkup’s ‘other operating income’ comprises a management charge to ZCC of K75.3 million for management support given to ZCC. This charge was paid by ZCC on 30 September 20X6 and is included in ZCC’s operating expenses. In future years there will be no management charge as it is expected that ZCC will not require Trinkup’s management support. (3) ZCC has a K100 million tax trading loss arising in the year ended 30 September 20X6. Zland tax law allows tax trading losses to be carried forward only against future taxable trading profits. ZCC expects to make a taxable trading profit next year. ZCC’s accountant has suggested that the Zland tax authorities could investigate the K75.3 million management charge made by Trinkup to ZCC and challenge the recovery of ZCC’s tax loss. The tax rate for Trinkup and ZCC is 20%. (4) In October 20X5, ZCC set up a defined contribution pension scheme for its directors and has accrued a contribution of K56.6 million for the year ended 30 September 20X6. This contribution was paid to the pension fund on 15 October 20X6. Under Zland GAAP, pension contributions are recognised directly in reserves through other comprehensive income. Tax relief for pension contributions is claimed in the accounting year in which the cash is paid to the pension company. (5) On 1 April 20X6, Trinkup made an additional investment in ZCC when it provided a loan of K160 million to ZCC with interest payable at 5.25% annually in arrears. Trinkup does not require repayment of this loan in the near future. No adjustments have been made for this loan other than to include it in Trinkup’s non-current assets at the rate of exchange at 1 April 20X6. ZCC has recognised the loan in non-current liabilities. No entries have been made in either company in respect of the interest on the loan. Interest is taxed on an accruals basis. (6) At 1 October 20X5, there were no differences between the fair value of ZCC’s net assets and the carrying amounts, except for the valuation of land owned by ZCC. PPE included land, at cost, of K156 million which had a fair value at 1 October 20X5 of K232 million. The directors do not intend to sell the land. Zland GAAP does not allow revaluations. The following tax rules apply to PPE in Zland: no tax is charged on disposals of PPE; and depreciation is an allowable expense for tax purposes. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2016) 147 Other information £1/K exchange rates were as follows: 1 October 20X5 £1 = K5.4 1 April 20X6 £1 = K4.4 30 September 20X6 £1 = K4.2 Average for the year to 30 September 20X6 £1 = K4.8 47 Key4Link You are an audit manager, working for ICAEW Chartered Accountants, HJM LLP. You have just been assigned to finalise the audit procedures for Key4Link Ltd for the year ended 30 September 20X6. Key4Link installs media systems. You receive the following briefing note from the engagement partner: “Carey Knight, the senior manager working on the Key4Link audit, has had a cycling accident and will be off work for two weeks. Our audit procedures on Key4Link need to be finalised this week as I have a meeting with the finance director, Max Evans. I therefore need to understand the current position regarding our audit work. I have provided you with background information on Key4Link (Exhibit 1). Most of our audit procedures are complete and have been reviewed by Carey. Carey’s file note ( Exhibit 2), prepared a week ago, lists a number of matters which were at that time unresolved. Updated information I asked Kevin Jones, the audit assistant, to find out more information about the unresolved matters in Carey’s file note (Exhibit 2). I have now received a memorandum (Exhibit 3) from Kevin. I have also received an email from Max, the Key4Link finance director (Exhibit 4) responding to some of the unresolved matters in Carey’s file note and asking for advice. I have not had time to review Max’s email in detail, but I did note that he is keen for HJM to bid for Key4Link’s tax work. Instructions I would like you to review all of the documentation provided and complete the following tasks: (1) The difference of £57,230 relates to a missed accrual for inventory delivered on 28 September 20X6 direct to a customer’s premises rather than to Key4Link. As the amount is not material, no adjustment has been proposed. (2) Farnell’s statement is dated 5 October 20X6. It includes an invoice for £160,000 dated 1 October 20X6 for engineering services. I discussed this invoice with Max Evans who referred me to Jan Furby (CEO), as Farnell is owned by Jan and his brother. Jan told me that Farnell had performed these engineering services in September 20X6. As this amount relates to services performed before the year end and is material, I have proposed an audit adjustment to increase trade payables and cost of sales. (3) For each of the matters identified in Carey’s file note (Exhibit 2), taking into account the procedures already undertaken by Kevin (Exhibit 3) and the observations in Max’s email (Exhibit 4), identify and explain: (a) any additional financial reporting adjustments required, including journals; and (b) any auditing issues and the additional audit procedures required in order to complete our audit and reach a reasoned conclusion on the unresolved matters. Identify any further information required from Key4Link. You do not need to consider any current tax or deferred tax adjustments. (4) Explain any ethical issues for HJM arising from Max’s request for HJM to bid for Key4Link’s tax advisory work (Exhibit 4). Set out any actions that HJM should take.” Requirement Respond to the financial controller’s instructions. Total: 28 marks 148 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 1: Background information on Key4Link – provided by the engagement partner At 30 September 20X6, the three directors of Key4Link had the following shareholdings: Name Position % shareholding in Key4Link Number of £1 ordinary shares held Jan Furby CEO 50% 50,000 Max Evans Finance director 25% 25,000 Carol Furby (wife of Jan) Marketing director 25% 25,000 Key4Link’s draft financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X6 recognise revenue of £25 million and a profit before taxation of £3.2 million. Planning materiality for the financial statements as a whole has been set at £150,000. Performance materiality is £100,000. Each potential audit adjustment of £5,000 or over should be recorded for further consideration. From the audit procedures completed and reviewed to date, we have identified only one uncorrected misstatement – an understatement of accruals by £50,000 due to an error in the calculation of the sales commission payable for the quarter ended 30 September 20X6. Key4Link uses the revaluation model for freehold land and buildings and the cost model for all other non-current assets. Exhibit 2: File note – prepared by Carey Knight, HJM senior manager Set out below is the status of the Key4Link audit as at 28 October 20X6. Our audit procedures are almost complete, but I have identified the following unresolved matters: (1) The audit procedures on trade payables are largely complete but the supplier statements for two key suppliers still need to be obtained and reconciled. (2) Our audit procedures on the valuation of the company’s freehold premises are substantially complete, but we are awaiting a final signed copy of the report from the external valuer, Mason Froome. Our audit procedures to date have been based on a draft report which we understand is unlikely to change. We concluded that specialist input from an auditor’s expert was not required as a third party valuer with appropriate qualifications had performed the valuation. (3) Max called me yesterday to say that he has adjusted the financial statements to include a provision of £175,000 for restructuring costs. I have asked him to provide Kevin, the audit assistant, with more details. (4) A Key4Link staff member mentioned to me that some of the senior staff are expecting to exercise share options as soon as the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X6 are signed off. This worried me as no accounting entries or disclosures have been made in respect of any share option scheme. Therefore, I have asked Max to provide me with information about the share options. (5) I have reviewed the Key4Link draft annual report and I believe that the related party disclosures may be incomplete. The only related party transaction identified is the remuneration paid to Key4Link’s directors, which we have already audited. However, I know that the Key4Link CEO, Jan Furby, has other business interests and I am therefore concerned that there may be other transactions to disclose. Exhibit 3: Update memorandum – prepared by Kevin Jones, HJM audit assistant This memorandum records the audit procedures I performed during my visit to Key4Link on 4 November 20X6. Supplier statements I obtained supplier statements for the remaining two key suppliers, Barnes Communications (Barnes) and Farnell Engineering (Farnell). I have summarised below how the statements reconcile to the purchase ledger balance for each supplier at 30 September 20X6. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2016) 149 Supplier Note Balance per purchase ledger Included in accruals Difference Balance per supplier statement £ £ £ £ Barnes 1 231,650 21,560 57,230 310,440 Farnell 2 148,000 – 160,000 308,000 Notes (1) The difference of £57,230 relates to a missed accrual for inventory delivered on 28 September 20X6 direct to a customer’s premises rather than to Key4Link. As the amount is not material, no adjustment has been proposed. (2) Farnell’s statement is dated 5 October 20X6. It includes an invoice for £160,000 dated 1 October 20X6 for engineering services. I discussed this invoice with Max Evans who referred me to Jan Furby (CEO), as Farnell is owned by Jan and his brother. Jan told me that Farnell had performed these engineering services in September 20X6. As this amount relates to services performed before the year end and is material, I have proposed an audit adjustment to increase trade payables and cost of sales. Restructuring costs I obtained from Max details of the provision for restructuring costs. The board has decided to outsource its delivery function, which will result in redundancy payments to its drivers and the disposal of its fleet of trucks. The provision comprises: £ Carrying amount of trucks at 30 September 20X6 Anticipated redundancy costs 100,000 75,000 175,000 I agreed the carrying amount of the trucks to the non-current asset register at 30 September 20X6, which was tested by our audit procedures on non-current assets. I obtained calculations for the anticipated redundancy costs; agreed the basis of the calculations to documented advice obtained from Key4Link’s employment lawyer; and agreed all details for each affected employee to the relevant employment records. I also ensured that all the drivers were included in the calculation. Exhibit 4: Email from Max Evans, Key4Link finance director To: Engagement partner From: Max Evans Date: 7 November 20X6 Subject: Audit of Key4Link for the year ended 30 September 20X6 Valuation of freehold premises Carey asked me to contact our valuer, Mason Froome, for a final copy of his valuation report. I now have a copy of this. Jan told me that he had a conversation with Mason at the golf club last week and Mason has now revised some of the assumptions in his draft report. The final valuation is now £1.2 million, £200,000 higher than in the draft version of the report which you have audited. We will need to adjust the financial statements for this. 150 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Share option scheme Carey also asked me about the company’s share option scheme. On 1 December 20X2, five key members of staff, including me, were each granted options over 500 £1 ordinary shares. Each option grants the right to acquire one share at an exercise price of £5 per share. These options vest on 30 November 20X6, provided that the company makes a profit before tax of £2.6 million or more for the year ended 30 September 20X6. As you know, this profit level is expected to be achieved and all five of us are planning to exercise our options. I should have mentioned this scheme to you before but forgot to do so, as there have been no cash entries to account for. When the options were granted I calculated that each option had a fair value of £45. Key4Link’s tax work There is also one other matter I would like to discuss at our meeting. Our current tax advisors, Blethinsock Priory, have told me that they intend to resubmit the company tax return for last year as they have identified an error, leading to an underpayment of Key4Link’s tax. This seems ridiculous to me – I cannot see why we need to draw attention to this error and I am not happy at the prospect of paying more tax. I am considering changing advisors and would like HJM to bid for this work. We are likely to need tax advice in the next few years, so there would be lots of work for HJM. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2016) 151 152 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2017) 48 Konext You work for Noland, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Your firm is the auditor of Konext plc and its subsidiaries. Konext is AIM-listed and is in the business communications sector. It sells mobile devices to businesses and provides related software and repair services. Noland has been asked to provide an assurance report on Konext’s interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 20X4. You have been assigned to act as audit senior. The recently-appointed Konext financial controller, Menzie Mees, has provided the following: • Extracts from the draft consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 20X4 (Exhibit 1) • An extract from the proposed management commentary drafted by the finance director, Jacky Jones, who is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant (Exhibit 2) • A summary of financial reporting issues on which Menzie needs advice (Exhibit 3) The engagement partner gives you the following briefing: “I had a meeting with Jacky last week and she mentioned that there had been an information security issue. She has made some disclosure about this in her proposed management commentary (Exhibit 2). I have asked her to send more details to you (Exhibit 4).” Partner’s instructions “I would like you to: (1) explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment of the issues in the summary provided by Menzie (Exhibit 3). Recommend appropriate adjustments, including journals, to the draft consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 20X4; (2) prepare a revised consolidated statement of profit or loss for the six months ended 30 June 20X4. Set out analytical procedures on the revenue and gross profit in the revised statement of profit or loss. Identify potential risks of material misstatement arising from these analytical procedures; and (3) set out briefly the key audit procedures required to address each of the risks of misstatement relating to revenue that you have identified. For these risks, set out separately the audit procedures for: (a) the interim financial statements; and (b) the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X4. (4) In respect of the details you receive from Jacky about the information security issue (Exhibit 4): (a) evaluate the adequacy of the management commentary disclosure in relation to the information security issue (Exhibit 2); and (b) explain any ethical issues for Noland and set out the actions Noland should take.” Requirement Respond to the engagement partner’s instructions. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Extracts from the draft consolidated interim financial statements for Konext for the six months ended 30 June 20X4 prepared by Menzie Mees, financial controller Consolidated statement of profit or loss for the six months ended 30 June 20X4 Six months ended 30 June Revenue Customised mobile devices ICAEW 2022 Notes 1 Year ended 31 Dec 20X4 20X3 20X3 £’000 £’000 £’000 30,300 20,700 51,700 Real exam (July 2017) 153 Six months ended 30 June Revenue Software services Notes 1 Year ended 31 Dec 20X4 20X3 20X3 £’000 £’000 £’000 18,010 10,800 25,900 48,310 31,500 77,600 Other mobile devices 2 15,700 6,100 20,500 Mobile device repairs 3 2,100 5,200 7,800 Total revenue 66,110 42,800 105,900 Gross profit 39,541 21,625 54,025 Distribution costs (3,823) (3,122) (8,547) Administrative expenses (6,563) (6,054) (13,755) Operating profit 29,155 12,449 31,723 Finance costs (1,280) (1,550) (4,125) Profit before tax 27,875 10,899 27,598 Taxation (2,000) (2,180) (5,520) Profit for the period 25,875 8,719 22,078 Notes on operating segments The type of mobile devices Konext sells are tablet computers. The following are the operating segments used by the board to make strategic decisions: (1) Konext develops a software service specific for each client which enables the clients’ employees to access the clients’ business processes. In each case, the software service contract includes data security and storage services. Konext buys mobile devices to which it uploads software specific to the client business. It then sells the customised mobile devices to the client together with a software service contract. (2) Konext also sells other mobile devices to customers without customised software services. (3) Mobile device repairs for Konext clients and other customers are undertaken by a division of Konext called ‘Refone’ (Exhibit 3). Exhibit 2: Draft management commentary for the six months ended 30 June 20X4 prepared by Jacky Jones, finance director Financial performance The Konext group had a good financial performance across all operating segments in the first half of 20X4. Total revenue increased by 54.5% to £66.11 million in comparison with the equivalent six-month period ended 30 June 20X3. Konext’s sales of all mobile devices are seasonal, with 40% of mobile devices delivered in the first six months of 20X4. The directors forecast that total revenue for the year ending 31 December 20X4 will grow by 20% in comparison with the year ended 31 December 20X3. 154 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The directors estimate that the number of devices to be delivered in the year ending 31 December 20X4 will be as follows: 20X4 20X3 Number of devices Number of devices Customised mobile devices 650,000 636,000 Other mobile devices 392,000 205,000 The combined gross profit margin on sales of customised mobile devices and software services has increased from the 60% margin achieved in 20X3. The gross profit margins on sales of other mobile devices and mobile device repairs have remained at 25% and 30% respectively. Future prospects − New product, the Denwa+ Konext has signed a contract with JUI, a Japanese manufacturer of mobile devices. JUI will sell a new device called the Denwa+ to Konext. This device will be sold exclusively by Konext to its customers together with specific software and services where relevant. From August 20X4, sales of the Denwa+ will gradually replace sales by Konext of its current mobile device. All the Denwa+ devices will be sold with a guarantee of a replacement device if the original is damaged. This guarantee will apply regardless of the reason for the damage. An advertising campaign for the launch of the new Denwa+ device began in May 20X4 in anticipation of the sales starting in August 20X4. Information security issue An information security issue in a Konext subsidiary is under investigation. There is no evidence that client accounts have been compromised. Exhibit 3: Summary of financial reporting issues – prepared by Menzie Mees I have set out below some financial reporting issues. I am not sure that the transactions are correctly treated in the draft consolidated interim financial statements. Revenue In June 20X4, Konext received deposits totalling £2 million from clients for the new Denwa+ device. The clients will make final payments totalling £13 million on delivery of the devices on 1 August 20X4. These clients will also receive a software service contract for two years and a free guarantee for replacement should the device be damaged or faulty. Revenue in relation to these sales has been recognised in full and presented in the interim financial statements as follows: £’000 Customised mobile devices 10,000 Software services 5,000 15,000 An estimate of the cost of sales for these devices has been recognised in the interim financial statements, assuming a gross profit margin of 60%. Jacky, the finance director, said that we should recognise the Denwa+ sales in full because the contracts were signed before 30 June 20X4 and are legally binding. Jacky added that, because the devices will be delivered before 31 December 20X4, it does not make much difference whether we recognise the revenue in the first or second half of the year. Impairment of Refone In January 20X2, Konext bought the trade and net assets of Refone, a mobile device repair business. Refone’s cash flow is independent of other group cash flows and it is regarded as a separate cash generating unit. At 30 June 20X4, the carrying amounts of the net assets of Refone were: £’000 Property, plant and equipment ICAEW 2022 7,550 Real exam (July 2017) 155 £’000 Brand name 4,175 Goodwill 1,975 Inventory 225 Receivables 1,950 15,875 Payables and other liabilities (3,425) Net assets 12,450 Recently Konext received an offer of £8 million after selling costs for the Refone trade and net assets. Jacky told me that there is currently no plan to sell the business as the budget shows that it can generate pre-tax cash flows of £1,200,000 per annum for the five years to 30 June 20X9. With a pretax annual discount rate of 5%, Jacky believes this business can be a success. However, I wonder if there should be an adjustment to reflect the fall in value of the assets. Deferred advertising costs In March 20X4, Nika, an advertising company, was engaged to market the new mobile device, Denwa+. On 30 June 20X4, Konext recorded invoices totalling £1 million from Nika for marketing services delivered by that date by debiting the statement of profit or loss and crediting the Nika payable account. Konext has agreed to issue 100,000 of its £1 ordinary shares to Nika, in full settlement of the £1 million owed to Nika. The date of the share issue is expected to be 1 September 20X4. However, Jacky has accounted for the £1 million as a prepayment in the interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 20X4 by debiting prepayments and crediting the statement of profit or loss. She explained to me that the final cost for the marketing services will depend on the share price on 1 September 20X4 and it should, in any case, be matched against the deliveries of the Denwa+, which start in August 20X4. I am concerned that this treatment is not correct. Defined benefit scheme Konext operates a defined benefit pension scheme for its senior executives and a defined contribution scheme for other employees. Konext’s employer contributions to the schemes for the six months to 30 June 20X4 have been charged to the interim statement of profit or loss as follows: £’000 Defined benefit scheme Defined contribution scheme 900 3,600 4,500 The service cost for the defined benefit scheme for the year ending 31 December 20X4 is expected to be £2.8 million. The six-month interest rate to 30 June 20X4 on a selection of corporate bonds is 3.25%. The net benefit pension obligation of £2.3 million reported at 31 December 20X3 comprised assets at fair value of £12.2 million and the present value of the obligations of £14.5 million. To date the scheme has not paid out pensions or other benefits to beneficiaries of the scheme. Jacky did not want to incur the cost of asking the scheme actuary to provide measurements of the scheme’s assets and liabilities at 30 June 20X4 as there have been no significant changes since the actuarial valuation at 31 December 20X3. For simplicity, Jacky told me to charge the employer contributions to the interim statement of profit or loss and leave the net pension obligation unchanged. Exhibit 4: Confidential details about information security issue – prepared by Jacky Jones, finance director Last week the Konext IT department emailed me with details of a cyber attack on a Konext data server in Poland. The data server held clients’ business details and bank accounts. It is possible that data from 500 client accounts could have been accessed during the attack. 156 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 There is no evidence so far that client accounts were accessed, so we have not informed the clients. However, there is some risk that clients could suffer a financial loss. I have included a statement disclosing the security issue in my management commentary in the interim financial statements. As this is still being investigated, I don’t want to say too much publicly about it at the moment. Further details will be announced in the year-end consolidated financial statements. 49 Elac Elac plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and supplies metal-framed windows for use in industrial buildings. Elac has investments in several wholly-owned subsidiaries. You are Elac’s financial accountant and you report to Elac’s finance director. You have just returned to work after a holiday. Your assistant, Daniel, an unqualified accountant, has prepared the first draft of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X7 using briefing papers prepared by Elac’s finance director. These briefing papers include details of the following significant matters: • The increase in Elac’s investment in Fenner Ltd and transactions with Fenner Ltd (Exhibit 1) • Trading outside the UK (Exhibit 2) The first draft of Elac’s consolidated statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X7 and its consolidated statement of financial position at that date (Exhibit 3) exclude the results and balances of Fenner Ltd. Fenner has prepared draft financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X7. These are shown in a separate column in Exhibit 3. Exhibit 3 also includes Daniel’s notes showing the adjustments that he has made to Elac’s draft consolidated financial statements. The notes explain areas where he is uncertain about the appropriate financial reporting treatment. Elac’s finance director has asked you to draft a working paper in which you: (1) explain the financial reporting adjustments required in respect of the matters described in the briefing papers (Exhibits 1 and 2) and in Daniel’s notes (Exhibit 3). Include relevant journal entries. Identify any further information required. Ignore the effects of accounting adjustments on taxation; and (2) prepare Elac’s revised consolidated statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X7 and consolidated statement of financial position at that date. These should include the adjustments identified in (1) above. Requirement Prepare the working paper requested by Elac’s finance director. Work to the nearest £0.1 million. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Elac’s investment in Fenner Ltd – briefing paper prepared by Elac’s finance director Fenner, an important supplier to Elac, manufactures toughened glass. In 20X4, Elac bought 5% of the ordinary share capital of Fenner for £50 million. This investment is recognised at cost (which approximates to its fair value) in Elac’s draft consolidated statement of financial position at 31 May 20X7 (Exhibit 3). On 1 February 20X7, Elac bought an additional 20% of the ordinary share capital of Fenner for £350 million in cash from one of Fenner’s principal shareholders. This payment was debited to a suspense account. The additional investment entitles Elac to appoint a director to Fenner’s board. The remaining 75% of Fenner’s shares are held equally by three institutional investors, each of which is entitled to appoint a director to the Fenner board. Fenner has made losses during its financial years ended 30 June 20X6 and 30 June 20X7 but it has continued to pay dividends throughout this period. Fenner paid a dividend of 20p per share on 1 October 20X6 and a dividend of 40p per share on 30 April 20X7. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2017) 157 Trading with Fenner Fenner sells goods to Elac at cost plus a mark-up of 20%. During Elac’s financial year ended 31 May 20X7, Fenner supplied goods to Elac at a price of £145.2 million. Trade takes place evenly throughout the year. At 31 May 20X7, Elac’s inventories included goods supplied by Fenner at a price of £35.0 million and Elac’s trade payables included an amount of £37.6 million due to Fenner. Exhibit 2: Trading outside the UK – briefing paper prepared by Elac’s finance director Until recently, all Elac’s sales were to the UK construction industry. During the financial year ended 31 May 20X7, the group started trading with construction companies in Otherland. Otherland contract The currency of Otherland is the Otherland dollar (O$). In September 20X6, an agent for several construction companies in Otherland agreed a one-year contract with Elac to supply a single type of office window at a price of O$5,000 per window. The contract started on 1 January 20X7 and Elac expects to make a gross profit margin of approximately 30%, which is a much larger margin than UK sales. The contract includes a commitment by Elac to pay the agent a commission of 5% of sales value in O$, provided that total sales for the calendar year 20X7 exceed 16,000 windows. If total sales for 20X7 are below 16,000 windows the rate of commission is reduced to 3%. The commission is payable annually in arrears. Average monthly sales for the five-month period from 1 January 20X7 to 31 May 20X7 were 1,600 windows and this level of sales is expected to continue for the rest of the 20X7 calendar year. Exchange rates: Spot rate at 1 January 20X7 £1 = O$2.2 Spot rate at 31 May 20X7 £1 = O$2.4 Forward rate (at 1 June 20X7) for 31 December 20X7 £1 = O$2.8 Exhibit 3: Draft financial statements Draft statements of profit or loss for the year Elac: consolidated Additional (excluding Fenner) to 31 information May 20X7 Fenner to 30 June 20X7 £m £m 1,855.4 382.4 (1,482.9) (272.0) Revenue Cost of sales 1 Gross profit Operating expenses Investment income 2 372.5 110.4 (270.8) (91.2) 3.6 – Finance costs (9.4) (77.7) Profit/(loss) before tax 95.9 (58.5) (19.1) 12.0 76.8 (46.5) Income tax Profit/(loss) for the year 158 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Draft statements of financial position Elac: consolidated Additional (excluding Fenner) to 31 information May 20X7 Fenner to 30 June 20X7 £m £m 1,799.7 1,180.0 Investments 456.0 – Suspense account 350.0 – 243.8 43.2 238.9 88.8 16.4 –––––– 3,104.8 1,312.0 150.0 10.0 2,255.4 208.4 388.3 1,003.2 305.6 65.6 5.5 24.8 3,104.8 1,312.0 Non-current assets Tangible assets Current assets Inventories Trade receivables 1 Cash Total assets Equity Ordinary share capital (£1 shares) Reserves Long-term liabilities Current liabilities Trade payables and accruals Provisions and borrowings Total equity and liabilities 1 Additional information for Elac’s draft consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X7 – prepared by Daniel (1) Cost of sales Cost of sales includes a provision relating to the Otherland contract. I have classified this as an onerous contract because of the exchange losses I expect to occur between 31 May and 31 December 20X7. I have calculated expected sales over this period as O$56 million (7 months × 1,600 × O$5,000). Using the 1 January 20X7 exchange rate, £ equivalent sales would have been £25.5 million, but at the 31 December 20X7 forward rate, the £ equivalent sales will be only £20 million. I have recognised a provision of £5.5 million under current liabilities. Elac’s trade receivables at 31 May 20X7 include £4.8 million due from Otherland customers. This is the equivalent of O$10.1 million translated at O$2.1 = £1, which was the average exchange rate during the period 1 January 20X7 to 31 May 20X7. I have not recognised any accrual for agent’s commission as this is a contingent liability depending on performance, and should therefore be disclosed only as a note to the financial statements. (2) Investment income Investment income includes the dividends received from Fenner on 1 October 20X6 (£100,000) and on 30 April 20X7 (£1 million). I have made no adjustments in respect of trading with Fenner. 50 Recruit1 You are an audit manager working for Hind LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants with offices in several countries. You have been assigned to the group audit of Recruit1 plc for the year ended 30 April 20X7. Recruit1 is the parent of an international group of companies engaged in executive ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2017) 159 recruitment and training. You receive a briefing from the engagement partner on the Recruit1 group audit: “Our scoping and materiality planning summary (Exhibit 1) provides an overview of the audit procedures planned at each entity within the Recruit1 group. Our audit is nearly complete but I need your help with outstanding matters relating to Recruit1’s subsidiaries in the countries Arca and Elysia. These subsidiaries are R1-Arca Inc and R1-Elysia Ltd. The local currency in Arca is the Arcan dollar (A$) and in Elysia is the Elysian dollar (E$). Last week I received a reporting memorandum from the Hind audit team in Arca (Exhibit 2) which I need you to review. I was relieved to receive their report as the team has not replied to any of our other requests for information. During audit planning, R1-Elysia was assessed as an immaterial subsidiary. However, our review procedures, completed last week, identified that the company bought a property during the year, resulting in material property and loan balances at 30 April 20X7. I asked the audit senior to find out more about this property transaction and she has provided additional information (Exhibit 3). Partner’s instructions (1) I would like you to review the reporting memorandum from the Hind audit team in Arca (Exhibit 2) and for each account identified: (a) describe any weaknesses in the audit procedures; (b) explain any potential financial reporting and audit issues; and (c) set out further audit procedures that either the UK group audit team or the Hind team in Arca should perform, and identify any additional information needed for these procedures. (2) In respect of R1-Elysia’s property transaction and loan, review the further information provided (Exhibit 3) and: (a) explain the financial reporting implications for the consolidated financial statements of Recruit1 for the year ended 30 April 20X7. Recommend appropriate accounting adjustments; and (b) set out any additional audit procedures that should be performed.” Requirement Respond to the partner’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Scoping and materiality planning summary for the Recruit1 group audit for the year ending 30 April 20X7 (Prepared by Hind UK group audit team in January 20X7) Recruit1 has trading subsidiaries, located in many countries around the world. All subsidiaries are wholly owned by Recruit1. All subsidiaries report under IFRS. The Hind UK audit team is responsible for the audit of the parent company, Recruit1 plc, the Recruit1 UK subsidiaries and the audit of the consolidated financial statements. The audits of Recruit1 plc’s non-UK subsidiaries are performed by Hind audit teams in the countries where the subsidiaries are located. Group planning materiality has been determined at £1.2 million. Scoping and component materiality are shown below: Entity Level of component materiality Audit procedures to be performed by Hind Recruit1 plc – the parent company £850,000 UK audit team UK subsidiaries Materiality will be determined separately for each. UK audit team R1-Arca This entity is not required to issue audited financial statements and so work will be performed using component materiality of £300,000 Hind audit team in Arca to perform audit procedures Results are expected to be material to the Recruit1 160 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Entity Level of component materiality group. (A$600,000 as at 31 December 20X6). Other non-UK subsidiaries (including R1-Elysia) £500,000 Results are not expected to be material to the Recruit1 group. Audit procedures to be performed by Hind UK audit team to perform review procedures for unexpected fluctuations or material balances Exhibit 2: Reporting memorandum received from the Hind audit team in Arca on 14 July 20X7 The table below sets out the audit procedures we have performed on the financial statements of R1Arca for the year ended 30 April 20X7 and highlights matters arising. All accounts have been agreed to the consolidation schedules provided to Recruit1. These are reported in A$. At 30 April 20X7, the exchange rate was £1 = A$1.8. Account A$’000 Notes on audit procedures and matters arising Revenue 11,172 Selected a sample of items recorded within revenue and agreed them to invoices and either to the receivables ledger as at 30 April 20X7 or to a cash receipt. No exceptions were noted. Staff costs (4,924) Agreed the total staff costs to payroll schedules provided by the service company which processes the payroll for R1-Arca. Other operating expenses (2,652) Agreed a sample of items to supporting documentation, ensuring that each item is a valid business expense, recorded in the correct period and correctly classified within operating expenses. No exceptions were noted. Interest income 350 No audit procedures carried out as below materiality of A$600,000. Profit before taxation 3,946 Taxation (1,715) Profit for the year 2,231 Retained earnings at 1 May 20X6 4,238 Agreed to draft tax computation prepared by R1Arca’s tax advisors. Checked that current tax payable is correctly calculated as taxable profit of A$4.9 million at the Arcan corporate tax rate of 35%. Reconciled to prior-year financial statements. Retained earnings as reported to Recruit1 as at 30 April 20X6 were A$6,488,000. The difference of A$2,250,000 is due to the reversal of revenue which was incorrectly included in the reporting pack for the year ended 30 April 20X6 as it relates to recruitment services provided in May and June 20X6. This error was discovered during the preparation of the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 20X7. Retained earnings at 30 April 20X7 ICAEW 2022 6,469 Real exam (July 2017) 161 Account A$’000 Notes on audit procedures and matters arising Property, plant and equipment 1,065 In accordance with group policy, property, plant and equipment is measured at cost and depreciated over its useful life. Movements in this account during the year ended 30 April 20X7 relate to immaterial additions and depreciation. As all movements are below component materiality of A$600,000, no further audit procedures have been performed. Trade receivables 2,987 This balance was agreed to a detailed list of receivables which was reviewed for any related party or unusual balances. No such items were noted. A sample of balances with a total of A$453,000 was selected to be tested for agreement to cash received after the year end. Of the sample, A$198,000 has been received to date. As the unpaid element is below component materiality of A$600,000, no further audit procedures have been performed. Other receivables and prepayments 592 No audit procedures carried out as below component materiality of A$600,000. Cash and short- term investments 4,143 Agreed to bank statements or investment confirmations. Total assets 8,787 Trade payables and accruals 2,218 The only material balance within this account is A$1,715,000 relating to tax payable – this is discussed above. Share capital 100 No audit procedures carried out as below component materiality of A$600,000. Retained earnings at 30 April 20X7 6,469 Total equity and liabilities 8,787 Exhibit 3: Further information on property transaction and loan in R1-Elysia – prepared by audit senior I discussed the increase in property and loan balances in R1-Elysia with the group finance director as I was concerned that the carrying amounts are incorrect. On 30 September 20X6, R1-Elysia bought a property for E$6 million with a bank loan of E$6 million taken out on the same date. The loan is repayable in full after five years and interest is payable annually in arrears at a fixed rate of 6% per annum. In Elysia, a tax deduction for interest is available only when the interest is paid. After buying the property, R1-Elysia converted it into a training facility. The conversion took six months and was completed on 1 April 20X7 when the property was ready for use. From 1 April 20X7, R1-Elysia has used the property to run training courses for its clients. Also, training rooms are rented to third parties on a daily or weekly basis. The rental income includes the use of all facilities, together with some administrative support. Catering is provided as an optional service. As the property generates rental and other income, it has been classified as an investment property in the consolidation reporting pack submitted by R1-Elysia. The property is expected to have a useful life of 25 years. 162 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The carrying amounts of the property and the loan in the consolidation reporting pack at 30 April 20X7 are as follows: Property E$’000 Loan E$’000 6,000 6,000 Initial purchase transaction on 30 September 20X6 Conversion and start-up costs incurred (funded from cash) External contractor costs 4,200 Allocated salary costs of R1-Elysia employees 850 Marketing costs 900 Security, insurance and other running costs incurred while the building was empty 750 Interest for 7 months to 30 April 20X7 210 Fair value gain on property due to increase in Elysian property prices in the 7 months to 30 April 20X7 Carrying amounts in the consolidation reporting pack at 30 April 20X7 500 ––––– 13,200 6,210 Under Elysian tax rules, capital allowances of 50% of the cost of buying business property, including all conversion and marketing costs, are given in the year of purchase. Therefore capital allowances of E$6.35 million, based on a total cost before fair value changes of E$12.7 million, have been taken correctly into account in calculating the Elysian current tax charge. No tax deduction is given for depreciation. No other accounting entries have been made in respect of the current or deferred tax on the property or the loan. The tax base does not change if the property is subsequently revalued for accounting purposes. The Elysian corporate tax rate is 35%. Spot exchange rates are as follows: 30 September 20X6 £1 = E$4.0 30 April 20X7 £1 = E$3.6 Average for seven months from 1 October 20X6 to 30 April 20X7 £1 = E$3.8 ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2017) 163 164 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2017) 51 EF You are an audit senior working for a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants, MKM LLP. You have been assigned to the audit of EF Ltd, a UK company which sells home furnishings. In July 20X7, your team completed audit planning and interim audit procedures on EF for its year ending 31 December 20X7. You prepared a file note (Exhibit 1) outlining the key elements of your planned audit approach. The MKM audit manager for the EF audit engagement gives you the following briefing: “On 31 August 20X7, EF was acquired by a listed multinational company, MegaB plc. I have received an email from the EF chief financial officer (CFO) (Exhibit 2) which provides information that may affect our audit plan. MegaB has told the CFO to make some adjustments to EF’s financial statements for four matters. These matters are included in an attachment to the email. MegaB is a client of MKM’s consulting division and we know its finance team well. We have not done much work for the MegaB group in the last 12 months but MKM is currently tendering for a large consultancy contract with MegaB which MKM is keen to win. It is therefore important that we perform well on the EF audit this year. MegaB is audited by Lewis-Morson LLP and today I received a telephone call from the Lewis-Morson group audit partner. The telephone call raises issues for our audit approach and I have summarised it in a brief note (Exhibit 3). Instructions from the MKM audit manager “I need to respond to the CFO’s email (Exhibit 2) and consider its implications for the EF audit. To help me, please prepare a briefing note in which you: (1) Explain, for each of the four matters in the email attachment (Exhibit 2), the appropriate financial reporting treatment in the financial statements of EF for the year ending 31 December 20X7. Identify any additional information you need to finalise the accounting entries required. Ignore any adjustments for current and deferred taxation. (2) Identify and explain the changes that we need to make to each element of the planned audit approach summarised in the file note (Exhibit 1). You should also consider any additional key areas of audit focus and risk using all the information available. (3) Explain any ethical matters which MKM now needs to consider in respect of the 20X7 EF audit and any actions that MKM should take.” Requirement Respond to the MKM audit manager’s instructions. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: File note – planned approach for EF audit – prepared by audit senior in July 20X7 The key elements of our planned audit approach for EF for the year ending 31 December 20X7 are set out below. We have done the following: • Agreed engagement terms and an audit fee of £60,000, giving us an inflationary increase from the prior year. • Established planning materiality at £800,000 based on a forecast profit after tax of £16 million for the year ending 31 December 20X7. • Considered factors affecting the inherent risk associated with the client, noting: – no new business risks; – no unusual pressures on management; and – no factors which cause us to question the effectiveness of the general control environment. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2017) 165 • Assessed the risk of material misstatement, identifying the following balances and assertions as key areas of audit focus: – The accuracy and cut-off of revenue recognition – The valuation of future obligations for the defined benefit pension scheme • Evaluated the design of the controls over revenue and trade receivables. We also performed testing to ensure that these controls had been implemented and we also tested their operating effectiveness for the six months ended 30 June 20X7. No exceptions were identified from this work so we plan to rely on the operating effectiveness of controls over revenue and trade receivables. • Scheduled our final audit visit for March 20X8 in line with the timing of our audit procedures in previous years. During this final visit, we plan to update our testing of operating effectiveness to cover the operation of controls in the six months ending 31 December 20X7. Exhibit 2: Email from EF CFO To: MKM audit manager From: EF CFO Date: 6 November 20X7 Subject: Information and attachment including adjustments required by MegaB Change in ownership of EF EF was acquired by MegaB on 31 August 20X7. As a result, there have been some changes in EF’s staff, systems and procedures. With effect from 1 November 20X7, responsibility for routine accounting was transferred to the MegaB shared service centre. This now processes all our accounting transactions. As EF CFO, I still have overall responsibility for the EF financial statements. I am responsible for reviewing the draft financial statements and for processing journal entries for judgemental, complex or one-off items. MegaB does not get involved in detailed operational matters but expects the EF board to achieve the forecast results. MegaB has made it clear that EF will face cuts in staff if we fail to do so. In the future, it may make sense to appoint the MegaB group auditor as the EF auditor. However, the board has decided that it would like MKM to complete the audit of EF for the year ending 31 December 20X7. Cost control is very tight under our new owners so I am unlikely to be able to approve any increase in the £60,000 audit fee already agreed. Pension scheme MegaB asked its actuary to provide a valuation of the EF defined benefit pension scheme at 31 August 20X7, as it questioned the assumptions that EF’s actuary used last year. Because of changes in the actuarial assumptions used, the revised valuation resulted in a reduction of £10.5 million in the net pension obligation recognised at 31 August 20X7. The MegaB auditor has reviewed the actuarial calculations and is happy with them. The MegaB actuary has confirmed that he expects his actuarial assumptions to be very similar at 31 December 20X7 and he plans to use the same assumptions at that date. Re-organisation and bonus costs Because of MegaB’s acquisition of EF, there are several employees whose services will not be required. A redundancy programme was announced on 1 October 20X7 and 12 members of the finance and administration staff have already left the company, together with three directors and six other members of senior management. They received redundancy payments totalling £1.25 million, which will be recognised in our October 20X7 management accounts. A further 50 members of staff are due to leave on 28 February 20X8, by which time we hope to have signed off our financial statements. They will receive redundancy payments totalling £635,000. There is a new executive bonus scheme for me and the two other remaining directors of EF. If the company exceeds its forecast operating profit of £34 million, we will each receive a bonus payment of £100,000. I have not accrued for this cost, as the bonus will be payable in 20X8. 166 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Financial performance I summarise below key financial data from EF’s management accounts for the nine months ended 30 September 20X7. The results for October 20X7 are not yet available. I hope to provide these in early December 20X7. 9 months ended 30 September 20X7 Actual Year ending 31 December 20X7 Updated forecast Year ended 31 December 20X6 Actual £m £m £m 175.0 274.3 214.0 Gross profit 51.0 76.2 64.2 Operating profit 18.9 34.0 21.4 Profit after tax 14.7 26.0 16.1 Net assets 53.1 74.9 38.4 Revenue Performance for the eight months to 31 August 20X7 was in line with the forecast and the previous year. In September 20X7, revenue increased by around £15 million because of sales of EF products to MegaB subsidiaries outside of the UK. These sales represent our first international revenue and are expected to continue at the same level for the rest of the year. The gross margin is lower than on EF’s other sales, as the prices charged to group companies are lower than those charged to third parties. I have updated the whole forecast to reflect these sales. There have been no changes to costs and revenue other than the additional international sales. Attachment to CFO’s email – adjustments required by MegaB Bob Wright (the MegaB group financial controller) has reviewed EF’s accounting policies and estimates at the acquisition date, 31 August 20X7. He has told me to adjust EF’s financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X7 for the four matters set out below. Brand At 31 August 20X7, an expert valued the EF brand at £20 million and Bob expects to see this asset in the EF statement of financial position. We have not previously recognised any value for the brand and I am unsure as to what costs were incurred to acquire or develop it. Goodwill MegaB has recognised goodwill of £11.2 million relating to the EF business and Bob wants me to recognise this in the EF statement of financial position. Investment property MegaB has a policy of measuring both its investment properties and all other land and buildings at fair value and it requires EF to adopt the same policy, although we have historically used the cost model for all property, plant and equipment (PPE). MegaB valued EF’s PPE as at 31 August 20X7. There was no difference between the carrying amount and fair value of PPE, except for EF’s head office property. The carrying amount of the property at 31 August 20X7 was £1.3 million, including land at £0.7 million. The property had a remaining useful life of 30 years at that date. Because there are plans for EF to vacate the head office property and to rent it to tenants, MegaB wants us to treat it as an investment property. At 31 August 20X7, MegaB valued the head office property at £3.7 million, including land at £0.7 million, based on anticipated rental income. The head office property has three identical floors and each floor can be rented to tenants separately. Until 1 September 20X7, EF occupied the whole building. At that date, it signed a 10year lease with a tenant for the third floor, at an annual rental of £40,000. EF continues to occupy the other two floors. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2017) 167 Trade receivables allowance Historically, EF has taken the IFRS 9 simplified approach for trade receivables, measuring the loss allowance at the lifetime expected credit losses from initial recognition, which typically gave a small total allowance. Bob has now also asked us to apply the three stage approach that, at 31 August 20X7, would give us an impairment allowance of £1.35 million. An impairment allowance calculated on the same basis as at 31 December 20X6 would have amounted to £800,000. The trade receivables do not contain a significant financing component. I would welcome your advice as to what, if anything, we should adjust. I am not sure Bob has really considered the effect on EF’s single company financial statements. The above four matters are not recognised in EF’s management accounts. Exhibit 3: Note of my telephone call with Petra Newton – prepared by MKM audit manager I received a telephone call today from Petra Newton, the group audit partner from Lewis-Morson, MegaB’s auditor. Lewis-Morson LLP expects to sign off the group audit opinion by 28 February 20X8. EF is a significant component of the MegaB group. By 15 February 20X8, Lewis-Morson needs us to do a full audit of EF’s financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X7, based on the component materiality of £3 million, and to prepare a reporting memorandum to Lewis-Morson. The partner confirmed that Lewis-Morson has completed audit procedures on the defined benefit pension scheme obligations at 31 August 20X7, so we may not need to perform separate procedures on these. He will send an email confirming the work done and that no issues were noted. It is likely that, during 20X8, the EF business will be transferred into an existing MegaB subsidiary. As a result, the audit this year may be MKM’s last for EF. The MegaB board is interested only in ensuring that there is no material misstatement at group level. Therefore, it expects MKM to adopt component materiality of £3 million for the single company EF audit. The MegaB board sees no great value in the single company audit and just wants it to be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. 52 Wayte You are Damian Field, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and the financial controller at Wayte Ltd, a manufacturer of industrial weighing machines. The ordinary shares in Wayte are held equally by four members of the Benson family, who are also the directors of the company. You have just returned to work after a period of sick leave. During your absence, Wayte employed an unqualified accountant, Jenny Smith, on an interim contract. On your return to work, you received the following note from Gerard Benson, the production director who is your line manager. Wayte needs to expand production facilities and requires a loan of £10 million from the bank to invest in plant and machinery. The bank has asked for information to support Wayte’s application for this loan. Jenny has prepared a draft information schedule as requested by the bank (Exhibit 1). She has also prepared a draft statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 September 20X7 (Exhibit 2). Jenny told me that her work is incomplete and adjustments are still required. She has left some handover notes for you (Exhibit 3). I believe that Wayte will have no problem obtaining bank finance because profitability is high and increasing, liquidity is generally good and there is ample security for the loan. Instructions I would like you to do the following: (1) Explain the financial reporting adjustments required for the year ended 30 September 20X7 in respect of the issues identified in Jenny’s handover notes (Exhibit 3). Include journal entries for each adjustment. (2) Prepare a revised information schedule for the bank (Exhibit 1) including your financial reporting adjustments to both the figures and the key ratios. 168 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (3) Prepare a report for the board in which you analyse and interpret the financial position and performance of Wayte using your revised information schedule and the draft statement of cashflows (Exhibit 2). Provide a reasoned conclusion on whether the bank is likely to advance the £10 million loan. Requirement Respond to Gerard Benson’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Wayte draft information schedule requested by the bank – prepared by Jenny Performance information for the year ended 30 September 20X7 20X6 £’000 £’000 Revenue 35,400 34,500 Gross profit 10,020 9,660 6,320 3,990 20X7 20X6 £’000 £’000 35,670 33,560 8,490 8,730 27,180 24,830 Cash generated from operations Extracts from statement of financial position at 30 September Total assets Total liabilities Equity Net debt 450 Non-current assets available as security at 30 September 20X7 20X7 £’000 Land 1,000 Buildings 18,200 Financial assets: fair value through OCI 430 Financial assets: fair value through profit or loss 192 Plant and equipment 8,678 28,500 Key ratios 20X7 Gearing (Net debt/equity) × 100 1.7% Gross profit margin 28.3% Return on capital employed (Operating profit/net debt + equity) × 100 16.0% ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2017) 169 Exhibit 2: Wayte draft statement of cash flows for year ended 30 September 20X7 – prepared by Jenny Cash generated from operations (Note) 20X7 20X6 £’000 £’000 6,320 3,990 (810) (790) 5,510 3,200 Tax paid Net cash from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Dividends received Purchase of PPE 30 (2,408) (2,656) (192) (430) (2,570) (3,086) Dividends paid (3,000) – Directors’ interest-free loan accounts repaid (1,000) –––––– (4,000) –––––– (1,060) 114 Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 610 496 Cash and cash equivalents carried forward (450) 610 4,440 4,040 (30) – 1,100 690 Purchase of financial asset Cash flows from financing activities Net change in cash and cash equivalents Note: Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations Profit before tax Investment income Depreciation charge Decrease (increase) in inventories 250 (400) Decrease (increase) in trade receivables 330 (360) Increase in trade payables 230 20 6,320 3,990 Cash generated from operations Exhibit 3: Handover notes for Damian, financial controller – prepared by Jenny Financial instruments I have accounted for the foreign exchange implications of all trading transactions, and I am satisfied that these are correctly recognised. However, I was unsure about the correct treatment of the two financial assets and have made no year-end adjustments in respect of them. • On 30 September 20X6, Wayte invested in 2% of the issued ordinary share capital of PSN, a company based in Ausland, where the currency is the Auslandian dollar (AS$). The investment comprised 2,000 shares and was recognised as a financial asset at fair value through other comprehensive income with a value of £430,000. Wayte had made an irrevocable election to treat it in this way. On 30 September 20X7, the shares in PSN were quoted in an active market at AS$310 per share. 170 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 • On 1 January 20X7, Wayte invested in 1% of the issued ordinary share capital of another Auslandian company, LXP. Wayte bought 50,000 shares at AS$5 each, and the investment was recognised by Wayte at £192,000. Wayte correctly classified this investment as fair value through profit or loss. On 30 September 20X7, the shares in LXP were quoted in an active market at AS$7 per share. The exchange rates for the Auslandian dollar were: At 30 September 20X6 £1 = AS$1.4 At 1 January 20X7 £1 = AS$1.3 At 30 September 20X7 £1 = AS$1.6 Revenue Until recently, Wayte sold weighing machines without service contracts. On 31 July 20X7, Wayte signed a new contract with a large customer, JM Ltd, to supply weighing machines together with a two-year fixed-term service contract. For two years after delivery of the machines, Wayte’s engineers will make quarterly visits to JM to service them. Sales made under this contract in August and September 20X7 were £4,500,000, comprising machine sales of £3,750,000 and services valued at £750,000. No service visits are due until December 20X7 at the earliest, so no service costs were incurred under this contract before 30 September 20X7. I have left the full amount of £4,500,000 in revenue, but I am not sure if this is correct under IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Deferred tax A deferred tax balance of £1,200,000 was brought forward on 1 October 20X6. This relates entirely to temporary differences in respect of the revaluation of land and buildings. I have made no adjustment to the balance of £1,200,000, but I think it is likely that adjustments will be required in respect of the following: • Land and buildings are carried at revalued amounts. I have adjusted for the revaluation on 30 September 20X7, which increased the value to £19,200,000. The original cost of the land and buildings was £11,400,000. In Wayte’s tax jurisdiction no tax allowances are given for depreciation charged on land and buildings. A taxable capital gain will arise in future on the sale of land and buildings. This capital gain is calculated as the difference between the sale proceeds and the original cost. A tax on capital gains of 20% will apply when the land and buildings are sold. • Any temporary differences arising in respect of adjustments you make from note (1) above. The tax treatment for financial instruments follows the accounting treatment in respect of gains and losses recognised through profit or loss. Current tax Adjustments from notes (1) and (2) above may require adjustments to the current tax charge. Tax is charged at 20%. 53 SettleBlue SettleBlue plc (SB) is a UK AIM-listed company, operating in the outdoor retail sector. SB owns several subsidiaries and has an investment in CeeGreen Ltd (CG). Owen-Grey LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants, is the auditor of SB and its subsidiaries. It also audits CG. You are an audit senior working on the SB group audit and SB parent company audit for the year ended 30 September 20X7. Other audit teams from Owen-Grey are responsible for the individual audits of SB’s subsidiaries and CG. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2017) 171 The group audit engagement manager left you the following briefing note including instructions: Briefing note The draft consolidated financial statements for SB for the year ended 30 September 20X7 show profit after tax of £5.3 million. SB uses the proportion of net asset method to value non-controlling interests when preparing consolidated financial statements. Our audit procedures are nearly complete and I need your help in respect of the following: Investment in CG The SB financial controller, Geri Hawes, has sent me a note with information about two key matters concerning SB’s investment in CG (Exhibit 1). Audit of parent company’s trade and other payables SB’s purchases and its trade and other payables balances have been identified as high audit risk balances. Ann Zhang, the Owen-Grey audit associate responsible for this area of our work, has just gone on leave. She has left a file note summarising two issues arising from her audit procedures for the year ended 30 September 20X7 (Exhibit 2). Ann asked Owen-Grey’s data analytics team to analyse SB’s purchase data using our new data analytics system, Titan. This analysis was delayed and has only just been provided. It includes a dashboard summarising the results (Exhibit 3). Instructions (1) Explain, for each of the two matters identified in Geri’s note (Exhibit 1), the appropriate financial reporting treatment in SB’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7. Set out appropriate adjustments. Ignore any potential adjustments for current and deferred taxation. (2) Review the file note prepared by Ann (Exhibit 2) and the dashboard (Exhibit 3) and: (a) identify and explain any weaknesses in the audit procedures completed by Ann on the two issues; (b) analyse the information provided in the dashboard to identify the audit risks; and (c) set out any additional audit procedures that we will need to perform. Requirement Respond to the audit engagement manager’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Note prepared by Geri Hawes, SB’s financial controller There are two key matters concerning SB’s investment in CG which have arisen during the year ended 30 September 20X7. (1) Additional investment in CG CG was set up by the Troon family 10 years ago to manufacture tents. CG is one of SB’s key suppliers. On 1 June 20X5, CG issued 100,000 new ordinary £1 shares to SB for cash at £20 per share. At 30 September 20X5 and 20X6, the issued ordinary share capital was held as follows: Shareholder Number of £1 ordinary shares John Troon 600,000 Ken Troon – John’s son 200,000 Sharon Troon – Ken’s wife 100,000 SB 100,000 1,000,000 172 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 John, Ken and Sharon were the only directors of CG until 1 January 20X7. At 30 September 20X5, SB recognised its investment in CG as a financial asset at fair value through other comprehensive income at its fair value of £2 million, making an irrevocable election to recognise it as such. At 30 September 20X6, the SB board estimated the fair value of the investment to be £2.5 million and an increase of £0.5 million was recognised in other comprehensive income. On 1 January 20X7, John offered to sell his 600,000 shares to SB for £15 million. SB bought 40% of John’s shares on 1 January 20X7 for a consideration of £6 million. SB also holds a call option to buy the remaining 60% of John’s shares on 1 January 20X8 for £9 million. On 1 January 20X7, John resigned as a director of CG. SB appointed two representatives to the CG board as marketing and production directors. Since they joined the board, CG’s performance has improved significantly and this trend is expected to continue. In SB’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7, the investment in CG is recognised at £8.5 million, as a simple investment in equity instruments, since SB does not own the majority of the shares in CG. (2) Share options On 1 January 20X7, as an incentive to work more closely with SB, Ken and Sharon were appointed as directors of SB. The service agreement includes the following key terms: • Ken and Sharon are not paid cash salaries. • On 1 January 20X9, Ken and Sharon have the right to receive (provided that they are still directors of SB at 1 January 20X9) either 32,000 SB shares or cash to the equivalent value of 28,000 SB shares. • At 1 January 20X7, the fair value of the share route has been calculated at £20 for the right to receive one SB share on 1 January 20X9. • The market value of SB’s shares at 1 January 20X7 was £22 per share and at 30 September 20X7, it was £24 per share. I have not made any adjustment for this service agreement in the consolidated financial statements as no cash has been paid. Exhibit 2: File note: Key issues arising from audit procedures on purchases, trade and other payables – prepared by Ann Zhang, Owen-Grey audit associate on SB audit Issue 1: Goods received not invoiced (GRNI) accrual of £610,000 When goods are received in SB’s factory, they are matched to a purchase order on SB’s computer system and a goods received note (GRN) is produced and recorded on a list of goods received not invoiced (GRNI). When the purchase invoice is received from the supplier, it is matched to the GRN, which is removed from the GRNI list on SB’s computer system. The purchase invoice is then authorised for payment and recorded in the purchases and payables accounts. At 30 September 20X7, SB has calculated an accrual of £610,000 from the list of GRNI and made the following adjustment: DEBIT CREDIT Cost of sales £610,000 Trade and other payables £610,000 My controls testing of the matching of GRNs to purchase invoices showed that the controls did not operate effectively during the year ended 30 September 20X7. This was due to inexperienced SB staff members not matching purchase invoices to the correct GRNs. Therefore, I tested a sample of 10 GRNs included on the GRNI list at 30 September 20X7 to make sure that the goods were received before the year-end. I also tested completeness by agreeing large payments made to suppliers after 30 September 20X7 to the payables account for the appropriate supplier. Issue 2: Accrual for a debit balance of £290,000 on MAK Ltd payables account At 30 September 20X7, the payable account of MAK Ltd, a large supplier of goods to SB, shows a debit balance of £290,000. This balance arose because SB did not receive purchase invoices from MAK for goods received in June and July 20X7 when MAK’s accountant was on sick leave. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2017) 173 To authorise payments to MAK without purchase invoices, SB’s accounts staff used GRNs prepared by SB’s warehouse and recorded on the GRNI list as evidence that the goods had been received from MAK. SB accounted for the payments to MAK for these goods by crediting the cash account and debiting MAK’s payables account. No adjustment has been made to the GRNI list for these payments. SB has corrected the transaction by recording the following journal entry: DEBIT Cost of sales CREDIT £290,000 Trade and other payables £290,000 I agreed payments of £290,000 made to MAK before 30 September 20X7 to SB’s bank statements. I confirmed that SB did not receive the invoices from MAK by agreeing the amounts to GRN on the GRNI list at 30 September 20X7. Invoices relating to these goods have been received by SB and recorded after 30 September 20X7. I have asked SB to provide a supplier statement from MAK but have not yet received a response. Exhibit 3: Dashboard of results from the application of the Titan analytics system SB provided Owen-Grey with its purchases data files for the year ended 30 September 20X7. OwenGrey’s Titan analytics system has been applied to this data. The system analysed 100% of purchase orders and goods received notes raised in the year ended 30 September 20X7. The following results have been obtained: Test for all data (including MAK Ltd) Outcome Number of purchase orders raised 7,246 Number of GRNs raised and matched to purchase orders 6,884 Average number of days from GRN to receipt of purchase invoice 10 days Number of GRNs not invoiced at 30 September 20X7 (GRNI) 311 Number of GRNs over 2 months old not invoiced at 30 September 20X7 156 Average order value £1,900 Largest 4 suppliers: Average number of days from GRN to receipt of purchase invoice MAK Ltd CG Ltd UMD Ltd Pegs Ltd 0 174 10 20 Corporate Reporting 30 ICAEW 2022 One supplier, MAK Ltd was identified as an outlier showing the following data: Test for MAK Ltd Outcome Number of purchase orders raised 771 Number of GRNs raised and matched to purchase orders 732 Average number of days from GRN to receipt of purchase invoice 21 days Number of GRNs not invoiced at 30 September 20X7 (GRNI) 142 Number of GRNs over 2 months old not invoiced at 30 September 20X7 122 Average order value £2,040 Frequency of order value for MAK Ltd 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% ICAEW 2022 3, £2 ,8 01 -£ -£ 01 ,1 £2 50 80 2, 2, -£ 01 ,4 £1 0 0 0 10 40 1, -£ 01 £7 £0 -£ 70 0 0 0% Real exam (November 2017) 175 176 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2018) 54 EC EC Ltd is the UK parent company of a diversified manufacturing group. EC Ltd supplies water irrigation systems. You are Jess Rowe, and you work for Myner LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Myner LLP has been responsible for the audit of EC Ltd and the companies in the EC group for several years. You are assigned to the audit of the EC group for the year ended 31 May 20X8. You report to Gaynor Fodes, the EC audit engagement partner. The individual company audits of EC Ltd and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 May 20X8 are in progress. Gaynor gives you the following briefing and instructions: “The EC Ltd audit team has identified three audit issues for my attention (Exhibit 1). These issues involve judgements made by the EC Ltd directors which increase audit risk and therefore require extra audit time. I will be discussing these issues with the EC Ltd directors at a meeting next week. I have provided you with the EC group draft summary consolidated statement of profit or loss and notes (Exhibit 2). This statement of profit or loss does not include any adjustments arising from the three audit issues identified by the EC Ltd audit team.” Instructions Gaynor provides the following instructions. (1) For each of the three audit issues: (a) Explain and set out the correct financial reporting treatment in the EC group financial statements and EC Ltd individual financial statements. Ignore the tax impact arising from any adjustments. (b) Set out the key audit risks and the relevant audit procedures that we should perform. (2) Prepare a revised summary consolidated statement of profit or loss including, where appropriate, your adjustments for the three audit issues. (3) Explain briefly, without calculations, the impact of your adjustments on the income tax expense. Requirement Respond to Gaynor’s instructions. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Audit issues identified by EC Ltd audit team Issue 1: Disposal of shares in Luka Ltd Ten years ago, EC Ltd paid £10.5 million for 75,000 shares in Luka Ltd, which represented 75% of Luka’s 100,000 issued ordinary shares. An unconnected Japanese company owns 25% of Luka’s issued ordinary shares. Luka Ltd manufactures water pumps. On 1 December 20X7, EC Ltd sold 60,000 of its shares in Luka for £7.9 million to Walter Brown, Luka’s CEO. The fair value of EC Ltd’s remaining 15% investment in Luka was estimated to be £1 million at that date. The directors have made a judgement that EC Ltd no longer has control over Luka and it should not consolidate Luka as a subsidiary. They also judged that EC Ltd does not have significant influence over Luka. EC Ltd’s financial statements and the EC draft consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X8 show an investment in 15,000 shares in Luka at cost of £2.1 million. In the draft consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X8, the directors have treated Luka as a discontinued operation as they believe that Luka represents a major line of business from which EC has now withdrawn. Luka’s loss for the six-month period to 1 December 20X7 has been presented as one figure in the consolidated statement of profit or loss. A loss of £500,000 on disposal of the shares in Luka is also included. This is calculated as proceeds of £7.9 million less cost of £8.4 million, being £10.5 million × 60,000/75,000 shares (Exhibit 2, note 2). We believe that the financial reporting treatment of the sale of Luka shares may not be correct. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2018) 177 The following information was noted during our audit procedures: • Two of the four members of Luka’s board are also EC Ltd board directors. The Japanese company is represented by one director on the Luka board. • Luka buys filter systems from WFT Ltd, a 100%-owned subsidiary of EC Ltd. The filter system is designed specifically for Luka’s water pumps. • Luka continues to use the EC group’s shared service centre, which provides Luka with marketing and accounting services for a monthly fee. Issue 2: Contingent liability EC Ltd competes internationally for large contracts to supply irrigation systems for farms. The contracts are with governments and local contractors. Local law often requires EC Ltd to use commercial intermediaries and, in some countries, the tender process is open to corruption. EC Ltd has control procedures to ensure that all contracts are compliant with UK and local law. Breaches of laws can lead to fines and restrictions on future business. In January 20X8, a fraud investigation commenced into bribery and corruption, in a country in which EC Ltd operates. EC Ltd is being investigated and is cooperating with the authorities. We reviewed minutes of EC Ltd directors’ meetings which show that the fraud investigation was discussed on 12 January 20X8. The directors are satisfied that EC Ltd’s control procedures have mostly been complied with, but that there could be isolated occurrences where intermediaries were paid sums of money by EC Ltd personnel to secure contracts. Advice from EC Ltd’s internal legal department was presented to the directors as follows: • Similar investigations in other countries have taken five years to be resolved. • Estimates of the likelihood of EC Ltd being found liable for fines are as follows: Estimate of fines Probability No fines payable 52% £1.0 million 38% £1.5 million 10% The directors have made a judgement that because the investigation is ongoing and it is difficult to identify if, or when, any fines will be payable, only a contingent liability note should be included in the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X8. The board minutes also record that future operating losses caused by the restriction of trade during the anticipated five-year investigation are expected to be £100,000 each year, regardless of the outcome of the fraud investigation. Therefore, a provision of £433,000 (using a 5% pa interest rate for the time value of money) is included in operating expenses in the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X8. Issue 3: Sale of manufacturing division in Spain EC Ltd owns a manufacturing division in Spain which consists of a factory, an office building and plant and equipment. The division makes water pumps which EC Ltd uses for its irrigation systems. Because of wage increases in Spain, it is now cheaper for EC Ltd to buy a similar pump from a UK supplier. Therefore, on 1 March 20X8, the EC Ltd board decided to sell some of the Spanish division’s assets. The carrying amounts of the division’s property, plant and equipment are as follows: Cost at 31 May 20X7 and 31 May 20X8 Factory (including land) Office (including land) Plant and equipment £’000 £’000 £’000 4,385 4,640 4,850 Accumulated depreciation at 1 June 20X7 (685) (800) (1,986) Depreciation for the year ended 31 May 20X8 (137) (160) (286) 3,563 3,680 Carrying amount at 31 May 20X8 178 Corporate Reporting 2,578 ICAEW 2022 The factory and office buildings are depreciated over 25 years with zero residual values and plant and equipment is depreciated at 10% pa on a reducing balance basis. On 1 March 20X8, a surveyor in Spain valued the factory (including land) and office (including land), in euro, as follows: €’000 Notes on valuation method Factory 5,040 The valuation is based on the price per square metre achieved in the sale of a similar property in February 20X8. Office 5,570 As no similar properties have recently been sold, the valuation is based on forecast rental income per square metre and occupancy rates. EC Ltd advertised the factory for sale in March 20X8 and expects to sell it within six months. EC Ltd decided that it would achieve a higher return by renting out the office building. On 1 March 20X8, EC Ltd signed a three-year agreement to lease the office building to an unconnected company. EC Ltd’s accounting policy is to recognise investment properties at fair value. On 30 June 20X8, EC Ltd received an offer from a Spanish company to buy the plant and equipment for €2,519,000. Exchange rates for the € are: 1 March 20X8 £1 = €1.20 31 May 20X8 £1 = €1.10 30 June 20X8 £1 = €1.12 The directors told the audit team that, because of the uncertainty regarding the recoverable amount of the manufacturing division’s assets, no adjustments have been made to EC Ltd’s non-current assets in the draft consolidated financial statements at 31 May 20X8. Exhibit 2: EC group − draft summary consolidated statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X8 £’000 Continuing operations Revenue Profit before tax 31,170 1,896 Income tax expense (Note 1) Profit from continuing operations (380) 1,516 Discontinued operations Loss from discontinued operations (Note 2) (1,250) Profit for the year 266 Additional information (1) Income tax expense The income tax expense includes adjustments for current tax and deferred tax at 20%. Income tax is calculated for each group company based on 20% of the accounting profit, except for the following tax rules relating to non-current assets: • No tax implications arise from a profit or loss on disposal of shares. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2018) 179 • No tax relief is given for a depreciation expense or an impairment charge for buildings or plant and equipment. • Tax depreciation is available for purchases of plant and equipment. No tax depreciation is available for buildings. • Tax is payable on gains when a building is sold and is calculated based on the difference between the disposal proceeds and the original cost. (2) Loss from discontinued operations of Luka On 1 December 20X7, EC Ltd sold 60,000 of its shares in Luka. Luka’s loss for the six-month period from 1 June 20X7 to 1 December 20X7, together with the loss on the disposal of these shares, are presented as a single line in the statement of profit or loss as discontinued operations. This comprises: £’000 Loss before taxation (890) Income tax 140 Loss after taxation (750) Loss on disposal of shares in Luka (500) Loss from discontinued operations (1,250) Luka’s net assets at 31 May 20X8 were £9.25 million. Luka’s revenue for the year ended 31 May 20X8 was £15 million. It made a loss of £1.5 million after tax for the year ended 31 May 20X8. Luka’s revenue and loss arise evenly throughout the year. Goodwill arising on the consolidation of Luka was fully impaired at 1 June 20X7. EC Ltd measures non-controlling interests using the proportion of net assets method. 55 Raven plc Raven plc is an unlisted company which manufactures electrical products. You are an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. You have just been appointed as financial controller at Raven. The previous financial controller left in July 20X7 and, since then, Raven’s accounting has been under the temporary control of Simon, a part-qualified accountant. Simon has prepared draft financial statements for the year ended 30 April 20X8 with extracts provided in Exhibit 1. Simon has been unable to deal with some complex financial reporting matters and has left you notes on the issues that require further work (Exhibit 2). The candidate is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant who has just been appointed as financial controller of Raven plc, an unlisted business that produces electrical products. The candidate is supplied with information extracted from the draft financial statements of the company for the year ended 30 April 20X8. This information has been prepared by an unqualified accountant, who has also supplied a list of outstanding matters. The candidate is required to explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for five financial reporting matters: a cash flow hedge, the issue of ordinary shares to a supplier in exchange for goods, an impairment of a previously revalued asset, a sale and leaseback and transactions in relation to a defined benefit pension scheme. The candidate is also required to prepare revised draft extracts of the financial statements. Requirements 55.1 Explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for each of the items in Simon’s notes (Exhibit 2) and set out the adjusting journal entries required. 55.2 Prepare revised financial statement extracts which include your adjustments. Note: Ignore current tax and deferred tax Total: 30 marks 180 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 1: Raven plc: Extracts from draft financial statements – prepared by Simon Extracts from statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 30 April 20X8 £’000 Profit before tax 2,300 Other comprehensive income − Extracts from statement of financial position at 30 April 20X8 Additional information (see Exhibit 2) £’000 3 and 4 53,860 Suspense account − one 1 6,757 Financial asset 1 706 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 61,323 Current assets 20,859 Total assets 82,182 Equity Share capital (£1 ordinary shares) 200 Retained earnings Revaluation reserve Cash flow hedge reserve 25,920 3 and 4 6,200 1 706 Other reserves 600 33,626 Non-current liabilities Loans 18,650 Pension – net defined benefit liability 5 136 Suspense account − two 4 10,000 28,786 Current liabilities 2 Total equity and liabilities 19,770 82,182 Exhibit 2: Additional information on financial reporting issues – prepared by Simon (1) Cash flow hedge On 1 March 20X7, Raven signed an agreement to purchase a new machine from a supplier in Ruritania, where the currency is the Ruritanian dollar (R$). The machine, costing R$50 million, was delivered and paid for on 31 July 20X7. On 1 March 20X7, to provide a hedge against exchange rate movements, Raven entered into a forward contract to buy R$50 million on 31 July 20X7 at a rate of £1 = R$7.4. All necessary documentation was prepared for hedge accounting and the contract was designated as a cash flow hedge. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2018) 181 In respect of the forward contract, a financial asset of £705,930 was recognised in the statement of financial position at 30 April 20X7. An equal amount was recognised, through other comprehensive income, in a cash flow hedge reserve. This was the first time that Raven had designated a hedging arrangement. The arrangement meets the requirements for hedge accounting specified in IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, including the hedge effectiveness criteria. On 31 July 20X7, the machine was purchased as planned and the forward contract settled. On that date, the following journal entries were made: £ DEBIT Suspense account − one (R$50,000,000/5.7) CREDIT Cash DEBIT Cash CREDIT £ 8,771,930 8,771,930 2,015,173 Suspense account − one 2,015,173 The net debit to suspense account − one was £6,756,757. No further entries have been made in respect of the machine purchase or the cash flow hedge. The machine is to be depreciated on a straight-line basis over five years, assuming zero residual value. Spot and forward exchange rates were as follows: Spot Forward (for delivery on 31 July 20X7) 1 March 20X7 £1= R$7.3 £1= R$7.4 30 April 20X7 £1= R$6.5 £1= R$6.7 31 July 20X7 £1= R$5.7 £1= R$5.7 (2) Issue of ordinary shares On 1 May 20X7, Raven had 200,000 £1 ordinary shares in issue. On 1 November 20X7, Ester Ltd, one of Raven’s suppliers, agreed that each month it would supply goods at a fair value of £2,000 in exchange for 50 new £1 shares in Raven. This agreement is for a period of two years until 31 October 20X9. As a result, in the year ended 30 April 20X8, 300 £1 ordinary shares were issued to Ester. No accounting entry has yet been made in respect of the share issue, but the following entry has been made in respect of goods purchased from Ester between 1 November 20X7 and 30 April 20X8: £ DEBIT CREDIT Cost of sales Trade payables £ 12,000 12,000 (3) Non-current assets: fixed production line Raven has a fixed production line. It has a policy of revaluing this production line because of its specialist nature. No annual transfer for depreciation is made from revaluation reserve to retained earnings. This production line cost £8 million on 1 May 20X2. It was to be depreciated on a straight-line basis over 10 years, with an estimated nil residual value. The asset was revalued on 30 April 20X5 to £6.3 million. The asset’s estimated useful life and residual value were unchanged. An impairment review of the asset took place on 30 April 20X8, at which date the production line had an estimated fair value less costs to sell of £2.6 million and a value in use of £2.8 million. No impairment has been recognised in respect of this fixed production line in the draft financial statements. 182 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Depreciation on the production line has been correctly calculated for the year ended 30 April 20X8 before taking into account any revaluation or impairments. (4) Leased asset: administration building Because of a shortage of cash in the business, Raven’s directors decided to sell the company’s administration building for £10 million, its fair value, on 1 May 20X7, leasing it back immediately from the building’s new owners for a period of 10 years. Raven does not have an option to buy back the building. The carrying amount of the building immediately before the sale was £7 million. The transaction qualifies as a sale in accordance with IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The receipt of cash of £10 million on 1 May 20X7 was debited to cash and credited to Suspense account − two. No other accounting entries have been made in respect of the disposal of the building. The building’s lease requires an annual rental payment of £540,000, payable in arrears every 30 April. The first payment was made on 30 April 20X8 and was debited to rental expenses in profit or loss. The payment of £540,000 represents an annual market rate for the lease of the building. Raven expects to continue to occupy the building, which has a remaining useful life of 50 years, for the next 10 years. The interest rate implicit in the lease is 5%. (5) Pension scheme Raven operates a defined benefit pension scheme for its directors. On 1 May 20X7, the fair value of the pension scheme assets was £2,830,000 and the present value of the pension scheme obligations was £2,966,000, resulting in a net defined benefit liability in the statement of financial position at that date of £136,000. During the year ended 30 April 20X8, the scheme received contributions of £575,000 from Raven. This amount has been debited to staff costs. According to Raven’s actuary, the current service cost for the year ended 30 April 20X8 was £390,000. Benefits were improved during the year resulting in past service costs of £120,000. The amount of benefits paid in the year by the pension scheme was £330,000. Raven’s actuary estimates the fair value of the pension scheme assets at 30 April 20X8 to be £3,248,000 and the present value of the pension scheme obligations at that date to be £3,457,600. An annual discount rate of 5% is to be applied to the pension scheme assets and liabilities. 56 MRL You are an audit senior working for Cromer Bell LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You have been assigned to the audit of Miles Recruitment Ltd (MRL) for the year ending 31 August 20X8. MRL provides recruitment services to the financial services, transport and technology sectors. It earns revenue by charging business customers a fee for identifying appropriate employees to fill job vacancies. MRL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Milcomba, a listed company incorporated in Elysia. Cromer Bell’s Elysian office is responsible for the group audit of Milcomba. You receive a briefing note and instructions from the Cromer Bell audit manager responsible for the MRL audit: Briefing note from MRL audit manager We need to complete our planning for the MRL audit for the year ending 31 August 20X8. I want you to plan substantive audit procedures to test operating expenses. Last year, we relied wholly on substantive analytical procedures to test all operating expenses, but that approach was criticised in a recent external cold review of our audit. The reviewer’s comments stated that some of the expectations developed by the audit team in their substantive analytical procedures were imprecise. In addition, the reviewer considered that some of the expenses should have been tested using tests of details. As a result, I would expect us to use analytical procedures in a more selective and focused way for this year’s audit. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2018) 183 Although the group audit team in Elysia has performed interim review procedures on the Milcomba consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 28 February 20X8, it did not require us to perform any interim review procedures locally on MRL. Planning materiality for MRL has been determined at £50,000, based on 5% of forecast profit before tax for the year ending 31 August 20X8. MRL’s finance director, Gil Moore, was appointed on 1 March 20X8. We know Gil well, as he was, until February 20X8, a senior audit manager with Cromer Bell. Gil was the manager responsible for the audit of MRL for the year ended 31 August 20X7, which we completed in December 20X7. Gil has provided details of MRL’s operating expenses for the 10 months to 30 June 20X8. I asked the Cromer Bell specialist data analytics team to analyse these. The team has provided a report (Exhibit 1). I met with Gil last week and have summarised our discussion in a note for the file (Exhibit 2). Instructions from MRL audit manager Please consider all the information I have provided and: (1) Identify and explain the key audit risks for our audit of MRL for the year ending 31 August 20X8. Where appropriate, set out and explain any related financial reporting issues, including relevant calculations; (2) For each of the operating expenses (Exhibit 1) explain whether substantive analytical procedures and/or tests of detail would be the more appropriate audit approach. Identify the key substantive audit procedures that we should perform to test each operating expense; and (3) Explain any potential ethical issues in respect of Gil Moore’s behaviour and summarise the actions that Cromer Bell should take to address them. Requirement Respond to the audit manager’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Report from Cromer Bell specialist data analytics team on MRL’s operating expenses for the 10 months ended 30 June 20X8 MRL’s financial statements for the 10 months ended 30 June 20X8 include total operating expenses as shown below. Wages and salaries for administrative staff Other staff expenses Insurance, electricity, gas and other utilities Depreciation of office equipment Movement in allowance for receivables Profit on sale of branch office Legal and professional fees Movement in provision for claims and other legal matters Start-up costs for MP Ltd Other administrative expenses Total operating expenses 184 Corporate Reporting 10 months to 30 June 20X8 10 months to 30 June 20X7 £’000 £’000 2,324 2,159 495 540 1,140 1,275 180 200 80 200 (300) – 210 50 40 180 230 – 76 63 4,475 4,667 ICAEW 2022 MRL’s operating expenses have fluctuated over the 10 months to 30 June 20X8, as shown in the chart below: Operating expenses £’000 Operating expenses by month 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Month Data analytics − potentially unusual or one-off items Our analysis of the underlying data on operating expenses identified the following potentially unusual or one-off items: • In February 20X8, a credit entry of £100,000 was made to the impairment allowance for receivables. • In June 20X8, a credit entry of £300,000 was made in respect of the profit on the sale of the branch office. • December 20X7 expenses include a one-off legal fee of £150,000. • October 20X7 expenses include start-up costs of £230,000. • Movements in the provision for claims and other legal matters were: – a credit entry of £40,000 in February 20X8 – a debit entry of £80,000 in March 20X8. Analysis of journal entries You also asked us to identify any unusual journal entries posted to operating expenses. Our analysis identified two entries posted by Gil Moore, the MRL finance director: (1) In April 20X8: DEBIT Wages and salaries for administrative staff CREDIT £50,000 Accruals £50,000 Half-year bonus for MRL executive team. (2) In May 20X8: DEBIT CREDIT Other staff expenses Cash £9,000 £9,000 New tablet computers for finance team. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2018) 185 Exhibit 2: File note summarising meeting last week with Gil Moore, MRL finance director – prepared by Cromer Bell audit manager Key points noted from my discussion with Gil were as follows. Group performance The Milcomba group is facing challenges in the financial year ending 31 August 20X8, with falling profits at several international subsidiaries. While MRL’s trading is reasonably good, a weakening of the £ has meant that MRL’s profit is lower than in the year ending 31 August 20X7 when translated into Elysian $, the presentation currency for the group. Strong financial management and cost control at group level ensured that the group’s reported results for the six months ended 28 February 20X8 were in line with market expectations. The Milcomba board has made it clear that it expects MRL to deliver profit above budget for the six months to 31 August 20X8. Review of receivables The first monthly report provided for Gil, after his appointment, was for February 20X8 and he spent the limited time available reviewing provisions and other judgemental areas. A significant adjustment he made was to reduce the impairment allowance for receivables by £100,000, based on 12 months’ expected credit losses. His decision to do this was based on a review of receivables written off as irrecoverable in the six months ended 28 February 20X8, which showed that write-offs were lower than anticipated. Revenue MRL’s revenue for the 10 months ended 30 June 20X8 was in line with budget but its customer base has changed. MRL recruited fewer candidates for its traditional financial services customers but attracted new customers in the transport and technology sectors. This resulted in a greater number of candidates but a lower average recruitment fee per job vacancy filled. The terms of business for the new customers are similar to those for existing customers. Recruitment fees are invoiced when a job applicant identified by MRL accepts employment with an MRL customer. The customer can claim a refund of 75% of the recruitment fee if the new employee leaves within one month of starting employment and a refund of 50% of the fee if the employee leaves within three months. Start-up of MP Ltd Recruiting a large number of candidates has put pressure on MRL’s staff resources. To relieve some of this pressure, MRL has entered into an arrangement with another recruitment company, Peerless Ltd. In October 20X7, MRL and Peerless each invested initial capital of £230,000 in a newly-formed company, MP Ltd. The shares of MP are held equally by MRL and Peerless. MRL’s investment is included in operating expenses as start-up costs. MP was created to provide administration and research services to MRL and Peerless. It focuses on lower-salaried positions and utilises advanced technology to obtain efficiencies. MP recharges its costs, plus a margin of 5%, to Peerless and MRL in proportion to the time its staff spend working for each investor. MP did not start trading until May 20X8, because of delays in the installation of its computer system. This computer system and other non-current assets cost £400,000 in total. MP has 30 staff and is performing well, relieving the pressure on MRL’s consultants and allowing them to focus on recruitment of higher-salaried positions. MP is expected to make a profit of £50,000 in the period ending 31 August 20X8. Sale and leaseback of branch office On 30 June 20X8, MRL sold its branch office building for £1,000,000, its market value. The carrying amount at that date was £700,000. The company immediately leased back the office from the new owners for a period of 8 years at £120,000 per year, payable in arrears. The interest rate implicit in the lease is 3%, for which the eight-year cumulative discount factor is 7.020, and the transaction qualifies as a sale under IFRS 15. The only entry Gil made in respect of this transaction was to credit the profit on the sale of £300,000 to profit or loss. 186 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Cold review Gil enquired about our planned audit approach for operating expenses. He had heard about the comments made by the external reviewer who conducted the cold review of the MRL audit file for the year ended 31 August 20X7. Gil hoped that we would not pay too much attention to these comments as they were, in his view, not valid. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2018) 187 188 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2018) 57 Zmant plc You are Trina Briggs, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, working for Dealy and Brant (DB), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. DB has audited Zmant plc and its subsidiaries for some years and you are the audit manager for the Zmant group audit. Zmant plc supplies specialist audio equipment and has several 100%-owned subsidiaries. Zmant and its subsidiaries have a 30 September year end. During the year ended 30 September 20X7, Zmant made the following acquisition: Investment in KJL Zmant made an investment in KJL, a company that produces and sells audio equipment to Zmant. KJL is based in Otherland where the currency is the Otherland $ (O$). On 1 January 20X7, Zmant bought 60% of the issued ordinary share capital of KJL for O$52,800,000. On acquisition, there were no fair value adjustments needed to the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of KJL. On 1 January 20X7, Zmant made a loan of O$21,000,000 to KJL, at an annual interest rate of 6%, repayable at par on 30 September 20X9. KJL prepares its financial statements under IFRS and has a 30 September year end. DB is not the auditor for KJL. DB’s individual audits of Zmant and its subsidiaries are almost finished and the audit of the consolidation is now in progress. The DB audit partner responsible for the Zmant group audit has given you the following briefing: Briefing from audit partner “KJL was identified as a significant component in the group audit plan. KJL is audited by Welzun, an audit firm based in Otherland. The audit plan included an assessment of Welzun’s professional qualifications and independence and no issues were noted. We performed a review of KJL’s financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7 and identified two matters of potential significance to the group audit: • Research and development (R&D) expenditure of O$10,700,000 • Income tax receivable balance of O$8,025,000 We asked Welzun to prepare a report explaining these two matters and the audit procedures that it performed. I have provided you with Welzun’s report (Exhibit 1). Zmant has a new finance director, Janet Gray, who is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. She has asked for help in finalising Zmant’s consolidated financial statements and has sent some extracts and queries to me (Exhibit 2). She has also sent me a newspaper article published in the Otherland News (Exhibit 3) which I find very concerning. I need you to prepare a working paper which addresses the following: (1) For each matter in Exhibit 1: (a) set out and explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for KJL’s financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7; (b) identify and explain any weaknesses in the audit procedures completed by Welzun; and (c) set out any additional audit procedures that should be performed by DB and by Welzun to provide assurance for the group audit opinion. (2) Set out and explain the appropriate adjustments for the financial reporting queries raised by Janet (Exhibit 2) for the year ended 30 September 20X7 for: (a) the individual financial statements of Zmant (b) the consolidated financial statements of Zmant (3) Calculate goodwill to be recognised for KJL in Zmant’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7. Assume Zmant uses the proportion of net assets method to value the non-controlling interest in KJL. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2018) 189 (4) Explain the ethical issues for DB arising from the newspaper article (Exhibit 3) and any related matters. Set out and explain how DB should respond. Advise Janet on any actions she should take.” Requirement Prepare the working paper requested by the audit partner. Total: 42 marks Exhibit 1: Report on matters of significance to the group audit – prepared by Welzun, KJL’s auditor We set out below our report on the matters of significance identified by DB in its review of KJL’s financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7. Audit procedures have been performed in accordance with component materiality determined by DB at O$1,800,000. Research and development (R&D) expenditure of O$10,700,000 The government in Otherland gives generous tax relief for R&D costs provided that the costs are expensed in the statement of profit or loss. O$10,700,000 has been expensed in the year ended 30 September 20X7, comprising the costs of the following two R&D projects: Project Sound: O$7,900,000 Project Sound commenced on 1 January 20X7. The project’s objective was to adapt an existing speaker produced by KJL for the car industry. The project started after L-Motors, a customer of KJL, requested a customised speaker for its cars. On 1 April 20X7, L-Motors placed a large order for the speaker. Costs of this project, which have been expensed to the statement of profit or loss, are: O$’000 Materials for prototype model 1,725 New computer equipment – bought on 1 January 20X7 1,700 Salary costs of development staff incurred after 1 April 20X7 1,270 incurred before 1 April 20X7 790 Registration fees for design 910 Car used for speaker testing – bought on 1 January 20X7 555 Allocated general overheads 950 7,900 As each cost was less than component materiality, no detailed audit procedures were performed. We asked KJL whether the computer equipment and the car should have been included in PPE rather than expensed. • KJL informed us that the cost of the computer equipment was expensed because it was being used for this project. If capitalised, this computer equipment would have been written off over two years under KJL’s depreciation policy. • KJL informed us that, since completion of the project, the CEO of KJL has driven the car. Including the cost of the car in PPE would result in a personal tax liability for the CEO under Otherland tax rules. Project Entertain: O$2,800,000 The project’s objective is to determine the success of product events. KJL obtains new business by arranging product events for existing and potential customers. A product event involves sales staff and other KJL personnel entertaining customers with food and drink and at the same time demonstrating and selling KJL’s products. KJL paid O$2,800,000 to a public relations company, GetGo, which made all the arrangements for the product events and carried out analysis of the new business generated. 190 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 We agreed the cost of O$2,800,000 to invoices from GetGo, authorised by KJL’s CEO, and also to the bank statements. We requested a copy of GetGo’s report showing the analysis of the new business generated and we were told by KJL that GetGo will provide the report in 20X8. Income tax receivable balance of O$8,025,000 The income tax receivable balance is in respect of a tax refund for R&D expenditure. Welzun’s tax department confirmed that a tax refund will be received based on the following formula: 250% × R&D expenditure included in the statement of profit or loss × 30% tax rate. Welzun’s tax department confirmed that KJL pays tax at 30% and that the receivable balance of O$8,025,000 has been correctly calculated. As the R&D tax claim was prepared by Welzun’s own tax department, no audit procedures were performed. Exhibit 2: Financial statement extracts and queries from Janet Gray Extracts from financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7 Zmant group KJL £’000 O$’000 10,000 25,000 Retained earnings at 1 October 20X6 9,200 45,000 Profit for the year 2,200 15,000 21,400 85,000 Equity Share capital Janet Gray’s queries Before I complete the consolidation of KJL with Zmant, I would like your advice on the correct financial reporting treatment of the following: Loan to KJL £3,500,000 In Zmant’s statement of financial position, there is a receivable balance of £3,500,000 which represents the O$21,000,000 loan made to KJL on 1 January 20X7. My predecessor translated the O$21,000,000 loan using the exchange rate at 1 January 20X7, which was £1 = O$6.0. The exchange rate at 30 September 20X7 was £1 = O$4.8. I do not know whether I need to include any adjustments for exchange differences because, under Zmant’s and KJL’s tax jurisdictions, there is no tax payable on exchange differences recognised in the statement of profit or loss. Instead, gains and losses are taxed at 20% when the loan is repaid. In any case, I understand that the balances will cancel on consolidation. Inventory In the year ended 30 September 20X7, Zmant bought goods from KJL for £5,500,000. KJL charges Zmant a mark-up of 35% on cost. There are no intra-group trading balances outstanding at the year end between KJL and Zmant. Zmant’s inventory at 30 September 20X7 includes £2,500,000 of goods which were bought from KJL. I believe I need to adjust for the intra-group profit. I have calculated the adjustment as follows, but I am not sure that it is correct: Profit on goods bought by Zmant from KJL = £5,500,000 × 35% £1,925,000 Profit on goods bought by Zmant from KJL for 9 months from 1 January 20X7 to 30 September 20X7 = £1,925,000 × 9/12 £1,443,750 £1,443,750 translated at the average rate for the period from 1 January 20X7 to 30 September 20X7 of £1 = O$5.7 O$8,229,375 ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2018) 191 The journal is: DEBIT KJL Retained earnings CREDIT Inventory O$8,229,375 O$8,229,375 Exhibit 3: Article from the Otherland News – sent by Janet Gray Otherland News: 31 October 20X7 An Otherland government official has resigned after accusations of corruption were made following his attendance at a ‘product event’ paid for by KJL. The official, who is the husband of a KJL board member, attended the five-day event at a luxury spa hotel. An undercover journalist reported that the guest list for the event comprised KJL’s directors and their families and a representative from L-Motors, a long-standing customer of KJL. A former KJL finance assistant told the Otherland News that KJL is manipulating its financial statements to claim large refunds of tax. The Otherland tax authority stated that it investigates any incidence of tax fraud. 58 Chelle plc You are Aiden Clark, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. You have recently been appointed as financial controller at Chelle plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Chelle was incorporated 15 years ago to import delicatessen products, such as olive oil and luxury tinned goods, to the UK. Suppliers deliver goods to Chelle’s distribution centre near London and Chelle’s own vans transport goods to the company’s customers (supermarket chains and smaller retailers). The company’s year end is 31 October. During the seven years ended 31 October 20X5, Chelle experienced steady growth in revenue and profits. However, the company has become less profitable in the years ended 31 October 20X6 and 31 October 20X7 and its share price has fallen. Chelle’s directors own 20% of the company’s ordinary shares. The remaining shares are owned 40% by several institutional investors and 40% by individual investors. Each investor owns no more than 5% of the company’s ordinary shares. A significant source of finance for Chelle is long-term convertible bonds. The bonds will mature at the end of October 20X9. Chelle’s finance director is on long-term sick leave. The financial controller, Joe Bold, left Chelle in early November 20X7. Before he left, he prepared draft financial statements for the year ended 31 October 20X7 (Exhibit 1) and notes on outstanding matters (Exhibit 2). Jen West, Chelle’s managing director, emails you: Chelle has not been doing well. The depreciation of £ sterling since June 20X5 has increased costs. Profits have suffered as a result. Revenues have been adversely affected by increased competition. The board is concerned about the company’s cash flows over the next year or two. As you are new to the company, you can help us by providing a fresh interpretation of the draft financial information (Exhibit 1). The company’s shareholders are not happy because of the falling share price. Chelle did not declare a dividend for the year ended 31 October 20X7. This was the first time in many years that a dividend was not declared and some of the directors think we should recommence paying dividends as soon as possible. The board wants to know when Chelle can start paying dividends again. Please: (1) Set out and explain any adjustments required to the draft financial statements for the year ended 31 October 20X7, in respect of the outstanding matters (Exhibit 2). Provide supporting journal entries. (2) Prepare a revised statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 October 20X7 and a revised statement of financial position at that date. Include calculations of earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. 192 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (3) Prepare a report to the board, analysing the key elements of the financial position, performance and cash flow for the year ended 31 October 20X7, in comparison with the two previous financial years. Use your revised financial statements and other information provided. (4) Calculate the amount of Chelle’s legally distributable reserves at 31 October 20X7, providing explanations to support your calculations. Requirement Respond to Jen West’s email. Note: Ignore deferred tax Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Chelle plc draft financial information for the year to 31 October 20X7 prepared by Joe Bold Draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 20X7 20X6 20X5 Draft Final Final £’000 £’000 £’000 30,600 31,800 35,700 Cost of sales (22,803) (23,044) (25,444) Gross profit 7,797 8,756 10,256 (8,235) (7,904) (6,996) Finance costs (500) (617) (609) (Loss)/profit before tax (938) 235 178 (47) (530) (760) 188 2,121 (273) 46 Revenue Operating costs Tax (Loss)/profit for the year Other comprehensive income –––––– 2,651 Additional information Earnings per share Dividend per ordinary share Chelle share price at 31 October 20X7 20X6 20X5 To be calculated 1.9p 21.2p Nil 1p 2p 980p 1139p 1711p 20X7 20X6 20X5 Draft Final Final £’000 £’000 £’000 53,675 51,497 48,574 1,503 1,503 1,776 55,178 53,000 50,350 £1 = 100 pence (p) Draft statement of financial position Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Financial asset ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2018) 193 20X7 20X6 20X5 Draft Final Final £’000 £’000 £’000 Inventories 2,770 2,910 3,307 Trade receivables 7,710 7,503 7,997 178 – – ––––– 525 2,273 10,658 10,938 13,577 65,836 63,938 63,927 10,000 10,000 10,000 1,416 1,416 1,689 37,294 38,054 37,966 48,710 49,470 49,655 9,603 9,603 9,486 6,304 4,818 4,256 – 47 530 1,219 ––––– ––––– 7,523 4,865 4,786 65,836 63,938 63,927 20X7 20X6 20X5 Draft Final Final £’000 £’000 £’000 11,316 11,173 10,516 Net cash (outflows) from investing activities (13,060) (12,821) (8,462) Net cash (outflows) from financing activities –––––– (100) (200) (1,744) (1,748) 1,854 525 2,273 419 (1,219) 525 2,273 Current assets Tax asset Cash Total assets Equity Share capital (£1 shares) Other components of equity Retained earnings Long-term liabilities (5% convertible bonds) Current liabilities Trade payables Tax payable Bank overdraft (limit £5 million) Total equity and liabilities Extracts from draft statement of cash flows Net cash inflows from operating activities Change in cash Cash brought forward Cash carried forward Exhibit 2: Notes on outstanding matters in respect of the financial statements for the year to 31 October 20X7 – prepared by Joe Bold (1) Convertible bond instrument On 31 October 20X1, Chelle issued a £10 million 5% convertible bond for proceeds of £10 million. The bond is repayable at par on 31 October 20X9, but can instead be converted at that date, at the 194 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 choice of the bondholders, into one new ordinary share for every £10 unit held. At the date of issue, the market interest rate for similar debt without conversion rights was 6.5%. Interest was paid on 31 October 20X7 and recorded in finance costs, but I have not made any other accounting entries in respect of the convertible bond in the year ended 31 October 20X7. (2) Investment in equity instruments Several years ago, Chelle paid £1 million for 100,000 of the 1,500,000 £1 ordinary shares of Spence plc, its main supplier of refrigeration equipment. On initial recognition, an irrevocable election was made to record gains and losses in other comprehensive income. Of the other components of equity, amounts relating to the accumulated gains and losses on this investment were £776,000 in 20X5 and £503,000 in 20X6. I have not recorded any entry in respect of the financial asset since the 31 October 20X6 year end. The price of one ordinary share in Spence plc at 31 October 20X7 was £18.50. (3) Tax The applicable corporation tax rate during the financial year ended 31 October 20X7 can be assumed to be 19%, chargeable on accounting profits before tax. A current tax credit, calculated at 19%, can be recognised in respect of accounting losses. 59 Solvit plc Solvit plc is a listed company supplying accounting software and related services to education and public-sector customers. Some of Solvit’s customers purchase only software but others enter into multiple element contracts, purchasing software together with customisation, integration and maintenance services. Kanes LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants, recently won the audit of Solvit from Fenn Yo LLP, following a competitive tender. You are a senior working for Kanes LLP and have been assigned to the audit of Solvit for its financial year ending 31 March 20X8. The audit manager calls you into her office: “I need you to help plan the audit of Solvit for the year ending 31 March 20X8. The Audit Committee Chair has requested that we present our audit plan at next week’s Audit Committee meeting and has asked that this plan sets out our initial assessment of the key audit matters we expect to include in our audit report. I have provided you with an extract from last year’s audit report (Exhibit 1) so that you can see the key audit matter that Solvit’s previous auditor, Fenn Yo LLP, identified. This is a good starting point for us, but we will need to update last year’s key audit matter and identify additional key audit matters. It’s important that where we identify a key audit matter (KAM), we are precise about the audit objectives and where the greatest audit risk arises. I have also provided notes from my meeting with the Fenn Yo LLP audit partner and manager (Exhibit 2) and a summary of points from my initial audit planning meeting with the Solvit Finance Director, Sam Browne (Exhibit 3). I need you to do the following: (1) In respect of the key audit matters to be included in our plan for the Solvit audit for the year ending 31 March 20X8: (a) Explain why the key audit matter identified by Fenn Yo LLP (Exhibit 1) continues to be relevant and explain how this matter has changed this year. (b) Identify additional key audit matters for this year’s audit and explain the factors which have led you to select each of them as a key audit matter. (2) For each of the key audit matters identified in (1) above: (a) Identify the relevant financial reporting standard and explain how it should be applied to the key audit matter in Solvit’s financial statements for the year ending 31 March 20X8. (b) Explain the specific audit objectives and set out the audit procedures to provide assurance in respect of the key audit matter.” Requirement Respond to the audit manager’s instructions. Total: 28 marks ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2018) 195 Exhibit 1: Extract from last year’s audit report on the financial statements of Solvit plc for the year ended 31 March 20X7 – prepared by Fenn Yo LLP Key audit matter Revenue recognition We identified revenue recognition as a key audit matter because the allocation of revenue to each component of a sale (software, services and maintenance), when sold together in a bundle, requires the application of judgement. We assessed this risk to be greatest in larger, more complex transactions, where there is increased likelihood of multiple components or the delivery of customised software. Our audit procedures focused on the larger, more complex revenue transactions with the objective of checking that the allocation of revenue between components was consistent with the terms of the sale contracts and in line with Solvit plc’s accounting policy. In particular, we audited the basis upon which management had calculated the fair value attributable to the components of revenue. Our audit procedures identified one contract where, because of a calculation error, too much revenue was allocated to the initial software supplied rather than deferred to cover future maintenance. An adjustment of £1.3 million was recorded to correct this error. Exhibit 2: Kanes LLP audit manager’s notes from handover meeting with Fenn Yo LLP audit partner and manager These notes summarise key points from my meeting with the Fenn Yo LLP audit partner and manager responsible for the Solvit audit for the financial years ended 31 March 20X5, 20X6 and 20X7. They clearly knew the client well and could provide helpful insights into the work they performed and their audit report. In addition to meeting with the engagement partner and manager, we performed a detailed review of the Fenn Yo LLP audit working papers. This review identified no issues with the audit procedures performed or the conclusions reached. Key points from meeting with the Fenn Yo audit team • Materiality for the year ended 31 March 20X7 was set at 5% of profit before taxation, giving a materiality figure of £1 million. • The error noted in revenue recognition was a calculation error and arose in March 20X7 when a new revenue accountant was appointed. He lacked the experience of his predecessor and made an error in determining the separate prices of the component parts. • In addition to the revenue error identified, there was one other item on the schedule of misstatements. This was in relation to the allowance for aged receivables where a judgemental excess allowance of £700,000 was identified. This was not adjusted in the financial statements. • In addition to the key audit matter included in the audit report for the year ended 31 March 20X7, Fenn Yo also considered the presumed risk of material misstatement arising from management override of controls. Management was judged to have a relatively low incentive to overstate results for the year, as Solvit had far exceeded the target performance required for the maximum management bonus to be paid. Therefore, Fenn Yo did not identify this as a key audit matter. Exhibit 3: Summary of meeting with Solvit Finance Director, Sam Browne – prepared by Kanes LLP audit manager Revenue A typical customer relationship for Solvit starts with a contract for the supply of software. In most cases this is standard software for which the customer pays a one-off, up-front licence fee. However, there are also complex contracts under which Solvit supplies standard software together with other elements such as customisation, integration and maintenance services. At the end of the contract period, customers can renew the maintenance agreement at the standard price quoted in Solvit’s price list. Customisation and integration services are also sold separately at standard day rates. Sam commented that IFRS 15 is a relatively new standard, and applying it was challenging and he has relied heavily on Solvit’s revenue accountant. 196 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Revenue for the six months ended 30 September 20X7 is at the same level as the same period last year but is £5 million lower than forecast. This is largely because sales of new software for the education market have grown more slowly than expected because of issues with the software. The education market has proved to be very price-competitive and Solvit has incentivised customers to purchase its software by giving large discounts on maintenance agreements for up to three years. Management bonus Lower than budgeted revenues for the six months ended 30 September 20X7 have resulted in lower than expected profit and Solvit will need to perform exceptionally well in the second half of the year to meet its profit target. Sam is confident that it will do so and has therefore accrued half of the maximum management bonus for the year in the results for the six months ended 30 September 20X7. Receivables The new education clients have been slow to settle their debts and receivables days have increased from 45 days at 31 March 20X7 to 75 days at 30 September 20X7. On initial recognition of all receivables, Solvit created an allowance equal to 12 months’ expected credit losses in accordance with IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. Sam intends to keep the allowance for receivables at the same level as at 31 March 20X7, as he is confident that most receivables will be paid once the issues with the software are sorted out. The trade receivables do not contain a significant financing component. Sale and leaseback On 1 April 20X7, Solvit sold its northern office property to a property company for £15 million, its fair value, and leased it back. The lease has a term of 10 years and rentals of £600,000 per annum paid annually in arrears. Immediately prior to the transaction with the property company, the office property had a carrying amount of £11 million. It has an estimated remaining useful life of 20 years. The interest rate implicit in the lease is 3% and the 10-year cumulative discount factor at 3% is 8.530. The Finance Director believes that this transaction constitutes a sale in accordance with IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers but he is unsure of the correct accounting for this transaction under IFRS 16, Leases. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2018) 197 198 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2019) 60 Vacance plc Vacance plc is a listed company which operates a chain of hotels. You are Georgie Smith and you work for Atar LLP, an international firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Atar has audited Vacance for many years. You have been assigned to work for Simon Lane, a partner in Atar’s quality assurance division. Simon carries out second partner reviews of audits performed on listed audit clients. Simon gives you the following briefing: “I need your help with my second partner review of the Vacance audit for the year ended 31 May 20X1. The audit report is due to be signed in two weeks’ time and I am concerned about the audit team’s work. I will need you to get involved in some of the detail. As property is a material figure in the statement of financial position, I have provided you with extracts from the property section of the audit file. These extracts were prepared by the audit senior, Jim Green (Exhibit 1). Last Friday, I had a conversation with Jim about the Vacance audit. What he told me has caused me some concern. I have summarised our conversation in a note (Exhibit 2), which I would like you to keep confidential. I have a meeting next week with Harriet Meening, the Vacance audit engagement partner, to discuss the outcome of my second partner review on the Vacance audit. Harriet is due to retire later this year. This morning I received a file note from Jim (Exhibit 3) with outstanding financial reporting matters concerning the financing of Vacance’s Malaysian operations. I need you to prepare a draft email to the Vacance audit team in which you: (1) Explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for the £24.55 million recognised by Vacance as investment properties (Exhibit 1) and for each of the financial reporting matters set out in Jim’s file note (Exhibit 3). Include journals. (2) Prepare a revised extract from the financial statements for property for the year ended 31 May 20X1 (Exhibit 1). Assume that Vacance selects the fair value model for investment properties. (3) Identify and explain the weaknesses in the audit procedures performed by Jim (Exhibit 1). (4) Identify and explain the key audit risks for the separate plot of land and the shopping complex and land. Set out any additional audit procedures that should be performed. I will need to provide feedback on the quality management and ethical issues relating to the Vacance audit. Please prepare a briefing note for me in which you: (5) Explain the key factors that have affected the overall quality of the Vacance audit and set out appropriate recommendations. (6) Identify the ethical issues for Atar and for me. Set out the actions Atar and I should take.” Requirement Prepare the draft email and the briefing note requested by Simon. Ignore any adjustments for tax or deferred tax Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Extract from the property section of the audit file prepared by audit senior, Jim Green The accounting policy note for property disclosed in last year’s financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X0 was: Property comprises land and hotel buildings. It is stated at cost less depreciation and any impairment. Land is not depreciated. Buildings are depreciated over 50 years on a straight-line basis. Residual values are reassessed annually. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Property is tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Each hotel is regarded as a separate cash generating unit for impairment purposes. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2019) 199 Extract from the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X1 Land and hotel buildings Investment properties £’000 £’000 At 1 June 20X0 100,500 – Additions –––––– 24,550 At 31 May 20X1 100,500 24,550 Land and hotel buildings Investment properties £’000 £’000 2,585 – 80 – 2,665 – Property Cost Depreciation At 1 June 20X0 Provided in the year At 31 May 20X1 Planning materiality was established at £4 million. Performance materiality for ‘Property’ has been set at £2 million. Summary of audit procedures performed • Land and hotel buildings Tests of details have been performed on the cost of land and hotel buildings to ensure existence and valuation by agreeing a sample of hotel properties to the balance on last year’s audit file. There are no additions or disposals of land and hotel buildings and the depreciation charge is below materiality. Therefore, no audit procedures have been performed. • Investment properties There were no investment properties in previous years. On 1 March 20X1, Vacance bought land and some properties next to a small airport in Malaysia. An analysis of the cost of these assets which are recognised in investment properties is as follows: MYR million Separate plot of land 50 Office building and land 45 Shopping complex and land 40 135 Exchange rate on 1 March 20X1 £1 = MYR 5.5 Recognised in investment properties £24.55 million The MYR is the currency of Malaysia. I agreed the cost of MYR 135 million to a bank transfer from Vacance to the seller and agreed the exchange rate at 1 March 20X1 to a reliable source. The spot exchange rate at 31 May 20X1 was £1 = MYR 6.0. This is the first time Vacance has purchased property outside the UK. Vacance has set up operations in Malaysia to rent out the properties. This rental business represents a departure from Vacance’s core hotel business. The finance director told me that the properties have significant investment potential as the airport authorities have applied to the government for planning permission to expand the airport. A decision is expected within the next 12 months. 200 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The finance director said that Vacance has an accounting policy choice in respect of investment property which can be recognised at cost or fair value. The Vacance board would like to show the highest possible amounts for investment properties and believes that the fair value model would achieve this. The finance director would like to discuss the accounting policy choice with Harriet Meening, the engagement partner, and has provided the following additional information: Separate plot of land – MYR 50 million Vacance is uncertain about the future use of this land. If planning permission for the airport expansion is granted, Vacance will develop the land for commercial use. If permission for the airport expansion is not granted, Vacance will sell the land. The finance director told me that the market value of the land at the year ended 31 May 20X1 has increased to MYR 60 million and the Vacance board wants to recognise this asset at its fair value. Office building and land – MYR 45 million Vacance lets out the office building to tenants on short-term rental agreements. The average rental period is two days but can be as short as an afternoon. Vacance provides lunch and office support services to the tenants. Because a similar office building was sold in June 20X1 for MYR 50 million, the directors believe that MYR 50 million represents the fair value of Vacance’s office building and should be reflected in the financial statements. Shopping complex and land – MYR 40 million The shopping complex comprises retail units of different sizes. Vacance lets the units to retailers. It provides cleaning and security services for the common areas only. As this is the only shopping complex in the area, the Vacance finance director is uncertain of its fair value. He has suggested that a valuation could be determined using forecast rental income and budgeted occupancy rates. Vacance intends to sell the shopping complex on 31 May 20X4 for MYR 50 million. Occupancy rates will increase if the airport receives planning permission for expansion. The finance director provided the following estimates: Year ending 31 May Forecast rental income with full occupancy 20X2 20X3 20X4 MYR million MYR million MYR million 4.0 4.0 4.5 Disposal proceeds 50.0 20X2 20X3 20X4 No airport expansion 32% 20% 20% With airport expansion 55% 80% 85% Expected occupancy rates: Vacance uses a 10% annual discount rate. I have emailed Harriet for advice, but she told me she is too busy and will speak to the finance director on her return next week. Exhibit 2: Note of conversation between Simon Lane (second partner) and Jim Green (audit senior Jim told me that there have been changes to the Vacance audit team during the audit. The audit plan was prepared by an audit manager who has now left the firm. Harriet Meening, the engagement partner, has not signed off the audit plan and she has not been available during the audit because she is visiting and staying in various Vacance hotels in the UK. Jim is friendly with one of the accountants at Vacance who told Jim that Harriet is being accompanied by her husband and that all their expenses are being paid by Vacance. A new audit manager joined the team last week. He struggles to explain to the team what to do and appears not to understand some of the complex transactions that Vacance has undertaken during the year. Also, Jim and the rest of the audit team were invited to have drinks after work by the Vacance accountant. Jim overheard one of the audit juniors telling the accountant that his audit work is ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2019) 201 ‘boring and repetitive’ and involves agreeing ‘one number from a spreadsheet to another spreadsheet’ and that he ‘has no idea what he is doing’. Exhibit 3: File note of outstanding financial reporting matters concerning the financing of Vacance’s Malaysian operations prepared by Jim Green The purchase of the land and properties in Malaysia was financed by issuing £20 million 4.2% debentures and taking out a MYR 25 million loan with a Malaysian bank. Issue of 4.2% debentures On 1 March 20X1, Vacance issued £20 million fixed rate 4.2% debentures at par. Interest on the debentures is due at the end of each quarter. The debentures will be repayable in 20X7. Vacance entered into a receive-fixed, pay-variable interest rate swap agreement of £20 million to hedge the fair value of the debentures. The terms of the swap are for Vacance to pay the agreed variable rate at the end of each quarter and receive 4% per annum fixed rate in return. The swap matures on the same date as the debentures. The variable interest rate agreed for the swap for the three months to 31 May 20X1 was 3.7% per annum. The fair value of the swap at 31 May 20X1 was £302,000. The fair value of the debentures fell to £19.7 million at 31 May 20X1 because of a rise in market interest rates. The debentures have been recognised in the statement of financial position as follows: £’000 DEBIT CREDIT Cash Non-current liabilities £’000 20,000 20,000 The interest on the debentures and the swap was paid and received after the year end and no accounting entries have been recorded in the year ended 31 May 20X1. MYR 25 million loan from a bank in Malaysia On 1 March 20X1, Vacance received a MYR 25 million loan from a Malaysian bank. This loan is repayable on 1 March 20X2 and is recognised in the statement of financial position at 31 May 20X1 as a current liability. It is translated at the spot exchange rate at 1 March 20X1 as follows: MYR 25 million @ £1 = MYR 5.5 = £4.55 million On 1 March 20X1, Vacance entered into a forward contract to purchase MYR 25 million at a forward exchange rate of £1 = MYR 6.0 for delivery on 1 March 20X2. At 31 May 20X1, a similar contract was available at a forward exchange rate of £1 = MYR 6.5. The spot rate on 31 May 20X1 was £1 = MYR 6.0 61 JKL plc JKL plc is an AIM-listed food processing company. It has investments in several wholly-owned subsidiaries and owns 90% of the ordinary share capital of MiTek Ltd, a company which produces animal feed. All group companies have a 30 September year end. JKL has decided to sell some of its shares in MiTek to raise cash for other business ventures. Background information on JKL’s investment in MiTek MiTek was established 40 years ago and has a stable workforce. It has 20 million £1 ordinary shares in issue. On 1 July 20X1, JKL bought 18 million of MiTek’s £1 ordinary shares for £50 million, when MiTek’s retained earnings were £16 million. At acquisition, MiTek’s only other reserve was a £7 million share premium account. No fair value adjustments were required at the date of acquisition. JKL recognised the non-controlling interest using the proportion of net assets method. On 30 June 20X4, following MiTek’s poor trading results, JKL impaired goodwill arising on consolidation of MiTek by £6 million. MiTek has made no changes to its share capital since 1 July 20X1. Its retained earnings at 1 October 20X6 were £23 million. You are Darren Anker, JKL’s newly appointed accountant, and you report to JKL’s finance director, Kylie Schmidt. Kylie gives you the following briefing: 202 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 “On 1 January 20X7, Fym plc, a company unrelated to JKL, made an offer to buy 15 million ordinary shares in MiTek from JKL for £58 million. The JKL board believed that this offer was too low and rejected it. Fym was concerned that MiTek’s statement of financial position showed a large defined benefit pension liability and said that it would revise its offer only if this liability were reduced. In January 20X7, MiTek’s board asked the MiTek pension scheme trustees to carry out a review to consider how MiTek’s pension liability might be reduced. The outcome of this review was to make an offer to the scheme’s pensioners to exchange future pension increases for a higher current pension that will remain constant. Most pensioners in the MiTek scheme accepted this offer. On 1 July 20X7, before he left the company, your predecessor, Kevan Riley, prepared a handover note. This note includes JKL’s draft forecast consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ending 30 September 20X7, excluding the results of MiTek. Kevan has also set out MiTek’s forecast statement of comprehensive income for the year ending 30 September 20X7 and a note about MiTek’s net defined benefit pension liability (Exhibit 1). Since this financial information was prepared, I have received a report from MiTek’s pension scheme actuary (Exhibit 2) and information regarding a revised offer from Fym (Exhibit 3). JKL’s board would like to understand the impact that the potential sale of its 15 million MiTek shares will have on JKL’s consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ending 30 September 20X7. I would like you to prepare a working paper for the JKL board in which you: (1) Explain the impact on MiTek’s financial statements for the year ending 30 September 20X7 arising from the information provided by MiTek’s pension scheme actuary (Exhibit 2). (2) Prepare a revised forecast statement of comprehensive income for MiTek for the year ending 30 September 20X7. (3) Explain the effect on JKL’s forecast consolidated statement of profit or loss and statement of financial position for the year ending 30 September 20X7 of JKL’s sale of 15 million MiTek shares to Fym. Include a calculation of the group gain or loss on this sale. Assume that JKL’s board accepts Fym’s revised offer (Exhibit 3). (4) Prepare a revised forecast consolidated statement of comprehensive income for JKL, including MiTek, for the year ending 30 September 20X7. Include the adjustments required from (1) and (3) above.” Requirement Prepare the working paper requested by Kylie. Work to the nearest £0.1 million. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Handover note prepared by Kevan Riley on 1 July 20X7 I have prepared a draft forecast consolidated statement of comprehensive income for JKL and its subsidiaries for the year ending 30 September 20X7. This does not include the results provided by MiTek’s accountant, which are shown below in a separate column. Forecast statements of comprehensive income for the year ending 30 September 20X7 JKL: consolidated (excluding MiTek) MiTek £m £m 200.1 60.9 Cost of sales (128.7) (31.7) Gross profit 71.4 29.2 (53.0) (20.8) Finance costs (1.4) (1.2) Profit before tax 17.0 7.2 Revenue Operating expenses ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2019) 203 JKL: consolidated (excluding MiTek) MiTek £m £m Income tax (2.9) (1.2) Profit for the year 14.1 6.0 –––––– ––––– 14.1 6.0 Other comprehensive income for the year Total comprehensive income Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent Non-controlling interest 14.1 –––––– 14.1 MiTek: Net defined benefit pension liability MiTek operates a defined benefit pension scheme for its employees. Because of uncertainty regarding the outcome of the review by MiTek’s pension scheme trustees, no adjustments have been made to MiTek’s net pension liability at 1 October 20X6 in the forecast above. A report has been requested from the pension scheme actuary. On 1 October 20X6, the fair value of the pension scheme assets was £36 million, and the present value of the pension scheme obligations was £47 million. A tax deduction is available to MiTek for contributions made to the scheme. The tax rate is 20%. A deferred tax asset of £2.2 million was recognised in the statement of financial position at 30 September 20X6 in respect of the net defined benefit pension liability. There has been no adjustment to this asset in the draft forecast financial statements. On 30 September 20X7, MiTek will pay a contribution of £800,000 to the scheme. This cost is included in cost of sales in MiTek’s forecast statement of comprehensive income for the year ending 30 September 20X7. Tax relief for this contribution has been allowed for in calculating the forecast current tax charge for the year ending 30 September 20X7. Exhibit 2: Report from MiTek’s pension scheme actuary, received on 10 July 20X7 On 1 February 20X7, the trustees of the MiTek defined benefit pension scheme made an offer to its pensioners to exchange future pension increases for a higher current pension which would then remain constant. On 1 June 20X7, this offer was accepted by most pensioners and this resulted in a past service gain of £3.5 million. The present value of the scheme liabilities at 30 September 20X7 is estimated to be £42.1 million, which includes the impact of the offer and its acceptance. The fair value of the scheme assets at the same date is estimated to be £39.5 million. Relevant projections for the year ending 30 September 20X7 are set out below: £’000 Current service cost Benefits paid to pensioners 200 1,200 The yield on high-quality corporate bonds is expected to be 6% pa. Exhibit 3: Fym plc’s revised offer Last week, following confirmation of the successful reduction in MiTek’s defined benefit pension liability, Fym made a revised offer of £65 million to buy 15 million MiTek shares from JKL. 204 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 This revised offer is likely to be accepted by the JKL board. The proposed date of sale is 1 September 20X7. JKL intends to sell its remaining 3 million MiTek shares in 20X9 as it believes that their current fair value of £6 million is likely to increase by that date. 62 Roada Ltd You are an audit senior working for DWE LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You have just been assigned to the audit of Roada Ltd for the year ended 31 May 20X9. You receive the following briefing from the Roada audit manager: “Roada builds new roads and supplies related raw materials, such as cement and gravel, to other road-builders. Planning materiality has been set at £1.8 million. You will be working on revenue. Roada implemented IFRS 15 for the first time in the year ended 31 May 20X9. I have provided a copy of a memorandum prepared during our interim audit which documents Roada’s two key revenue streams and its revenue recognition policies (Exhibit 1). Your predecessor was ill during the interim audit and did not have time to document our assessment of Roada’s accounting policies, nor to plan detailed audit procedures. An audit assistant, Janice Yow, has provided her preliminary analysis of revenue for the year ended 31 May 20X9, based on analytics carried out by the DWE data analytics team (Exhibit 2). I have also provided an email that I received from the Roada finance director (Exhibit 3). This addresses some queries raised by Janice concerning the Pott road-building contract and the sale of the Brightfield quarry. In respect of our audit of Roada’s financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X9, please prepare a file note in which you: (1) explain how Roada should recognise revenue for the two revenue streams identified in our interim memorandum (Exhibit 1) and also for the sale of the Brightfield quarry (Exhibit 3). Identify any additional information you require to reach a conclusion; (2) identify and justify the elements of revenue which have a high risk of material misstatement. Use Janice’s file note (Exhibit 2) together with the other information provided; and (3) set out the audit procedures we should perform on the Pott road-building contract (Exhibits 2 and 3).” Requirement Prepare the file note requested by the audit manager. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Memorandum on Roada’s revenue recognition - prepared by audit senior in March 20X9 during interim audit For the year ended 31 May 20X9, Roada has two significant revenue streams: Revenue stream 1 – Road-building Revenue from contracts for building new roads. Contracts may cover a single road or multiple roads and can extend for up to two years. An initial fixed price is agreed in advance and payable in instalments as the work is carried out and certified by the customer’s surveyor. Certification means that the customer’s surveyor has agreed the stage of completion. If a customer has certified work, then the customer has agreed both that the work has been performed and that the value of the work shown in the certificate is the amount they are due to pay. Additional amounts can be charged to the customer in the form of variations to the initial fixed price if: • the customer changes the specification; • there are significant changes in the prices of externally-sourced road-building materials; and/or • there are significant unforeseen issues with the site on which the road is being built. The basis for charging for variations is set out in the contract but, in practice, there is often negotiation with the customer before a revised price is agreed. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2019) 205 Revenue stream 2 – Cement and gravel Revenue from supplying cement and gravel to other road-builders both within the UK and internationally. Customers based in the UK send their own drivers to collect cement or gravel from Roada’s premises. For international deliveries, Roada’s drivers deliver the cement or gravel to the docks, where it is loaded into ships owned or hired by the customers. Cement and gravel are weighed as they leave Roada’s quarries or manufacturing sites and a despatch note is signed both by the driver and by Roada’s despatch team, which confirms the product type and the weight despatched. The despatch note is then matched to a customer order and an invoice is generated. Revenue recognition policy Roada’s accounting policies are unchanged from the previous year and do not take account of any new accounting standards. Its revenue recognition policies are as follows: Road-building: • Revenue from contracts to build one or more new roads is recognised monthly based on the value of work certified by the customer’s surveyor in that month. • Revenue from agreed variations to the initial fixed price of the contract is recognised when the work has been completed. • Revenue from work performed but as yet uncertified is recognised as the higher of the costs incurred by Roada and the value offered by the customer as part of ongoing negotiations. Supplying of cement and gravel: • Revenue is recognised when the cement and gravel are collected from Roada’s quarries or manufacturing sites. Where there is a risk that a customer may not be able to pay, a trade receivable allowance is charged as an expense, but no adjustment is made to revenue. Exhibit 2: Preliminary analysis of Roada’s revenue for the year ended 31 May 20X9 prepared by Janice Yow (audit assistant) Revenue from road-building contracts Roada’s road-building revenue is £69.4 million for the year ended 31 May 20X9. This total includes revenue on Roada’s largest contract with Pott Construction (“Pott”), as shown below: Certified work and agreed variations Uncertified work Pott Other Total £m £m £m 15.6 40.2 55.8 8.9 4.7 13.6 24.5 44.9 69.4 Pott contract Roada’s construction director, Mark Day, informed me that the Pott contract relates to roads for a large residential development for Develop UK. Roada is acting as subcontractor to the main contractor, Pott. Roada’s work is in line with the timetable it has agreed with Pott, but the main contract is delayed and the ultimate customer, Develop UK, is unhappy with Pott’s work. Develop UK has refused to certify work and delayed its payments to Pott, which has, in turn, delayed payments to Roada. Pott paid £5 million to Roada in February 20X9 but has made no further payments since that date. Pott is asserting that Roada’s working methods have contributed to the delays on the main contract, and also that the surfacing material used by Roada is inferior to that specified in the contract. Pott has therefore refused to certify a large amount of Roada’s work. The initial fixed price for this uncertified work is £13.0 million, but only revenue equal to the cost of £8.9 million has been 206 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 recognised in line with Roada’s revenue recognition policy. The Roada finance director is handling commercial negotiations on this matter so I have asked him for further details (Exhibit 3). Revenue from supplying cement and gravel Sales occur throughout the year but are lower in the winter months of December to February as less UK construction work takes place during that period. Roada’s cement and gravel revenue is £118.8 million for the year ended 31 May 20X9. The DWE data analytics team analysed the detailed transaction listings comprising this total. The table below shows total revenue per month from June 20X8 to May 20X9, analysed between invoices, credit notes and journal entries: Cement and gravel sales from June 20X8 to May 20X9 Month Invoices Credit notes Journals Total £m £m £m £m June 8.30 (3.95) 2.01 6.36 July 9.70 (0.30) (0.05) 9.35 13.30 (0.20) (0.01) 13.09 September 7.90 (1.80) 0.03 6.13 October 9.30 (0.20) 15.30 24.40 November 12.20 (0.10) 0.10 12.20 December 5.10 (2.50) (0.07) 2.53 January 6.80 (0.10) (0.01) 6.69 February 10.30 (0.30) 0.04 10.04 March 7.80 (1.50) 0.02 6.32 April 9.20 (0.20) (0.01) 8.99 May 14.70 (0.10) (1.90) 12.70 114.60 (11.25) 15.45 118.80 August Total Roada’s invoiced revenue is at its highest every third month when it reports its quarterly results to the bank. Roada will sometimes offer special deals to customers in those months to ensure that forecasts are met. In most months, the value of journals is very low. For those months where the value was higher, I obtained the following explanations from the Roada financial controller: • In June 20X8, a £2.0 million provision at 31 May 20X8 was reversed. The provision was made in May 20X8 to provide for credit notes to be issued in June 20X8. • In May 20X9, a £2.0 million provision was made to provide for credit notes to be issued in June 20X9. • In October 20X8, cash of £15.5 million was received in respect of the sale of Roada’s Brightfield quarry. I have asked the Roada finance director for more information about this (Exhibit 3). Exhibit 3: Email from Roada finance director to audit manager To: DWE audit manager From: Roada finance director Date: Audit for year ended 31 May 20X9 Your audit assistant, Janice, asked me for further information on two matters: (1) Sale of the Brightfield quarry On 31 October 20X8, the Brightfield quarry was sold to one of Roada’s customers, Buildit plc. Proceeds of £15.5 million were received in cash by Roada and recognised as revenue. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2019) 207 At the date of the sale, the Brightfield quarry had gravel deposits which were expected to last for five years at the current rate of extraction. These deposits had a market value of £25 million at that date. Buildit expects to use the majority of the gravel extracted from the quarry to complete a major building project. Following the sale, Roada is obliged to continue to operate the quarry and to extract gravel at the same rate as in the past. For the next five years, Buildit has the right to collect any gravel that Roada extracts from the Brightfield quarry up to a cumulative market value of £20 million, determined using market value on the date of each delivery. Gravel prices can vary. Roada can sell, and gain the benefits from, any gravel extracted more than £20 million. At the end of the five-year period, Buildit can require Roada to buy back the quarry for £1. Roada will then be responsible for cleaning up the site. (2) Commercial negotiations regarding the Pott contract Discussions with Pott are proving difficult. Independent experts have inspected the work that Pott is refusing to certify. They have confirmed that, although a surfacing material different from that specified in the contract was used for some stretches of road, Roada has provided good-quality work. On 1 June 20X9, Roada ceased work on the contract and told Pott that it will not start again until it is paid for all work. In my view, the real issue is that Pott simply does not have the cash to pay us until it settles its own contractual dispute with Develop UK. The complaints about Roada’s work are simply a delaying tactic. Roada’s relationship with Pott has broken down completely and Pott is now questioning its obligation to pay for work already certified, saying that Roada has breached the contract. 208 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2019) 63 Your Nature plc You are Jo Jacks, an audit manager working for TC, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You are assigned to the audit of Your Nature plc (YN) for the year ending 31 December 20X6. YN is an AIMlisted company which sells beauty products under the brand, Nature&U. YN’s key selling point is that its products are made using environmentally-friendly ingredients and processes. Until recently, YN had no subsidiary companies but it owned 5% of the ordinary shares in Bay Bath Oils Ltd (BBO), a company which has a licence to sell bath products under the Nature&U brand. On 1 April 20X6, YN increased its shareholding in BBO to 70% of BBO’s ordinary shares. TC will audit BBO for the first time for the year ending 31 December 20X6. The audit engagement partner, Kirsty Fox, gives you the following briefing: “Elsie Penn, a financial accountant at YN, has prepared a forecast consolidation schedule for YN and BBO for the year ending 31 December 20X6 and notes (Exhibit 1). Elsie is unsure how to complete this consolidation schedule. Elsie has identified some unresolved financial reporting matters relating to the forecast financial statements of BBO for the year ending 31 December 20X6 (Exhibit 2). In 20X4, YN developed a five-year sustainability plan. It has provided extracts which will form part of the strategic report in the YN Group’s annual report and consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X6 (Exhibit 3). I would like you to prepare a working paper in which you: (1) Explain: (a) any adjustments required to the individual financial statements of BBO for the year ending 31 December 20X6 in respect of the unresolved financial reporting matters identified by Elsie Penn (Exhibit 2). Provide appropriate journal adjustments; and (b) the impact of these matters for the consolidation of BBO in the YN group financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X6. (2) Identify and briefly explain any errors in the forecast consolidation schedule prepared by Elsie Penn (Exhibit 1). (3) Calculate the goodwill and non-controlling interest to be recognised in the forecast consolidated statement of financial position for the year ending 31 December 20X6. Take into account the journal adjustments you have proposed. (4) In respect of the extracts from YN’s five-year sustainability plan (Exhibit 3) to be included in the YN Group’s annual report and consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X6: (a) Explain the audit issues. (b) Set out the audit procedures that you would perform. (c) Describe the implications for the audit report.” Email You receive the following email from George Hay, a former partner who left TC in December 20X5. George was the engagement partner on the YN audit until three years ago. Jo I am considering applying for a role as a non-executive director at BBO. I realise that YN has acquired BBO but there should not be any ethical reasons to prevent me from accepting this role as YN had only a small investment in BBO when I was involved in the YN audit. Are you aware of anything I should know about BBO? Perhaps I can buy you lunch next week and we could discuss this. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2019) 209 Requirements 63.1 Prepare the working paper requested by the audit engagement partner, Kirsty Fox. 63.2 Explain the ethical implications for you and TC arising from George’s email, and set out the actions you should take. Total: 45 marks Exhibit 1: Forecast consolidation schedule and notes – prepared by Elsie Penn I have set out below a consolidation schedule for YN and BBO. It is a long time since I studied financial reporting and I am unsure how to complete the consolidation schedule. Summary forecast statement of comprehensive income for the year ending 31 December 20X6 Profit for the year YN BBO YN Group £’000 £’000 £’000 18,000 5,000 23,000 Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent 21,500 Non-controlling interest 1,500 23,000 Summary forecast statement of financial position at 31 December 20X6 Property plant and equipment Brand name – Nature&U YN BBO Journals YN Group £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 56,500 16,600 73,100 8,500 Development costs 8,500 3,000 3,000 Financial asset – investment in BBO 13,800 Current assets 50,600 20,800 71,400 129,400 40,400 169,950 15,000 10,000 25,000 Total assets Equity (£1 ordinary shares) FVOCI reserve Retained earnings Dr 150 300 52,100 17,400 Non-controlling interest 13,950 Cr 150 450 Dr 1,500 68,000 Cr 1,500 1,500 Non-current liabilities 25,000 Current liabilities 37,000 13,000 50,000 129,400 40,400 169,950 Total equity and liabilities 25,000 Additional information On 1 January 20X3, YN bought 500,000 of the 10 million issued £1 ordinary shares in BBO for £500,000. The BBO chief executive owned the remaining shares. YN classifies its investment in BBO shares as a financial asset at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). At 31 December 20X5, the 500,000 shares in BBO had a carrying amount of £800,000 and a cumulative increase in fair value of £300,000 had been recognised in other comprehensive income and in equity. 210 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 On 31 March 20X6, the fair value of YN’s investment in 500,000 shares in BBO was £950,000 and I have included the following journal: £’000 DEBIT CREDIT Investment £’000 150 FVOCI reserve 150 On 1 April 20X6, YN bought a further 6.5 million BBO shares, paying £13 million (£2.00 per share). I recorded this payment in YN’s investment in BBO. In addition to the payment of £2.00 per share, YN will pay a further £0.10 per share on 1 April 20X8, provided BBO achieves agreed profit targets. As this amount is payable only in 20X8, I have not made any adjustment for this. Following the acquisition of BBO shares by YN, the BBO board comprises the BBO chief executive, finance director and three members of the YN board. YN uses the fair value method to measure non-controlling interest in BBO. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest at 1 April 20X6 was £1.90 per share. YN uses a 9% annual discount rate. Exhibit 2: Unresolved financial reporting matters relating to the forecast financial statements of BBO for the year ending 31 December 20X6 – prepared by Elsie Penn (1) Employment legal proceedings In 20X5, 10 female BBO employees began a legal case against BBO. The employees claim that they are not receiving equal pay with their male employee colleagues. The female employees believe that they are owed a total of £500,000. If the 10 female employees win, it will also result in additional payments of £1 million to other BBO female employees. The case is ongoing and BBO’s legal team think that it is possible, but not probable, that BBO will lose the case. If the public became aware of the legal case, BBO would be seriously disadvantaged. The BBO directors have not therefore recognised a provision and have not included a disclosure note for this matter in the financial statements. (2) Development costs BBO developed a biodegradable plastic which it uses to manufacture bottles for its products. In 20X5, tests performed by BBO showed that the plastic would degrade within five years. At 1 April 20X6, the carrying amount of the plastic process development costs was £3.2 million in BBO’s statement of financial position and the fair value was £10 million at that date. A recent newspaper article quotes a BBO research technician who says that the tests performed in 20X5 were inaccurate and the plastic will take over 50 years to degrade. Since the article was published, pictures of BBO’s empty bottles washed up on beaches have been posted on social media by outraged environmental protesters. YN now believes that it has paid too much for its investment in BBO, as the fair value of the plastic process development costs is now £4 million following the adverse publicity. (3) BBO’s Norfolk division BBO’s Norfolk division has failed to meet legal requirements in respect of environmental legislation. On 1 November 20X6, the YN board decided to close the BBO Norfolk division over a three-year period from 1 January 20X7. BBO identifies the Norfolk division as a cash generating unit. The division has a carrying amount of £7 million. I have prepared cash flow forecasts for the division for the three years to 31 December 20X9: Year ending 31 December Future divisional cash inflows 20X7 20X8 20X9 £’000 £’000 £’000 2,300 1,500 1,000 At 31 December 20X6, the division could be sold for £5.5 million. BBO uses a 9% pre-tax annual discount rate. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2019) 211 No adjustments have been made to the carrying amount of the division in BBO’s forecast financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X6, as the closure plan is confidential to the YN board and has not been announced to the BBO board, managers and employees. (4) Plot of land At 1 April 20X6, a plot of land included in BBO’s assets had a carrying amount of £3 million which is equal to its market value based on its current use as an industrial site. Residential development in the area near to the factory means that, if the land were to be made available for residential purposes, it would have a value of £3.75 million. I am unsure if this increase in value should be recognised. BBO’s accounting policy is to value assets at historical cost. (5) Share appreciation rights BBO has a high staff turnover rate and absenteeism because of work-related stress. Feedback from employees suggests that these are due to difficult working conditions, high accident rates and excessive expectations of performance by management. On 1 April 20X6, to improve staff morale, the BBO board introduced a share appreciation rights scheme for all BBO employees, based on the share price of YN. Under the scheme, 500 employees will receive a cash amount based on the increase in the fair value of YN shares between the grant date, 1 April 20X6, and the vesting date, 31 March 20X9. The employees must be in continuous employment to 31 March 20X9. At 1 April 20X6, there are 500 employees eligible for the scheme, each of whom has appreciation rights over 400 shares. BBO expects 50 employees to be made redundant by 31 March 20X9 because of the closure of BBO’s Norfolk division. The fair value of the appreciation rights was £9 per share at 1 April 20X6 and is expected to be £12 per share at 31 December 20X6. No adjustments have been made for the rights in the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 20X6. (6) Receivables Included in BBO receivables is an account balance of £475,000 called ‘accrued income’. The BBO finance director explained that it relates to goods sold to Beauty Inc and, as he owns 25% of the shares in Beauty and is a director of Beauty, he could personally guarantee that the debt will be repaid. He told me that there was no need to include a trade receivable allowance for this account and, as the amount is not material to the group results, no disclosure is required. I investigated the balance and it relates to goods sold in May 20X6. Exhibit 3: Extracts from YN’s five-year sustainability plan In December 20X4, YN published a five-year sustainability plan. The plan sets out the importance of protecting the Nature&U brand and focuses on social and environmental issues. The following extracts have been drafted for the strategic report in the YN Group’s annual report for the year ending 31 December 20X6. However, no information is yet included relating to BBO. Extract 1: Responsible production and consumption YN seeks to increase the use of bio-degradable materials in production and has made excellent progress in line with the targets set out in the plan for this year. Progress towards targets is as follows: 31 December Target % use of biodegradable materials Total materials used (tonnes) Bio-degradable materials (tonnes) 20X4 10% 7,975 690 20X5 15% 8,900 1,070 20X6 20% 9,500 1,955 The target for 20X7 is 25% and the target for 20X8 is 30%. 212 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Extract 2: Employee relations YN seeks to create the conditions that allow people to have high-quality jobs. • Employees are respected and enjoy decent working conditions. • All employees are treated equally and are paid at least 10% above the average pay for the industry. • Employee reward schemes are fair and appropriate. The YN board is happy to report that substantial progress has been made and that the above have been achieved in the year ended 31 December 20X6. Progress towards targets is as follows: 31 December Target Staff turnover Actual Staff turnover % % 20X4 15 20 20X5 12 14 20X6 10 9 The target for 20X7 is 5% and the target for 20X8 is 4%. 64 RTone plc You are Margot Jones, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and the newly-appointed financial controller at RTone plc, a company which sells home cinema and audio equipment. RTone was established 30 years ago by its current shareholders and directors, Frank Nickson and Stephen Ryding, who each own 50% of its issued ordinary share capital. RTone operates from 26 retail properties located in shopping centres in UK cities. The retail properties are leased on six-month leases as the company determines which locations generate the most revenue. However, from 1 October 20X3, RTone will focus on a smaller number of locations, leasing retail properties for 10 years. RTone does not own any properties, and has elected to apply any IFRS 16 recognition exemptions. In the year ended 30 September 20X3, revenue increased by 0.8% compared with the prior year and profit before tax increased by 1.5%. RTone’s key resource is its employees, who have expert knowledge of the company’s products and provide exceptional customer service. RTone has developed a strong brand name and customer loyalty. RTone faces competition from internet-based retailers and it has identified a potential acquisition, HSound Ltd. This company is an internet-based retailer of home cinema and audio equipment. You have prepared financial information and key ratios for RTone and H-Sound for the year ended 30 September 20X3, together with background notes (Exhibit 1). The RTone CEO gives you the following briefing: “RTone’s finance team has performed preliminary due diligence on the draft financial statements of H-Sound. The team identified some financial reporting issues (Exhibit 2). Because it is important to be able to understand the relative performance of RTone and H-Sound, I need to understand the implications of these issues for H-Sound’s draft financial information and key ratios. I would like you to prepare a report for me in which you: (1) set out and explain any adjustments required to H-Sound’s financial information and key ratios (Exhibit 1) arising from the financial reporting issues (Exhibit 2). Provide supporting journals; (2) calculate revised financial information and key ratios for H-Sound for the year ended 30 September 20X3 (Exhibit 1); and (3) compare and analyse the financial performance and gearing of RTone and H-Sound. Use your revised financial information and key ratios for H-Sound together with any additional analysis.” ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2019) 213 Requirement Prepare the draft report requested by the CEO. Ignore tax and deferred tax. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Financial information and key ratios for the year ended 30 September 20X3 with background notes Financial information RTone H-Sound £’000 £’000 Revenue 93,531 49,211 Gross profit 19,640 7,873 1,737 – Depreciation 100 279 Directors’ salaries 140 550 30 407 6,250 4,504 15,691 6,855 608 5,892 2,000 – RTone H-Sound 38.5% 38.5% 3.7% 46.2% £311,770 £328,073 Lease rentals – retail properties Finance costs Profit before tax Equity: Share capital and retained earnings Net debt Dividends paid in the year Key ratios Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) Gearing Revenue per employee ROCE is defined as: Profit before interest and tax ÷ Equity plus net debt × 100% Gearing is defined as: Net debt ÷ Equity plus net debt × 100% Background notes on H-Sound H-Sound was established five years ago by a Japanese audio equipment manufacturer, TDef. TDef subscribed £5 million for 100% of H-Sound’s issued share capital. H-Sound operates as an internet-based retailer from a large warehouse. It bought this on 1 October 20X1 using a £6 million bank loan which is secured on the warehouse. H-Sound’s revenue has increased by 50% compared with last year and profit before tax has increased by 15%. Investment in technology H-Sound’s key resource is its investment in technology. This enables the company to keep inventory levels low and to answer customer queries efficiently by using artificial intelligence (AI) software with an online customer service function. H-Sound employs software engineers to keep the company’s technology up-to-date. 214 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 2: H-Sound financial reporting issues identified by RTone’s finance team RTone’s finance team has performed preliminary due diligence on the draft financial statements of HSound. The team identified some financial reporting issues. (1) Non-current assets (NCA) Property and equipment Al software £’000 £’000 Cost At 1 October 20X2 2,100 Land 1,000 Property – freehold warehouse 5,000 Equipment 1,500 Additions –––– 1,300 At 30 September 20X3 7,500 3,400 100 261 Depreciation/Amortisation At 1 October 20X2 Charge for the year 179 Property 40 Equipment 60 –––– 200 440 7,300 2,960 At 30 September 20X3 Carrying amount at 30 September 20X3 Additions of £1.3 million comprise the wages of software engineers who maintain the AI software bought by H-Sound during 20X1 for £2.1 million. H-Sound did not amortise the additions as the £1.3 million journal transfer from operating expenses to NCA was only made on 30 September 20X3. NCA are depreciated or amortised using the following useful lives and residual values: Number of years Residual value % of cost Property 25 80 Equipment 15 40 Al software 10 15 The useful lives and residual values are generous and inconsistent with RTone’s policy, which depreciates equipment straight-line over five years and amortises software over three years with nil residual values. (2) Loan finance On 1 October 20X1, H-Sound borrowed £6 million from a bank. Under the terms of the loan, interest of 6% was payable annually in arrears and the loan was repayable in full by 30 September 20X5. Transaction costs of £203,000 were debited to the loan and the correct effective annual interest rate of 7% was used to amortise the loan. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2019) 215 On 30 September 20X3, H-Sound renegotiated the loan with the bank for a later repayment date in exchange for a higher coupon rate. The terms of the new loan are: Amount of loan £6,000,000 Transaction costs £300,000 Repayment date 30 September 20X9 Coupon rate 8% The present value of the cash flows of the renegotiated loan at 30 September 20X3 is £6,583,700, using an effective annual interest rate of 7%. The fair value of the renegotiated loan at 30 September 20X3 is £6 million. H-Sound has debited the transaction costs of £300,000 to a receivable account and made no further adjustments. (3) Customer reward scheme On 1 July 20X3, H-Sound introduced a customer reward scheme to encourage customer loyalty. The scheme rewards a customer with one customer loyalty point for every £10 of purchases. Each point is redeemable for a £1 discount on any future purchases from H-Sound. In the year ended 30 September 20X3, customer purchases under the scheme totalled £15 million and customers earned 1,500,000 points redeemable against future purchases. H-Sound expects 1,425,000 of the 1,500,000 points to be redeemed before the latest permissible redemption date. At 30 September 20X3, 300,000 points have been redeemed. H-Sound’s revenue for the year ended 30 September 20X3 includes the £15 million for sales under the scheme. No adjustment has been made in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X3 for the unredeemed points awarded under the scheme. (4) Z-Audio product and online entertainment and music streaming contract On 1 September 20X3, H-Sound introduced access to an online entertainment and music subscription for commercial customers who sign a contract to buy its Z-Audio product. Under the terms of the contract, the customer pays 12 monthly instalments of £400 and receives: a Z-Audio product; and a 12-month subscription to an online entertainment and music streaming service. The Z-Audio selling price without the streaming subscription is £4,600. The streaming service subscription is available without the Z-Audio product for £50 per month. H-Sound has recognised £2.4 million in revenue in respect of 500 contracts for Z-audio products with the streaming service. H-Sound sold these contracts in September 20X3. 65 Gentri plc You are an audit senior working for Ascott LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You have just been assigned to the audit of Gentri plc and the Gentri Group for the year ended 30 September 20X8. Gentri plc, the parent company, is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It manufactures and distributes engines for the automotive industry. The Gentri Group has only one subsidiary, CarNation Inc, which is based in Arcadia and audited by a team from Ascott’s Arcadian office. CarNation supplies Gentri plc with key components for its engines. All of CarNation’s sales are to Gentri plc, but Gentri plc has many suppliers. The procedures for the Gentri Group audit are almost complete and both the working papers and draft financial statements have been reviewed by the engagement partner, Joe Long. The engagement manager calls you into her office to explain your role: “Joe has raised three partner review notes on the Gentri Group audit. He was not happy with the group audit team’s management of the subsidiary audit team in Arcadia nor with the audit procedures on group taxation. He also identified potential issues with the consolidated statement of cash flows. 216 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 I have provided you with extracts from the financial statements of Gentri plc and CarNation for the year ended 30 September 20X8 with my notes (Exhibit 1). I’ve also been through Joe’s review notes and added responses (Exhibit 2). Group materiality is £7 million. What I need you to do is: For each of the three partner review notes raised by Joe Long (Exhibit 2): (1) explain the relevant financial reporting issues and set out the appropriate financial reporting treatment; and (2) describe the key audit procedures we should perform. Use all available information. You are not required to adjust the consolidated statement of cash flows.” Requirement Respond to the audit manager’s request. Total: 25 marks Exhibit 1: Extracts from financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X8, with notes from the engagement manager Gentri plc CarNation £m £m Revenue 482 137 Profit before taxation 143 44 Taxation (27) (14) Profit for the year 116 30 Investment in CarNation (Note 1) 100 – Property, plant and equipment 153 145 47 41 Cash 154 34 Loan (Note 2) (60) – Taxation payable (15) (14) Deferred taxation (6) – (109) (56) Net assets 264 150 Share capital 200 70 64 80 264 150 Inventories Other assets and liabilities Retained earnings ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2019) 217 Notes (1) On 1 October 20X4, Gentri plc acquired the entire ordinary share capital of CarNation for £100 million. At that date, the fair value of CarNation’s net assets was £80 million and it had retained earnings of £10 million. There were no other reserves. Goodwill of £20 million arising on the acquisition is not impaired. No dividends have been paid by CarNation to Gentri plc. However, Gentri plc’s board has decided that it will extract a dividend of £50 million from CarNation, to be declared and paid on 1 January 20X9. Assume that tax is payable by Gentri plc at 19% when it receives dividends from CarNation. CarNation prepares its financial statements using £ sterling as its functional currency. (2) Gentri plc repays the principal of its loan in annual instalments of £10 million. Exhibit 2: Review notes raised by the engagement partner, Joe Long, with responses from the engagement manager Partner review note 1 Gentri Group audit team’s management of subsidiary audit team The audit procedures on CarNation were performed by an audit team from Ascott’s Arcadian office. The only documentation on the Gentri Group audit file at present is: • extracts from CarNation’s financial statements (Exhibit 1) • a brief clearance memorandum dated 31 October 20X8, from the subsidiary audit team This is insufficient for me to evaluate whether the group audit team has adequately considered and followed up the audit work performed by the CarNation audit team in respect of the group audit. The clearance memorandum states that all audit procedures are complete and that the subsidiary audit team has not identified any adjustments above component materiality of £4 million in the CarNation financial statements. However, the CarNation audit team has identified two points for the group audit team to consider for the consolidated financial statements: • A large shipment of components was made by CarNation to Gentri plc on 29 September 20X8. It is likely that these components were still in transit at the year end. CarNation recorded revenue of £15 million in the year ended 30 September 20X8, in respect of this shipment. • Gentri plc plans to introduce a new range of engines. In the year ended 30 September 20X8, CarNation recognised an impairment charge of £11.5 million in respect of plant used to manufacture a part which will no longer be used for the new range of engines. In Arcadia, impairment charges are deductible for tax purposes when they are recognised in the financial statements. I cannot see how you have followed up these two points. Response from the engagement manager • We do have some documentation that is not on the group audit file. I sent an email to the subsidiary audit team on 30 June 20X8. This informed them that component materiality for CarNation was £4 million, summarised key risks of material misstatement and provided details of related parties. It asked the subsidiary team to confirm their independence, which they did in an email response, which also confirmed receipt of my email. • The members of the subsidiary audit team have all worked on the audit of CarNation for several years and I have no concerns about their competence. Partner review note 2 Audit procedures on taxation I am concerned about the extent of our audit procedures on taxation. Gentri plc’s tax charge for the year ended 30 September 20X8 appears to relate wholly to current taxation and has been agreed to a draft computation prepared by Gentri’s financial controller. No other audit procedures have been performed and Gentri plc’s deferred tax balances remain unchanged from those recognised at 30 September 20X7. I believe we need to do more audit procedures, both on Gentri plc’s tax balances and the tax balance for the Gentri Group. 218 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Response from the engagement manager • Historically the only temporary differences arising in Gentri plc have been in respect of plant and equipment. At 30 September 20X7, the position was as follows: £m Carrying amount of plant and equipment 75.0 Tax base of plant and equipment 43.0 32.0 Deferred tax liability at 19% 6.1 In the year ended 30 September 20X8, the Gentri plc carrying amount of plant and equipment was as follows: £m Carrying amount at 30 September 20X7 75.0 Additions (all qualifying for tax depreciation) 21.0 Depreciation (6.0) Carrying amount at 30 September 20X8 90.0 The Gentri plc tax computation prepared by the financial controller correctly adds back depreciation and then deducts tax depreciation of £11.5 million. Gentri plc pays tax at the rate of 19% of taxable profits. • CarNation pays tax at the rate of 30%. The CarNation audit team has confirmed that it has performed audit procedures on the taxation balances for CarNation and it has not identified any issues. • We need to think further about whether Gentri plc’s plan to extract a dividend from CarNation has any impact on the reported tax charge for Gentri plc and the Gentri Group. Partner review note 3 Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 September 20X8 The consolidated statement of cash flows has not yet been audited. I have not looked at it in detail but from a basic review there seem to be missing figures and it does not seem to reflect my earlier review points. Response from the engagement manager • The figures in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, consolidated statement of financial position and notes have all been agreed to our audit file, but audit procedures on the consolidated statement of cash flows are incomplete. The latest draft of the consolidated statement of cash flows is shown below. 20X8 20X7 £m £m 187 208 21 20 Decrease in inventory 5 6 Increase in creditors and provisions 7 18 Impairment of property – 15 Year ended 30 September Cash flows from operating activities: Profit before taxation Add: Depreciation ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2019) 219 Year ended 30 September 20X8 20X7 £m £m Deduct: Profit on disposal of PPE Increase in accounts receivable – (4) (3) (10) 217 253 (41) (25) (53) (95) Net cash flows from taxation: Current taxation paid Net cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of PPE Proceeds from disposal of PPE ––– 5 (53) (90) – (10) (40) (35) (40) (45) 83 93 Cash at beginning of year 105 12 Cash at end of year 188 105 Net cash flows from financing activities: Repayment of loan Dividends paid Net cash inflow 220 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (August 2020) 66 HC plc HC plc is the parent company of the HC group. HC plc’s subsidiaries operate in a variety of industries and are located in the UK and internationally. You work as an audit senior for Welfold, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Welfold is the auditor of HC plc, HC group and all its subsidiaries. You are assisting the HC audit engagement manager, Sara Yang, with the final review points arising from the audit of HC plc and the consolidation for the HC group for the year ended 31 May 2020. The audit completion meeting is scheduled for next week. Sara gives you the following briefing: “HC plc appointed Maisie Judge, an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, as the new Head of Treasury on 1 April 2020. Maisie worked for an investment bank before joining HC plc and she manages HC plc’s investments and financial assets. “The HC plc finance director retired on 10 March 2020, just before Maisie joined HC plc. As there is no replacement finance director, Maisie is acting in that role. I have concerns that some of her financial reporting knowledge is out of date. “I have provided you with extracts from the HC group’s financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2020, including the accounting policy note for financial assets (Exhibit 1). “The audit planning for financial assets was completed in February 2020, prior to Maisie’s appointment. The planning indicated that there were no significant changes from the year ended 31 May 2019 and financial assets were assigned a low level of audit risk. Last week, an audit senior, Jane Smith, performed some procedures on financial assets and has prepared some audit notes (Exhibit 2). “An audit assistant has also brought some matters to my attention in relation to Maisie (Exhibit 3). “I would like you to prepare a working paper in which you: (1) For each of the matters in Jane Smith’s audit notes (Exhibit 2), set out and explain the correct financial reporting treatment in HC plc’s financial statements and, where relevant, the HC group financial statements, for the year ended 31 May 2020. Show appropriate journal adjustments and explain any implications for the accounting policy note (Exhibit 1). (2) Calculate, taking into account your journal adjustments, the revised profit before tax and other comprehensive income for HC plc and for the HC group for the year ended 31 May 2020 (Exhibit 1). (3) Identify and explain the additional audit risks for financial assets arising since the audit planning was completed in February 2020. (4) Set out the key audit procedures that we should perform in respect of: (a) Konditori Ltd’s investment in Clik Ltd (b) HC plc’s corporate loans (5) Explain the ethical implications for Welfold and for Maisie, arising from Maisie’s roles and from the matters highlighted by the audit assistant (Exhibit 3). Set out the actions Welfold should take.” Requirement Prepare the working paper requested by the engagement manager, Sara Yang. Note: You are not required to make any adjustments for current and deferred taxation. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Extracts from draft financial statements Accounting policy note for financial assets for the year ended 31 May 2020 Investments in subsidiary companies are stated at cost less any allowance for impairment. On initial recognition of other investments in equity instruments, an irrevocable election is made to measure each investment at fair value through other comprehensive income, with any fair value gains or losses accumulated in other components of equity. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (August 2020) 221 Corporate loans are measured initially at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs and thereafter at amortised cost less impairments. The objective of the portfolio within which the corporate loans are held is to collect contractual cash flows. Extracts from statements of profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 2020 HC plc (parent) HC (group) £’000 £’000 8,500 95,600 - - Profit before tax Other comprehensive income Extract from statement of financial position as at 31 May 2020 HC plc (parent) Financial assets 2020 2019 £’000 £’000 5,000 5,000 43,150 10,000 48,150 15,000 9,840 15,390 Equity investments (shares) Investments in subsidiary companies Other investments in equity instruments Other financial assets Corporate loans Exhibit 2: Audit notes on financial assets – prepared by audit senior, Jane Smith I have reviewed the financial asset balances in HC plc’s financial statements at 31 May 2020, as set out below. Investments in subsidiary companies There has been no change to the group structure since the previous year end. I have agreed the total cost of the subsidiaries of £5,000,000 to the consolidation schedules for the HC group. Other investments in equity instruments Fair value at 31 May 2020 2019 Historical cost £’000 £’000 £’000 - 10,000 6,000 VLA plc (320,000 shares) 18,150 - 18,150 Investment 25,000 ––––– 25,000 43,150 10,000 Alma plc (800,000 shares) The investments in shares in Alma plc and VLA plc represent less than 10% of the share capital of those companies. 222 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 • Alma plc shares On 2 April 2020, Maisie authorised the sale of the Alma plc shares because its share price increased to £17 per share. Maisie calculated that this transaction resulted in a gain of £3,600,000, which she recognised in the statement of profit or loss. I agreed this transaction to the contract note and ensured that the cash was correctly recorded. • VLA plc shares On 3 April 2020, Maisie bought 320,000 shares in VLA plc, a client of the investment bank where she used to work. Maisie recognised the shares at ‘fair value through profit or loss’ and the broker’s fee for acquiring the VLA shares has been recognised in profit or loss. The bid-offer spread for one VLA share at 3 April 2020 was: At 3 April 2020 £55.45 – £56.72 The investment has now fallen in value as the bid-offer spread for one VLA share at 31 May 2020 was as follows: At 31 May 2020 £54.45 – £55.72 I confirmed that the carrying amount at 31 May 2020 of £18,150,400 valued each share at £56.72. • £25,000,000 investment This transaction was carried out by the finance director who has now left HC plc. I have found out the following information: On 25 February 2020, HC plc transferred £25,000,000 in cash to its 100% owned subsidiary Konditori Ltd, a high street retailer which sells clothes, food and other goods. In recent years, Konditori food sales have been very successful. On 1 March 2020, Konditori entered into an arrangement with Rosen plc, a national supermarket chain, to set up a new company, Clik Ltd, which will operate a joint online distribution network. Konditori invested £25,000,000 provided by HC plc, in 50% of the shares of Clik Ltd. Rosen owns the remaining 50% of Clik’s shares. Konditori has recognised the £25,000,000 cash received from HC plc as a non-current liability and its investment in Clik as an expense of £25,000,000 in its operating costs for the year ended 31 May 2020. Maisie has not made any other adjustments in respect of Clik Ltd in either the HC plc individual financial statements or the HC group financial statements. As I have just found out this information, I have not had time to complete any audit procedures. I have set out below a summary statement of profit or loss for Clik for the 3-month period from 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020: £’000 Revenue 14,000 Operating costs (34,000) Tax 2,000 Loss after tax (18,000) Other financial assets − Corporate loans At 31 May 2020 2019 £’000 £’000 Corporate bonds in Reggs plc 4,860 10,410 Loan to JUP plc 4,980 4,980 9,840 15,390 ICAEW 2022 Real exam (August 2020) 223 • Corporate bonds in Reggs plc On 1 June 2018, HC plc purchased corporate bonds in Reggs plc, with a par value of £12,500,000, for £10,000,000. The bonds mature at par on 31 May 2023 and pay annual fixed interest at 4.72%. HC plc recognised the bonds at amortised cost as the objective of holding them was to collect contractual cash flows. The implicit interest rate is 10% per annum. On 31 May 2020, Maisie sold 50% of the Reggs plc corporate bonds with a par value of £6,250,000 for £6,000,000. The following journal is recorded in HC plc’s financial statements for the sale of the bonds. £’000 DEBIT CREDIT Cash £’000 6,000 Bonds 6,000 Being sale of 50% of the Reggs plc bonds. I have agreed the sale proceeds of £6,000,000 to the sale contract and to the bank. • £4,980,000 loan to JUP plc On 31 May 2019, HC plc made a secured loan of £5,000,000 to a supplier, JUP plc. The loan has an annual interest rate of 8% and is repayable in full on 31 December 2020. The loan objective is achieved by collecting contractual cash flows and the loan is measured at amortised cost. On 31 May 2019, the loan had a low credit risk and the probability of default in the next 12 months was 2% with lifetime credit losses estimated at £1,000,000. An impairment of £20,000 was recognised. On 1 May 2020, a credit rating agency indicated that JUP was experiencing financial difficulty and lowered its credit rating as there was a significant increase in credit risk. The expected credit losses over the remaining life of the loan were estimated at £1,000,000. Maisie has made no adjustments in the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2020 to reflect the information from the credit rating agency received from the credit rating agency on 1 May 2020. I have downloaded the report from the credit rating agency and confirmed the lower credit rating. Exhibit 3: Notes from audit assistant After an audit meeting I had a brief conversation with Maisie. She told me that she is enjoying the challenge of acting as finance director as well as her role as head of treasury. She said that it has been really helpful to have contacts from her previous job with the investment bank. She also told me that she agreed a generous profit-related bonus with the HC board because of the extra responsibility. Maisie will receive a bonus if HC plc’s profit before tax for the year ended 31 May 2020 is greater than £7,000,000. So far it looks like she will achieve this based on the draft financial statements. I did not know that she was on a profit-related bonus. I just thought I would draw this to your attention. Maisie also mentioned that she understood that the audit will be put out to tender shortly and hopes that Welfold would be tendering for the audit. 67 React Chemicals plc You are Alan Khan and you work as a financial accountant at React Chemicals plc (React), an AIMlisted company based in the UK. React manufactures and supplies chemicals to customers in the UK. It prepares financial statements to 31 July. The React finance director gives you the following briefing: “The board has set out two proposals for the year ending 31 July 2021. The board needs to understand the financial reporting implications of these proposals. 224 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Proposal 1 relates to the distribution of chemicals and the board is considering two alternative contracts, A and B (Exhibit 1). Proposal 2 relates to a new share option scheme which will be open to all employees (Exhibit 2). “I have also provided forecast financial information, including information about tax treatments, for the year ending 31 July 2021 (Exhibit 3). The forecast information does not include any impact from the board’s proposals. Instructions from finance director “I would like you to prepare a briefing paper for the board in which you: (1) Set out and explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment, including the impact on current and deferred tax for: (a) Proposal 1 – Distribution costs (Exhibit 1). Address both Contract A and Contract B; and (b) Proposal 2 – Share option scheme (Exhibit 2). Include relevant journal adjustments. (2) Assuming that React signs Contract B with Dutton (Proposal 1) and grants the share options (Proposal 2), calculate the total tax charge to be shown in React’s statement of profit or loss for the year ending 31 July 2021 and React’s total current and deferred tax liability as at 31 July 2021. (3) Prepare revised forecast financial information for the year ending 31 July 2021 (Exhibit 3). Include your adjustments for Contract B (Proposal 1), the share option scheme (Proposal 2) and both current and deferred tax.” Requirement Prepare the briefing paper requested by the finance director. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Proposal 1 − Distribution costs Transportation of products to customers is a complex and costly part of React’s business. From 1 August 2020, React will produce a new chemical which can only be transported in special containers. React has identified two potential distributors, TrensFar and Dutton, that can deliver the chemical safely. They have offered the following lease contracts: Contract A − TrensFar TrensFar will transport React’s product by road, using tankers. A tanker consists of an engine and a separate container. TrensFar owns the tankers and will also provide drivers. TrensFar can use its containers to transport chemicals for different customers, but containers require cleaning if different chemicals are transported. TrensFar’s contract with React will be for four years. It states that deliveries to React’s customers can take place only on Mondays and Tuesdays each week. The contract specifies the maximum and minimum quantity for each delivery. React will email a weekly delivery schedule to TrensFar, informing it of the delivery quantities for the following week. The estimated annual cost of the contract is £5,000,000 and TrensFar will invoice React on a monthly basis, based on the quantity delivered and distance travelled. Some TrensFar containers will be stored at React’s premises, so that React can load the chemical the day before the scheduled delivery. React cannot use the containers other than as specified in the contract with TrensFar. The contract specifies that TrensFar can collect any containers that are being stored by React and use them for other TrensFar customers. Contract B – Dutton Dutton will supply larger containers than TrensFar. Dutton will transport containers by road and rail to React’s customers. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (August 2020) 225 The contract price has two elements, supply of containers and transport: • Supply of containers React will have the use of 15 specific containers for 9 years. Dutton owns the containers. Each container is designed for the particular type of chemical which React produces. The 15 containers will be stored at React’s premises and will be used only by React. Dutton will be responsible for any repair work and cleaning and must provide a substitute container during any period when a container is not available. On 1 August 2020, React will pay a lease set-up fee of £80,000. The cost of the supply of containers element of the contract will be £4,000,000 per annum payable in arrears. React’s incremental borrowing rate is 6% per annum. • Transport to React’s customers At React’s request, Dutton will collect the container, transport it by road and rail to React’s customers and will return the container to React’s premises. React can make requests for delivery at any time. The cost for the transport element of the contract will be based on an agreed rate, according to the number of deliveries and the distance travelled. The estimated annual cost of the transport element of the contract is £1,000,000. Exhibit 2: Proposal 2 − Share option scheme On 1 August 2020, React will set up a share option scheme which will be open to all employees. 100 employees will join the scheme on 1 August 2020. Each employee will be granted 2,600 options. Each option permits the holder to subscribe for one share in React. The fair value of each option at 1 August 2020 is £3.60 and the exercise price is £3.80. The share options will vest when profit increases by 20% in any year, or by an annual average of 14% in any two consecutive years. The scheme will lapse after three years if these targets are not met. An employee must be in continuous employment with React until the vesting date for their share options to vest. React has prepared the following projections: At 31 July Profits increase by Price per share 2020 2021 2022 - 12% 18% £7.30 £8.60 £8.70 No employees are expected to leave the company in the next three years. React’s board expects that the share options will vest on 31 July 2022 and therefore there will be no employee cost to record in the year ending 31 July 2021. Exhibit 3: Forecast financial information for the year ending 31 July 2021 Forecast summary statement of profit or loss for the year ending 31 July 2021 £’000 Revenue 23,731 Gross profit 20,174 Total depreciation (530) Other operating costs (6,384) Operating profit 13,260 Finance costs Profit before tax Tax (to be completed) Profit for the year 226 Corporate Reporting (125) 13,135 (x) 13,135 ICAEW 2022 Forecast summary statement of financial position as at 31 July 2021 £’000 Non-current assets Plant and equipment 21,247 Current assets 26,567 TOTAL ASSETS 47,814 Equity Share capital (£1 shares) and other reserves 11,810 Retained earnings 17,290 29,100 Non-current liabilities Borrowings and other financial liabilities 4,264 Deferred tax liability at 1 August 2020 1,741 6,005 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 12,709 Current tax payable (to be completed) (x) 12,709 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 47,814 Tax information In the tax jurisdiction where React operates, accounting profit and taxable profit are calculated using the same rules except for the following: • Plant and equipment No tax allowance is available for accounting depreciation. Instead, in the year in which an asset is capitalised (including assets capitalised under lease contracts), tax depreciation is available for plant and machinery at the rate of 30% of the asset cost recognised in plant and equipment. Thereafter, an annual writing down allowance of 18% is available on the brought forward tax base. The current tax rate is 25% and there are no expected changes to this tax rate in the future. When the forecast financial statements for the year ending 31 July 2021 were prepared, no additions to plant and equipment or disposals from plant and equipment were included and accounting depreciation of £530,000 was recognised. The deferred tax liability at 1 August 2020 arises from a temporary difference on plant and equipment as follows: At 1 August 2020 £’000 Carrying amount of plant and equipment Tax base of plant and equipment 21,777 (14,813) 6,964 Deferred tax liability at 25% ICAEW 2022 1,741 Real exam (August 2020) 227 • Share option expense A tax allowance arises only when a share option is exercised. The tax allowance is based on the option’s intrinsic value at the exercise date. The intrinsic value is the difference between the market price of the share at the exercise date and the exercise price of the option. 68 Hyall and Forbes You are an audit senior working for Hyall and Forbes, ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You are assigned to the audit of NuTyre plc for the year ending 30 September 2020. NuTyre is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It manufactures and fits its own brand of car tyres and exhausts and operates in the UK and internationally. This is your first time on the NuTyre audit and the audit manager briefs you as follows: “I need your help to plan the NuTyre audit for the year ending 30 September 2020. “NuTyre is a challenging audit because, although the company has no subsidiaries, it has 2 manufacturing divisions and 13 retail divisions. Each division has its own management team. All 15 divisions use the same accounting system, but financial and other controls differ between divisions. “The company manufactures exhausts at its manufacturing division in the UK and tyres at its manufacturing division in India. “During the year ended 30 September 2019, NuTyre had three retail divisions in the UK, India and France. Each retail division operates between four and ten sites, selling and fitting tyres and exhausts to vehicles owned by individuals. “In October 2019, NuTyre acquired retail sites in ten additional countries, establishing retail divisions in Germany, Sweden and eight other countries. “The retail model is similar in all the countries in which NuTyre operates. “In the year ended 30 September 2019, Hyall and Forbes performed audit procedures in the UK, India and France. We will need to think carefully about scoping the audit for the year ending 30 September 2020. For example, we will need to identify which divisions are significant components for the purposes of our audit to identify where we carry out more detailed audit procedures. I don’t think it will be practicable to visit all 15 manufacturing and retail divisions and their various sites. However, in total they are material, so we need to perform some audit procedures for these elements of the business. “Planning materiality for the NuTyre audit has been set at £130,000. “NuTyre produces management accounts which identify separately the results for each manufacturing or retail division. I’ve provided you with summary information from the management accounts for the nine months ended 30 June 2020 (Exhibit 1). “I have also provided notes from my recent meeting with NuTyre’s finance director, Jud Lever (Exhibit 2). He explains how NuTyre’s management reporting has evolved this year and highlights issues at some divisions. He asks for our guidance on following up an alleged fraud and on disclosure requirements. Audit manager’s instructions “What I need you to do is: (1) Calculate relevant accounting ratios as preliminary analytical procedures on the summary information from the management accounts (Exhibit 1). (2) Use the results of your analytical procedures, together with the other information provided, to: (a) identify any matters that you believe Hyall and Forbes should investigate further as we plan the audit of NuTyre for the year ending 30 September 2020. (b) produce an extract from the audit plan which, for each manufacturing division and retail division: 228 • states whether that division is a significant component and explains why; and • outlines the extent of the audit procedures we should perform at that division. (I do not require detailed individual audit procedures, but I do need a justification of the extent and scope of audit testing required for each division). Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (c) provide Jud with guidance on the divisional financial reporting disclosures that should be included in the NuTyre financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2020. Explain your guidance and set out any additional information you require to reach a conclusion on the disclosures required. (3) Respond to Jud’s request regarding the fraud allegations from the Belgium employee (Exhibit 2), setting out: (a) the specific procedures Hyall and Forbes could perform to investigate the occurrence and extent of the alleged fraud; and (b) the controls which NuTyre could introduce to minimise the likelihood of a fraud of this nature being committed in future by a divisional manager.” Requirement Respond to the audit manager’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Summary information from NuTyre’s management accounts for the nine months ended 30 June 2020 Summary information from NuTyre’s management accounts for the nine months ended 30 June 2020 Notes Manufacturing divisions India Total manufacturing 2 Retail divisions 2 India France Germany Sweden ICAEW 2022 Operating profit/(loss) £’000 £’000 Exhausts 4,061 51 Tyres 4,801 1,680 8,862 1,731 Exhausts 2,051 428 Tyres 2,135 320 Exhausts 723 291 Tyres 2,692 807 Exhausts 626 234 Tyres 448 120 Exhausts 253 27 Tyres 1,239 Exhausts 477 97 Tyres 1,354 203 1 UK UK Revenue Product Real exam (August 2020) (35) 229 Revenue Operating profit/(loss) £’000 £’000 Exhausts 1,093 208 Tyres 3,466 520 Total retail 16,557 3,220 Total retail and manufacturing 25,419 4,951 Notes Other: 8 small divisions 3 Product Less: Inter-division revenue 1 (8,862) Less: Head office costs (2,303) Total 16,557 2,648 5,223 1,336 11,334 3,615 Summary by product: Exhausts Tyres Head office (2,303) Total 16,557 2,648 Divisional assets at 30 June 2020 Notes Total assets £’000 Manufacturing division: UK 2,395 India 3,484 Retail division: 4 UK 2,018 India 1,539 France 410 Germany 781 Sweden 954 Other: 8 small divisions Head office Total 230 3 2,182 263 14,026 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Notes (1) The manufacturing divisions sell only to NuTyre’s retail divisions. (2) Old tyres removed from customer vehicles can sometimes be refurbished and sold as reconditioned tyres. This refurbishment work is performed by NuTyre’s manufacturing division in India. When a retail division sends tyres to India to be refurbished, no inter-divisional sale is recorded. The Indian manufacturing division bears all associated transport costs. (3) The eight small divisions are all similar in size. (4) Retail division site assets comprise the premises and equipment used for the fitting of tyres and also inventory. Exhibit 2: Notes from meeting with Jud Lever, NuTyre finance director – prepared by audit manager Management reporting Jud explained that, following the establishment of additional divisions in Germany, Sweden and 8 other countries, NuTyre’s management accounts now include more analysis of divisional results, both geographically and by product. This information is reviewed monthly by the executive management team and used to assess the performance of the divisions and to make decisions about any further investment. It is also used to set prices for inter-divisional sales, so that the company’s overall tax burden is minimised. The management team’s focus is primarily on the geographical analysis, as the countries in which NuTyre operates have very different regulatory environments and market conditions. Each manufacturing and retail division pays tax in the country in which it operates. Tax rates vary between countries with a particularly high rate in the UK and a low rate in India. Issues identified • An employee at the small retail division in Belgium has contacted Jud and alleged that the division’s finance manager, Henri Pinot, is defrauding NuTyre. The employee alleges that Henri is taking tyres which could be refurbished and, instead of sending them to NuTyre’s manufacturing division in India, is selling them for his own benefit. The employee also alleges that Henri has made unauthorised payments to Pinot Ltd, a company owned by his wife. Henri has recorded these as consultancy costs in the division’s financial statements. Jud wants our help to investigate these allegations and the NuTyre audit committee has asked us to recommend controls that NuTyre could introduce to prevent fraud of this type. • Total assets in France look low. Jud told me that it is common in France to expense equipment in the statement of profit or loss, rather than capitalising it. Disclosure requirements In the past, NuTyre provided minimal divisional analysis in its published financial statements. Jud has asked Hyall and Forbes to provide guidance on whether any additional disclosure is necessary now that the company has more divisions. The Board wants to give as little detail as possible, as it believes detailed information might benefit its competitors. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (August 2020) 231 232 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2020) 69 SSD You are an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and an audit manager working for Harris and Henshaw (HH), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You have been assigned to the audit of SSD plc (SSD) for the year ended 30 September 2020. SSD is a UK listed company which designs and develops electronic technologies for a range of industries. Planning materiality for SSD is £35 million. Your colleague, Sheena Green, the former manager on the SSD audit, has been moved to another audit assignment. Sheena identified three audit risk areas which are likely to give rise to key audit matters. She prepared working papers for these risk areas as follows: • Intangible assets (Exhibit 1) • Issue of bond to ZMedd plc (Exhibit 2) • Sale and leaseback transaction (Exhibit 2) You are the training supervisor and mentor for Chris Yang, who works for HH and is in his first year as an ICAEW trainee Chartered Accountant. Chris is currently assigned to the audit for ZMedd, an international pharmaceutical company and an HH audit client. Chris has sent you an email (Exhibit 3). The audit engagement partner gives you the following instructions: “Please prepare a briefing document in which you: For intangible assets (Exhibit 1): (1) evaluate the appropriateness and completeness of SSD’s accounting policy asdisclosed in the note; (2) explain the correct financial reporting treatment for the additions to intangible assets; and (3) evaluate the adequacy of Sheena’s assessment of audit risk and set out the key audit procedures that HH should perform. (4) For the issue of the bond to ZMedd and the sale and leaseback transaction (Exhibit 2): (a) explain the correct financial reporting treatment in SSD’s financial statements for theyear ended 30 September 2020; and (b) recommend appropriate journal adjustments.” Requirements 69.1 Respond to the audit engagement partner’s instructions. 69.2 Identify and explain the ethical issues for HH, Chris Yang and you, the audit manager arising from Chris Yang’s email (Exhibit 3). Set out the actions that you should take. Total: 42 marks Exhibit 1: Intangible assets audit working paper – prepared by Sheena Green (1) Extract from SSD’s draft financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2020 I have extracted this information from an early draft of SSD’s financial statements. These have been prepared by the new financial controller, who is inexperienced in financial reporting. Intangible assets Purchased intangibles Development costs Total £m £m £m 350 140 490 97 117 214 447 257 704 Cost At 1 October 2019 Additions At 30 September 2020 ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2020) 233 Purchased intangibles Development costs Total £m £m £m At 1 October 2019 94 49 143 Charge for the year 12 5 17 At 30 September 2020 106 54 160 Carrying amount at 30 Sep 2020 341 203 544 Accumulated amortisation Accounting policy note for intangibles • Recognition and measurement Purchased intangibles include licences, patents and databases, and are stated in the statement of financial position at cost less accumulated amortisation. Development costs comprise internally developed intangibles which are clearly identified and directly attributable to a particular project. • Amortisation Licences and patents have finite lives and are amortised on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 3 to 40 years. Databases have indefinite lives and are subject to annual impairment reviews. Development costs are amortised based upon the predicted sales revenue derived from the products. • Impairment reviews The carrying amounts of development costs are reviewed where there are indications of possible impairment. An impairment review involves a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset with estimated values in use based on the latest management cash flow projections approved by the Board. The cash flows cover a forecast period of five years and the discount rate is based on SSD’s weighted average cost of capital. (2) Assessment of audit risk We need to focus on the additions to intangible assets because SSD capitalised costs of £214 million in the year ended 30 September 2020. The key audit risk is that expenditure may have been inappropriately capitalised. (3) Additions to intangible assets I have identified additions of £179 million which will provide audit coverage of 83.6% of the £214 million additions to intangible assets recognised in the year ended 30 September 2020: £m Taste database 87 Project Smart 13 Project Textel 79 Total • 179 Taste Database – £87 million SSD recognised an addition to purchased intangible assets as follows: £m Debit purchased intangible assets 87 Credit operating costs 234 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 £m In respect of costs expensed in the year ended: 30 September 2019 22 30 September 2020 65 On 1 October 2018, SSD acquired the Taste database for £150 million which is recognised in purchased intangible assets at cost. In November 2018, SSD commenced a research project using this database to develop a machine which uses artificial intelligence to learn to taste. At 30 September 2019, research costs for this project of £22 million were expensed in the statement of profit or loss. No amortisation of the Taste database was charged in the year ended 30 September 2019. On 1 July 2020, work on this research project ceased because key personnel left the company. Costs incurred to 1 July 2020 of £65 million were initially expensed to profit or loss in the year ended 30 September 2020. At 30 September 2020, the board estimates that, as a result of the research undertaken by SSD from 1 November 2018 to 1 July 2020, the fair value of the Taste database increased to £237 million. SSD therefore recognised an addition to purchased intangibles of £87 million, giving a total carrying amount of £237 million. Because the £22 million relating to the year ended 30 September 2019 is not material, no prior year adjustment has been proposed. • Project Smart – £13 million SSD has developed a micro device called Smart, which, when sewn into a sports garment, will measure an athlete’s heart rate and aerobic capacity. At 30 September 2019, development costs of £10 million had been capitalised as future economic benefits were probable. In October 2019, a further £13 million of development costs in respect of this project were capitalised. Production and sales of the Smart commenced on 1 December 2019. At 1 December 2019, SSD produced forecast discounted net operating cash flows under two scenarios as follows: Year ending 30 September Estimated cash flows Discounted cash flows Scenario A Scenario B £000 £000 £000 2020 7,250 6,590 6,590 2021 8,600 7,104 7,104 2022 4,250 3,192 3,192 2023 3,378 2,307 2,307 2024 2,400 1,490 1,490 2025 2,355 1,328 1,328 2026 2,000 1,026 1,026 23,037 23,037 2026 onwards 20,000 43,037 Assumptions Scenario A The cash flows for the seven years to 30 September 2026 are discounted using a 10% annual discount rate. This discount rate is SSD’s weighted average cost of capital based on the amounts in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2019. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2020) 235 Scenario B The cash flows for the seven years to 30 September 2026 are the same as Scenario A, but it is now assumed that cash flows will continue indefinitely after 30 September 2026 and remain constant. Since 1 December 2019, a rival company has brought to market a copy of the Smart device. As a result, cash flows of the Smart device for the period from 1 December 2019 to 30 September 2020 were only £4.2 million. The financial controller told me that the total Smart development costs of £23 million were not impaired because the present value of the forecast cash flows, prepared on 1 December 2019, ranged from £23.037 million to £43.037 million. Even the lower end of this range is greater than the carrying amount of the Smart development costs at 30 September 2020. • Project Textel – £79 million SSD has recognised the following amounts as development costs for the year ended 30 September 2020 in respect of the Textel research project. Period £m 1 October 2019 – 1 March 2020 32 1 March 2020 – 30 September 2020 47 79 This research project commenced in July 2019. SSD developed a material called Textel with integrated electronic fibres. When worn by a person, the material will identify warning signs of heart disease. Research costs prior to 1 October 2019 were expensed to profit or loss because the project outcomes were uncertain. On 1 March 2020, SSD presented Textel at a medical conference in Geneva. As a result of interest expressed by ZMedd, one of the pharmaceutical companies at the conference, Textel was deemed commercially viable. To take Textel to market, SSD raised finance (see Exhibit 2). Exhibit 2: Working paper on the issue of a bond and a sale and leaseback transaction – prepared by Sheena Green I have identified two significant transactions which will increase debt recognised in the statement of financial position by over 75%: • issue of a bond to ZMedd • sale and leaseback transaction I have proposed journals but I am not sure that they are correct. Issue of a bond On 1 April 2020, one month after the Geneva conference, SSD issued a zero-coupon bond for £20.25 million to ZMedd. Transaction costs of £100,000 have been charged to the statement of profit or loss at 1 April 2020. The bond will be redeemed on 31 March 2023 for £24 million. The bond has been recorded as follows: £m DEBIT Cash 20.15 DEBIT Profit or loss 0.10 CREDIT Non-current liability £m 20.25 The annual effective interest rate on the bond is 6%. Sale and leaseback transaction On 1 April 2020, SSD sold an office building to YB bank for its fair value of £40 million. The building is used by SSD’s research department. The carrying amount of the building at 1 April 2020 was £30 million. As SSD intended to continue to use the building, it entered into a contract with YB bank to lease back the building for 10 years for annual payments in arrears of £3.6 million. The annual implicit interest rate in the lease has been correctly calculated at 5%. 236 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The SSD financial controller has recorded this as follows: £m DEBIT Cash £m 40 CREDIT PPE 30 CREDIT Profit or loss 10 Being recognition of profit on disposal of building £m DEBIT Leased asset CREDIT £m 27.8 Liability 27.8 Being recognition of the building and lease liability corresponding to 10 annual payments of £3.6 million discounted at 5% per annum. Exhibit 3: Email from Chris Yang Hi, I know that you are currently auditing SSD so I thought you might be interested in some information I have discovered while auditing ZMedd. I was asked to review the ZMedd board minutes. These include approval of ZMedd’s purchase of a zero-coupon bond, issued by SSD for £20.25 million. I thought it would be useful for you to know that this transaction was approved by ZMedd’s board. Immediately prior to the purchase of the bond, the ZMedd board signed a contract with SSD for the sole distribution rights for Textel. The board noted that wearing Textel will lead to a significant increase in the predicted number of heart disease cases as a result of an increase in monitoring. This will increase the sales of a heart drug produced by ZMedd called Atrilfib, generating additional revenue of around £300 million for ZMedd. I also came across an article published in a technical magazine which I thought might be of use to you on the SSD audit. Here is an extract from the article: “Research conducted by a university concluded that Textel garments will identify warning signs of heart disease in many people who will not go on to develop any symptoms. Unnecessarily treating these people with heart drugs such as Atrilfib could seriously damage their long-term health.” When I was auditing entertainment costs, I came across a large amount spent at the March 2020 medical conference in Geneva. ZMedd paid for the hotel and travel costs of an SSD research team and two main board members of SSD. The expenses were correctly authorised at board level, but I wonder if this is an ethical issue. Please advise me what I should do. 70 Beta World You are Sam Kota and you work as the assistant to the finance director at Beta World plc (BW plc), an AIM-listed company based in the UK. BW plc is in the travel and leisure industry and prepares financial statements to 30 September. The BW plc finance director gives you the following briefing: “On 1 April 2020 BW plc decided to buy 45% of the ordinary shares in Flyline, a listed airline based in Australia. Having consulted with their technical department, the BW auditors have advised the BW board that Flyline must be treated as a subsidiary. As this is BW plc’s first acquisition, consolidated financial statements will be prepared for the year ended 30 September 2020. Both BW plc and Flyline have a 30 September year end. “The BW board wants to understand why, if BW plc only owns 45% of the ordinary shares in Flyline, Flyline should be treated as a subsidiary. I have provided you with details of BW plc’s acquisition of Flyline and the consideration for the acquisition (Exhibit 1). ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2020) 237 “The BW plc financial accountant prepared a working paper which includes extracts from the draft statements of comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 2020 for BW plc and Flyline. She asked for help with the consolidation of Flyline and advice about some financial reporting issues (Exhibit 2). “I would like you to prepare a briefing paper for the board in which you: (1) In respect of the acquisition of Flyline (Exhibit 1): (a) Explain why Flyline should be treated as a subsidiary in the BW consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2020. (b) Set out and explain how the investment in Flyline should be recognised in the BW plc individual company financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2020. (2) Set out and explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment of the issues identified by the BW plc financial accountant for the year ended 30 September 2020 (Exhibit 2). Include relevant journal adjustments. (3) Calculate the goodwill on the consolidation of Flyline to be included in the BW consolidated financial statements at 30 September 2020; and (4) Prepare a revised draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for BW for the year ended 30 September 2020. Include your recommended adjustments for (1), (2) and (3) above. Identify separately the amount attributable to the non-controlling interest at 30 September 2020.” Requirement Prepare the briefing paper requested by the BW plc finance director. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Information about the acquisition of Flyline and the consideration for the acquisition – prepared by BW plc finance director On 1 April 2020, BW plc acquired 45 million of the 100 million ordinary shares in Flyline, a company located in Australia. The currency in Australia is the A$. Ten shareholders each own 5.5 million of the remaining ordinary shares in Flyline. The initial consideration for 45 million ordinary shares of A$238 million was settled on 1 April 2020. The terms of the acquisition agreement are: • A further A$60 million in cash is payable on 1 October 2021 provided that Flyline’s EBITDA increases by 5%. The fair value of this additional consideration at 1 April 2020 was A$50 million and remained unchanged at 30 September 2020. • BW plc has the right to appoint all members of the Flyline board. • BW plc has an option to buy a further 30% of the ordinary shares in Flyline from its existing shareholders at any time before 1 December 2021. The exercise price for the shares under this option is 5% lower than the price per share BW plc paid to acquire the 45% shareholding on 1 April 2020. Cost of investment in Flyline The A$238 million initial cost for Flyline is recognised in the statement of financial position of BW plc and comprises: £000 Shares in BW plc 40,000 Cash 70,000 Professional fees for the acquisition 9,000 119,000 The exchange rate at 1 April 2020 was £1 : A$2. Issue of ordinary shares in BW plc On 1 April 2020, BW plc issued 5 million £1 ordinary shares to the shareholders of Flyline as a share for share exchange as part consideration for 45 million ordinary shares in Flyline. 238 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The market value of BW plc’s ordinary shares at that date was £8 per share. A journal entry was made to increase BW plc’s ordinary share capital by £40 million and increase the cost of the investment in Flyline in the BW plc statement of financial position. Other information BW plc has decided to use the fair value method to measure non-controlling interest. At 1 April 2020, the fair value of the remaining 55 million ordinary shares in Flyline was A$5.55 per share. At 30 September 2020, the fair value of these remaining 55 million ordinary shares was A$6.50 per share. Relevant exchange rates At 1 April 2020 £1 : A$2.00 Average for the six-month period to 30 September 2020 £1 : A$1.88 At 30 September 2020 £1 : A$1.75 Exhibit 2: Working paper prepared by BW plc financial accountant I have set out below extracts from the draft statements of comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 2020. BW plc Flyline £000 A$000 427,000 578,000 Cost of sales (254,000) (371,000) Gross profit 173,000 207,000 Operating expenses (54,600) (118,500) Finance costs (15,000) ––––––– Profit before tax 103,400 88,500 Tax (19,600) (16,000) 83,800 72,500 ––––––– ––––––– 83,800 72,500 180,600 173,800 83,800 72,500 264,400 246,300 Revenue Profit for the year Other comprehensive income Total comprehensive income for the year Other financial information Retained earnings As at 30 September 2019 Profit for the year As at 30 September 2020 Ordinary share capital £1 shares (see Exhibit 1) A$1 shares 140,000 100,000 Financial reporting issues I am preparing the translation of Flyline’s financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2020 from its functional currency, the A$, to the BW Group’s presentation currency, £ sterling, in preparation for its consolidation. I need your advice on the appropriate financial reporting treatment of the following issues for the financial statements of Flyline and for the BW consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2020. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2020) 239 Purchase of aircraft On 1 May 2020, Flyline received delivery of aircraft it had purchased from Petang KL, a company based in Malaysia, for RM56 million (RM is the currency in Malaysia). Flyline recorded the cost of the aircraft in assets and the corresponding liability to Petang KL at the exchange rate on 1 May 2020 which was A$1 : RM2.8. On 1 July 2020 Flyline paid Petang KL an amount of RM26 million, which was translated to A$8,125,000. At 30 September 2020, the balance on the Petang KL payable account in Flyline’s draft statement of financial position is A$11,875,000. After complying with local regulations, the aircraft was available and came into use on 1 October 2020. No depreciation was provided as Flyline was not sure what exchange rate to use for the depreciation charge. The estimated useful life of the aircraft is 10 years with a zero residual value. The exchange rate is A$1 : RM3.3 at 30 September 2020. Hedged transaction Aviation fuel is priced in US$ on the commodity market. The Flyline board was concerned about the foreign currency risk of buying aviation fuel and Flyline entered into a hedging transaction. Flyline has a contractual commitment with a supplier to purchase 40,000 tonnes of aviation fuel on 10 November 2020 at a fixed price per tonne of US$700. On 1 June 2020, to hedge the foreign currency risk, Flyline entered into a forward contract at a zero price to purchase US$28 million for A$42 million on 10 November 2020. At 30 September 2020, a new forward contract at a zero price for the purchase of US$28 million on 10 November 2020 could have been entered into at A$44 million. Documentation has been prepared and the conditions satisfy the requirements of IFRS 9 to treat this as a hedged transaction. I understand that Flyline has an accounting policy choice regarding this transaction. The board wants to adopt the accounting policy which minimises the impact on profit or loss and on reserves for the year ended 30 September 2020. 71 GlamFood You are the manager for the audit of GlamFood plc for the year ended 30 September 2020. GlamFood is a listed company and next week it plans to announce its results for the year ended 30 September 2020. GlamFood supplies catering for events. Your firm, Gupta & Rowe (GR) has audited GlamFood for four years. You receive the following briefing from the audit partner: “There is still a lot of work to complete on the GlamFood audit before the company announces its results next week. My review of the audit team’s work identified some matters of concern (Exhibit 1). Audit planning materiality is £150,000 based on GlamFood’s profit before tax of £3 million. “I am not satisfied with the substantive analytical procedures carried out by the audit assistant (Exhibit 2). He has performed some analysis but has neither used the results nor included all the key analyses I expected to see. We need to demonstrate that we have done enough audit work in this area. In particular, there is a new incentive scheme for directors, based on achieving target levels of revenue and profit that should be examined more closely. “In addition to resolving the matters arising from my review, we need to perform audit procedures to address going concern risk. I have received a going concern paper from the GlamFood finance director (Exhibit 3), which provides some relevant information. However, it will be important to take into account your findings from the audit procedures in other areas. “What I want you to do is: (1) For each of the matters of concern identified in Exhibit 1: (a) Set out and explain the correct financial reporting treatment, identifying any additional information you require; and (b) Explain the key audit risks that arise. 240 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (2) Using the information in Exhibit 2: (a) Identify and justify which entries should be the subject of further audit investigation; and (b) Set out and explain the additional key substantive analytical procedures and other key audit procedures that GR should perform on revenue and on journal entries. (3) For each of the elements of the GlamFood finance director’s paper on going concern (Exhibit 3): (a) Evaluate the finance director’s comments and identify any factors you believe give rise to significant doubt about GlamFood’s ability to continue as a going concern; and (b) Set out any additional information you require to complete your assessment of going concern.” Note: Take into account your findings in (1) and (2). Requirement Respond to the audit partner’s requests. Total: 28 marks Exhibit 1: Matters of concern – prepared by audit partner From my review of the audit working papers, I identified the following matters where I have concern about both the financial reporting treatment and the lack of adequate audit procedures. (1) GlamFood Club Revenue has increased due to the success of a new incentive scheme, the GlamFood Club (the Club). The Club was introduced on 1 October 2019 and closed to new members on 31 March 2020. During the six months to 31 March 2020, customers who booked catering for an event were invited to pay an annual membership fee of £500 for the Club at the time of booking. This entitles Club members to a discount of 20% for any additional events they book within one year of joining the Club. All booked events under the discount scheme must take place before 30 September 2022. Many customers have signed up for the Club. Membership fees totalling £900,000 were received and recognised as revenue in the year ended 30 September 2020. In the year ended 30 September 2020, Club members booked additional events totalling £3 million, after deducting the 20% discount. At the time of booking, Club members are required to pay a deposit of 50% of the total amount for the event, which is non-refundable. These deposits have been recognised in revenue in the year ended 30 September 2020. (2) Share options During the year ended 30 September 2020, GlamFood issued share options to a key supplier rather than paying them in cash. A comment in the Board minutes suggests that the total value of the goods received by GlamFood in return for the options was £1.2 million and the share options issued had a fair value of £1.1 million. No entries were recorded for the share options issued or for the goods received, as the options cannot be exercised until 31 October 2022. Exhibit 2: Substantive analytical procedures – prepared by audit assistant We have used substantive analytical procedures to identify and investigate high-risk items from the population of transactions recorded in the GlamFood nominal ledger during the year ended 30 September 2020. Our work focused on revenue and journal entries and the results are summarised below: Analysis of revenue The chart below analyses the transactions which comprise GlamFood’s total revenue of £30.285 million for the year ended 30 September 2020. The deferred income column shows the net value of amounts transferred from and to deferred income during the year. All invoiced income is initially posted to revenue and month-end adjustments are made to defer income which has not yet been earned or release income deferred in previous months. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2020) 241 Source of entry Analysis of revenue entries Other journals Deferred income Cash Credit notes Sales invoices -5,000 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 £000 Sales invoices Credit notes Cash Deferred income Other journals 24,321 -2,960 3,805 4,091 1,028 Duplicate entries Our search for revenue entries with the same reference number and value identified sales invoices with a total value of £476,000 which appear to have been posted twice. We discussed these with the GlamFood accountant who told us that it was not unusual to have a series of stage payments for the same event. Day of journal posting The charts below analyse the total debit value of all journal entries by the day of the week on which they were posted. Normal working days for the GlamFood accounts team are Monday to Friday. Value of journal entries by day £000 5820 5782 6000 5021 5000 4987 5137 4000 3000 1902 2000 1615 1000 0 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Days of the week Number of journal entries by day Number of journal entries 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 150 112 Mon 110 Tue 153 119 Wed Thu Fri 12 5 Sat Sun Days of the week Unexpected double entry A data analytics search for entries in which the combination of debit and credit entries appeared unusual identified the following item. DEBIT CREDIT 242 Corporate Reporting Cash Deferred income £2 million £2 million ICAEW 2022 The GlamFood accountant explained that this entry relates to a loan received on 30 September 2020. The lender is a key GlamFood customer. GlamFood invoices this customer approximately £100,000 each month for catering services. Invoices to be issued to the customer during the year ended 30 September 2021 will be offset against the loan, so the loan has been classified as deferred income. Any remaining loan balance at 30 September 2021 will be payable on that date, together with interest of £300,000. Exhibit 3: Going concern paper – prepared by GlamFood finance director This paper sets out the board’s assessment of GlamFood’s ability to continue as a going concern. We have considered a period of two years from 30 September 2020. Revenue and profitability GlamFood’s draft financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2020 show revenue of £30.285 million which is 5% higher than in the previous financial year and in line with market expectations. Our forecasts show that revenue growth is expected to continue at an annual rate of 5% for the next two years. The profit before taxation in the draft financial statements is £3 million. This is 8% higher than in the previous financial year. Our forecasts show profit growth at an annual rate of 10% for the next two years. There is no reason why we cannot achieve this with our cost-cutting programme and loyal customer base. Cash At 30 September 2020 GlamFood had cash of £1.9 million. This is a similar level to the cash balance at 30 September 2019. Our forecasts show that the cash balance is not expected to fall below zero at any point in the next two years. Obligations No long-term liabilities or loans are recorded in the financial statements at 30 September 2020. There is a pension fund deficit of £4.7 million (£3.2 million at 30 September 2019). The increase in the deficit is due to reduced employer contributions paid during the year ended 30 September 2020. We hope to continue to pay the reduced level of contributions for the next few years. Deferred income, which represents amounts billed to customers in advance, totalled £2.3 million at 30 September 2020 (2019: £6.4 million). Conclusion The board believes that GlamFood will continue as a going concern. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (November 2020) 243 244 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2021) Advance Information The Advance Information relates to Question 1 only of the Corporate Reporting Examination for July 2021. Panther Metals Ltd The Advance Information comprises: (a) This document which includes the scenario, background information (Exhibit A) and some interim audit matters (Exhibit B); and (b) The nominal ledger data for Panther Metals Ltd (Panther) for the 11 months ended 30 November 2020, contained within the data analytics software: http://icaew21.inflosoftware.com/redirect/Exam?code=ALCRJUL21AI Examination During your examination on 19 July 2021, you will be provided with the nominal ledger data for the full 12 months ended 31 December 2020 for Panther contained within the data analytics software. You will need to address the new data for the month of December 2020 and to consider the data, patterns and trends for the year ended 31 December 2020 as a whole. The data for the 11 months to 30 November 2020 will remain valid and will be unchanged. However, in the exam, you will not be able to access the data analytics software for the 11 months to 30 November 2020 made available in the Advance Information or any notes you have made in the data analytics software for the 11 months to 30 November 2020. Scenario You are an audit senior working for Marr LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Marr is the statutory auditor of Panther for the year ended 31 December 2020. Panther prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS. You have just been assigned to the audit of Panther and you receive the following email from the audit engagement manager, Albert Ramsay: Panther Audit From Albert Ramsay Date 21 June 2021 To Audit Senior An interim audit of Panther was carried out during December 2020. During the interim audit, Panther’s management provided Marr with data for the 11 months ended 30 November 2020 from its nominal ledger. This was imported into the data analytics software which is used by Marr to carry out its audit procedures. The audit senior for the Panther interim audit, Ben Brown, no longer works for Marr. However, he prepared some background information (Exhibit A) and also identified some interim audit matters (Exhibit B). Since the completion of the interim audit of Panther, there have been a number of problems with staff illness at Panther. These have delayed the production of Panther’s nominal ledger data for the full year ended 31 December 2020. As a result, the final audit visit is now scheduled for July 2021 and I would like you to act as audit senior. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2021) 245 I will give you more details immediately prior to the final audit visit, but meanwhile I would like you to review: (a) The background information (Exhibit A) and interim audit matters (Exhibit B) prepared during the interim audit by Ben Brown; and (b) The nominal ledger data for Panther for the 11 months ended 30 November 2020, contained within the data analytics software. Exhibit A: Background information – prepared by Ben Brown, 15 December 2020 Business model Panther purchases metals and recycled waste metals which it then processes into high-purity metals and alloys, for example nickel, cobalt, tungsten and chromium. Alloys are made by combining two or more metals. It sells the high-purity metals and alloys to its customers which operate in a range of industries such as aerospace, power generation, petrochemical and medical instruments. Panther purchases from and sells to a range of countries. The prices that it pays for metal purchases and the prices it is able to achieve on metal sales are strongly influenced by the prices on commodity markets which are volatile. Set out below are the members of the accounts department at Panther and their roles. Organisation roles for key people Paul Parker Financial controller Sunil Bank Assistant financial controller Michael Morden Sales ledger – resigned February 2020 • Alain Smith Accounts assistant – resigned August 2020 Julie Lao Accounts assistant – joined July 2020 Paul Parker – Panther financial controller Paul is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and has worked at Panther for many years. Paul is the head of the finance function and is responsible for the production of the financial statements and quarterly management accounts. He processes manual journals and sometimes corrects and assists the processing of sales and purchase invoices and credits. • Sunil Banks – Assistant financial controller Sunil has worked for Panther for three years. He is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and is responsible for the purchase ledger and posts purchase invoices and credit notes, purchase payments and payments on account. He also processes bank payments and bank receipts. After Michael Morden (see below) resigned in February 2020, Sunil has also managed the sales ledger function. He has been assisted by Alain Smith (see below) and from July 2020, by Julie Lao (see below). • Michael Morden – sales ledger manager Michael was responsible for the sales ledger until he resigned in February 2020 and left the company. • Alain Smith – accounts assistant 246 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Alain assisted Michael with the sales ledger. After Michael left the company in February 2020, Alain processed sales invoices and sales credits, supervised by Sunil. In August 2020 Alain resigned and left the company. • Julie Lao – Accounts assistant Julie joined Panther in July 2020. She is a student member of ICAEW. Julie works mostly on processing bank payments and receipts. She also works on the sales ledger supervised by Sunil. She acts as an assistant to both Sunil and Paul. Revenue recognition Two types of sale arrangements used by Panther, with differing commercial terms, are: • Pro forma invoice arrangements Some sales are made using a pro forma invoice arrangement. A pro forma invoice is a confirmed sales order, where Panther and the customer agree on the terms of sale, and the details and prices of the metals and alloys to be sold and shipped to the customer. Panther raises a pro forma invoice when it is ready to dispatch these goods. Shipping to the customer may take several months. According to the commercial terms of sale, control of the goods only passes to the customer when they are received by the customer. At this point, a final invoice is raised, the transaction is recorded in the accounting records and the revenue is recognised. • Bill-and-hold arrangements Some sales are made under bill-and-hold arrangements. These arise when a customer is invoiced for goods that are ready for delivery, but Panther retains possession of the goods in its warehouse on the customer’s behalf and does not ship the goods to the customer until a later date. Panther uses the following criteria to determine whether a particular transaction qualifies as a billand-hold arrangement: (1) the reason for the bill-and-hold arrangement must be substantive (for example, the customer has requested the arrangement for commercial reasons); (2) products can be physically identified separately as belonging to the customer; (3) products must be ready for physical transfer to the customer; and (4) products cannot be used or directed to another customer. When bill-and-hold arrangements apply, Panther recognises revenue despite the fact that the goods are still in Panther’s possession. Commodity prices and futures markets Metals are a commodity and metal futures contracts are available to buy and sell in markets such as the London Metal Exchange (LME). Futures prices reflect the prices of the underlying metals bought and sold in trading of the physical product. Impact of changes in metal prices on Panther – nickel and cobalt I have set out below an extract from Panther’s draft strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2020. The purchase price of nickel, which is used in many alloys, increased during the six months ended 30 June 2020 because of supply concerns. However, the price of nickel fell during the second half of the year. Another significant metal, cobalt, experienced volatility of prices during the year ended 31 December 2020. Sales of cobalt-based alloys provided strong growth for Panther but, at some points in the year, it was difficult to obtain sufficient supplies of cobalt-based alloys to match customer demand. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2021) 247 Exhibit B: Interim audit matters – prepared by Ben Brown, 16 December 2020 I have raised the following issues for Paul Parker, the financial controller. Interim audit matter 1: Debit transactions on Account 4000 − Nickel based alloy sales Nickel based alloy sales have increased significantly compared with last year. I have reviewed account 4000 for unusual transactions. I identified the following debit transactions processed by Alain Smith, who resigned in August 2020. In March 2020: Transaction ID Description Debit Credit Account code Effective dates User IDs 131735 Cancel proforma invoices 324,000 0 4000 01/03/2020 Alain Transaction ID Description Debit Credit Account code Effective dates User IDs 134203 Cancel proforma invoices 145,551 0 4000 01/06/2020 Alain In June 2020: I cannot find any information about these adjustments because Alain resigned in August 2020 and no longer works at Panther. Paul has told me that he believes that Alain sometimes posted proforma invoices to revenue by mistake. The final sales invoices were posted when the goods were received by the customer. Alain then corrected his mistake by cancelling the proforma invoices with sales credit notes, debiting the relevant sales account. Paul cannot be certain that all the proforma invoices posted by Alain in error before he left have been corrected. Interim audit matter 2: Revenue recognition Alain was replaced by Julie Lao who joined Panther in July 2020. I discussed the accounting policy for revenue recognition with Julie. She told me that Panther had recently considered a potential contract with a customer on a basis. However, she seemed uncertain about how to account for this type of contract and about other matters relating to revenue recognition. This is a key area of audit risk which should be followed up at the year-end audit visit. 72 Panther Metals Ltd The final audit visit for Panther started last week and you have joined the audit team as audit senior. Jason Green, an audit assistant, has also joined the audit team for the final audit visit. The engagement manager for the Panther audit, Albert Ramsay, gives you the following briefing: “You will have reviewed the interim audit information prepared by Ben Brown, the previous audit senior. You will also have familiarised yourself with the data for Panther for the 11 months ended 30 November 2020. “Data for December 2020 has now been imported into the data analytics software from Panther’s nominal ledger, so the full year nominal ledger data for the year ended 31 December 2020 is now available. “Jason followed up on the two interim audit matters set out by Ben Brown and has carried out some further audit work. As a result, Jason has set out three audit issues (Exhibit 1). “Jason has also performed preliminary analytical procedures for revenue for each type of metal and alloy in comparison with last year (Exhibit 2) and he has added some brief comments. 248 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 “The Panther board is concerned about how the volatility of metal prices affects the value of inventories and impacts profit. The board has provided an illustrative example of a hedging transaction prepared by Paul Parker (Exhibit 3). “Materiality has been set at £165,000, but performance materiality has not yet been finalised.” Instructions (1) In respect of each of the three audit issues identified by Jason Green (Exhibit 1), review relevant transactions in the data analytics software; and – Set out and explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment, including correcting journal entries. – Identify and explain the key audit risks. (2) From Jason’s preliminary analytical procedures for revenue (Exhibit 2), select three revenue accounts which you regard as having the highest audit risk. For each of these three accounts: – Explain and justify why you have selected the account. – Identify individual transactions which give rise to key audit risks and explain the nature of these risks. – Set out the information and explanations that you need from Panther’s management in respect of the audit risks identified. (3) Determine and justify an appropriate level of performance materiality for the audit of Panther’s revenue. (4) Set out and explain the financial reporting treatment for the illustrative example hedging transaction proposed by Paul (Exhibit 3). You should include relevant journals. Explain how the suggested hedging transaction may reduce the volatility of future reported profits. Requirement Respond to the audit engagement manager’s instructions. Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Audit issues – prepared by Jason Green, audit assistant Audit Issue 1 – Proforma invoices At the interim audit, Ben Brown raised a concern regarding whether Panther has appropriate and effective controls over transactions using proforma invoices. I have investigated further and have identified a proforma invoice in the Account code Nickel 4003 in April 2020 posted by Alain. A final invoice for this amount was posted later in 2020 when the nickel was delivered to the customer. Audit issue 2 – Sale to YYM YYM has been a customer of Panther for many years. YYM is a wholesaler and global distributor of metals and alloys, based in South Africa. In December 2020, Panther sold £342,556 of chromium to YYM. (The sale is recorded in Account code 4012 Chromium.) In the sales agreement, YYM agreed to assume risk for the chromium and had the right to control the destination and timing of delivery. YYM had agreed to sell this chromium to one of its German customers, Zeinn. YYM therefore asked Panther to store the chromium in its warehouse on a bill-and-hold basis until February 2021. This was to avoid the costs of transport to South Africa and then later to Germany. Panther agreed to this request from YYM. This chromium was included in the inventory count at 31 December 2020 and recognised in inventory at its cost to Panther of £270,500. I have checked and confirmed that the cost is correct. Audit Issue 3 – Goods in transit On 6 December 2020, a ship set sail to deliver tungsten to a customer, GTEX, in San Diego on the west coast of the US. A proforma invoice amounting to £450,562 was prepared. The tungsten was in transit for some weeks and the ship was due to arrive in the San Diego on 27 December 2020. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2021) 249 On 21 December 2020, Julie, the Panther accounts assistant, emailed GTEX’s purchase ledger department. She informed them that the tungsten would be held at the port in San Diego until GTEX paid the outstanding amount owing from previous sales of £352,411. This amount had been due for payment on 30 November 2020. On 2 January 2021, after some negotiation, GTEX made a payment on account of £150,000 in respect of the total outstanding amount owing. Following the receipt of the payment on account, Panther agreed to release the tungsten held at the San Diego port. The goods were eventually delivered to GTEX on 15 January 2021. Because the goods had left Panther’s factory, they were not included in inventory at 31 December 2020. I verified this by reviewing the inventory listing. The cost price of the tungsten was £395,500. Exhibit 2: Preliminary analytical procedures for revenue − prepared by Jason Green Account Code Account Description Prior Year £ Current Year % change £ Brief comments prepared by Jason Green4000 4000 Nickel Based Alloys 6,041,028 12,178,537 102% 4001 Cobalt Based Alloys 1,516,635 2,357,616 55% 4003 Nickel (73,923) 337,199 556% Movement already explained by Audit issue 1 4004 Other Raw Materials 292,047 296,846 2% Consistent with previous year, no significant fluctuations 4005 17/4 ph type 74,967 137,191 83% 4007 Tungsten 2,778,353 3,186,947 15% Consistent with previous year, no significant fluctuations 4008 Niobium 2,065,017 2,537,320 23% Consistent with previous year, no significant fluctuations 4011 Titanium 703,088 693,235 (1)% Consistent with previous year, no significant fluctuations 4012 Chromium 161,075 827,775 414% Movement already materially explained by Audit issue 2 Invoice to YYM in December 2020 for £342,566 on a ‘billand-hold’ arrangement 4013 Molybdenum 3,495,861 5,511,292 58% Per Paul, Panther accountant, sales of molybdenum have increased following 250 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Account Code Account Description Prior Year £ Current Year % change £ Brief comments prepared by Jason Green4000 acquisition of two key customers. The increase is in line with budget. 4014 Tantalum 6,500,389 3,673,605 (43)% Paul was not sure what had happened to Tantalum sales this year. 4015 Hafnium 2,868,814 1,499,248 (48)% Large sale in February but then small amounts – per Paul, Panther no longer sells this type of metal. 4017 Toll Cutting 687,500 638,035 (7)% 4018 Cobalt 99,914 – (100)% 4019 Aluminium 304,435 337,796 11% 4020 Monel 1,943 98,270 4958% One large sale in July 4021 Rhenium 198,446 7,778 (96)% Per Paul, Panther no longer sells this type of metal. 4024 Maraging – 22,940 N/A 4025 Turnings – (Unit 8 Sales) 10,440 – (100)% 4026 Zirconium 44,082 345,426 684% One-off transactions – per sales department, not a metal that Panther sells frequently. 4028 Dense alloy 1,200,479 137,556 (89)% Confirmed with sales department that Panther currently no longer makes this type of alloy. 4029 Low Grade to Sell 351,045 257,740 (27)% 4030 MP35N 194,941 64,763 (67)% 4031 Refine/Reclaim – 1,941 N/A 4040 Sales – Processing 166,316 161,789 (3)% 29,682,894 35,310,842 Total revenue Totals subject to roundings ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2021) 251 Exhibit 3: Illustrative example hedging transaction Nickel makes up a large majority, by volume and value, of the nickel alloys produced by Panther. The selling price for nickel alloys achieved by Panther is heavily dependent on the market value of the nickel content at the time of the sale. The Panther board wishes to reduce fluctuations in future cash inflows from the sale of nickel alloys currently held in inventory. It wants to do this by hedging the cash flows from the nickel alloys which are to be sold from inventory. It will use nickel commodity futures contracts as the hedge. Panther has used this type of hedging in the past, and there is strong evidence from previous contracts that it is effective. Paul has prepared the following illustrative example based on a hedge which is expected to take place on 30 September 2021: Estimated nickel alloy in inventory at 30 September 2021 Quantity Cost price per tonne Inventory cost Tonnes £ £ 540 12,600 6,804,000 The sales value of the nickel alloy at 30 September 2021 is estimated to be £7,540,000 if sold at that date. However, Panther does not expect to sell the nickel alloy until 31 March 2022, when it knows a regular customer will need a delivery. On 30 September 2021, Panther will sell futures contracts for 540 tonnes of nickel at £14,000 per tonne. The contracts will mature on 31 March 2022. On 31 December 2021, the fair value of the inventory of nickel alloy is expected to be £7,330,000. At 31 December 2021, the futures price for nickel for delivery on 31 March 2022 is expected to be £13,500 per tonne. 73 E-Van Ltd E-Van Ltd is a component manufacturer for the electric vehicle industry. The Sennhauser family owns 100% of E-Van’s ordinary shares and the board is comprised entirely of Sennhauser family members. You are Jo Maine, the assistant to Hanna Sennhauser, the finance director. You and Hanna are both ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Yesterday evening Hanna sent you the following email: To: Jo Maine The Sennhauser family intends to sell all its shares in E-Van and has identified a potential buyer, Karpart Ltd, which is E-Van’s largest customer. As part of Karpart’s due diligence for the acquisition, the Karpart board has requested the financial statements of E-Van for the year ended 30 June 2021 as soon as they have been finalised. The reported profit of E-Van for that year will be one factor in determining a valuation for the E-Van shares. Draft financial statements for E-Van for the year ended 30 June 2021 are provided for you in Exhibit 1. The E-Van board wants to present the company’s results as favourably as possible to maximise the sale price of E-Van’s shares. However, the board recognises the need to comply with IFRS. In particular, the other directors on the E-Van board have requested that I review the financial reporting treatment of the following three areas: • property, plant and equipment (PPE) • investment property • the net defined benefit pension liability. I have looked at these and provided you with my proposed adjustments (Exhibit 2) to implement the board’s request. The financial statements (Exhibit 1) do not yet include any of my proposed adjustments. 252 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 So that I can report to the board, I would like you to prepare a working paper for me in which you: (1) Set out and explain, for each of the three areas identified above, your recommended financial reporting treatment in E-Van’s financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021. The recommended treatment should comply with IFRS while maximising reported profit. Justify and calculate any differences from my proposed adjustments. Include journals. (2) Prepare revised draft financial statements for E-Van for the year ended 30 June 2021 (Exhibit 1), which reflect your recommendations. Show your workings. Telephone call Shortly after sending the email, Hanna telephoned you and made the following comment: “I sent you an email earlier today. I want to emphasise how important it is to report a high profit figure and maximise the price we achieve for the sale of E-Van’s shares. I did not want to put this in writing but I would like you to prioritise this over complying with IFRS.” “I am planning to retire in six months. Clearly, I will be able to recommend you as my successor if you help me.” Requirements 73.1 Prepare the working paper requested by Hanna Sennhauser. (22 marks) 73.2 Explain the ethical implications for you arising from Hanna’s comment and the actions you should take. (8 marks) Note: Ignore any adjustments for current and deferred taxation. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Draft financial statements for E-Van for the year ended 30 June 2021 Draft statement of comprehensive income for the year ending 30 June 2021 £’000 Revenue 50,353 Operating profit 10,655 Finance costs (6,150) Profit before tax 4,505 Other comprehensive income: Remeasurement (loss) on net defined benefit obligation (Exhibit 2, note 3) (3,480) Draft statement of financial position as at 30 June 2021 £’000 Assets Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment (Exhibit 2, note 1) 83,700 Investment property (Exhibit 2, note 2) 24,200 Current assets 39,500 Total assets ICAEW 2022 147,400 Real exam (July 2021) 253 £’000 Equity and liabilities Equity Ordinary share capital (£1 shares) 50,000 Other reserves 5,000 Retained earnings 12,600 67,600 Non-current liabilities Net defined benefit pension liability (Exhibit 2, note 3) 54,000 Non-current payables and provisions 7,000 61,000 Current liabilities 18,800 Total equity and liabilities 147,400 Exhibit 2: Hanna’s proposed adjustments Note 1 – PPE: depreciation of production line I carried out a review of E-Van’s accounting policy for plant and equipment. E-Van set up a new production line on 1 July 2019 for £36 million. E-Van recognised this production line at cost and has depreciated it on a straight-line basis over seven years with an £8 million residual value in accordance with its accounting policy. A depreciation charge on this basis is included in the draft financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021. I asked the production manager whether he could justify a longer useful life for this production line. He told me that it has been clear since July 2020 that demand from our customers for the car parts produced on the production line is likely to end in June 2024. As a result, the production line would be sold at that date. However, I have obtained the electric vehicle component manufacturer industry averages as shown below: Industry average Useful life − number of years Residual value as % of cost 8 30% Proposed adjustment I propose that the depreciation charge for this production line should be revised as from 1 July 2020 to reflect the average useful lives and residual values used by the electric vehicle component manufacturer industry. Note 2 – Investment property On 1 July 2015, E-Van bought a freehold office building for £27.5 million. The office building had a 50-year useful life at that date and a zero residual value. The office building was used as the company’s head office until 1 July 2020, when E-Van moved its head office to another property. The freehold office building previously used by E-Van as its head office, was leased out to a third party under a 10-year lease and reclassified by E-Van as an investment property. 254 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 At 1 July 2020, E-Van chose to recognise the office building under the cost model for investment properties. It continued to depreciate the office building over its remaining useful life and included a depreciation charge in the draft financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021. Proposed adjustments From the change of use on 1 July 2020, I propose that instead of choosing the cost model, E-Van should choose the fair value model for the office building in accordance with IAS 40. To establish the fair value, I did some research and obtained details of two office buildings of similar size to E-Van’s head office which were sold in the local area in the past year. One office building was sold at a public auction for £30 million; the other was sold for £35 million to an international consortium seeking to make its first purchase in the UK property market. I think that we should use the higher of these two figures as the fair value of E-Van’s head office building. The fair value at 30 June 2021 can be assumed to be the same as the fair value at 1 July 2020. Note 3 – Net defined benefit pension liability The present value of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of the plan assets at 30 June 2021 were provided by E-Van’s actuary. The changes in the fair value of the assets and the present value of the liabilities over the year are reflected in the draft financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021 as follows: At 1 July 2020 Interest 2% Contributions paid Fair value of plan assets Present value of obligation Net defined benefit pension liability £’000 £’000 £’000 16,000 (67,000) (51,000) 320 (1,340) (1,020) 3,500 Current service cost Less: Benefits paid to retired members 3,500 (2,000) (2,000) (3,300) 3,300 16,520 (67,040) (50,520) Remeasurement 1,480 (4,960) (3,480) At 30 June 2021 18,000 (72,000) (54,000) Proposed adjustments • IAS 19 requires that the net interest cost and the liabilities of the pension scheme are discounted using the interest rate applicable to high-quality corporate bonds. We currently use 2% per annum based on AA-rated corporate bonds. However, I propose instead that a BBB investment grade corporate bond interest rate of 4.2% rate would be acceptable and should be used. As a result of using the higher interest I estimate that the net defined benefit pension liability at 30 June 2021 will reduce to £35 million. • E-Van made an offer to the scheme’s retired members to give up any future pension increases in return for a higher current pension which will remain constant. By 15 July 2021, nearly all the members had accepted this offer. The actuary informed me that this will result in a past service curtailment gain of £3.8 million for the year ended 30 June 2021. However, the actuary has not included this adjustment in the figures provided above. I propose that this adjustment should be recognised in the draft financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021. 74 Hughes Watson LLP You are an audit senior at Hughes Watson LLP (HW), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Numilla plc, an audit client of HW, is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is the parent company of a group which supplies wind turbines and other equipment to the renewable energy industry in the UK. You have been assigned to the group audit of Numilla for the year ended 30 June 2021. ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2021) 255 You receive the following briefing and instructions from the Numilla group audit manager, Alex Matuke: “On 30 June 2021, Numilla acquired 80% of the issued ordinary share capital of Localex Inc, a company based in Utopia. An assistant in Numilla’s corporate finance team has provided background notes on the acquisition (Exhibit 1) and the Numilla financial controller has set out his preliminary calculation of goodwill arising on the acquisition of Localex (Exhibit 2). We need to complete our audit procedures on this goodwill. “Please review all of the information I have provided (Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2) and: (1) In respect of the calculation of goodwill on the acquisition of Localex: (a) Identify and explain fair value adjustments and any errors or omissions made by the Numilla financial controller. Where possible, quantify the effect of each fair value adjustment, error or omission on goodwill, showing all relevant figures. (b) As far as the information permits, set out a corrected calculation of goodwill in the functional currency and the amount to be recognised in Numilla’s consolidated statement of financial position at 30 June 2021. Where appropriate, use an annual discount rate of 5%. (2) Explain the key audit risks that HW should address in its audit of the goodwill arising on the acquisition of Localex. For each key audit risk identified, set out the appropriate audit procedures for the year ended 30 June 2021.” Requirement Respond to Alex Matuke’s instructions. Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Background notes on the acquisition of Localex – prepared by an assistant in Numilla’s corporate finance team Localex is Numilla’s first acquisition outside the UK. Localex operates an energy supply business in Utopia. It also manufactures wind turbines which the Numilla group intends to sell in the UK. Localex has developed a small wind turbine, known as the MiniMax. This can be used by individual households or small businesses. The MiniMax is technically superior to similar products on the UK market and can be manufactured more cheaply in Utopia than in the UK. Following its acquisition by Numilla, Localex will continue to supply energy in Utopia. Localex will also expand its manufacturing facility so that it can supply MiniMax to both the UK and its local market. The acquisition On 30 June 2021, Numilla acquired 80% of the issued ordinary share capital of Localex from the company’s chief executive, Mattie Sven. Mattie still owns the remaining 20% of issued ordinary share capital. Mattie will continue as Localex chief executive under a three-year employment contract expiring on 30 June 2024. The currency in Utopia is the $, which is also the functional currency of Localex. Consideration Consideration for the 80% of Localex ordinary shares acquired by Numilla was structured as follows: • Cash of $1 million paid on 30 June 2021. • 2 million ordinary shares in Numilla plc issued on 30 June 2021, when the market price per share was £4.20. • 500,000 ordinary shares in Numilla plc to be issued on 31 July 2024 if the Localex financial statements show average annual growth in profit before taxation of at least 10% over the threeyear period ending 30 June 2024. I believe that there is only a 40% probability that this target will be achieved. It is estimated that the Numilla plc price per share on 30 June 2024 will be £5. 256 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Net assets The Localex draft financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021 show net assets with a carrying amount of $5 million comprising: Notes $ million $ million PPE Freehold property – at valuation 1 3.0 Plant and equipment at depreciated cost 2.7 5.7 Research and development costs for MiniMax 1.6 Current assets 2.9 Current liabilities: Decommissioning liability 2 Other 1.5 3.7 (5.2) Net assets 5.0 Notes (1) Localex uses the revaluation model in respect of freehold property. I believe that the carrying amount of freehold property is equivalent to its fair value. (2) The decommissioning liability relates to a fossil-fuel power station which is recognised in plant and equipment. Localex is legally obliged to dismantle this power station at the end of its useful life on 30 June 2026. The liability has been calculated using an estimated cost at 30 June 2026 of $1.9 million and a discount rate of 5% per annum. Localex estimates that, on 30 June 2026, a third party would charge $3.3 million to assume this liability. Tax In Utopia, company taxable profits are equal to accounting profits. The Utopian tax rate is 7.5%. The UK tax rate is 19%. Exchange rate The exchange rate on 30 June 2021 was £1 = $0.8. Exhibit 2: Calculation of goodwill on the acquisition of Localex – prepared by Numilla financial controller Notes £’000 Consideration Cash 1,000 2 million shares at £4.20 8,400 Professional fees incurred in respect of the acquisition and associated issue of shares Non-controlling interest – 20% of $5 million, translated at exchange rate of £1 = $0.8 100 1 Total consideration 1,250 10,750 Less: Net assets As reported in the Localex draft financial statements at 30 June 2021 2 5,000 3 1,600 Fair value adjustments: Contractual right to supply power and equipment in Utopia ICAEW 2022 Real exam (July 2021) 257 Provision for UK patent costs Notes £’000 4 (125) Total net assets 6,475 Goodwill 4,275 Notes (1) It is Numilla group policy to value the non-controlling interest using the proportion of net assets method. (2) Localex prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS and adopts the same accounting policies as Numilla group. (3) Localex has an exclusive licence to supply power in the Southern Region of Utopia until 30 June 2030. Based on anticipated net cash inflows from this contract, I have calculated that its value in use is $1.28 million (£1.6 million) higher than its carrying amount at 30 June 2021. I have made a fair value adjustment to reflect this. (4) Following the acquisition, Numilla plans to patent Localex’s MiniMax wind turbine in the UK and other markets. I have therefore included a provision for the estimated cost of obtaining this patent. 258 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software Background Practice Questions 1 and 2 are not exam standard; they are designed to give you practice in applying the data analytics software (DAS) features and functionality in the context of exam scenarios. You should only attempt these Practice Questions having studied the Explanatory Guidance Notes for the DAS. The Explanatory Guidance Notes explain and demonstrate how to use the software and provide the basic knowledge, understanding and skills required to attempt the Practice Questions in a meaningful way. Practice Questions 3 and 4 are designed to bridge the gap between Practice Questions 1 and 2 (which are not exam standard) and Practice Questions 5 and 6, and the Corporate Reporting mock exams (which are fully exam standard). You should only attempt these Practice Questions having studied the Explanatory Guidance Notes for the DAS and having attempted Practice Questions 1 and 2. Both the Explanatory Guidance Notes and the Practice Questions use the same version of the software. They also have the same data contained within the software, which relates to a real company, Elephant Company. Underlying assumptions of the Practice Questions Whilst all Corporate Reporting Practice Questions use the same software and the same data set contained within that software, they should be considered as separate companies. The Elephant company provides marketing services, mainly to digital businesses based in the UK (domestic) and the rest of Europe (overseas). However, whilst this is the core business model for all Practice Questions, each question scenario is a separate company and will therefore explain and develop additions to, and variations of, the core business model. Aside from the business model, the scenarios differ in each Practice Question in terms of the audit risks, roles of individuals, activities, accounting problems, and additional transactions outside the data in the software. Issues described in one company scenario should not therefore be assumed to exist in another company in another Practice Question. In the real Corporate Reporting exam, the version of the software will be the same as that in the Explanatory Guidance Notes and Practice Questions, but the data contained within it will be a different real company from Elephant. In the real Corporate Reporting exam there will be Advance Information with 11 months of data. The full year’s data will then be provided in the exam itself. As these Practice Questions are not full exam standard, there is no Advance Information and the full 12 months data is provided for each question. There are three elements to each Practice Question: • The question. • Mark plan. (Traditional mark plan – but with narrative references to the DAS.) • Appendix. Screen shots showing the visualisations that were useful in obtaining the answer and which support the narrative in the mark plan (but are not part of the answer). The software contains a series of visualisations, which you may be required to interrogate, analyse and interpret. However, for Corporate Reporting exams in 2022 you will not be able to copy visualisations (or any other information) from the software into your script. Therefore, the screenshots in the Appendix of each question are for guidance only, to show how, for each Practice Question, the answer was obtained using the software. You will not be able to replicate the Appendix of the Practice Questions in the exam. Dates Elephant’s accounting year-end for the data in the software is 31 December 2018. Each Practice Question will state an assumed date within the scenario where you are undertaking a role in the audit of Elephant. Typically, this will be in the first few months of 2019 (ie, shortly after Elephant’s accounting year end). ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 259 Which browser and which device? The software works on most browsers. However, it is strongly recommended that you do not use Safari. If you use a laptop, some visualisations may appear slightly more compressed than shown in these guidance notes, or may not show the full screen. It is recommended that you do not use an iPad or other tablet or phone to access the software. 75 Practice Question 1 Click below to access the data analytics software DATA ANALYTICS SOFTWARE Assume that the current date is 28 January 2019. Your firm is the external auditor of Elephant Company (Elephant), a digital marketing company based in the UK. Elephant’s customers sign a contract for a specific project for Elephant to deliver marketing services. Each project is short term, up to three months. You are an audit senior on the audit of Elephant for the year ended 31 December 2018. An interim audit took place in December 2018, but you were not involved in that audit visit. Materiality for the audit of Elephant has been set at £30,000. Your firm has extracted draft data from Elephant’s nominal ledger and imported it into your firm’s DAS. Engagement partner’s concerns The engagement partner, Mary Moore, has asked you to consider the following two key areas of audit risk: (1) Cost of sales (2) Trade payables Mary is concerned that some of the accounts making up cost of sales have increased substantially. Mary is also concerned about the amount of expenses being claimed by staff using a company credit card and she considers this could be an audit risk. Typically, staff will charge expenses, or make purchases, using the company’s credit card, which is then settled directly by Elephant. Interim audit The audit junior, Brian Best, attended the interim audit and wrote the following notes: All direct costs (labour, expenses and materials) incurred for each marketing project are manually recorded in Elephant’s job costing system. The job costing system is used to record costs allocated to each job. It is maintained outside the nominal ledger and therefore does not form part of the data held in the DAS. Expenses include travel and accommodation costs incurred by staff. Costs of materials include mockups (ie a visual, graphic or physical representations of a marketing design). These are used for digital marketing presentations in visualising ideas, concepts and developing designs. As these job costs are not recorded within the nominal ledger, I did not plan, or carry out, any audit procedures on these costs at the interim audit visit. I am concerned about internal controls over expenses incurred by staff. Many of these expenses seem to be settled in May, September and October. One of the staff claiming expenses is Philippa Wright, who is the daughter of Frank Wright, the senior accounts manager. Also: • Elephant does not have an authorised supplier list; and • Supplier statements are not reconciled with the trade payables ledger. Brian extracted the following sample items during the interim audit visit. However, he fell ill shortly afterwards and did not have an opportunity to carry out any audit procedures on these sample items: 260 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Sample item A Extracted from trade payables account: Transaction 'PIN029525' Transaction Id Account Code Amount Effective Date Document Type Journal Description User Id PIN029525 72000 20,650 23/05/2018 PIN - Purchase Invoice P001/007 - Newcastle rent 24/6/15–28/9/15 FWRIGHT 29/05/2018 18:54:41 PIN029525 31010 -20,650 23/05/2018 PIN - Purchase Invoice -PIN029525 - Posting Run Control FWRIGHT 23/05/2018 18:54:41 Show 10 Line Description lines Created Date Showing 1 to 2 of 2 lines 1 Brian’s notes: I selected Sample item A due to its size. Sample item B Extracted from trade payables. This sample item has more than one transaction, as follows: Transaction 'PIN029477' Transaction Id Account Code Amount Effective Date Document Type Journal Description User Id PIN029477 61070 4,080 11/05/2018 PIN - Purchase Invoice 2284 - Adult & Kiddi Clings. FWRIGHT 17/05/2018 19:19:32 PIN029477 33020 816 11/05/2018 PIN - Purchase Invoice -PIN029477 - Posting Run Control FWRIGHT 17/05/2018 19:19:32 PIN029477 31010 -4,896 11/05/2018 PIN - Purchase Invoice -PIN029477 - Posting Run Control FWRIGHT 17/05/2018 19:19:32 Show 10 Line Description Created Date Showing 1 to 3 of 3 lines lines 1 Extracted form trade payables transactions: Transaction 'PPY013791' Transaction Id Account Code Amount Effective Date Document Type Journal Description User Id PPY013791 31010 4,896 12/05/2018 PPY - Purchase Payroll -PPY013791 - Posting Run Control FWRIGHT 18/05/2018 12:12:31 PPY013791 20040 -4,896 12/05/2018 PPY - Purchase Payroll Think Ambient Ltd - CJBCard Jun FWRIGHT 18/05/2018 12:12:31 Show 10 Line Description lines Created Date Showing 1 to 2 of 2 lines 1 Brian’s notes: Sample item B was the purchase of bespoke marketing materials, comprising ‘Adult and Kiddi Clings’, from the supplier, Think Ambient Ltd. The purchase was made with a credit card (CJB card). I selected this sample item due to its size. Account balance extracts – key areas of audit risk Brian extracted the following account balances in respect of the key areas of audit risk identified by Mary, the engagement partner: (1) Cost of sales (from Financial Statement view) Cost of Sales 809,659 881,464 Cost of goods sold 805,061 876,096 Other cost of sales 4,599 5,368 71,805 ( 71,035 ( 9%) 9%) 769 ( 17%) (2) Trade payables (from Financial Statement view) Trade Payables ICAEW 2022 148,109 151,941 3,832 ( 3%) Data Analytics Software 261 Other data You have obtained the following list of account codes from Elephant’s accounting system: Account name Account code Payables Control Account (trade payables) 31010 Sales tax input control (input VAT) 33020 Credit card (balance) 20040 Printing (expense) 61070 Travel and subs on jobs (expense) 61085 Rent charge (expense) 72000 Requirements 75.1 In respect of the two sample items extracted by Brian, describe the audit procedures that should be carried out. (10 marks) 75.2 Justify why items (1) and (2) above have been identified as key areas of audit risk. For each key area, describe the audit procedures that should be included in the audit plan to address those risks. (Do not repeat the audit procedures from 1.1 above). (27 marks) 75.3 Recommend and justify internal control improvements to address potential control deficiencies. (8 marks) Total: 45 marks 76 Practice Question 2 Click below to access the data analytics software DATA ANALYTICS SOFTWARE Assume that the current date is 28 February 2019. You are assigned as audit senior to the audit of the financial statements of Elephant Company Ltd (Elephant) for the year ended 31 December 2018. Elephant is a digital marketing company based in the UK. Elephant’s customers sign a contract for a specific marketing project for the delivery of marketing services. Each project Elephant undertakes is typically short term, up to six months. In order to monitor and control costs incurred in relation to each project, the direct costs incurred for each project are recorded in individual memorandum accounts within the accounting system. Audit materiality for the financial statements of Elephant has been assessed at £30,000. At the interim audit, discussions with management identified that Elephant was facing weaker UK economic conditions and increased competition which were making trading conditions more challenging for Elephant in 2018. Management informed you prior to the final audit that Elephant is seeking to raise further private equity funding in 2019 and that the audited 2018 financial statements will be used by the potential investor for the process of establishing a valuation for the company. As a consequence, management insist that the audit must be completed and the audit report signed by 31 March 2019. At the planning meeting for the final audit, the engagement partner identified income as a key audit risk. She also mentioned the shorter time available for the audit than usual and that Elephant’s management had made it very clear that it is important that the 2018 audit goes as smoothly as possible without any unexpected problems. 262 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 A member of the audit team, Maureen Ho, has already performed a review to identify large transactions after the year end. She has prepared audit working papers highlighting the following four entries: Account code Amount Effective date 51010 38,000 31/1/2019 21010 –38,000 31/1/2019 Account code Amount 51010 24,320 31/1/2019 21010 –24,320 31/1/2019 Account code Amount Effective date 72000 21,342 1/1/2019 Effective date Document type Journal description User ID Created date SIN–Sales Invoice Reversal – Dec18 sales FWRIGH T 15/2/2019 SIN–Sales Invoice SIN001008 – Posting Run Control FWRIGH T 15/2/2019 Journal description User ID Created date SCR–Sales Credit Hilditch Mobile refund for October inv error TPOTTS 09/2/2019 SCR–Sales Credit SCR000231 – Posting Run Control TPOTTS 09/2/2019 Journal description User ID Created date JSMITH 09/2/2019 JSMITH 09/2/2019 Document type Document type PIN – Purchase Invoice Rent – Newcastle PIN – Purchase Invoice PIN002349 – Posting Run Control 1/10/18 – 31/12/18 31010 –21,342 1/1/2019 Account code Amount Effective date 71080 18,982 22/2/2019 PIN – Purchase Invoice Invoice 23910 – Executive Search Ltd JSMITH 13/1/2019 31010 –18,982 22/2/2019 PIN – Purchase Invoice PIN004889 – Posting Run Control JSMITH 13/1/2019 Document type Journal description User ID Created date Navan Patel, the finance director of Elephant, has informed your firm of the following developments related to Elephant’s management team: Changes have been made during 2018 to strengthen the management team. In August 2018, Elephant employed an external consultant to carry out an executive search for a marketing director. This resulted in an appointment being made in November 2018. Navan intends to retire in May 2019. The board of Elephant would like your firm to assist with the recruitment of a suitable candidate to replace him and also advise on structuring an appropriate remuneration package. ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 263 The following list of relevant account codes has been identified from Elephant’s accounting system: Account name Account code Receivables control account 21010 Payables control account 31010 Domestic Sales 51010 Overseas Sales 52010 Other income 54800 Recruitment and selection 71080 Rent 72000 Suspense Account 990 Requirement 76.1 Justify why the engagement partner has identified income as a key audit risk. You may use the Explore module in your firm’s data analytics software to support your answer. (6 marks) (a) Using the Heat Map, identify transactions related to income that give rise to a high risk of material misstatement. (b) Justify why you have identified the transactions in (a) as high risk. (c) Describe the audit procedures that should be applied to address the risks of the transactions identified in (a). (18 marks) 76.2 Identify and explain the key audit risks arising from the four post year end transactions identified in Maureen’s working papers. You may use the Explore module to support your answer. (6 marks) 76.3 From the information provided, identify and explain any threats to objectivity and state how your firm should respond to those threats. (5 marks) Total: 35 marks 77 Practice Question 3 Click below to access the data analytics software DATA ANALYTICS SOFTWARE Assume that the current date is 7 March 2019. Your firm is the external auditor of Elephant Company (Elephant). Elephant is a digital marketing company based in the UK. Elephant agrees fixed price contracts with its customers to deliver digital and traditional marketing services related to specific marketing projects. Each marketing project Elephant undertakes is short term, typically less than three months in duration. Each project is assigned to a project leader who is responsible for controlling costs and ensuring that Elephant delivers all marketing services specified in the contract. Project leaders record costs related to each contract in an electronic job sheet for each contract. Contract costs include time spent by web developers working in Elephant’s digital design studio. The standard rate at which web developer time is recorded includes payroll costs (salary and NI) and an apportionment of Elephant’s central overheads. 264 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 You are Lesley Mills, an audit senior on the Elephant audit for the year ended 31 December 2018. Materiality has been set at £30,000. Elephant’s general ledger has been successfully imported into your firm’s DAS. The current executive directors of Elephant founded the company and retain significant shareholdings. Executive directors benefit from an incentive plan involving the payment of substantial cash bonuses if 5% per annum annual growth in profit before tax is achieved. The Elephant board has stated that they intend to float the company on AIM in the near future. This will provide an opportunity to raise additional capital for Elephant and permit the executive directors to realise part of their shareholdings. The investment bank advising Elephant has informed the directors that a profitable recent history is essential to a successful flotation. The audit engagement partner has identified Land, buildings & improvement within non-current assets as a key audit risk and has asked you to look into this area. You have identified that two accounts make up land, buildings & improvement. 13010 Fixtures & fittings 13020 Office Equipment At the planning stage, it was identified that the business environment in 2018 was very challenging for Elephant. Management has also informed you that during the year Elephant developed its own website and external and internal costs have been recognised as a non-current asset in accordance with Elephant’s accounting policies. You have identified the following transaction related to the capitalisation of website development within the DAS. Transaction 'SRC006972' Transaction Id Account Code Amount Effective Date Document Type Journal Description User Id SRC006972 13020 95,000 29/09/2018 SRC - Sales Receipt Website dev FWRIGHT 06/10/2018 09:44:22 SRC006972 61060 -20,000 29/09/2018 SRC - Sales Receipt Photography FWRIGHT 06/10/2018 09:44:22 SRC006972 21010 -75,000 29/09/2018 SRC - Sales Receipt Digital Dreams Ltd FWRIGHT 06/10/2018 09:44:22 Show 10 lines Line Description Created Date Showing 1 to 3 of 3 lines 1 You sent an email to Frank Wright, Elephant’s financial controller, requesting further information regarding the nature of the capitalised website development costs. His response is provided as Exhibit 1. Requirements 77.1 Explain why the engagement partner identified land, buildings & improvement at the planning stage as a key audit risk. Use the Data Analytics Software to support your answer. (4 marks) 77.2 Identify and explain any transactions relating to land, buildings & improvement (other than Transaction SRC006972 shown above) which may represent key audit risks. Justify why each transaction is a key audit risk. Use the Data Analytics software to support your answer. (4 marks) 77.3 Describe appropriate audit procedures to address the key audit risks relating to the transactions identified in 3.2 above. Set out any information and explanations that you would require of management. (10 marks) 77.4 In relation to the recognition of website costs as a non-current asset shown in Transaction SRC006972 above: (a) Identify and explain relevant financial reporting issues and critically assess the appropriateness of the proposed financial reporting treatment. (b) Describe further audit procedures you should undertake. Set out any further information and explanations that you would require of management. (12 marks) Total: 30 marks ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 265 Exhibit: Email from Frank Wright in response to your enquiries related to capitalisation of website costs To: Lesley Mills From: Frank Wright Subject: Website development costs Our website is intended to provide two functions: Firstly, it serves as a point of presence on the internet to showcase the type of marketing campaigns we are able to deliver to potential customers. We have commissioned new digital photography of our staff and facilities for inclusion in case studies illustrating what we have done for previous customers. Secondly, we are also intending to develop a full e-commerce suite, although this functionality is not yet operational. The e-commerce suite is intended to enable customers to submit electronic requests for quotations and facilitate online contract management, such as client approval of copy and artwork. The website costs that we have capitalised relate to two types of cost: • New photography commissioned to provide artwork for the website. This amounted to £20,000 and had previously been expensed as incurred. • Time spent on the project by our digital design studio web developers and related national insurance costs. Unfortunately, when these costs were incurred during the year no-one was sure of how to record them. So, as a short-term measure, these costs were accumulated at the standard rate in a pre-existing job sheet for a contract completed in 2017 for Digital Dreams Ltd. Unfortunately, during the year an invoice was raised in error and an amount of £75,000 was posted to 51010 Domestic sales and 21010 Receivables Control A/c. In the course of looking into this for you, I have identified that website costs have been incorrectly posted to the wrong non-current asset account - 13020 Office Equipment. Accordingly, I intend to create a new account, 13000 Intangible assets, and post the following correcting journal with an effective date of 31 December 2018: DEBIT CREDIT 13000 Intangible assets (SOFP) £95,000 13020 Office Equipment (SOFP) £95,000 I have also realised that amounts recorded in respect of website development in the year were incomplete as they omitted the payroll costs for the web administrator responsible for the website since it went live in October 2018. To address this, I intend to post the following journal with an effective date of 31 December 2018. DEBIT 13000 Intangible assets £18,326 CREDIT 71000 Admin Salaries £16,687 CREDIT 71005 Admin NI £1,549 In response to your question about our amortisation policy we have decided that our policy will be to amortise all development costs on the website on a straight-line basis over seven years. Regards, Frank 78 Practice Question 4 Click below to access the data analytics software DATA ANALYTICS SOFTWARE Assume that the current date is 25 February 2019. Your firm is the auditor for Elephant Company (Elephant). You are Dougal Skye, the audit senior for the final audit of Elephant for the year ended 31 December 2018. 266 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Materiality has been set at £30,000. Elephant provides marketing services, mainly to digital businesses based in the UK and the rest of Europe. Customers sign a contract with Elephant for the provision of a specific project. Each project is typically short term. For short term projects, customers are invoiced when the customer signs to confirm their acceptance at the end of a completed project. Typical cost of sales incurred by Elephant for each contract include payroll, artwork and promotional products together with travel and subsistence costs incurred by Elephant staff arising from visiting clients. You have received an email from Brian Newbie (Exhibit 1), who is the most junior member of the audit team. Brian joined your firm last month after graduating from university. Elephant is Brian’s first audit assignment. You have asked Brian to be responsible for the audit of prepayments and accruals. You have also received an email from another audit assistant in the audit team, Dylan Buck (Exhibit 2) who has been assigned to reviewing transactions in the cash account. Requirements 78.1 Use the ‘Explore’ module of the Data Analytics Software to identify and explain any audit risks arising from the matter raised by Brian in his email (Exhibit 1). (8 marks) 78.2 Identify appropriate audit procedures that should be undertaken in relation to accrued income for Elephant. Describe additional information and explanations you would require from management. (5 marks) 78.3 Identify and explain any audit quality control issues arising from Brian’s email. (8 marks) 78.4 Set out and explain the correct financial reporting treatment for the two matters raised by Dylan in his email (Exhibit 2) in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2018 and the financial year ending 31 December 2019. Provide correcting journals for the year ended 31 December 2018. (9 marks) Total: 30 marks Exhibit 1: Email from Brian Newbie To: Dougal Skye From: Brian Newbie Subject: Prepayments and accruals Hi, Sorry to bother you, but I have used the Data Analytics Software to review prepayments and accruals and I really don’t understand what is going on. Last year the accrued income for uninvoiced sales was £170,294. However, this year the value of this account is nil. I have also noticed that prepayments have increased by nearly 500%. Does all this seem strange? You can see the relevant balances below from our Data Analytics Software for the prior year and the current year. 22200 – Accrued income 23040 – Pre-Payments Control A/C 170,294 0 51,066 300,000 -170,294 100% 248,934 487% I am concerned that perhaps there might be a fraud here, so perhaps you should review my work. Regards, Brian ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 267 Exhibit 2: Email from Dylan Buck To: Dougal Skye From: Dylan Buck Subject: Loans and investments Hi I have identified two related matters from my review of account 20010 – Bank, current account, Elephant’s main bank account. Debenture issue From my review of large cash transactions in the year I identified that a debit of £75,000 was posted by A Bloggs to 20010 with an effective date of 29 December 2018. In the course of reviewing cash entries after the year end, I also identified a payment of £1,375 in January 2019 made to Close Advisors with the description ‘costs of 2018 debenture loan’. Further investigation revealed that both these entries related to the issue of a debenture loan to a private investor. The debenture loan was issued at a price of £75,000 on 1 December, it pays no cash interest and will be redeemed in 5 years at £90,000. Using this information, I have calculated the annual effective interest rate at 3.7%, or 4.1% if the issue costs are taken into consideration. The debenture issue was arranged by Close Advisors, a division of the same bank that provides Elephant with invoice finance facilities. For this reason, I believe that this transaction was mistakenly assumed to relate to invoice finance facilities and has been recorded incorrectly. Purchase of UK government bonds From my review of cash entries in January 2019, I have identified that £75,100 was paid on 2 January 2019 to settle a purchase of UK Government Bonds. Dealing costs for this transaction totalled £100. I have asked Elephant’s financial controller about this and she stated that the purpose of raising £75,000 from the debenture loan was to obtain funds to meet future liquidity requirements. The date on which additional liquidity will be required is uncertain. Therefore, Elephant’s objective in purchasing UK government bonds is to manage its liquidity needs and generate a return. In holding assets to meet this objective Elephant expects to both hold assets to receive contractual cashflows and sell assets to realise their value. I have examined the contract note received from the stockbroker for this transaction. It shows a purchase of UK government bonds for a consideration of £75,000 with a trade date (when the terms were agreed) of 30 December 2018 with settlement on 2 January 2019. I have checked and using the closing market price, the value of this holding of UK government bonds at 31 December was £74,250. I asked Elephant’s financial controller why this investment doesn’t appear in the 2018 financial statements and she informed me that no entries were necessary because Elephant’s policy is to use settlement date accounting. 79 Practice Question 5 ADVANCE INFORMATION: ELEPHANT LTD Assume that the current date is 15 February 2019. This Advance Information relates only to Corporate Reporting Practice Question 5. The Advance Information comprises: (1) This document which includes the scenario, notes of a meeting with Frank Wright, Elephant Ltd’s finance director (Exhibit A) and a working paper prepared by an assistant working for Smith & Ives, Elephant’s auditor (Exhibit B); and (2) The nominal ledger data for Elephant Ltd (Elephant) for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018, contained within the Data Analytics Software. To access the data analytics software please click below. DATA ANALYTIC SOFTWARE 268 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exam - 12 months When you attempt Practice Question 5, you will be provided with the nominal ledger data for Elephant for the full 12 months ended 31 December 2018 contained within the DAS. You will need to address the new data for the month of December 2018 and to consider the data, patterns and trends for the year ended 31 December 2018 as a whole. The data for the 11 months to 30 November 2018 will remain valid and will be unchanged. However, in the real exam you will not be able to access the DAS data for the first 11 months or any notes you have made in the DAS. In attempting this Practice Question, you should therefore replicate this real exam experience and not access the DAS data for the 11 months to 30 November 2018 or any notes you have made in the DAS for the 11 months to 30 November 2018. Scenario You are an audit senior working for Smith & Ives LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. Elephant prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS. You have just been assigned to the audit of Elephant Ltd for the year ending 31 December 2018. You receive the following email from the audit engagement manager for the Elephant audit, Tian Turner. To: Audit Senior From: Tian Turner Date: 15 February 2019 In August 2018, Smith & Ives was appointed as Elephant’s auditor. In September 2018, I had an introductory meeting with Frank Wright, Elephant Ltd’s finance director. I have summarised my notes from this meeting, which include background information about Elephant and its business (Exhibit A). Elephant has been slow to provide its nominal ledger data. Therefore, the final audit visit for the year ended 31 December 2018 is scheduled for March 2019. In January 2019, Smith & Ives started planning the Elephant audit for the year ended 31 December 2018. An audit assistant prepared a working paper analysing some information from the previous year ended 31 December 2017. He also included information about the current members of the Elephant finance team and their roles (Exhibit B). Last Friday, (8 February 2019), Elephant’s management provided Smith & Ives with the nominal ledger data for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018. This has been imported into the Data Analytics Software that Smith & Ives uses to carry out its audit procedures. Elephant are processing final journals and the nominal ledger data for the full year ended 31 December 2018 will be available for the final audit visit in March 2019. Before the final audit visit commences in March 2019, I would like you to familiarise yourself with Elephant by reviewing: (1) The notes of my introductory meeting with Frank Wright (Exhibit A) and the working paper prepared by the audit assistant (Exhibit B); and (2) The nominal ledger data for Elephant for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018, contained within the Data Analytics Software. Audit materiality has been set at £30,000. Exhibit A: Notes of introductory meeting with Frank Wright in September 2018 prepared by Tian Turner I had an introductory meeting with Frank Wright to discuss Elephant and, in particular, its income streams and direct payroll. I have summarised below the key points from my meeting. Income streams Elephant has three income streams from the services that it offers. These are: • Long-term marketing contracts for large customers (Contract sales) • Promotional events and exhibitions (Exhibition sales) ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 269 • Other advertising assignments (Other sales) (1) Contract sales Elephant provides marketing services, under long-term contracts, mainly for large businesses based in the UK (domestic) and the rest of Europe (overseas). Customers sign a contract for the provision of marketing services across a spectrum of activities – including digital marketing such as creating and maintaining website content, in-store advertising and promotional material. The customer will typically be a retailer, such as a supermarket. A typical marketing contract will comprise a contract price for concept design and artwork. In addition, the contract will specify the selling price for promotional products such as banners, posters and marketing gifts (eg, pens, key rings etc). The price is calculated based on the quantity ordered by the customer. (2) Exhibition sales Elephant designs and builds temporary exhibitions for customers hosted at trade events. This includes preparing artwork, constructing exhibition stands and promotional video content. (3) Other sales Customers sign a contract with Elephant for the provision of a specific advertising project. Each project is short term, up to two months. Revenue recognition Customers for all three income streams are invoiced, and revenue is recognised, when the customer signs to confirm their acceptance of the element of the contract or a completed project. International customers are sometimes invoiced in their local currency. Elephant’s nominal ledger records the sales invoices and sales credit notes for the three income streams in the following accounts: Account code Customer type 51010 – Domestic sales UK customers 51020 – Overseas sales Customers in other European countries Direct payroll Payroll costs directly attributable to each income stream (direct payroll) are initially recorded in the following account codes: Income stream Direct Payroll Account cost code Contract sales 62100 – Studio salaries 62105 – Studio NI Exhibition sales 62130 – Fitting salaries 62135 – Fitting NI Other sales 62120 – Sales salaries 62125 – Sales NI For management accounting purposes, some of the payroll costs initially recorded in Account code 62100 (Studio salaries); and in Account code 62105 (Studio NI), which relate to employees working on ‘Exhibition sales’ or on ‘Other sales’, are reallocated (to accounts 62130, 62135, 62120 and 62125). Other indirect payroll costs, including directors’ and administrative salaries, are not directly attributable to an income stream and are not therefore included in the measurement of gross profit. Gross profit Elephant’s management accounts measure gross profit as income (from the three income streams) less direct payroll costs. 270 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Other costs of sales, including travel, accommodation, motor vehicle costs and consumables, cannot normally be traced directly to a particular income stream. They are not therefore included gross profit in Elephant’s management accounts. Organisation roles for key members of accounts staff Set out below are the members of the accounts department at Elephant (Users) and their roles. Frank Wright Finance director Andrea Bloggs Financial accountant Tanya Potts Accounts assistant John Smith Accounts assistant Emma Davids Trainee Joined March 2018 Steve Thompson, an accounts assistant, left in January 2018 and was replaced by Emma Davids as an accounts assistant. Frank Wright – finance director (and acts as accounting department manager) Frank is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and has worked at Elephant since 2016. Frank prepares budgets for Elephant and negotiates loans and contracts on behalf of the Elephant board. As Elephant is a small company, he is closely involved with recording all types of transactions on a dayto-day basis. Frank records sales invoices and sales credit notes for Contract sales in Account codes for 51010 (Domestic sales) and 51020 (Overseas sales). Frank does not record any sales invoices or sales credit notes for Exhibition sales and Other sales. Emma Davids – Accounts assistant Emma joined Elephant in March 2018. She assists Frank with posting Contract sales invoices and sales credit notes in Account codes for 51010 (Domestic sales) and 51020 (Overseas sales). Emma does not record any sales invoices or sales credit notes for Exhibition sales and Other sales. Jo Smith – Financial accountant Jo has worked for Elephant for two years. Jo is the only member of the finance team who posts the sales invoices and sales credit notes for Exhibition sales in Account codes 51010 (Domestic sales) and 51020 (Overseas sales). Jo does not record any sales invoices or sales credit notes for Contract sales and Other sales. Tanya Potts – Accounts assistant Tanya records sales invoices and sales credit notes for Other sales in Account codes 51010 (Domestic sales) and 51020 (Overseas sales). Tanya does not record any sales invoices or sales credit notes for Contract sales and Exhibition sales. Andrea Bloggs – Accounts assistant Andrea records sales invoices and sales credit notes for Other sales in Account codes 51010 (Domestic sales) and 51020 (Overseas sales). Andrea does not record any sales invoices or sales credit notes for Contract sales and Exhibition sales. Exhibit B: Working paper prepared by Smith & Ives audit assistant in January 2019 Elephant – Calculation of gross profit, analysed by income stream As part of the audit planning for the year ended 31 December 2018, I have prepared the following analysis for the previous year ended 31 December 2017. This shows revenue by income stream and how revenue and direct payroll costs are recorded in the relevant Account codes to calculate a gross profit per income stream for management accounting purposes. ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 271 Contract sales Exhibition sales Other sales Total £000 £000 £000 £000 51010 – Domestic sales 500 398 942 1,840 51020 – Overseas sales 408 75 306 789 Total revenue 908 473 1,248 2,629 Account code Less: direct payroll costs 62100 – Studio salaries (580) 62105 – Studio NI (49) Total studio salary cost (629) 62130 – Fitting salaries (629) (18) 62135 – Fitting NI (2) Total fitting salary cost (20) 62120 – Sales salaries (20) (356) 62125 – Sales NI (36) Total sales salary cost (392) (392) (392) (1,041) Total salary costs (629) (20) 126 (126) Reallocate studio salary costs to: *Exhibition salary costs **Other sales salary costs Total direct payroll costs 94 - (94) - (409) (146) (486) (1,041) Gross profit for management accounts 499 327 762 1,588 Gross profit % 55% 69% 61% 60% Notes on the preparation of the above table: Notes 1 Amounts are rounded to the nearest £1,000. 2 Studio wages have been reallocated as follows: *4 staff members included in studio salaries worked exclusively for Exhibition sales. **3 staff members included in studio salaries worked exclusively for Other sales assignments. 3 272 The revenue by income stream has been determined according to the totals of the postings to Account codes 51010 (Domestic sales) and 51020 (Overseas sales) made by the Users as follows: Income stream in Account codes 51010 and 51020 Users making postings Contract sales Frank Wright and Emma Davids Exhibition sales Jo Smith Other sales Tanya Potts and Andrea Bloggs Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Average number of employees for the years ended 31 December Staff (excluding directors) 2018 2017 No. No. Studio 20 20 Fitting 2 1 Sales 12 10 34 31 END OF ADVANCE INFORMATION Before attempting this question, you should refer to the Advance Information. This comprises: Notes 1 The Advance Information document; and 2 The nominal ledger data for Elephant Ltd (Elephant) for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018, contained within the Data Analytics Software. To access the data analytics software please click below. DATA ANALYTIC SOFTWARE Assume that the current date is 15 March 2019 You are an audit senior working for Smith & Ives LLP, a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. The final audit visit for Elephant started last week and you have joined the audit team today as audit senior. Tian Turner, the audit engagement manager, gives you the following briefing: “You will have reviewed the notes of my introductory meeting with Frank Wright, Elephant’s finance director, and a working paper prepared by a Smith & Ives audit assistant. You will also have familiarised yourself with the data for Elephant for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018. “Data for December 2018 has now been imported into the Data Analytics Software from Elephant’s nominal ledger, so the full year nominal ledger data for the year ended 31 December 2018 is now available. “Last week, I met with Frank Wright. Frank updated me about some changes since our meeting in August 2018. I have summarised this for you (Exhibit 1). “An audit assistant has identified an audit matter which I would like you to consider (Exhibit 2). I have set out instructions for the tasks I would like you to perform in a separate document (Exhibit 3 ).” Requirement Respond to the audit engagement manager’s instructions (Exhibit 3). Ignore any adjustments for current and deferred taxation Total: 45 marks Exhibit 1: Changes at Elephant – prepared by Tian Turner Frank updated me about the following changes: (1) New contract In October 2018, Elephant appointed a new sales manager, Jenny Hines. On 1 December 2018, Jenny signed a new contract with one of Elephant’s Contract sales customers. Jenny provided Andrea Bloggs with the following breakdown of the contract and its financial impact. Contract terms £ Payment terms £3,000 monthly fee for ongoing support for brand development for 24 months period 72,000 Monthly – 35 days after invoice ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 273 Contract terms £ Payment terms One-off fee in exchange for 18% discount on services and goods supplied in the two financial years ending 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020. 228,000 Payable on 1 January 2021 Total 300,000 December 2018 was a very busy month and Frank told me that he did not get chance to raise any invoices for this new contract. He therefore asked Andrea to record this transaction for £300,000 in Elephant’s nominal ledger. She made the posting in Account 54800 in December 2018. No cash has yet been received. (2) New internal control Frank informed me that a new internal control had been introduced on 1 December 2018. He has been concerned that accounts assistants are too junior to have responsibility for posting very large transactions. He was particularly concerned that in December 2018 there were risks of cut off errors, in addition to other risks of junior staff posting significant transactions at any time during the year. The new internal control is that, from 1 December 2018, accounts assistants should not post any transactions with an amount of £100,000, or more. Frank said that he hopes that Smith & Ives will be able to rely on this new internal control in their audit of Elephant for the year ended 31 December 2018. Exhibit 2: Audit matter by audit assistant Exhibition sales assignment for MonaHomes In 2018, Elephant signed a contract for an exhibition sales assignment for a caravan manufacturer, MonaHomes. The assignment had three parts. The first part of the assignment was the production of a ‘Switched Back’ video for MonaHomes, which was completed and invoiced in January 2018 (Transaction ID SIN18405). In September 2018, for the second part of the assignment, Elephant designed and built an exhibition stand and seating for MonaHomes for an exhibition at a caravan trade fair where the promotional video was shown. The services were completed and invoiced in September 2018 (Transaction ID SIN19262). As the third part of the assignment, in September 2018, Elephant provided 2,000 boxed kits as promotional gifts for the exhibition. The goods were delivered and invoiced in September 2018 (Transaction ID SIN19347). The payment terms agreed with MonaHomes for the three invoices were 30 days after the invoice date. All three sales invoices are still outstanding at the year ending 31 December 2018. Unfortunately, the exhibition stand fitted by Elephant for MonaHomes at the caravan trade fair collapsed and several visitors were seriously injured. At 31 December 2018, MonaHomes said that it was unable to pay Elephant’s invoices as it is experiencing financial difficulties arising from a court case commenced against it by the injured visitors. Elephant applies IFRS 9 and uses a predetermined matrix for the calculation of allowances for impairment losses allowances in respect of receivables. Days overdue Expected impairment loss allowance 1 to 30 5% 31 to 60 15% 61 – 90 20% 90 + 25% Elephant has also been informed that the injured visitors have appointed a legal team and a court case has commenced against Elephant. A claim for damages of £100,000 is expected to be made against Elephant by the visitors. Elephant’s legal team has said that, at 31 December 2018, there is an 80% probability that Elephant will be found liable. However, the highest amount it would reasonably 274 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 be expected to pay as settlement will be £60,000. The court case is expected to be settled by January 2021. Elephant uses an annual discount rate of 8%. Exhibit 3: Audit engagement manager’s instructions – prepared by Tian Turner As part of our audit planning for Elephant for the year ended 31 December 2018, I would like you to: (1) For the new contract (Exhibit 1) set out and explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment. (2) For the new internal control (Exhibit 1): (a) Use the Data Analytics Software to evaluate whether the control has been applied effectively in December 2018. Identify any evidence of where the new internal control has not been appropriately applied. (b) Set out relevant audit procedures relating to any related internal control deficiencies. (3) Using preliminary analytical procedures (see guidance below) and other information, identify and explain the key audit risks for revenue, direct payroll and gross profit. For each audit risk identified, set out any information and explanations you require from management. (4) For the audit matter identified by the audit assistant (Exhibit 2): (a) Set out and explain the financial reporting treatment in Elephant’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018. Include relevant journal entries. (b) Set out key audit procedures that Smith & Ives should perform. Guidance on preliminary analytical procedures The relevant account codes for revenue and direct payroll costs are: Account code Account description 51010 Domestic sales 51020 Overseas sales 62100 Studio salaries 62105 Studio NI 62130 Fitting salaries 62135 Fitting NI 62120 Sales salaries 62125 Sales NI You should identify specific transactions in the data analytics software where they represent items of significant audit interest. 80 Practice question 6 ADVANCED INFORMATION: ELEPHANT LTD Assume that the current date is 15 December 2019. This Advance Information relates only to Corporate Reporting Practice Question 6. The Advance Information comprises: (1) This document which includes the scenario, background information (Exhibit A) and results of audit procedures carried out at the interim audit visit (Exhibit B); and (2) The nominal ledger data for Elephant Ltd (Elephant) for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018, contained within the Data Analytics Software. To access the data analytics software please click below. DATA ANALYTIC SOFTWARE ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 275 Exam - 12 months When attempting Practice Question 6, you will be provided with the nominal ledger data for Elephant for the full 12 months ended 31 December 2018 contained within the DAS. You will need to address the new data for the month of December 2018 and to consider the data, patterns and trends for the year ended 31 December 2018 as a whole. The data for the 11 months to 30 November 2018 will remain valid and will be unchanged. However, in the real exam you will not be able to access the DAS data for the first 11 months or any notes you have made in the DAS. In attempting this Practice Question, you should therefore replicate this real exam experience and not access the DAS data for the 11 months to 30 November 2018 or any notes you have made in the DAS for the 11 months to 30 November 2018. Scenario You are an audit senior working for Parker, Coltrane and Getz LLP (PCG), a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants. You have just been assigned to the audit of Elephant Ltd for the year ending 31 December 2018. Elephant prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS. Recently, an audit plan was prepared by an audit manager, Vijay Shankar, who has now left the firm. You receive the following email from the newly appointed audit engagement manager, Emily Francis. To: Audit Senior, PCG From: Emily Francis, Elephant audit engagement manager Date: 15 December 2018 We carried out an interim audit visit in early December 2018. During the visit, the client provided PCG with data for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018 from Elephant’s nominal ledger. This has been imported into the Data Analytics Software used by PCG. The final audit visit is scheduled for March 2019. In September 2018 Vijay Shankar, the previous audit manager, had an audit planning meeting with Frank Wright, the Elephant finance director. After this meeting, Vijay prepared some background information (Exhibit A). An audit assistant, Tracey Bashir, performed some substantive procedures in relation to expenses at the interim audit visit and prepared a workpaper describing the outcome of these audit procedures Exhibit B). Before the final audit commences in March 2019, I would like you to familiarise yourself with Elephant by reviewing: • The background information (Exhibit A) prepared by Vijay Shankar and the workpaper prepared by Tracey Bashir describing the results of the audit procedures performed (Exhibit B); and • The nominal ledger data for Elephant for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018, contained within the Data Analytics Software. Audit materiality has been set at £30,000. Exhibit A: Background information – prepared by Vijay Shankar, September 2018 Elephant provides marketing services, mainly to businesses based in the UK (domestic) and the rest of Europe (overseas). On occasion, Elephant also provides marketing services to businesses based in other countries. Customers sign a contract with Elephant for the provision of a specific marketing project. Each project is usually short term, up to two months, but occasionally Elephant may enter longer term contracts which typically have a higher transaction value. In relation to short-term contracts, customers are invoiced, and revenue is recognised, when the customer signs to confirm their acceptance of a completed project. Longer term contracts may specify several deliverables or contract stages and may include terms for invoicing once each stage of the contract has been completed and accepted by the customer. If Elephant does not have an existing business relationship with a customer, it may insist on the payment of a deposit on agreement of the contract. 276 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 A typical marketing contract comprises a contract price for design artwork and concept and brand development. In addition, the contract may specify the selling price for promotional products such as banners, posters and marketing gifts (e.g., pens, key rings etc). The price is calculated based on the quantity ordered by the customer. Costs are incurred by Elephant for each contract, including payroll and cost of sales for promotional products. Also, a large element of cost of sales is in respect of travel, accommodation, motor vehicle costs and consumables. Travel and accommodation mainly relate to expense claims from Elephant staff arising from visiting clients. The Elephant board comprises of: Name Role Amy Quincey CEO Gerry Morris Creative director Jerry Holmes Sales director Frank Wright Finance director I had a brief meeting with Frank Wright. He told me that the board expects that the profit for the year ending 31 December 2018 will show a significant improvement on the profit for the year ended 31 December 2017. Organisation chart Set out below are the members of the accounts department at Elephant and their roles. Frank Wright – Finance director (and acts as accounting department manager) Frank is an experienced accountant and has worked at Elephant since 2016. As Elephant is a small company, he is closely involved with recording all types of transactions on a day-to-day basis. Frank prepares budgets for Elephant and negotiates loans and contracts on behalf of the Elephant board. If a member of the accounting department is unsure about how to record a transaction, it is normally recorded in Account code 00990 Suspense account. Frank later corrects the entries by raising a journal and clears the suspense account. Andrea Bloggs – Assistant financial accountant Andrea has worked for Elephant for two years. She previously worked in the purchase ledger department for a large manufacturing company. She is very competent at posting invoices for purchases and cash entries. She has less experience in posting entries for sales invoices and credit notes but does sometimes assist in recording these types of transactions. She reconciles the bank statement monthly. Andrea is married to Jerry Holme, sales director of Elephant. Tanya Potts – Accounts assistant. Tanya prepares the payroll together with John Smith. She also helps with sales ledger and purchase ledger transactions. John Smith – Accounts assistant John prepares the payroll together with Tanya Potts. He also helps with sales ledger and purchase ledger transactions. John joined Elephant from a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants, he did not complete his studies to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Emma Davids – Trainee Steve Thompson, an accounts assistant left in January 2018 and was replaced by Emma Davids in March 2018. She left school in 2017 and has been recruited as a trainee. Elephant intends to train Emma to be an accounts assistant. So far, she has only been on a short course covering the basics of bookkeeping and accounting. Accordingly, she works under close supervision of one of the other members of the team. Emma is only permitted to post transactions up to an individual value of £30,000. ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 277 Exhibit B: Matters arising from substantive procedures – prepared by Tracey Bashir - 6 December 2018 I performed substantive audit procedures on expenses for a sample of items from the first 11 months of the year. This involved confirming a sample of expenses to supporting documentation such as purchase order, purchase invoice and employee expense claim. As instructed, my audit procedures focused only on the following expense accounts: Other direct costs 61055 Travel and subs on jobs 61085 Travel expenses 61025 Travel expenses other 61026 I identified three issues: Issue 1: Inadequate supporting documentation I identified three transactions recorded in these four accounts where there was either no supporting documentation, or it was inadequate. Transaction Id PIN29468 Description Amount Account £ 604000677 – 3 Night Holiday for two people to Monte Carlo with 3,200 Created date Comment (Effective date) 61055 09/05/2018 (03/05/2018) NOM6038 2 Premier Inn – JH/Private travel 11 April 154 61085 17/03/2018 NOM6036 7 Grange Holborn Hotel – JH/Grange Holborn Hotel – Private travel 167 61085 12/03/2018 186 62026 (06/03/2018) (11/03/2018) Handwritten note requesting payment from Jerry Holmes No supporting documentation available No supporting documentation available Comment on materiality The value of these transactions is low and likely to be well below materiality. I assume that even if there is a misstatement of expenses here, presumably all we need to do is record them on our summary of unadjusted audit errors schedule. Issue 2: Expenses included in loan balances While conducting these procedures, I examined several staff expense claims and observed that some elements of expenses related to vehicle use, such as the cost of fuel, servicing and minor repairs were not recorded in expenses accounts. Instead, these amounts have been debited to car loan accounts. The affected car loan accounts that I have identified are: Car loan 2 26505 Car loan 6 26524 Car loan 8 26537 Below is an example of a transaction related to fuel purchase. 278 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Transaction Id NOM063254 Description Weatherby MWSA – GM Nov Fuel Amount Created date £ (Effective date) 60 29/10/2018 Account 26524 (23/10/2018) Issue 3: Large item posted by trainee Also, while looking at transactions in the nominal ledger I also noticed the following transaction posted by Emma Davids which seems to be rather large for someone so junior to be posting. Transaction Id NOM063189 Description TFR Amount Created date £ (Effective date) 44,099 26/10/2018 (20/10/2018) Account 20010, 20014 Conclusion I hope this work is acceptable. I only started at PCG a few months ago. The audit senior who assigned this task to me became occupied with problems on another client and was not available to help me for most of the interim audit visit. Fortunately, John Smith, one of the accounts assistants at Elephant, used to be an auditor and has been very helpful. He assisted me in selecting samples and in identifying supporting documentation for the sample items. Therefore, I conclude that expenses are not materially misstated. END OF ADVANCE INFORMATION Before attempting this question, you should refer to the Advance Information. This comprises: Notes 1 The Advance Information document; and 2 The nominal ledger data for Elephant Ltd (Elephant) for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018, contained within the DAS. To access the data analytics software please click below: DATA ANALYTIC SOFTWARE Assume that the current date is 28 February 2019. You are part of the PCG audit team that has just commenced the final audit visit for Elephant. Emily Francis the PCG engagement manager for the Elephant audit gives you the following briefing: “You will have reviewed the interim audit information prepared by Vijay Shankar after the audit planning visit. You will also have familiarised yourself with the data for Elephant for the 11 months ended 30 November 2018. “Data for December 2018 has now been imported into the data analytics software from Elephant’s nominal ledger, so the full year nominal ledger data for the year ended 31 December 2018 is now available. Materiality has been set at £30,000. “I have had a meeting with Frank Wright, Elephant’s financial director. There are two specific matters arising from this meeting that we need to focus on (Exhibit 1). “Also, the Elephant board is concerned about the effect of further weakening of the Chinese yuan on the outcome of the contract with Rino Ltd. The board has provided an illustrative example of a currency forward to mitigate this exposure. The example was prepared by Frank Wright before he went on sick leave (Exhibit 2). “I am also concerned about the comments made by Tracey Bashir in the note included in her description of the results of audit procedures on expenses carried out at the interim audit visit. “I have set out instructions for you in a separate document (Exhibit 3).” ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 279 Requirement Respond to the instructions from Emily. Use your firm’s Digital Audit Software to identify transactions and balances to support your answers where appropriate. Ignore any adjustments for current and deferred taxation Total: 40 marks Exhibit 1: Matters arising from meeting with Frank Wright – prepared by Emily Francis. Matter 1 – Contract with Rino Ltd Frank explained that on 1 December 2018, Elephant agreed a large contract with a Chinese company, Rino Ltd, for the supply of a digital marketing campaign in the UK and Europe. He explained that Elephant had not dealt with Rino before and insisted on the payment of a substantial deposit being invoiced at the commencement of the contract. Rino agreed to the payment of deposit with a value of £100,000 but insisted that the contract be denominated in Chinese yuan (CNY). Therefore, the total contract transaction price was set at CNY2.7 million when the contract was agreed on 1 December 2018. The deposit was also invoiced in yuan for an amount equivalent to £100,000 at the prevailing exchange rate on 1 December 2018 of exactly 9 yuan to the British pound. Therefore, on 1 December 2018, Elephant invoiced Rino CNY900,000 in respect of the deposit. Frank posted a transaction to recognise the deposit as an overseas receivable, but incorrectly recorded the description as relating to a brand management contract with another client, Spooks. The remainder of the contract price is due for payment 30 days after performance of the contract is accepted by Rino. Elephant expects contract acceptance to occur in August 2019. On 31 December 2018, the exchange rate was £1 = CNY10.2 Frank stated that, at 31 December 2018, he estimated the total overall costs incurred and forecast to be incurred in relation to the contract with Rino over the contract’s life at £270,000. All costs in relation to the Rino contract will be incurred by Elephant in the UK. Matter 2 – Expenses with inadequate documentation I also discussed with Frank the fact that, at the interim audit visit, expense transactions had been identified with inadequate supporting documentation. In response, Frank informed me that the accounts department generally do not question expense claims made by Elephant’s directors. He also mentioned that, although there were expense claim authorisation and approval procedures, this was not applied to directors’ claims, as there was no one more senior to approve them. Frank also pointed out that the items I raised with him were for small amounts that had no real effect on the financial statements. Exhibit 2: Illustrative example – currency forward prepared by Frank Wright Due to the fall in value of the Chinese yuan, the Elephant board has become very concerned about foreign exchange risk related to the receipt of the remaining transaction price. Assume that on 1 March2019, Elephant enters into a six-month currency forward to sell 1.8 million yuan at an exchange rate of 10.35 yuan to the British pound. This has the effect of removing Elephant’s exposure to fluctuations in the value of the remaining contract price expected to be received on 1 September 2019. Assume the spot exchange rates are: £1 = CNY10.1 on 1 March 2019 £1 = CNY9.4 on 1 September 2019. Elephant will designate the value of the spot element of the currency forward as the hedging instrument. Assume the change in the value of the forward related to financing cost (forward points) between the forward’s inception and 1 September 2019 is £4,304. Elephant has decided to treat the currency forward as a cash flow hedge. 280 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Exhibit 3: The audit engagement manager, Emily Francis’ instructions – audit of Elephant for the year ended 31 December 2018 (1) In respect of the three issues identified by Tracey Bashir (Advance Information, Exhibit A) from substantive testing of expenses at the interim audit visit: (a) Identify and explain the key audit risks for the audit of Elephant for the year ended 31 December 2018. Use the Data Analytics Software to identify further specific transactions in relation to these issues which require investigation. Include any additional information that you require from Elephant’s management. (b) Identify and explain any weaknesses in the substantive audit procedures on expenses carried out by Tracey Bashir at the interim audit (Advance Information, Exhibit B.) Include an evaluation of the audit implications of Tracey’s comment on materiality (Issue 1) and her conclusion. (2) In respect of the contract with Rino discussed with Frank Wright (Exhibit 1): (a) Set out and explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for the year ending 31 December 2018 for the overseas receivable arising from the deposit on the Rino Ltd contract. Provide appropriate journals. (b) Explain the financial reporting implications arising from the information provided by Frank regarding the expected cost for the contract with Rino Ltd. Set out the audit procedures that you would undertake in relation to this matter. (3) Set out and explain the appropriate financial reporting treatment for the year ending 31 December 2019 for the illustrative example of a currency forward prepared by Frank Wright (Exhibit 2). Include journal entries. ICAEW 2022 Data Analytics Software 281 282 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Answer Bank 284 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 1 Kime Scenario The candidate has been appointed to assist an FD for a property company, in the preparation of the financial statements. The auditors are due to start their work and the FD would like to be aware of any contentious issue in advance of their arrival. The candidate is required to determine whether the accounting treatment applied is correct and determine the appropriate treatment given directors’ instructions to maximise the profit in the current period. The adjustments in respect of current tax and deferred taxation are to be completed given the assumptions in the scenario. The financial reporting issues include IAS 16 (recognition of appropriate costs and depreciation), IFRS 15 (construction of a long-term asset), lessor accounting, asset held for sale and foreign currency adjustment in respect of a receivable, and a cash flow hedge. The candidate is required to prepare a summary statement of financial position and statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Marking guide Marks Explain the potentially contentious financial reporting issues. Determine any adjustments you consider necessary and explain the impact of your adjustments on the financial statements, identifying any alternative accounting treatments Renovation of Ferris Street Sports stadium (IFRS 15) FX House disposal Estate agency buildings Property management contract Foreign currency receivable and forward contract Taxation After making adjustments for matters arising from your review of the outstanding issues, prepare a draft statement of financial position and statement of comprehensive income. Marks Available 3 6 5 4 2 4 3 8 35 Maximum 30 Total 30 Response as follows: To FD From Jo Ng XX July 20X2 Subject Draft financial statements Please find attached a draft statement of financial position and statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (Attachment 1). I have also attached an explanation of my adjustments and a determination of their impact and proposed alternative accounting treatments (Attachment 2). Regards Jo ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 285 Attachment 1 Draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 30 June 20X2 £m Revenue (549.8 + 10.2 – 1) 559.0 Cost of sales (322.4 + 18) 340.4 Gross profit 218.6 Distribution costs 60.3 Administrative expenses (80.7 – 21.5 + 8) 67.2 Finance costs (4.8 + 2.0 – 1.3 + 0.2 + 1.3 ) 7.0 Finance income (1.0) Profit before tax 85.1 Income tax expense (17.1 + 3.4) (20.5) Profit for the year 64.6 Cash flow hedge 1.3 Reclassification of cash flow hedge (1.3) Total comprehensive income for the year 64.6 Draft statement of financial position as at 30 June 20X2 £m ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment (80.7 – 18 + 120 – 22.8) 159.9 Current assets Finance lease receivable 20.5 Gross amounts due from customers 10.2 Trade receivables (174.5 – 10 + 1.3) 165.8 Cash and cash equivalents 183.1 379.6 Non-current assets classified as held for sale 2.0 –––––– Total assets 541.5 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Share capital Share premium Retained earnings b/f 102 Profit for year 64.6 286 Corporate Reporting 100.0 84.0 166.6 ICAEW 2022 £m Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings 80.0 Deferred tax liability (33 + 3.4) 36.4 Current liabilities Trade and other payables (54.9 + 17.1) 72.0 Contract liability 1.0 Financial liabilities 1.5 Total equity and liabilities 541.5 Attachment 2 Freehold land and buildings (1) Additions Renovation of Ferris Street property – allocation of costs The basis on which the renovation costs have been allocated between repairs and maintenance and capital appears somewhat arbitrary and has not been supported by adequate analysis. IAS 16 requires that only direct expenditure on property improvements should be capitalised and that maintenance costs should be written off to profit or loss. The 80:20 split was based on budgeted costs but has been used to allocate actual spend to date. It is possible that the expenditure to date may include a higher or lower proportion of maintenance than that expected for the project as a whole. As repairs should be expensed as the work is performed, this could affect the result for the period. Hence it is important to review a breakdown of the costs actually incurred for the period. For costs which are capital in nature, we need to evaluate whether any could more appropriately be recorded as plant and machinery rather than included within building costs. The asset lives and depreciation rates would then differ if the asset is not treated as a single composite property asset. I need much more information on the nature of the project to do this. No disposals have been recorded in the year for any previous renovation or construction work on the Ferris Street building which has been replaced by the work done in the year. In a major project of this type it is likely that there will be elements of the original cost or of previous renovation projects which should be written off. I need to ascertain the nature of building and previous work on it in order to determine what element of the carrying amount, if any, should be written off. For example there may be partition walls which have been demolished and replaced. I need to review the budget and the basis of the 80:20 split proposed by the project manager. The project manager may not understand the requirements of accounting standards and in particular of IAS 16 and may have been motivated by capital budget constraints or other funding/approval limits than by an analysis of the true nature of the costs to be incurred. The allocation of costs on a project which includes both types of cost is open to manipulation and can be judgmental and be challenged by our auditors. Adjustments required? I cannot at present quantify whether any adjustment is required without further analysis being performed on the additions accounts in the general ledger. Construction of a sports stadium The cost of £18 million has been incorrectly treated as an addition to PPE and I have therefore corrected this as follows: Kime as the contractor should account for the construction of the sports stadium in accordance with IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This appears to be a contract specifically negotiated for the construction of an asset for which a fixed contract price has been agreed. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 287 It is a contract in which the performance obligation is satisfied over time because it meets the following IFRS 15 criteria: • “The entity’s performance creates or enhances an asset (eg, work in progress) that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced.” (The contract specifies that control is transferred to the local authority as the stadium is constructed.) • “The entity’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the entity and the entity has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date.” Kime can have no alternative use for the sports stadium. For a performance obligation satisfied over time, IFRS 15 states that revenue should be recognised by measuring progress towards complete satisfaction of that performance obligation. Appropriate methods of measuring progress include output methods and input methods. An appropriate output method allowed by IFRS 15 is ‘surveys of performance completed to date’, often referred to in the construction industry as ‘work certified’. An appropriate input method allowed by IFRS 15 is costs incurred. Contract costs were predicted to be £16 million. However, the estimated total costs to complete the project have now increased to £22.5 million. The project is still expected to make a profit of £11.5 million. This is a fixed price contract and therefore there is reasonable reliability in respect of the measurement of contract revenue but there is less certainty regarding the costs to be incurred. However, the surveyor has determined that these can now be reliably measured. Under the input method, ie, using the costs incurred as a method of measuring progress towards satisfaction of the performance obligation, the obligation is ((£18m/£22.5m) × 100 =) 80% satisfied. Therefore £27.2 million representing 80% of the contract revenue would be recognised. Using the output method, ie, work certified, the contract is 70% complete ((£23.8/34.0) × 100). Revenue of £23.8 million would therefore be recognised. In the statement of financial position gross amounts due from customers should be presented as contract costs incurred plus recognised profits less invoices raised to customers. Trade receivables should include the amounts invoiced less amounts received from the local authority. A comparison of the two methods (assuming costs are recognised on an incurred basis) is as follows: Statement of profit or loss Revenue Cost of sales Profit Statement of financial position Costs incurred basis Work certified basis £m £m 27.2 23.8 (18.0) (18.0) 9.2 5.8 Costs incurred Work certified £m £m 18.0 18.0 9.2 5.8 27.2 23.8 (17.0) (17.0) 10.2 6.8 0 0 Gross amounts from customers Costs incurred Recognised profit Progress billings Receivables (£17.0m – £17.0m) 288 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Implication for the financial statements Using the work certified to date method results in a lower profit, although this method is also less subjective since it does not rely on estimations of future costs to calculate the percentage complete. To maximise the amount of profit recognised the directors could select the costs incurred method. Ultimately the profit recognised overall on the contract is the same over time, but the allocation to accounting periods is affected by the choice of presentation. As £17 million of revenue has already been recognised, the following adjustment to the financial statements is required if the maximum amount of profit is to be recognised: DEBIT Gross amounts from customers CREDIT £10.2m Revenue £10.2m Also I have reversed the additions to property, plant and equipment as follows: DEBIT Cost of sales CREDIT £18m PPE £18m The assumption has been made that this has been classified as an asset under construction and no depreciation has been charged. (2) Disposals FX House The lease does appear to be a finance lease given the transfer to the lessee at the end of the contract; this appears to be the case for both the buildings and the land. As the lease to the third party is a finance lease it is correct to treat the property sale as a disposal. However the junior assistant has failed to account correctly for the disposal and the new finance lease following the guidance for lessor accounting as set out in IFRS 16, Leases. As title to both land and buildings transfer to the lessee at the end of the lease period, the lease should be accounted for as a single lease comprising both land and building elements. Assuming that the new lease is at fair market rates, Kime should realise a gain on the asset disposal and show a new lease receivable equal to the net investment in the lease. This will be equal to the minimum lease payments discounted at the rate implicit in the lease. Correcting journal entries Hence entries required to correct the accounting are: At inception of lease on 1 January 20X2: DEBIT Non-current assets – net investment in lease CREDIT Gain/loss on non-current asset disposal DEBIT Gain/loss on non-current asset disposal CREDIT £21.5m £21.5m £5.8m Administrative expenses £5.8m Thus giving rise to a gain on disposal of £21.5 million less carrying amount at date of disposal of £5.8 million = £15.7 million. As this is material it will require disclosure. To record correctly the receipt of annual rental payment on 1 January 20X2: DEBIT CREDIT ICAEW 2022 Finance costs (reversing incorrect entry made by the assistant) £2m Non-current assets – net investment in lease £2m Financial reporting 1 289 To record interest income for 6 months to 30 June 20X2: DEBIT Non-current assets – net investment in lease (6/12 of interest income at 10% on (£21.5m less £2m)) CREDIT £975,000 Interest income £975,000 Therefore the net investment in the finance lease receivable will be £20.475 million (£21.5m – £2m + £0.975m). To confirm that these are the correct entries, I need to see evidence that £21.5 million is the fair value of the property at its disposal date. Estate agency buildings As the properties were not sold at the year end, it is incorrect to derecognise the assets and recognise a gain in profit or loss. IFRS 5 requires that a non-current asset should be classified as ‘held for sale’ when the company does not intend to utilise the asset as part of its ongoing business but intends to sell it. The Estate agency buildings, having been closed, potentially fall in this category. To be held in this category, the likelihood of a sale taking place should be highly probable. As the sale is to be completed within 12 months of the year end, then this categorisation would appear to be appropriate. Therefore the following adjustment has been made: DEBIT Assets held for sale CREDIT DEBIT £10m Trade receivables Admin expenses (Gain on disposal) CREDIT £10m £8m Assets held for sale £8m Discontinued operations Separate disclosure in the statement of profit or loss as ‘discontinued operations’ may also be required. The question of whether the closures are a withdrawal from the market is a question of judgment as the business is now operated entirely online. There is insufficient information in the summarised trial balance to determine this issue but it will be required before the auditors can commence their work next week. Depreciation The depreciation charge suggests a cost of £295 million based upon the accounting policy of the company (£5.9m × 50 years). This is significantly greater than the cost in the financial statements and is an issue which should be investigated. Foreign currency receivables and forward contract £m Receivable originally recorded (R$60.48m/5.6) 10.8 Receivable at year end (R$60.48m/5.0) 12.1 Exchange gain 1.3 £m DEBIT CREDIT 290 Corporate Reporting Trade receivables Profit or loss (other income) £m 1.3 1.3 ICAEW 2022 Forward contract: This is a cash flow hedge: DEBIT Equity – (Other comprehensive income) 1.3 DEBIT Finance cost 0.2 CREDIT Financial liability 1.5 As the change in cash flow affects profit or loss in the current period, a reclassification adjustment is required: DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss 1.3 Equity – (Other comprehensive income) 1.3 Foreign currency and financial instruments gains and losses are taxed on the same basis as IFRS profits. As the finance cost and the exchange gain are both in profit or loss, there are no further current or deferred tax implications. The scenario states that “the arrangement satisfies the necessary criteria in IFRS 9, Financial Instruments to be accounted for as a hedge”. This is an objective-based test that focuses on the economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument, and the effect of credit risk on that economic relationship. This transaction could be treated as either a fair value or cash flow hedge. However, as a receivable is created there is no need for hedge accounting as the exchange difference on the receivable and the future are both recognised through profit or loss. Therefore an alternative accounting treatment would be not to apply hedge accounting. Property management services contract Following IFRS 15, revenue should be recognised when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied. The performance obligation in the property management services contract with the local authority is the provision of those services (a contract in which the performance obligation is satisfied over time). As at 1 June 20X2, when the deposit is received, those services have not been provided and so the performance has not been satisfied. Therefore it was incorrect to recognise the £1 million as revenue. Instead, it is a contract liability, defined by IFRS 15 as “an entity’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the entity has received consideration (or the amount is due) from the customer”. The following journal is required to correct the error: DEBIT Revenue CREDIT £1m Contract liability £1m Taxation The following journal is required to adjust for current and deferred tax as noted in the assumptions: DEBIT Income tax expense CREDIT £17.1m Current tax obligation £17.1m Being current tax adjustment – revised profit (85.1 – 14) × 24% DEBIT Income tax expense: £14m × 24% CREDIT Deferred tax obligation £3.4m £3.4m Being adjustment for increase in temporary differences. Deferred tax summary £m Deferred tax liability brought forward 33.0 Increase in taxable temporary differences (£14m × 24%) 3.4 Deferred tax liability at 30 June 20X2 ICAEW 2022 36.4 Financial reporting 1 291 2 Mervyn plc Marking guide Explanations: Sale of land: The Ridings/Event after reporting period Sale of land: Hanger Hill/sale and leaseback Pensions Provision Revenue Share appreciation rights Adjusted profit calculations: Elimination of gain on sale of The Ridings Sale and leaseback Pensions Provision SARs Revenue Closing inventories Quality of discussion Marks Available Marks 2 4 6 3 2 2 1 4 5 1 5 1 1 2 39 Maximum 30 Total 30 Explanation as follows: (1) Sale of land: The Ridings This sale and profit earned have been treated as an adjusting event after the reporting period. This appears to contravene IAS 10, Events After the Reporting Period. The completion of the sale in November does not give evidence of circumstances as at the reporting date. This would only have been the case if the contract in existence at 30 September had been unconditional, or if the condition, that is, detailed planning consent, had been met by the year-end. The gain, and associated tax effect, should be eliminated from the financial statements, to be recognised in the following accounting period. The land probably met the criteria to be classed as ‘held for sale’ under IFRS 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations at the year-end. However, this has no profit impact as IFRS 5 only requires recognition of a loss when fair value less costs to sell is below book value, which is clearly not the case here. The transaction may be disclosed in the notes as a non-adjusting event after the reporting period if considered material to the user. Sale of land: Hanger Hill This is a sale and leaseback transaction in which the conditions in IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers for a genuine sale have been met, as indicated by the fact that Mervyn plc has no right to repurchase the land at the end of the lease period. However, the lease rental payment has been incorrectly charged to operating expenses. Under IFRS 16, Leases, the asset sold must be derecognised and a right-of-use asset recognised together with a lease liability relating to the right of use retained and a gain/loss in relation to the rights transferred. The right-of-use asset is depreciated and the lease liability is amortised. The £80,000 lease payment should therefore be added back to profit, and a gain on disposal relating to the rights transferred of £184,070 should also be added to profit, rather than the £250,000 292 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 currently included. Depreciation of £47,470 and interest of £30,328 should be deducted from profit. Calculations of these figures are shown in W1. Pensions The contributions paid have been charged to profit or loss in contravention of IAS 19, Employee Benefits. Under IAS 19, the following must be done: • Actuarial valuations of assets and liabilities revised at the year-end • All gains and losses recognised: – Current service cost* – Transfers* – Interest on net defined asset/liability* – Remeasurement (actuarial) gains and losses – In other comprehensive income (per IAS 19, as revised in 2011) *In profit or loss Deferred tax must also be recognised. The deferred tax is calculated as the difference between the IAS 19 net defined benefit liability less its tax base (ie, nil as no tax deduction is allowed until the pension payments are made). IAS 12, Income Taxes requires deferred tax relating to items charged or credited to other comprehensive income to be recognised in other comprehensive income hence the amount of the deferred tax movement relating to the actuarial losses charged directly to OCI must be split out and credited directly to OCI. Provision According to IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets a provision shall be recognised when: • an entity has a present obligation as a result of a past event; • it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and • a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If these conditions are met then a provision must be recognised. The assessment of a provision for a legal claim is always a difficult area as it will be based upon the evidence available but it could also be argued that any provision or disclosure could be prejudicial to the court case itself. In this case it would appear that the lawyers and management are fairly certain that damages and costs will be payable. The problem is the amount of any provision to be made. As there is a timescale involved here then the first stage will be to calculate the present value of each of the outcomes. Management have also assigned probabilities to each of the three possible outcomes so a further decision must be made as to whether to calculate an expected value or take the value of the most likely outcome. IAS 37 states that where a single obligation is being measured the individual most likely outcome may be the best estimate of the liability. Although in some circumstances the range of outcomes may mean that a higher figure is required. Discount factor @ 10% Outcome £’000 Best Most likely Worst Present value Probability £’000 Expected value £’000 200 1/1.10 182 25% 46 800 2 661 60% 397 1/1.103 1,127 15% 169 1,500 1/1.10 612 IAS 37 requires the estimated value of the provision to be the amount that the entity would rationally pay to settle the obligation. The directors are likely to want as low a provision as possible so they are likely to prefer the expected value of £612,000. However, this is a single event, and IAS 37 requires £661,000 as the most likely outcome or £612,000. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 293 Bill and hold sales When a buyer requests that the delivery of goods purchased does not take place immediately even though the buyer takes legal title of the goods and pays for them, such arrangements are commonly referred to as ‘bill and hold’ sales. Revenue from such sales should be recognised when the buyer takes title to the goods provided that (IFRS 15: paras. B64–B76): • the reason for the bill-and-hold arrangement must be substantive (for example, the customer has requested the arrangement, as here) • the product must be identified separately as belonging to the customer (as here, since it is in a separate storage area) • the product currently must be ready for physical transfer to the customer (as here – the product is ready for delivery) • the entity cannot have the ability to use the product or to direct it to another customer –in this case the product is exclusively for one customer. In this case it would appear that these sales are bill and hold sales. Therefore the goods must be removed from closing inventories in the statement of financial position at their cost price of £99,000, with a corresponding increase in cost of sales, and the additional revenue of £138,000 for the year to 30 September 20X7 must be recognised in the profit or loss for the year. Share appreciation rights The granting of share appreciation rights is a cash settled share based payment transaction as defined by IFRS 2, Share-based Payment. IFRS 2 requires these to be measured at the fair value of the liability to pay cash. The liability should be re-measured at each reporting date and at the date of settlement. Any changes in fair value should be recognised in profit or loss for the period. However, the company has not remeasured the liability since 30 September 20X6. Because IFRS 2 requires the expense and the related liability to be recognised over the two-year vesting period, the rights should be measured as follows: £‘000 At 30 September 20X6: (£6 × 10,000 × ½) 30 At 30 September 20X7 (£8 × 10,000) 80 At 1 November 20X7 (settlement date) (£9 × 10,000) 90 Therefore at 30 September 20X7 the liability should be re-measured to £80,000 and an expense of £50,000 should be recognised in profit or loss for the year. The additional expense of £10 million resulting from the remeasurement at the settlement date is not included in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X7, but is recognised the following year. (2) Amended profit £‘000 Profit for the year – per question Eliminate net gain on sale – The Ridings (100 – 27) 1,471 (73) Eliminate lease rental incorrectly charged to P/L 80 Eliminate gain currently included for Hanger Hill (250) Add gain relating to rights transferred 184 Depreciation on right-of-use asset retained (47) Interest on lease liability (30) Pension contributions 405 Current service cost (374) Interest on obligation (W2) (253) Interest on plan assets (W2) 216 294 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 £‘000 Transfers (400,000 – 350,000) (50) Share appreciation rights (50) Deferred tax on pension obligation (W3) 13 Provision for damages for court case (see above) (661) Additional revenue from bill and hold sales 138 Reduction in closing inventories (99) Amended profit for the year 620 WORKINGS (1) Sale and leaseback (Hanger Hill Estate) The accounting treatment currently used is: £ Proceeds = fair value 1,150,000 Carrying value 900,000 Gain 250,000 However a gain should only be recognised in respect of the part of the asset transferred to the lessor. Rentals £80,000 pa Fair value of future lease payments: £80,000 × 3.791 = £303,280 Part of the carrying amount of the asset is allocated to be a right-of-use asset retained. This is calculated based on the right-of-use asset (lease liability) as a proportion of fair value: Right-of-use asset = £900,000 × 303,280 ÷ 1,150,000 = £237,350 The remaining carrying amount of £662,650 (900,000 – 237,350) represents the transferred asset. The overall gain on disposal is £250,000; only that part of the gain relating to the transferred asset is recognised: Gain relating to retained rights £250,000 × 303,280 ÷ 1,150,000 = £65,930 Therefore the recognised gain relating to the transferred rights is £184,070 (250,000 – 65,930). At 1 October 20X6, the following entries are required: DEBIT Right-of-use asset £237,350 DEBIT Bank £1,150,000 CREDIT PPE £900,000 CREDIT Gain on disposal £184,070 CREDIT Lease liability £303,280 The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated over the lease term of five years, therefore in the year ended 30 September 20X7: DEBIT Depreciation expense (£237,350/5) CREDIT Right-of-use asset £47,470 £47,470 The lease liability is amortised. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 295 £ 1 October 20X6 303,280 Interest at 10% 30,328 Lease payment (80,000) 30 September 20X7 253,608 Amortisation for the year ended 30 September 20X7 is recognised by: DEBIT Finance charge £30,328 DEBIT Lease liability £49,672 CREDIT Bank £80,000 (2) Pension scheme Pension scheme assets Pension scheme liabilities £’000 £’000 2,160 2,530 At 1 October 20X6 Interest cost (10% × 2,530,000) 253 Interest on plan assets (10% × 2,160,000) 216 Current service cost 374 Contributions 405 Transfers (400) (350) Pensions paid (220) (220) (71) 38 2,090 2,625 Loss on remeasurement through other comprehensive income (note) At 30 September 20X7 Note: IAS 19 (revised) stipulates that remeasurement losses must be recognised in other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise. (3) Deferred tax on pension liability £ Net pension liability at 30 September 20X6 Contribution Current tax (P/L) OCI Deferred tax asset £ £ £ 370,000 85,100 (405,000) Cr (93,150) (93,150) 411,000 Dr 94,530 94,530 50,000 11,500 11,500 Profit and loss debits service cost 374,000 + interest costs 37,000 Transfers (400,000 – 350,000) Loss on remeasurement to OCI 109,000 Profit or loss/OCI movement Net pension liability/deferred tax asset at 30 September 20X7 296 Corporate Reporting 12,880 535,000 25,070 25,070 25,070 37,950 123,050 ICAEW 2022 3 Billinge Marking guide Explanations and calculations of deferred tax implications of: Fair value adjustment Share-based payment Unrealised profit Unremitted earnings Property, plant and equipment Lease Marks Available Marks 1 5 6 5 5 5 8 35 Maximum 30 Total 30 MEMO (1) Fair value adjustment IFRS 3, Business Combinations requires the net assets in the subsidiary acquired to be recognised at their fair value in the group financial statements. Therefore, in the group financial statements at the acquisition date of 1 November 20X2, the net assets of Hindley will be recognised at their fair value of £8 million. The revaluation gain of £1 million will not be recognised by the tax authorities until the item of property, plant and equipment has been disposed of or taxable income has been generated through use of the asset. This gives rise to a temporary difference. As Hindley will have to pay tax on the taxable income generated through use of the asset and ultimately on any gain on disposal, this temporary difference results in a deferred tax liability in the group financial statements. £m Carrying amount in group financial statements 8 Tax base (7) Temporary difference 1 Deferred tax liability (30%) (0.3) The deferred tax is recognised as a liability in the statement of financial position and results in an increase in goodwill, rather than a charge to other comprehensive income, as the fair value gain is recognised on acquisition. The deferred tax is recognised even though the entity does not intend to dispose of the asset. The fair value adjustment still represents a taxable temporary difference as the asset’s value will be recovered through use rather than sale, generating taxable income in excess of the depreciation (based on original cost) allowed for tax purposes. In Hindley’s individual accounts, no fair value adjustment is required and no deferred tax liability will arise as both the carrying amount and the tax base will be the same ie, £7 million. The initial recognition of goodwill that arises on acquisition (£10m – £8m = £2m) will not give rise to any deferred tax: IAS 12 does not permit recognition of deferred tax as goodwill is measured as a residual and the recognition of a deferred tax liability would increase the carrying amount of the goodwill. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 297 (2) Share-based payment IFRS 2, Share-based Payment requires equity settled share based payments to be recognised at the fair value at the grant date ie, £5. The expense should be spread over the vesting period of three years with a corresponding increase in equity. For the year ended 31 October 20X2, the equity and expense would have been recorded at £666,667 (1,000 options × 500 employees × 80% to remove estimated leavers × £5 fair value at grant date × 1/3 vested). As at 31 October 20X3, equity would be revised to £1.25m (1,000 options × 500 employees × 75% to remove revised estimated leavers × £5 fair value at grant date × 2/3 vested). The movement in the year of £583,333 (£1.25m – £666,667) would be posted to profit or loss. The tax authorities, however, do not give tax relief until exercise. This gives rise to a temporary difference. The tax relief is based on the intrinsic value so this is the value used to measure the deferred tax asset. The deferred tax asset correctly recognised at 31 October 20X2 would have been calculated as follows: £m Carrying amount of share-based payment expense 0 Tax base (1,000 options × 500 employees × 80% to remove leavers × £3 intrinsic value × 1/3 vested) (0.4) Temporary difference (0.4) Deferred tax asset (30%) 0.12 The deferred tax asset to be recognised at 31 October 20X3 is calculated as follows: £m Carrying amount of share-based payment expense 0 Tax base (1,000 × 500 × 75% × £8 × 2/3) (2) Temporary difference (2) Deferred tax asset (30%) 0.6 The amount of deferred tax that relates to the excess of the intrinsic value over the fair value at the grant date should be recognised in equity as there is no corresponding expense to match it to in profit or loss: £m Cumulative tax deduction Cumulative expense (1,000 × 500 × 75% × £5 at grant date × 2/3) 2.000 (1.250) Excess 0.750 Deferred tax to be recognised in equity (30%) 0.225 The remaining movement in the deferred tax asset of £0.255 million (£0.6m – £0.12m b/d – £0.225m to equity) should be credited to profit or loss for the year. (3) Unrealised profit In the group accounts, the unrealised profits on goods sold internally, which still remain in inventories at the year-end, must be cancelled. In future years, once the inventories have been sold on to third parties, this cancellation is no longer required. This gives rise to a temporary difference as the tax authorities still tax the sale regardless of whether it is internal or external as they work from the individual companies’ profit figures not the group figures. 298 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 The unrealised profit is calculated as follows: £5m × 25%/125% × ¾ in inventories = £0.75m The temporary difference results in a deferred tax asset as, in the group accounts, there is a tax charge on a non-existent profit which needs to be removed. The deferred tax asset in the group accounts is calculated as follows: £m Carrying amount in group accounts – inventories [(£5m × 3/4) – £0.75m] 3.000 Tax base – inventories (£5m × ¾) (3.750) Temporary difference (0.750) Deferred tax asset (30%) 0.225 The result is a deferred tax credit to profit or loss of £0.225 million in the current period. There is no deferred tax impact in Ince’s individual accounts because the unrealised profit is not cancelled. (4) Unremitted earnings There is a potential deferred tax liability of £0.4 million on the unremitted earnings of Quando. This is because the Quando’s profits of 5 million corona have been consolidated in the group accounts, but the additional tax will not be paid by Billinge until these profits are remitted to owners as dividends, giving rise to a temporary difference. However, as Billinge controls the timing of the Quando’s dividends (being a 100% shareholder) and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future as Billinge intends to leave the profits within Quando for reinvestment, IAS 12, Income Taxes dictates that no deferred tax liability should be recognised. (5) Property, plant and equipment The carrying amount of property, plant and equipment is its net book value. The grant may either be deferred and released to profit or loss over the useful life of the asset or deducted from the cost of the asset. The tax base is the tax written down value. Since the depreciation and capital allowances are charged at different rates, this gives rise to a temporary difference. The resultant deferred tax liability is calculated as follows (on the assumption that the grant is recognised as deferred income): £m £m Carrying amount: Property, plant & equipment (£12m – £12m/5) Deferred grant (£2m – £2m/5) 9.60 (1.60) Tax base (£12m – £2m) – [(£12m – £2m) × 25%] 8.00 (7.50) Temporary difference 0.50 Deferred tax liability (30%) (0.15) A deferred tax liability has arisen because the capital allowances granted to date are greater than the depreciation and grant amortisation recognised in profit or loss. Therefore too much tax relief has been granted and this needs to be reversed. The deferred tax liability of £0.15 million is charged to profit or loss as that is where the effect of the depreciation and grant amortisation have been shown. Tutorial Note It the grant had been deducted from the cost of the asset, the carrying amount would have been calculated as [(£12m – £2m) – ((£12m – £2m × 1/5)] ie, £8 million, resulting in the same carrying amount as if it had been treated as deferred income. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 299 (6) Lease Under IFRS 16, Leases, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability must be recognised in the statement of financial position. A temporary difference arises because in the accounts, the right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the asset’s useful life and the finance cost is recognised at a constant rate on the carrying amount of the lease liability; whereas the tax authorities give tax relief as the rentals are paid. The deferred tax is calculated as follows: £m £m Carrying amount: Property, plant and equipment (£6m – £6m/5 years) Lease liability (£6m + [8% × £6m] – £1.5m) 4.800 (4.980) (0.180) Tax base 0.000 Temporary difference (0.180) Deferred tax asset (30%) 0.054 The resultant deferred tax is an asset (and credit in profit or loss) because the tax relief is based on the rental of £1.5 million yet the expense in the profit or loss is £1.68 million (ie, depreciation of £1.2 million and interest of £0.48 million) which means that part of the future tax saving on rental deductions is recognised now for accounting purposes, so the tax charge is reduced representing the tax recoverable in the future. 4 Longwood Marking guide Change in tax rate Revised tax losses adjustment Fair value adjustments Goodwill calculation Deferred taxes, goodwill and share versus asset deals Marks Available Marks 8 8 7 7 8 38 Maximum 30 Total 30 Response as follows: (1) Change of tax rate Per IAS 12, Income Taxes, the tax rate to be used is that expected to apply when the asset is realised or the liability settled, based upon laws already enacted or substantively enacted by the year end. The deferred tax assets and liabilities therefore need to be measured using the enacted rate for 20X7 of 23%, rather than 30%. The net change in the carrying amount of the deferred tax assets and liabilities (£0.26 million, as shown in the table below) arising from a change in rates will normally need to be taken to profit or loss for the year of Portobello Alloys. However, this will not be the case where it relates to a transaction or event which is recognised in equity (in the same or a different period), when the resulting deferred tax is also included in ‘other comprehensive income’. This is the case for the investments. The schedule below calculates the adjustments to the deferred tax assets and liabilities by reworking the temporary differences at the new rate. 300 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Deferred tax schedule (in £m) at 30% at 23% Adjustment Property, plant and equipment (1.54) (1.18) 0.36 Equity investments at FVTOCI (0.32) (0.25) 0.07 Post-retirement liability 0.11 0.09 (0.02) Unrelieved tax losses – recognised 0.66 0.51 (0.15) (1.09) (0.83) 0.26 (1.86) (1.43) 0.43 0.77 0.60 (0.17) (1.09) (0.84) 0.26 Deferred tax liability Deferred tax asset The resultant adjustments are: Debit Credit £m £m Deferred tax asset Deferred tax liability 0.17 0.43 Tax charge – profit or loss 0.19 Equity – in respect of investments 0.07 (2) Deferred tax asset recognition for losses The increased forecast profitability may allow Portobello Alloys to recognise a deferred tax asset in respect of all the thus-far unrecognised unrelieved tax losses incurred. However, there is a risk that no losses will be available to carry forward. This will be the case if there is a major change in the nature and conduct of the trade post-acquisition. The amount of unrecognised losses is shown below. Tax losses working £m Total losses for tax purposes 7.40 Already utilised (1.20) Remaining 6.20 Recognised (2.20) Unrecognised 4.00 The analysis of the adjustment between current and non-current deferred taxes can be derived from the profit forecast as below. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 301 Profit forecasts for tax loss utilisation 20X7 20X8 Total £m £m £m Forecast taxable profit – original 0.98 1.22 2.20 Forecast taxable profit – revised 1.90 4.74 6.64 Additional taxable profits 0.92 3.52 4.44 Additional recoverable losses 0.92 3.08 4.00 Addition to deferred tax asset at 23% 0.21 0.71 0.92 Note that the additional recoverable losses for 20X8 are restricted to £3.08 million (rather than being equal to the additional taxable profits of £3.52 million) since the total of unrecognised losses is only £4.00 million. Note that the change in the deferred tax asset must be recognised in profit or loss: £m DEBIT Deferred tax asset CREDIT £m 0.92 Tax charge – profit or loss 0.92 (3) Deferred taxes on fair value adjustments These adjustments will arise as consolidation adjustments rather than in the financial statements of Portobello Alloys. The land will not be depreciated, and the deferred tax on the temporary difference will only crystallise when the land is sold. It is clear that there is no intention to sell the property in the current horizon. The required adjustments to the deferred tax assets and liabilities are summarised in the table below. Fair value Carrying amount Temporary difference Deferred tax at 23% £m £m £m £m 21.65 18.92 (2.73) (0.63) 5.26 0.00 (5.26) (1.21) (1.65) (0.37) 1.28 0.29 25.26 18.55 (6.71) (1.55) Property, plant and equipment Development asset Post-retirement liability Deferred tax liability (1.84) Deferred tax asset 0.29 (1.55) The resulting consolidation adjustment is: Deferred tax asset Debit Credit £m £m 0.29 Deferred tax liability Goodwill adjustment 302 Corporate Reporting 1.84 1.55 ICAEW 2022 (4) Goodwill calculation The first step is to determine the fair value of the consideration. Deferred consideration must be measured at its fair value at the date that the consideration is recognised in the acquirer’s financial statements, usually the acquisition date. The fair value depends on the form of the deferred consideration. Where the deferred consideration is in the form of equity shares: • Fair value is measured at the date the consideration is recognised, usually the acquisition date. Consequently, the share price used must be £1.88. Where the deferred consideration is payable in cash: • Fair value is measured at the present value of the amount payable, hence the present value of the £10 million cash. Under IFRS 3 all acquisition-related costs must be written off as incurred. They are not included in the consideration transferred. Fair value of consideration £m Cash payment 57.00 Deferred equity consideration (5m × £1.88) 9.40 Deferred cash consideration (£10m/1.13) 7.51 73.91 The value of the net assets acquired needs to be adjusted for the changes to reflect the fair value of PPE, the development asset, the pension and deferred taxes as shown below Fair value of net assets acquired £m Book value per statement of financial position provided 9.90 Fair value adjustment to PPE 2.73 Fair value adjustment to development asset 5.26 Fair value adjustment to pension liability (1.28) Deferred tax – rate change 0.26 Deferred tax – tax losses (0.21 + 0.71) 0.92 Deferred tax – fair value adjustments (0.29 – 1.84) (1.55) 16.24 The resulting fair value of goodwill, on which no deferred tax is applicable is: £m Fair value of consideration Fair value of net assets acquired Goodwill 73.91 (16.24) 57.67 (5) Deferred taxes and goodwill Goodwill and share acquisitions When an entity purchases the shares in a target and gains control, IFRS 3 requires that consolidated financial statements are produced and the target is introduced at fair value, including any attributable goodwill. The goodwill arising in this manner does not appear in any of the companies’ individual financial statements, but arises as a consolidation adjustment in the consolidated financial statements. Tax authorities look at the individual financial statements of the companies within the group and tax the individual entities. As such, no goodwill is recognised for tax purposes. The individual financial ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 303 statements of the buyer will simply reflect an investment in shares in its statement of financial position, not the subsidiary assets, liabilities or goodwill. Under IAS 12, Income Taxes, a deferred tax liability or asset should be recognised for all taxable and deductible temporary differences, unless they arise from (inter alia) goodwill arising in a business combination. As such, no deferred tax is recognised. Goodwill and asset acquisitions The essential difference here is that the buyer has not purchased shares, but the assets and liabilities of the target. The assets and liabilities are measured and introduced at fair value, including any purchased goodwill. These are introduced directly into the individual financial statements of the buyer. It is this goodwill that the tax authorities will recognise as a purchased asset and on which they may charge tax. As tax relief is permitted over 15 years but goodwill is not amortised, then the tax base and the accounting base are not the same, therefore a taxable temporary difference arises and deferred tax recognised. 5 Upstart Records Scenario The candidate is required to reply to a request by a group finance director to assist with the finalisation of the group accounts. The group’s investment in Liddle Music Ltd has increased twice during the year such that the investment has moved from being accounted for as an associate to a subsidiary requiring the calculation of a profit to be recognised in the statement of profit or loss on crossing the ‘control’ threshold. A further acquisition of more shares later in the year however, requires no further profit to be recognised but does require changes to the percentage of noncontrolling interest. Adjustments are required for a restructuring provision and for share-based payment. The candidate is required to explain the impact of the acquisition of shares in Liddle Music on goodwill and non-controlling interest, to explain and calculate any required adjustments with regard to restructuring provisions and share options, to prepare a consolidated statement of profit or loss including Liddle Music and finally to explain the impact of Upstart adopting an alternative accounting policy regarding the recognition of the non-controlling interest. Requirement Skills Show and explain with supporting calculations, the appropriate financial reporting treatment of goodwill and noncontrolling interests for Liddle in Upstart’s consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 20X5. Use the proportion of net assets method to determine noncontrolling interests. Apply technical knowledge to identify implications of crossing control threshold. Apply technical knowledge to distinguish between and calculate the deferred and contingent consideration. Identify the incorrect treatment of the professional fees. Apply technical knowledge to calculate goodwill including the fair value adjustment and subsequent depreciation adjustment. Appreciate that the second acquisition does not create a further profit and recommend the appropriate adjustment. Identify intra-group transactions and recommend adjustments. Explain incorrect treatment of the German loan and recommend the accounting adjustment required. 304 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Requirement Skills Explain, with supporting calculations, the appropriate financial reporting treatment for the restructuring plans and the share options. Apply technical knowledge to determine whether a provision should be recognised and calculate the amount of the provision. Appreciate that no provision should be made in respect of the second proposal. Identify that the share options represent an equitysettled share-based payment. Apply technical knowledge to account for the share-based payment correctly. Prepare Upstart’s consolidated statement of profit or loss for the year ended 30 June 20X5, to include Liddle. Assimilate adjustments and prepare revised consolidated statement of profit or loss. Explain (without calculations) the impact on Upstart’s consolidated financial statements if the fair value method for measuring noncontrolling interests were to be used instead of the proportion of net assets method. Assimilate information, and apply technical knowledge to explain that NCI valuation would impact on goodwill. Marking guide Marks Appropriate financial reporting treatment of goodwill and non-controlling interests Appropriate financial reporting treatment for the restructuring plans and the share options Consolidated statement of profit or loss 16 Impact of the fair value method Marks Available 5 38 9 8 Maximum 30 Total 30 Response as follows: (1) Explanation of financial reporting treatment of goodwill and non-controlling interest Goodwill Goodwill arises at the date when control is achieved. In the case of Upstart and Liddle this is on 1 October 20X4, when Upstart’s investment in Liddle passes the 50% threshold. Until that date, Liddle has been treated as an associate. Under the equity accounting method the group’s share of Liddle’s profits after tax is credited to the consolidated statement of profit or loss, and the investment is measured at cost plus share of post-acquisition profits in the consolidated statement of financial position. In the year ended 30 June 20X5 Liddle is therefore treated as an associate for the period 1 July to 1 October 20X4. On 1 October 20X4, the equity value of Liddle was £7.174 million (W8) and this was remeasured to fair value of £7.5 million (W8) for the purposes of calculating goodwill. The difference between the two figures (£326,000) was credited to the statement of profit or loss. Goodwill is measured as the fair value of consideration paid less the fair value of the net assets acquired. The fair value of the consideration consists of the following elements: • Cash paid of £2 million. • The fair value of the original 25% investment in Liddle at 1 October 20X4. • The shares issued on 1 October 20X4. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 305 • The £3 million payable on 1 October 20X6 is discounted to fair value, and the interest is then unwound in the statement of profit or loss. • The £3 million contingent consideration payable on 1 October 20X7 is measured at its fair value (determined by the probability of it occurring), again discounted to a present value, and unwound in the statement of profit or loss. The professional fees of £250,000 are excluded from the goodwill calculation and instead expensed to the statement of profit or loss as incurred. As a result of applying these principles a goodwill figure of £13.077 million arose on the acquisition of Liddle (W3). There is no further adjustment to goodwill when Upstart acquired a further 100,000 shares in Liddle on 1 April 20X5. Instead, the difference between the consideration paid and the decrease in the noncontrolling interest’s share of net assets is taken to group reserves (W6). Goodwill is subject to annual impairment reviews. Non-controlling interests (NCI) When Upstart acquired a controlling interest in Liddle on 1 October 20X4, NCI arose in relation to the 30% of Liddle not owned by Upstart at this date. There are two permitted methods of determining the NCI, the proportionate and fair value method, and Upstart chose the former. The NCI is therefore measured at its share of the net assets of Liddle at the control date, adjusted for fair value movements. In the six months between 1 October 20X4 to 1 April 20X5 the NCI are allocated 30% of the profits of Liddle (W4). This is added to the original NCI total. On 1 April 20X5 the NCI reduce their investment in Liddle from 30% to 20%. The reduction in net assets (W4) is compared to the cost of the shares bought by Upstart, and the difference is taken to group reserves (W6). From 1 April to 30 June 20X5 the NCI are allocated 20% of the profits of Liddle (W4). In the statement of financial position the NCI are effectively given their share (20%) of the fair value of Liddle’s net assets at 30 June 20X5. This gives a figure of £3.664 million (W4). (2) Financial reporting treatment of restructuring plans and share options Restructuring plans Plan 1: A provision for restructuring should be recognised in respect of the closure of the retail outlets in accordance with IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. The plan has been communicated to the relevant employees (those who will be made redundant) and the outlets have already been identified. A provision should only be recognised for directly attributable costs that will not benefit ongoing activities of the entity. Thus, a provision should be recognised for the redundancy costs and the lease termination costs, but none for the retraining costs: £‘000 Redundancy costs 300 Retraining – Lease termination costs 50 Liability DEBIT CREDIT 350 Profit or loss Current liabilities £350,000 £350,000 Plan 2: No provision should be recognised for the reorganisation of the finance and IT department. Since the reorganisation is not due to start for two years, the plan may change, and so a valid expectation that management is committed to the plan has not been raised. As regards any provision for 306 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 redundancy, individuals have not been identified and communicated with, and so no provision should be made at 30 June 20X5 for redundancy costs. Share options IFRS 2, Share-based Payment requires that the expense in respect of the share options must be recognised in profit or loss for the year. This is an equity-settled share-based payment, so the fair value of the share options is that at the grant date, and the corresponding credit is to equity: DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss £133,333 Equity £133,333 The expense is calculated as follows: £’000 30 June 20X4 Equity b/d: 1,000 × 4 × £50 × 1/3 66.67 Profit or loss (balancing figure) 133.33 30 June 20X5 Equity c/d: 1,000 × 6 × £50 × 2/3 200.00 (3) Consolidated statement of profit or loss for year ended 30 June 20X5 £’000 Revenue (see (W5)) 34,420 Cost of sales (10,640) Gross profit 23,780 Operating costs (5,358) Profit from operations 18,422 Investment income 905 Fair value gain on associate 326 Associate income 424 Interest paid (625 + 169 + 78 + 123 + 141) (1,136) Profit before tax 18,941 Taxation (3,700) Profit for year 15,241 Profit attributable to: Shareholders of the parent 13,901 Non-controlling interests 1,340 15,241 (4) Fair value method implications If the fair value method in relation to the non-controlling interest was used instead of the proportion of net assets method, the potential implications would be as follows: • Goodwill would be higher, because the non-controlling interest (NCI) would include their share of goodwill in addition to their share of net assets. • If a goodwill impairment arose, the NCI would bear a share of the impairment, this would decrease the NCI allocation in the consolidated statement of profit or loss. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 307 Assuming that the NCI is higher for the reasons discussed above, gearing would be lower as NCI is deemed to be part of equity. WORKINGS (1) Group Structure Upstart 25% 3 months 70% 6 months 80% 3 months Liddle (2) Net Assets Share capital 30 Jun 20X5 1 Apr 20X5 1 Oct 20X4 1 Jan 20X3 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Reserves: At 1 January 20X3 6,600 Reserves: At 1 July 20X4 9,000 9,000 9,000 Profits for 12/9/3 months 6,780 5,085 1,695 Fair value adjustment 1,600 1,600 1,600 Depreciation on FV adjustment (60) (1,600 × 1/20 × 9/12 and 6/12) 18,320 1,675 Movement –––––– –––––– 16,645 13,295 7,600 3,350 5,695 (40) (3) Goodwill Consideration: £’000 Shares issued (800,000 × £11.50) 9,200 Cash 01.10.20X4 2,000 Deferred cash (£3 million/1.092) 2,525 Contingent cash ((£3 million × 50%)/1.093) 1,158 Fair value of previously held equity investment (250,000 × £30) 7,500 Non-controlling interest at 01.10.X4 3,989 Less: Net assets at control (W2) Goodwill (13,295 × 30%) (13,295) 13,077 (4) Non-controlling interests £’000 At 1 October 20X4 (W3) 3,989 Share of profit to 1 April 20X5 £5,025,000 (W5) × 6/9 × 30% 1,005 NCI at 1 April 20X5 4,994 *Share transferred to Upstart 308 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 £’000 (4,994 × 10/30) see working below (1,665) Share of profits 1 April–30 June 20X5 (1,675 (W2) × 20%) 335 At 30 June 20X5 3,664 *Share of net assets based on old interest = 16,645 × 30% 4,994 Share of net assets based on new interest = 16,645 × 20% 3,329 Adjustment required 1,665 (5) Group SPL Revenue Upstart Liddle (9/12) Adjust Group £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 23,800 11,700 (1,080) 34,420 1,080 (10,640) Additional depreciation Cost of sales (60) (7,400) (4,050) Unrealised profit Operating costs (210) (W9) (3,500) Professional fees (250) Restructuring provision (350) Share-based payment (133) Investment income 890 (1,125) 135 (5,358) (120) (W9) 905 Gain on previously held equity investment (W8) 326 326 Associate income (6,780 × 25% × 3/12) 424 424 Interest paid (520) Unwinding of discount on deferred consideration (W10) (169) (169) Unwinding of discount on contingent consideration (W10) (78) (78) Foreign loan interest (W11) (141) (141) Exchange loss on loan (W7) (123) (123) Taxation Profit for year NCI: (5,025 × 6/9 × 30%) (5,025 × 3/9 × 20%) Total ICAEW 2022 (225) 120 (W9) (625) (2,350) (1,350) (3,700) 9,676 5,025 15,241 1,005 335 1,340 Financial reporting 1 309 (6) Increase in investment in Liddle 1 April 20X5 £’000 CREDIT Cash DEBIT DEBIT £’000 3,500 NCI 1,665 Group Reserves (balance) 1,835 (7) Exchange loss on loan £’000 Borrowed at 1 October 20X4 (€4 million at £1 = €1.30) 3,077 Restate at 30 June 20X5 (€4 million at £1 = €1.25) 3,200 Exchange loss (123) (8) Associate £’000 Cost 5,750 Share 01.01.20X3 to 01.10.20X4 (25% × 5,695 (W2)) 1,424 7,174 Fair value at 1 October 20X4 (250 × £30) 7,500 Increase in value to SPL 326 (9) Profit in inventories 100% 60% 160% Cost Profit Sales Price 210 560 Reduce profit by £210,000 Intra-group transactions £120,000 × 9 months = £1,080,000 – remove from revenue and cost of sales Cancel £2 million × 8% × 9/12 = £120,000 from investment income and finance cost (10) Deferred consideration At 01.10.20X4 At 30.6.20X5 Movement £’000 £’000 £’000 Deferred cash (£3 million/1.092) 2,525 2,694 169 Contingent cash ((£3 million × 50%)/1.093) 1,158 1,236 78 Also acceptable = £2,525,000 × 9% × 9/12 = £170,000 (11) Foreign loan interest €4 million × 6% × 9/12 = €180,000 at £1 = €1.28 = £141,000 310 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 6 MaxiMart plc Marking guide Marks Share option scheme Pension scheme Reward card Futures contract 7 14 5 7 Proposed dividend Marks Available 5 38 Maximum 30 Total 30 MEMO Transactions of MaxiMart (1) Share options awarded This is an equity-settled share-based payment. An expense should be recorded in profit or loss, spread over the vesting period of five years with a corresponding increase in equity. Each option should be measured at the fair value at the grant date ie, £2. The year-end estimate of total leavers over the five-year vesting period (25%) should be removed in the calculation of the expense as they will never be able to exercise their share options. There are two other vesting criteria here: • The average profit which should be taken into account because it is a performance criterion. The average profit for the next five years is £1.3 million ([£0.9m + £1.1m + £1.3m + £1.5m + £1.7m]/5 years), resulting in 120 options per employee. • The share price which should not be taken into account because it is a market condition which is already factored into the fair value. So the fact that the share price target of £8 has not been met by the year end does not need to be taken into account. The expense and the corresponding increase in equity for the year ended 30 September 20X1 is calculated as follows: = 1,000 employees × 75% employees remaining × 120 options × £2 FV × 1/5 vested = £36,000 (2) Pension scheme Statement of financial position as at 30 September 20X1 (extract) 30 September 20X1 30 September 20X0 £’000 £’000 – 100 40 – Non-current assets Defined benefit pension plan Non-current liabilities Defined benefit pension plan ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 311 Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 20X1 (extracts) £’000 Profit or loss Defined benefit expense 185 Other comprehensive income Actuarial gain on defined benefit obligation (30) Return on plan assets (excluding amounts in net interest) 53 Net remeasurement loss 23 Note: IAS 19 requires remeasurement gains and losses to be recognised in other comprehensive income. Notes to the financial statements Defined benefit plan: amounts recognised in the statement of financial position 30 September 20X1 30 September 20X0 £’000 £’000 2,410 2,200 (2,370) (2,300) 40 (100) Present value of defined benefit obligation Fair value of plan assets Defined benefit expense recognised in profit or loss for the year ended 30 September 20X1 £‘000 Current service cost 90 Net interest on the net defined benefit asset (115 – 110) (5) Past service cost 100 185 Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation £‘000 Opening defined benefit obligation at 1 October 20X0 2,200 Past service cost 100 Interest on obligation (2,200 × 5%) 110 Current service cost 90 Benefits paid (60) Remeasurement gain through OCI (balancing figure) (30) Closing defined benefit obligation at 30 September 20X1 2,410 Changes in the fair value of plan assets £‘000 Opening fair value of plan assets at 1 October 20X0 Interest on plan assets (2,300 × 5%) 312 Corporate Reporting 2,300 115 ICAEW 2022 £‘000 Contributions 68 Benefits paid (60) Remeasurement loss through OCI (balancing figure) (53) Closing fair value of plan assets at 30 September 20X1 2,370 (3) Reward card The reward points provide a material right to customers that they would not receive without entering into a contract. Consequently, the promise to provide goods and services to the customer in exchange for points is a performance obligation under IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Total revenue of £100 million is allocated between the food sales and the reward points based on standalone prices. Here, total reward points have a face value of £5 million at the year end but only two in five customers are expected to redeem their points, giving a value of £2 million (ie, £5m × 2/5). £’000 Food sales Loyalty points £100m/£102m × £100m 98,039 £2m/£102m × £100m 1,961 100,000 In substance, customers are implicitly paying for the reward points they receive when they buy other goods and services and hence some of that revenue should be allocated to the points, as a separate performance obligation. £98.04 million would be recognised as revenue in the year ended 30 September 20X1 and £1.96 million would be recognised as a contract liability in the statement of financial position until the reward points are redeemed. (4) Futures contract IFRS 9, Financial Instruments has an objective-based assessment for hedge effectiveness, under which the following criteria must be met. • There is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument ie, the hedging instrument and the hedged item have values that generally move in the opposite direction because of the same risk, which is the hedged risk. • The effect of credit risk does not dominate the value changes that result from that economic relationship ie, the gain or loss from credit risk does not frustrate the effect of changes in the underlyings on the value of the hedging instrument or the hedged item, even if those changes were significant. • The hedge ratio of the hedging relationship (quantity of hedging instrument vs quantity of hedged item) is the same as that resulting from the quantity of the hedged item that the entity actually hedges and the quantity of the hedging instrument that the entity actually uses to hedge that quantity of hedged item. The loss on the forecast sale should not be accounted for as the sale has not yet taken place. However, the gain on the future should be accounted for under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. Assuming the hedge effectiveness criteria have been met, hedge accounting can be applied. The double entry required is: DEBIT Financial asset (future) £2m CREDIT Retained earnings (with effective portion) £1.9m CREDIT Profit or loss (with ineffective portion) £0.1m (5) Proposed dividend The dividend was proposed after the end of the reporting period and therefore IAS 10, Events After the Reporting Period applies. This prohibits the recognition of proposed equity dividends unless ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 313 these are declared before the end of the reporting period. The directors did not have an obligation to pay the dividend at 30 September 20X1 and therefore there cannot be a liability. The directors seem to be arguing that their past record creates a constructive obligation as defined by IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. A constructive obligation may exist as a result of the proposal of the dividend, but this had not arisen at the end of the reporting period. Although the proposed dividend is not recognised it was approved before the financial statements were authorised for issue and should be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. 7 Robicorp plc Scenario Requirement Skills Recommend any adjustments, with accompanying journal entries, that are required to make the accounting treatment comply with IFRS, explaining the reasons for your proposed changes. Apply technical knowledge of IAS 38 to the scenario to determine appropriate accounting treatment of the application. Identify need for amortisation of development costs. Analyse and interpret journal to determine reversal of accrued production costs required. Link information to determine the correct accounting treatment for the revenue from the XL5 order. Apply technical knowledge to determine treatment of bond. Explain the appropriate treatment required to reflect the share option scheme and the adjustment required. Calculate the profit on disposal of the Lopex shares and the appropriate recognition of the investment in Saltor. Identify the difference between the fair value and the face value of the interest-free loan to the employees as being the cost to the employer, to be treated as compensation under IAS 19. Apply the IFRS 9 rules in accounting for the loan at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Revise the draft basic earnings per share figure (Exhibit 2) taking into account your adjustments and calculate the diluted earnings per share. Assimilate adjustments and prepare revised profit after tax. Calculate basic EPS and diluted EPS. Marking guide Marks Recommended adjustments 26 Revised earnings per share and diluted earnings per share Marks Available 8 34 Maximum 30 Total 30 314 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 XL5 costs and revenues In order for development costs to be capitalised, the following criteria have to be satisfied. The project must: • be technically feasible • be intended to be completed and used/sold • be able to be used/sold • be expected to generate probable future economic benefits • have sufficient resources to be completed • have costs that can be separately recognised In the period to 1 January 20X4 not all these criteria appear to have been satisfied, and so the costs of £2 million a month should have been expensed in the statement of profit or loss. Once the breakthrough was made on 1 January, the development costs should have been capitalised until the project was completed on 30 June. An intangible asset of £15 million (6 × £2.5 million) should therefore have been created. The following journal is therefore required: DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss £6m Intangible asset £6m Once sales of the XL5 commenced on 1 August 20X4 the development costs should be amortised. This could be done either on a time or sales basis. I have amortised the £15 million over the number of XL5 units delivered to customers by 30 September 20X4, and this gives an amortisation charge of £500,000 (£15 million × 1,200/36,000). DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss £500,000 Intangible asset £500,000 Revenue should only be recognised once the risks in relation to the XL5 orders have been transferred to the buyer. This normally is upon delivery, and so revenue in respect of 1,200 units should be included in the statement of profit or loss. The accrual for cost of sales should therefore be removed in relation to the original journal for revenue and the cash received in relation to orders not yet fulfilled should be treated as a contract liability. DEBIT CREDIT DEBIT CREDIT Revenue (1,800 × £25,000) £45m Contract liability Accrued expenses £45m £19.8m Cost of sales (1,800 × £11,000) £19.8m The net impact is to reduce profits by £25.2 million. Convertible bond Per IFRS the bond should be split between a debt and equity element at the issue date. The debt element is calculated by discounting the cash flows in relation to the bond by the rate chargeable for a similar non-convertible instrument. This gives a debt bond element of £33.037 million (W1) and the balance of the bond is taken directly to equity, giving a figure of £6.963 million. DEBIT Share capital £4m DEBIT Share premium £36m CREDIT Bond liability £33.037m CREDIT Equity £6.963m ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 315 An interest charge of £2.478 million (£33.037m × 10% × 9/12) should therefore have been charged in the statement of profit or loss and added to the liability and the interest accrual reversed. DEBIT Profit or loss CREDIT £2.478m Bond liability DEBIT Accruals CREDIT £2.478m £0.9m Finance costs £0.9m Share option scheme Robicorp’s share option scheme is equity settled because the company is committed to issuing shares if the scheme conditions are satisfied. The scheme is partially market based as the options will only vest if a share price target is achieved. Because this part of the scheme is market based the achievement of the share price target is ignored when calculating the option cost. The scheme is also non-market based because the shares will only be issued if the executives are still employed by Robicorp at 1 October 20X6. Therefore the total cost of the options takes into consideration the expected number of executives at the vesting date. Per IFRS 2 the fair value of the options at 1 October 20X3 should be expensed over the vesting period of the scheme. This gives a cost for the year to 30 September 20X4 of £1.568 million (28 execs (30 – 2 leavers) × 48,000 options × 350 pence × 1/3). An expense is recognised for this amount and an equal sum credited to equity at 30 September 20X4. DEBIT Profit or loss CREDIT £1.568m Equity £1.568m Investment in Lopex/Saltor Robicorp’s original investment in Lopex is insignificant in terms of group accounting, and is therefore governed by IAS 32/IFRS 9. Because they were being treated as investments in equity instruments at FVTOCI at 30 September 20X3, they would have been measured at fair value of £3.68 million (400,000 × £9.20) and a credit to other comprehensive income and other components of equity in equity of £1.28 million would have been credited (400,000 × £3.20). The takeover by Saltor means that the investment in Lopex should be derecognised because Robicorp no longer has any rights to cash flows in respect of the Lopex shares. A further gain would be recognised in other comprehensive income/other components of equity of £1.82 million, to reflect the gain on fair valuing the Lopex shares to their fair value at the takeover date of £5.5 million (400,000 × 2.5 × £5.50). This £5.5 million is the deemed consideration at the takeover date. The gains on the Lopex shares are not reclassified to profit or loss. Robicorp should also have recognised a new financial asset in the form of the shares in Saltor at 1 August 20X4 at the fair value of £5.5 million. DEBIT CREDIT Financial asset (shares in Saltor) £5.5m Financial asset (shares in Lopex) (3.68 + 1.82) £5.5m At 30 September 20X4 the shares in Saltor should be remeasured at fair value, which per IFRS 9 is the bid price of £4.80. This gives a value of £4.8 million (1m × 480 pence) and the movement in fair value of £700,000 (£5.5 million less £4.8 million) is taken to profit or loss. DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss Financial asset £700,000 £700,000 The sales commission of 4 pence per share is ignored. 316 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Loans to employees IFRS 9, Financial Instruments requires financial assets (except those at FVTPL or FVTOCI) to be measured on initial recognition at fair value plus transaction costs. Usually the fair value of the consideration given represents the fair value of the asset. However, this is not necessarily the case with an interest free loan. An interest free loan to an employee is not costless to the employer, and the face value may not be the same as the fair value. To arrive at the fair value of the loan, Robicorp needs to consider other market transactions in the same instrument. The market rate of interest for a two year loan on the date of issue (1 October 20X3) and the date of repayment (30 September 20X5) is 6% pa, and this is the rate that should be used in valuing the instrument. The fair value may be estimated as the present value of future receipts using the market interest rate. There will be a difference between the face value and the fair value of the instrument, calculated as follows: £‘000 Face value of loan at 1 October 20X3 8,000 Fair value of loan at 1 October 20X3: (£8m/(1.06)2) 7,120 Difference 880 The difference of £880,000 is the extra cost to the employer of not charging a market rate of interest. It will be treated as employee compensation under IAS 19, Employee Benefits. This employee compensation must be charged over the two year period to the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, through profit or loss for the year. The question now arises as to how to measure the loan under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. To measure the loan at amortised cost, the following criteria must be met: (1) Business model test. The objective of the entity’s business model is to hold the financial asset to collect the contractual cash flows (rather than to sell the instrument prior to its contractual maturity to realise its fair value changes). (2) Cash flow characteristics test. The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal outstanding. These tests have been satisfied. Accordingly, the loan should be measured at 30 September 20X4 at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The effective interest rate is 6%, so the value of the loan in the statement of financial position is: £7,120,000 × 1.06 = £7,547,200. Interest will be credited to profit or loss for the year of: £7,120,000 × 6% = £427,200. The double entry is as follows: At 1 October 20X3 DEBIT Loan £7,120,000 DEBIT Employee compensation £880,000 CREDIT Cash £8,000,000 At 30 September 20X4 DEBIT CREDIT Loan Profit or loss – interest £427,200 £427,200 Earnings per share After taking into consideration the above changes basic earnings per share decreases to 75.7 pence (W2). A diluted earnings per share figure is calculated to take into account the worst case scenario in respect of potential increases in the equity base of the company. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 317 This therefore takes into consideration that: (1) the convertible bond could potentially increase Robicorp’s share capital by 4 million new shares, but the interest saved by conversion is added back to profit. This is usually calculated net of tax, but as per your instructions I have ignored the tax consequences; and (2) the share option scheme could increase Robicorp’s share capital by a number of free shares. This is calculated by converting the amount to be recognised in the profit or loss to a per share amount. This is then added to the exercise price to work out the amount that is expected to be received on exercise. Dividing this by the exercise price and comparing to the total number of shares to be issued results in the number of free shares. Diluted earnings per share is 75.2 pence (W3). WORKINGS (1) Robicorp convertible bond £’000 PV Interest 31/12/X4 @10% 1,091 PV Interest 31/12/X5 @10% 992 PV Interest and capital 1/1/X7 @10% 30,954 Total 33,037 (2) Basic earnings per share Earnings Shares £’000 Draft 66,270 Development costs expensed (6,000) Development costs amortised (500) Revenue/costs not recognised (25,200) Bonds instead of shares Interest expense Finance cost previously charged Share option expense (2,478) 900 (1,568) (700) Employee compensation (loan to employees) (880) Revised totals Basic EPS 318 (4,000,000) Fair value loss on Saltor Interest on employee loan Corporate Reporting 44,000,000 427 –––––––––– 30,271 40,000,000 75.7 pence ICAEW 2022 (3) Diluted EPS £’000 Basic totals 30,271 40,000,000 – – –––––– 232,611 30,271 40,232,611 Convertibles (see below) Share options (free shares) Total Diluted EPS 75.2 pence Options calculation Fair value of services yet to be rendered (48,000 × (30 – 2)) × £3.50 × 2/3) £3,136,000 Per option £3.136m/(48,000 × (30 – 2)) £2.33 Adjusted exercise price (£4.00 + £2.33) £6.33 Number of shares under option: 48,000 × 29 = 1,392,000 Number that would have been issued at average market price [1.392m × £6.33/£7.60] Number of shares treated as issued for nil consideration (free shares) (1,159,389) 232,611 Convertibles calculation – dilution test Earnings/Shares = £2,478,000/(4m × 9/12) = 82.6p As 82.6p is more than the basic EPS of 75.7p then the convertibles are anti-dilutive and therefore must not be included in the diluted EPS calculation. 8 Flynt plc Scenario The candidate is in the role of a newly appointed financial controller who is asked to produce journals and adjust a statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income in respect of three technical issues: share options, defined benefit scheme and lease of surplus machinery. The candidate is also asked to calculate the EPS and diluted EPS taking into account the adjustments to the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Marking guide Marks Redraft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 28 Calculate EPS and diluted EPS where appropriate Marks Available 7 35 Maximum 30 Total 30 To Andrea.Ward@flynt.co.uk From Miles.Goodwin@flynt.co.uk Re Finalisation of financial statements for year ended 31 May 20X6 ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 319 I would respond to your email as follows: Share option scheme Shane Ponting’s treatment of the option scheme is incorrect. IFRS 2, Share-based Payment should have been applied as follows: The fair value of the options at the grant date should be treated as an expense in profit or loss and spread over the vesting period, which is from the grant date until the date the scheme conditions vest. The scheme conditions are both market and non-market based, as they are impacted by both the share price and continuing employment. The fact that the share price has increased since the grant date is ignored when determining the charge to profit or loss. This is because market based conditions are embedded in the fair value calculations. The continuing employment condition should be based on the best estimates at the statement of financial position date, which in this case is for 16 executives to be employed at the vesting date. The journal entry is as follows: DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss Equity (retained earnings) £378,000 £378,000 The charge to profit or loss is therefore £378,000 (10,000 × 16 × £12.60 × ¼ × 9/12). This will reduce profit after tax and therefore EPS. In addition this sum is also credited in the statement of financial position to equity. IFRS 2 does not state where in equity this entry should arise, and many companies add it to retained earnings. When calculating diluted EPS it will normally be necessary to take into consideration the number of ‘free’ shares being allocated to executives assuming the whole scheme will vest. Also, normally, there is an adjustment to be made to the option exercise price in terms of the remaining IFRS 2 cost to be expensed in future (per IAS 33 example 5A). However in the case of Flynt there is a share price condition to be satisfied, in addition to the mere passage of time. There are therefore performance based share options and, in accordance with para 48 of IAS 33, these should be treated as contingently issuable shares. Para 54 of IAS 33 therefore applies which states that ‘the calculation of diluted EPS is based on the number of ordinary shares that would be issued if the market price at the end of the reporting period were the market price at the end of the contingency period’. In the case of Flynt, to satisfy this contingency the price would need to rise to £58.5 (ie, £39 × 150%). At the period end it is only £52, so in accordance with para 54 there is no dilution. Lease of machinery Shane Ponting’s analysis of the agreement as an operating lease is incorrect under IFRS 16, Leases. This would appear to be a finance lease because: (1) the lease term and useful life of the asset are the same; and (2) the present value of the lease payments received, plus the residual value guaranteed by Prior plc come to £607,000 (Appendix 2), which is almost all of the fair value of the machinery. The asset should therefore be derecognised and a receivable created. This is called the net investment in the lease. The direct costs incurred should be included in the initial measurement of the finance lease receivable and will therefore be recognised in profit or loss over the lease term as part of interest receivable. The rental income of £150,000 is removed from profit or loss. Interest receivable of £61,000 is credited to profit or loss (Appendix 3). Because the machinery is being derecognised the depreciation charge should be added back to profit. Overall the reclassification of the lease to a finance lease will increase EPS. In the statement of financial position at 31 May 20X6 there will be a receivable of £524,000 (Appendix 3) which should be analysed between amounts due in less than and more than one year. 320 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Journal entries are as follows: DEBIT Depreciation provision CREDIT £122,000 Profit or loss £122,000 Being removal of the depreciation charge DEBIT Net investment in lease CREDIT £1,000 Profit or loss £1,000 Being adjustment re-allocation of direct costs DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss £150,000 Net investment in lease £150,000 Being removal of rental income DEBIT CREDIT Net investment in lease £61,000 Profit or loss £61,000 Being interest income Dipper pension scheme The accounting treatment for a defined benefit scheme is considerably different to that of a defined contribution scheme. It is therefore necessary to remove the charge of £480,000 made by Shane Ponting and replace it with the following. The profit or loss charge is split into two elements: (1) Service cost: This is the pension earned by the employees of Dipper in the year, and is an operating cost. This means that operating costs will rise by a net £80,000 after deducting the contributions paid into the scheme that have been incorrectly charged by Shane Ponting. (2) Net interest on the net defined benefit liability. This in turn consists of two elements: (a) Interest on plan assets: This works out as £55,000 (5% × £2.2m × 6/12). IAS 19 does not specify where this should appear in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. I have treated it as investment income but it would not be incorrect to offset it against operating costs. (b) Interest on obligation: This is the unwinding of the present value of the pension liability due to employees who are one year closer to retirement at the end of the accounting period. A charge of £65,000 (5% × £2.6m × 6/12) should therefore be made in profit or loss. Because it relates to a present value, I have added this to finance costs, but once again IAS 19 is silent on the issue. The net charge to profit or loss is thus £(65,000 – 55,000) = £10,000 The actuarial difference reflects that some of the above figures are estimates, and also the increase in the net liability in the pension fund to £670,000 (£2.75m – £2.08m). This net liability will appear in the statement of financial position as a liability. Per Appendix 4 there is a net remeasurement loss of £180,000. IAS 19 requires immediate recognition of this in other comprehensive income. Journal entries are as follows: DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss £560,000 Pension obligation £560,000 Being recognition of service costs DEBIT CREDIT Pension asset Profit or loss £480,000 £480,000 Being contributions paid into the scheme ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 321 DEBIT Interest on assets CREDIT £55,000 Profit or loss £55,000 Being recognition of interest on assets DEBIT Profit or loss CREDIT £65,000 Pension obligation £65,000 Being recognition of interest on obligation DEBIT Other comprehensive income £205,000 £205,000 CREDIT Pension asset Being recognition of remeasurement loss on pension asset DEBIT Pension obligation CREDIT £25,000 Other comprehensive income £25,000 Being recognition of gain on pension obligation Goodwill impairment The goodwill impairment should be charged to profit or loss rather than other comprehensive income. The entries to correct are: DEBIT Profit or loss CREDIT £400,000 Other comprehensive income £400,000 Being correct treatment of goodwill This will impact on EPS. Summary of adjustments As a result of these adjustments EPS has increased from £1.21 to £1.50 per share from the previous year. Appendix 1 – Flynt plc: Revised statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for year ended 31 May 20X6 20X6 Options Lease Pension Goodwill Total £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Revenue 14,725 14,725 Cost of sales (7,450) (7,450) Gross profit 7,275 7,275 Operating costs (3,296) (378) 122 + 1 (80) Goodwill impairment Other operating income Operating profit Investment income Finance costs (3,631) (400) 150 (150) 0 4,129 39 (452) (400) 3,244 61 100 (10) (462) Profit before tax 3,716 2,882 Taxation at 23% (1,003) (663) 2,713 2,219 Profit after tax 322 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 20X6 Options Lease Pension Goodwill Total £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Other comprehensive income Remeasurement loss on pension Goodwill impairment (180) (180) (400) 400 2,313 0 2,039 Appendix 2 – PV of lease agreement at 10% Cash flow PV £‘000 £‘000 1 150 136 2 150 124 3 150 113 4 150 103 5 211 131 9 6 Year 5 Unguaranteed Total 613 Fair value plus the direct costs is equal to the net investment in the lease. £612,100 + 1,000 = 613,100 Appendix 3 – Net investment in lease Bal b/f Interest income Instalment At 31 May £‘000 £‘000 £‘000 £‘000 1 June 20X5 613 61 (150) 524 1 June 20X6 524 52 (150) 426 Appendix 4 – Pension calculations Balance at Acquisition Interest on assets Asset Obligation £’000 £’000 2,200 2,600 55 Unwinding of discount (interest on liability) 65 Service cost 560 Contributions 480 Pension Paid (450) (450) Expected closing bal 2,285 2,775 Actual closing balance 2,080 2,750 Difference on remeasurement through OCI (205) 25 Net actuarial loss (180) ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 323 Appendix 5 – Basic EPS Profit after tax Shares at start and end of year (000s) Basic EPS 20X6 20X5 £’000 £’000 2,219 1,699 *1,475 1,400 £1.50 £1.21 *6/12 × 1,400,000 = 700,000 6/12 × 1,550,000 = 775,000 1,475,000 As reported above, there is a share price condition to be satisfied, in addition to the mere passage of time. There are therefore performance based share options and, in accordance with para 48 of IAS 33, these should be treated as contingently issuable shares. Para 54 of IAS 33 applies and there should therefore be no dilution. 9 Gustavo plc Scenario The candidate is in the role of a newly appointed financial controller of a company called Gustavo who is asked to prepare a draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income incorporating the results of two subsidiaries. The company has sold and purchased shares in the subsidiaries during the year. The sale of shares in its UK subsidiary called Taricco involves the candidate recognising that the investment should be consolidated as a subsidiary for the six months until the date of disposal takes place. On sale of the shares the investment decreases to 35% and is therefore a partial disposal. Candidates need to recognise that because Gustavo has the ability to appoint directors to the board this is a strong indication that Taricco would be treated as an associate for the remaining six months of the year. The acquisition of shares is an investment in 80% of the share capital of an overseas company. The investment is made on 1 January and therefore should be treated as a subsidiary from that date. The candidate is specifically asked to explain the impact on the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and to show separately the impact on the non-controlling interest and the impact of future changes in exchange rates on the consolidated statement of financial position. Marking guide Prepare the draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and prepare briefing notes to explain the impact of the share transactions Advise on the impact that any future changes in exchange rates will have on the consolidated statement of financial position Marks Available Marks 27 7 34 Maximum 30 Total 30 324 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 To Antonio Bloom From Anita Hadjivassili Subject Gustavo plc financial statements I attach the draft consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 30 September 20X6, the explanations you requested, and supporting workings. Gustavo plc: Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for year ended 30 September 20X6 (Requirement 1) £‘000 Revenue 57,357 Cost of sales (37,221) Gross profit 20,136 Operating costs (9,489) Gain on sale of subsidiary 13,340 Profit from operations 23,987 Share of profit of associate 160 Investment income 424 Finance costs (2,998) Profit before taxation 21,573 Income tax expense (2,974) Profit for the year 18,599 Other comprehensive income Exchange differences on translating foreign operations 7,369 (Restatement of goodwill 4,370 Exchange gain in year 2,999) Total comprehensive income for the year –––––– 25,968 Profit attributable to: Non-controlling interests (W9) Owners of parent company 170 18,429 18,599 Total comprehensive income attributable to: Non-controlling interests (W9) Owners of parent company 1,644 24,324 25,968 Supporting notes (Requirement 2) (1) Taricco Limited Taricco is treated as a subsidiary for the six months until disposal takes place. This is because Gustavo has a 75% stake in the company until that date. Upon the sale of the shares on 1 April 20X6 the investment decreases to 35%. Because Gustavo still has the ability to appoint directors to the board Taricco should be treated as an associate, and the equity accounting method used for the last six months of the year. The non-controlling interest (NCI) have a 25% share of profit of Taricco for the first six months of the year until disposal takes place. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 325 A gain on disposal arises of £13.34 million in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The dividend received by Gustavo from Taricco of £210,000 should be eliminated on consolidation, as it is replaced by share of Taricco’s profits. As the dividend is paid after the disposal of the majority stake in Taricco it is not deducted from the net asset total at disposal. It should be noted that in future years Taricco will make less of a contribution to group profit due to the reduction in the investment. (2) Arismendi Inc Gustavo acquired an 80% stake in Arismendi, and so the investment should be treated as a subsidiary from 1 January 20X6. The acquisition fees of £400,000 have been incorrectly treated, and should be expensed in profit or loss in the year of purchase. The results of Arismendi are translated into sterling at the average rate for the nine months post acquisition in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The impact that any future changes in exchange rates will have on the consolidated statement of financial position (Requirement 3) An exchange difference will arise each year, due to the movement in exchange rates from each statement of financial position date in relation to net assets, and also because the profits in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income will be retranslated from the average to the closing rate in the statement of financial position. This gives a gain on translation of £2.999 million, and is taken to other comprehensive income, and 20% is allocated to the NCI, representing their share of Arismendi. The cost of the investment is restated each year for consolidation purposes to take into consideration the movement in exchange rates. As a consequence goodwill is restated at the year end to take into account the change in exchange rates, as it is deemed to be an asset of the subsidiary. As a consequence goodwill has increased from £8.739 million to £13.109 million (W7). This is taken to other comprehensive income in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, and 20% is allocated to the NCI, representing their share of Arismendi. WORKINGS (1) Consolidation schedule Revenue Cost of sales Gustavo Taricco 6 months Arismendi 9 months Adjust Total £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 35,660 14,472 7,225 57,357 (21,230) (11,082) (4,639) (37,221) Depreciation (£14.4m/8 years × 9/12)/5 Operating costs Acquisition fees (270) (5,130) (2,478) (1,481) (400) Gain on disposal (W4) Share of associate’s profit (W6) Investment income (9,489) 13,340 13,340 160 160 (210) 424 580 54 – Interest paid (2,450) (330) (218) (2,998) Income tax expense (2,458) (180) (336) (2,974) PAT *4,572 456 281 13,290 18,599 *As originally stated £4,972,000 less acquisition fees £400,000 326 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (2) Net assets of Taricco On disposal At acquisition £’000 £’000 Share capital 2,000 2,000 Retained earnings b/f 4,824 2,400 Profits to disposal (6 months) Dividend paid Total 456 0 ––––– 7,280 4,400 (3) Goodwill Taricco £’000 Cost to parent NCI at acquisition (25%) 15,000 1,100 Less net assets (4,400) Goodwill 11,700 Impairment (2,500) Goodwill at disposal 9,200 (4) Gain on sale of Taricco shares £’000 Proceeds 19,800 FV of interest retained 8,200 NCI at disposal (W5) 1,820 29,820 NA at disposal (W2) (7,280) Goodwill at disposal (W3) (9,200) Gain on disposal 13,340 (5) NCI at disposal £’000 At acquisition 1,100 Up to disposal (25% × (4,824 – 2,400)) + 114 (W9) At disposal 720 1,820 (6) Share of profits of associate Taricco 35% × PAT × 6/12 ICAEW 2022 160 Financial reporting 1 327 (7) Goodwill of Arismendi Cost of investment 01.01.X6 (Kr 6) 30.09.X6 (Kr 4) Kr’000 £’000 £’000 75,600 12,600 18,900 12,000 2,000 3,000 87,600 14,600 21,900 35,164 5,861 8,791 52,436 8,739 13,109 NCI at acquisition 12Kr × 5,000 shares × 20% Net assets at Acquisition Share capital Retained earnings 5,000 14,846 Three months to 1 January 20X6 3,670 × 3/12 918 Fair value adjustment £2.4m × Kr 6 14,400 Goodwill Increase to other comprehensive income 4,370 (8) Exchange difference arising in Arismendi £’000 £’000 Net assets at acquisition Kr 35,164 @ closing rate 4Kr : £1 8,791 Kr 35,164 @ acquisition rate 6Kr : £1 5,861 2,930 Nine months profit to 30.9.X6 Kr 3,670 per question × 9/12 = 2,753 – *1,350 = 1,403 @ closing rate Kr4:£1 350 Kr 3,670 per question × 9/12 = 2,753 – *1,350 = 1,403 @ average rate Kr5:£1 281 69 2,999 *depreciation on FV adjustment ((14,400/8) × 9/12) (9) Non-controlling interests £’000 Taricco 456 × 25% 114 Arismendi 281 × 20% 328 Corporate Reporting 56 ICAEW 2022 £’000 Share of goodwill restatement for Arismendi 4,370 × 20% 874 Share of exchange difference 2,999 × 20% 600 1,644 ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 1 329 330 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 10 Inca Ltd Scenario This was the single silo corporate reporting question and included ethical issues. The scenario was a company supplying plant and machinery to the oil drilling industry. At the beginning of the year it acquired an 80% interest in an overseas subsidiary. The candidate was employed on a temporary contract, reporting to the managing director. There was some concern about the impact of the new subsidiary on the statement of financial position, and there were some outstanding financial reporting issues, particularly with regard to deferred tax. The accountant had identified five particular matters that needed to be resolved: accelerated capital allowances on PPE; development costs; tax trading losses; a foreign currency loan which required correct treatment by considering both IAS 21 and IFRS 9; and a loan to a director. Candidates were provided with a draft statement of financial position for the parent and the overseas subsidiary. Candidates were required firstly, to explain the correct financial reporting treatment for each of the five issues identified; secondly, to prepare the consolidated statement of financial position; thirdly to show the difference between the two permitted methods of calculating non-controlling interest and fourthly as a separate requirement, to highlight any ethical concerns and actions with respect to the email from the MD. Marking guide Marks An explanation of the appropriate financial reporting treatment The consolidated statement of financial position of Inca at 30 April 20X1 A calculation of NCI at fair value 12 7 5 Explain any ethical concerns Marks Available 8 32 Maximum 30 Total 30 Deferred tax Deferred tax is calculated on all temporary timing differences, and is based on the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or liability is settled. The tax rates are those that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. In the absence of any other information to the contrary, therefore the current rate of 20% should be used. (1) Property, plant and equipment (PPE) There is a temporary taxable timing difference of CU22 million (CU60m – CU38m) at 1 May 20X0. This agrees to the opening deferred tax liability of CU4.4m shown in Excelsior’s statement of financial position. At 30 April 20X1 this has increased to CU28 million (CU64m – CU36m) and therefore the deferred tax liability in respect of PPE increases to CU5.6 million. Therefore a deferred tax charge on the increase in the difference of CU1.2 million is required. This would be charged to the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of Excelsior. (2) Development costs There is a temporary taxable difference arising in respect of development costs because they have a carrying amount of CU7 million at 30 April 20X1 in the statement of financial position. However they have a zero tax base because they have been treated as an allowable deduction in the company’s tax computation at that date. When the development costs are amortised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income the timing difference will reverse. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 331 This gives a deferred tax liability of CU1.4 million (20% × CU7m) and a charge to the profit or loss. (3) Tax losses A deferred tax asset arises because the tax losses can be used to reduce future tax payments when being offset against future taxable profits. However, the amount of the deductible difference should be restricted to the extent that future taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be used. This is an application of the prudence principle. As such, the deferred tax asset should be recognised on the budgeted profit of CU5 million for the next two financial years only. Therefore, the deferred tax asset would be CU2 million (20% × (CU5m × 2)). This will be a credit to profit or loss. Given the inexperience of the company accountant, the validity of these forecasts must be considered and verified. (4) American loan The loan should initially be measured at the sum received of US$15 million, which at the borrowing date is CU48.0 million. Excelsior’s accountant has incorrectly charged the repayment of ($800,000 × 2.8) CU2.2 million to profit or loss. This should be reversed and replaced with the interest calculated using the amortised cost method. Therefore the interest charge for the year is US$1.6 million (US$15m × 10.91%). In Excelsior’s own statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income this could be translated at either the average or the closing rate of exchange. I have used the average rate in my figures and this gives an interest charge of CU4.8 million (US$1.6m × 3 = CU4.8m). Therefore an adjustment to profit or loss of CU2.6 million (4.8 million less 2.2 million) is required. No deferred tax adjustment arises as only the interest paid is tax deductible and not the discount or premium on redemption. The loan constitutes a monetary liability, and therefore should be translated in the books of Excelsior using the closing rate of exchange between the CU and the US dollar. The loan is US$15.8 million which gives a figure of CU44.2 million ($15.8m × year end rate of 2.8). The loan is currently stated after the above interest correction, at CU50.6 million (CU48 million plus the adjustment for interest of CU4.8 million less interest paid of CU2.2 million) and has not yet been translated by the accountant at the year-end rate. Therefore an exchange gain of CU6.4 million arises, and this is taken to the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. (5) Director’s loan Given the issues in terms of recoverability of the loan, it should be written off and removed from receivables. This will also result in an expense in profit or loss. As the loan is to a director, it is likely to be treated as a related party transaction, and as such should be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The writing off of the loan should also be disclosed. There are likely to be current tax implications of this loan write off and the Ruritanian tax treatment of this would need to be ascertained. Consolidation of subsidiary Goodwill As Excelsior is a subsidiary, goodwill arises at the acquisition date, and is restated at 30 April 20X1 using the exchange rate at that date. The initial recognition of goodwill does not in itself create a deferred tax consequence. This is because goodwill is only recognised in the consolidated financial statements. The assets and liabilities of Excelsior at 30 April 20X1, after any adjustments to align IFRS and Ruritanian GAAP, should be translated using the closing rate of exchange in the consolidated statement of financial position, and at the average rate in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Any gain or loss arising in respect of the movement in exchange rates is taken to other comprehensive income. 332 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Goodwill should be subject to an impairment review at the end of the first year of acquisition. This is especially important because of the post-acquisition losses generated by Excelsior. Goodwill with non-controlling interest at fair value If non-controlling interest in Excelsior is valued at its fair value of CU20 million, the goodwill is CU2 million greater, at CU50 million, which is £11.1 million on translation. The exchange difference on translation of the goodwill remains at £1.1 million (see W2). Ethical issues Director‘s loan The loan to the director should be investigated to see if it is legal in accordance with Ruritanian company law. It is advisable to seek expert advice on this issue. On a separate issue it would be unethical to disregard the rules in relation to IAS 24 in respect of related party transactions. I would expect that Excelsior’s auditors will insist that the transaction is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The board’s wish that the loan is not disclosed on the grounds of immateriality is irrelevant; materiality is determined by nature in related party transactions rather than by value. Potential permanent contract The offer of a permanent contract in return for my ‘silence’ in respect of the preparation of the working papers creates an improper working relationship and a threat to independent judgement. This demonstrates a lack of integrity and professional behaviour on behalf of the managing director. Actions to be taken Initially the issues I have should be discussed with the managing director, to make him aware of the ethical responsibilities that a Chartered Accountant must abide by. If those discussions are fruitless, then representations should be made to Inca’s audit committee, assuming that it has one. If the above fails to resolve the issues with the managing director in a satisfactory manner then the ICAEW ethical hotline, or legal counsel, should be sought. As a last resort resignation should be considered. Workings for adjustments to Excelsior financial statements for Exhibit 3 CUm PPE Carrying amount 64.0 Tax base (36.0) Temporary taxable difference 28.0 Tax rate 20% Deferred tax 5.6 Provision at 1 May 20X0 4.4 Increase in provision 1.2 Development costs Carrying amount 7.0 Tax base 0.0 Temporary taxable difference 7.0 Tax rate 20% Deferred tax liability ICAEW 2022 1.4 Financial reporting 2 333 Tax losses: Deferred tax asset is restricted to the extent that probable taxable profit is available. CUm 20X2 and 20X3 Expected profits 10.0 Tax rate 20% Deferred tax asset 2.0 American loan Borrowed Interest for year to income statement (10.91%) Interest paid US$m Rate CUm 15.0 3.2 48.0 1.6 3.0 4.8 (0.8) 2.8 (2.2) Balance pre exchange adjustment 50.6 Balance at year end 15.8 2.8 44.2 Exchange gain on loan (6.4) Statement of Financial Position of Excelsior: Adjustment to Excelsior’s financial statements for issues in Exhibit 3 Draft PPE Dev costs CUm CUm CUm Tax loss Interest/ exchange adj. Director’s loan Final CUm CUm CUm CUm Non-current assets PPE 64.0 64.0 Intangible assets 7.0 7.0 Total non-current assets 71.0 71.0 Inventories 16.6 16.6 Accounts receivable 35.2 Cash 12.8 12.8 Total current assets 64.6 62.6 135.6 133.6 Share capital CU1 10.0 10.0 Share premium account 16.0 16.0 Retained earnings at acq’n 64.0 64.0 Net assets at acquisition 90.0 90 Current assets (2.0) 33.2 Equity and Liabilities Loss since acquisition (16.0) (1.2) (1.4) 2.0 4.4 1.2 1.4 (2.0) (2.6) 6.4 (2.0) (14.8) Non-current liabilities Deferred tax 334 Corporate Reporting 5.0 ICAEW 2022 Loans Draft PPE Dev costs CUm CUm CUm Tax loss Interest/ exchange adj. Director’s loan Final CUm CUm CUm CUm 48.0 Current liabilities Total equity and liabilities 2.6 (6.4) 44.2 9.2 9.2 135.6 133.6 The subsidiary is translated at the closing rate for the assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position and average rate for loss for the year. Statement of financial position for Excelsior CUm Rate £m 64 4.5 14.2 7 4.5 1.6 Inventories 16.6 4.5 3.7 Trade receivables 33.2 4.5 7.4 Cash 12.8 4.5 2.8 PPE Intangible assets Current assets 133.6 29.7 Equity and liabilities Share capital 10 5 2.0 Share premium 16 5 3.2 64 5 12.8 (14.8) 4.8 (3.1) Retained earnings Pre acquisition Post acquisition Translation reserve (W1) 1.8 16.7 Non current liabilities: Deferred tax Loans Current liabilities 5 4.5 1.1 44.2 4.5 9.8 9.2 4.5 2.1 133.6 29.7 WORKINGS (1) Translation reserve Gain/(Loss) £m Opening net assets @ Closing rate Opening net assets @ Opening rate 90 @ 4.5 20 90 @ 5 18 £m 2.0 Loss for the year @ Closing rate ICAEW 2022 (14.8) @ 4.5 (3.3) Financial reporting 2 335 Gain/(Loss) @ Average rate (14.8) @ 4.8 Translation reserve for Excelsior £m £m (3.1) (0.2) 1.8 Inca group – Consolidated statement of financial position £m PPE (32.4 + 14.2) 46.6 Goodwill (W2) 10.7 Intangible (12.4 + 1.6) 14.0 71.3 Inventories (9.8 + 3 .7) 13.5 Trade receivables (17.4 + 7.4) 24.8 Cash (1.6 + 2.8) 4.4 114.0 Share capital 4.0 Share premium 12.0 Retained earnings (W2) 41.6 NCI (W2) 3.4 Deferred tax (12 + 1.1) 13.1 Loans (5.8 + 9.8) 15.6 Current liabilities (22.2 + 2.1) 24.3 114.0 (2) Consolidation of Excelsior Goodwill on consolidation CUm Consideration NCI @ acquisition (90 × 20%) NA: 10 + 16 + 64 Goodwill 120 18 (90) 48 £m 48 @ Opening rate 5 9.6 48 @ Closing rate 4.5 10.7 Exchange difference on translation of goodwill 1.1 Goodwill on consolidation with NCI at fair value CUm Consideration NCI @ FV 336 Corporate Reporting 120 20 ICAEW 2022 CUm NA: 10 + 16 + 64 (90) Goodwill 50 £m 50 @ Opening rate 5 10.0 50 @ Closing rate 4.5 11.1 Exchange difference on translation of goodwill 1.1 Consolidated retained earnings £m Inca – retained earnings 41.6 Excelsior (80% × 3.1) (2.5) Exchange differences: Translation of goodwill 1.1 Group’s share of exchange difference on translation of Excelsior (1.8 × 80%) 1.4 41.6 Non-controlling interest (NCI) in consolidated statement of financial positions 20% × 16.7 3.4 11 Aytace plc Scenario The candidate is in the role of a financial controller for Aytace plc, the parent company of a group that operates golf courses in Europe. The candidate is requested to explain the financial reporting treatment of a number of outstanding matters which include revenue recognition, defined benefit scheme, a holiday pay accrual, executive and employee incentive schemes and the piecemeal acquisition of a subsidiary. The question requires the candidate to produce a revised consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Marking guide Marks Appropriate financial reporting treatment of the outstanding matters highlighted by Meg in Exhibit 1 26 A revised consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income Marks Available 6 32 Maximum 30 Total 30 (1) Golf tournament Tender costs Tender costs should be expensed in the year in which they were incurred, and therefore a further £1.05 million should be charged to profit or loss. This is because at the tender date there was no probable inflow of economic benefits to Aytace and therefore it would not be possible to capitalise the tender costs as an intangible asset as it is highly unlikely to satisfy the recognition criteria as an internally generated asset per IAS 38. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 337 TV revenues Under IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the broadcasting contract is a contract in which performance obligations are satisfied over time. The performance obligation in this case is the hosting of the golf tournament which the television company will broadcast. IFRS 15 para 35 states that an entity transfers control of a good or service over time and therefore satisfies a performance obligation and recognises revenue over time if one of the following criteria is met: • The customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the entity’s performance as the entity performs; • The entity’s performance creates or enhances an asset (eg, work in progress) that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced; or • The entity’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the entity and the entity has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. The first criterion will be met once the tournament starts in September 20X3. An advance payment of £1 million was made on 1 May 20X3 and revenue recognised from the date the contract was signed (1 February 20X3). £400,000 (£4.8m × 4/48) is recognised as revenue in profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X3. However, as at 31 May 20X3, the performance obligation has not been satisfied, as the tournament has not started, so no revenue can be recognised under IFRS 15. Therefore revenue should be reduced by £400,000 (£4.8m × 4/12 × ¼). The journal for this would be: DEBIT CREDIT Revenue £400,000 Contract liability £400,000 (2) Pension scheme The pension expense in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income consists of a number of elements. Pension assets are the equities, bonds and other investments in the fund, and the interest income on these is credited to profit or loss. Scheme liabilities are the pension obligations due to current and former employees, and these are discounted by the market rate on high quality corporate bonds. The interest charge on the liability is expensed to profit or loss. The improvement in the pension benefit should be recognised by adding £400,000 to the liability immediately. Interest on this increased liability should therefore be charged to profit or loss. As the liability is increased at 1 June 20X2, an interest charge is made in relation to this increase of £24,000 (6% × £400,000). Instead of the contributions paid into the scheme, the calculation should be as follows: Defined benefit expense recognised in profit or loss £’000 Current service cost 1,200 Net interest on net defined benefit liability (732 – (1,080 + 24)) 372 Past service cost 400 Total expense 1,972 IAS 19 is silent on how this expense should be charged, I have therefore charged it all to operating costs, but some companies separate out the interest costs, and take these to finance costs. Therefore operating costs should be increased by the difference of £1,072,000 (£1,972,000 – £900,000) over the contributions paid into the scheme, which was the sum incorrectly charged to the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. 338 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Pension scheme Opening balance FV asset PV obligation £’000 £’000 12,200 18,000 Past service cost 400 Interest on plan assets 732 Interest on obligation 1,080 Interest cost on past service cost 24 Contributions 900 Pensions paid (1,100) (1,100) –––––– 1,200 12,732 19,604 768 196 13,500 19,800 Current service cost Expected closing balance Difference on remeasurement through OCI Actual closing balance The net actuarial gain of £572,000 (768,000 – 196,000), should be recognised in other comprehensive income. The net pension obligation recognised in the statement of financial position is £6.3 million (£19.8m – £13.5m). (3) Holiday pay accrual IAS 19, Employee Benefits requires that an accrual be made for holiday entitlement carried forward to next year. Number of days c/fwd: 900 × 3 × 95% = 2,565 days Number of working days: 900 × 255 = 229,500 Accrual = (2,565 ÷ 229,500) × £19m = £0.21m DEBIT CREDIT Operating costs Accruals £0.21m £0.21m (4) Investment in Xema Accounting method to be used Xema should be treated as an associate only up to 1 September 20X2, when control is achieved. Therefore the equity method should credit the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income with only £102,000 (£1.02m × 3/12 × 40%). For the remaining nine months of the year Xema should be consolidated using the acquisition method, and income and expenditures included in the financial statements on a line by line basis. As Xema is 100% owned at the statement of financial position date there are no entries in respect of non-controlling interests. Gain on increase in stake At 1 September 20X2 the carrying amount of the stake held in Xema is £2.962 million, calculated as follows: Original cost 2,300 Share of profit to 31 May 20X2 560 Share of profit to 1 Sept 20X2 102 (40% × (£4.8m – £3.4m)) See above 2,962 ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 339 At 1 September per IFRS 3 this should be restated to the fair value of the shares of £3.8 million. The gain of £838,000 is recognised in the profit or loss for the year. It would most likely be shown as ‘other operating income’ or netted off against operating costs. Goodwill Goodwill only arises when control is achieved and is therefore calculated at 1 September 20X2. The calculation should be as follows: £’000 FV of original investment Cost at 1 Sep 20X2 3,800 12,400 –––––– 16,200 Less net assets at fair value (W1) Goodwill 6,055 10,145 (5) Incentive schemes Executive scheme This is an equity settled share-based payment scheme. The vesting conditions are market-based as they relate to a share price target and a non-market-based condition requiring the director to still hold office at 31 May 20X5. Because the vesting condition relates to the market price of Aytace’s shares, the probability of achieving the target price by 31 May 20X5 is integrated into the fair value calculation. Therefore, your concerns about not achieving the share price rise can be ignored when determining the charge to profit or loss. The non-market-based condition will impact on the number of options expected to vest and as it is anticipated that one of the directors will leave by the vesting date this is taken into consideration when calculating the charge. Per IFRS 2 the fair value of the options is spread over the vesting period of three years to 31 May 20X5. The charge should therefore be £360,000 (£2.70 × 100,000 × 4 directors × 1/3), and the same amount should be included in equity. Share appreciation rights These are deemed to be cash settled share-based rights because they do not involve the issue of shares. The vesting conditions are not market based, because the scheme only relates to continued employment. Instead of recognising a credit in equity, a liability is created in the statement of financial position. The fair value of the liability is remeasured at each reporting date, and also takes into consideration the expected number of employees in the scheme at the vesting date. The charge is therefore £152,000 (£2.28 × 4,000 × 50 × 1/3), with an equal increase in liability. (6) Revised profit figures After taking into consideration the above adjustments my revised profit is as follows: 340 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for year ended 31 May 20X3 Golf/TV Pension Holiday accrual Options Xema 9 mnths Total £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 4,050 18,100 £’000 Revenues 14,450 (400) Operating costs (9,830) (1,050) (1,072) (210) ––––– Operating profit (360) (2,700) (152) (15,374) 4,620 2,726 Other operating income 838 838 Associate income 867 (765)* 102 Other investment income 310 180 490 (1,320) (540) Finance charges Profit before taxation (ignore tax as instructed) 4,477 (1,860) 2,296 Other comprehensive income Net gain on remeasurement in year 572 Total comprehensive income for the year 2,868 WORKINGS (1) Net assets at carrying amount/fair value: £’000 Share capital 1,000 Retained earnings (at 31.05.20X2) 4,800 Retained earnings to 01.09.20X2 (1,020 × 3/12) 255 Net assets at carrying amount/FV 6,055 The goodwill figure should be reviewed for impairment at 31 May 20X3. (2) Adjustment to income for associate £’000 Xema’s revenue Costs 4,050 (2,700) Investment income 180 Finance costs (540) 990 Tax for nine months (225) (765) ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 341 12 Razak plc Scenario The candidate is in the role of a member of the financial reporting team at Razak plc. Razak has increased its shareholding in the year in an investment, a company called Assulin. This mid-year acquisition of shares results in a change in accounting treatment of the investment from a financial asset to a subsidiary. The accounting is made further complex by a contingent payment which is to be made provided that Razak’s management team remain in post. The candidate is also asked to explain the accounting adjustments needed in respect of a bond purchased in Imposter plc. Imposter is now in financial difficulties. The candidate must also explain the appropriate accounting for a proposed pension plan. The chief executive of Razak is a director of, and a minority shareholder in Imposter. The candidate is asked for the ethical implications of this scenario in the knowledge that the purchase of the bond was not recorded in the Razak board minutes. Marking guide Marks Treatment of increase in the stake in Assulin in the financial statements of the Razak group Purchase of the bond in Imposter plc and ethical issues Razak’s consolidated statement of financial position at 30 September 20X2 12 9 9 Explain how to account for the proposed pension plan Marks Available 9 39 Maximum 30 Total 30 Explanations of how the increase in the stake in Assulin will be treated in the financial statements of Razak group. Status as subsidiary At 31 March 20X2 Assulin becomes a subsidiary because Razak now has a controlling stake (80%). This means that goodwill arises on the transaction and a non-controlling interest will be created in relation to the 20% of Assulin owned by minority shareholders. Remeasurement of original investment The gains on the equity investment of £750,000 previously taken to OCI are not reclassified to profit or loss. In addition the cost of the original stake is remeasured to the fair value of £20 each immediately prior to acquisition. This gain of ((£20 – £16) × 75,000) = £300,000 is added to the cost of the investment, and taken to other comprehensive income. Intra group balance The intra group loan of £800,000 is eliminated upon consolidation. Contingent consideration The contingent consideration should be measured at fair value (IFRS 3). A liability should be recognised to pay £1.95 million (£6 × 325,000). However, as the payment is not due for two years from the acquisition date, it should be discounted at the cost of capital of 9% to a present value of £1.641 million. This sum should be added to consideration when calculating goodwill. This discount should be unwound for six months to the SFP date, giving a charge of £73,845 (£1.641m × 9% × 6/12) to profit or loss, and increasing the liability by the same amount. Fair value adjustment The assets of Assulin should be remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date as a property with a carrying amount of £1.2 million has an estimated fair value of £2.6 million, giving an increase in PPE 342 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 of £1.4 million. This sum should then be depreciated over the remaining useful life of the property of five years, reducing both PPE and profits for the year by £140,000 (£1.4m × 1/5 × 6/12). Goodwill The consideration for goodwill takes into account the remeasurement of the fair value of the original investment, plus the cost of the shares on 31 March 20X2, plus the fair value of the NCI. The remeasured net assets of Assulin are then deducted from this total to give a goodwill total of £8.826 million (W3). Imposter bond The bond was correctly classified and valued on initial recognition, but no adjustments have been made to calculate the value at the year end, including the significant increase in the present value of lifetime expected credit losses. This increase in allowance will be written off to profit or loss (see W6). Ethical issues First of all, both Andrew and Kay are chartered accountants and are both therefore bound by the ICAEW Code of Ethics. It is clear that there has been a significant deterioration in the credit quality of the Imposter bond. If it was foreseeable that the bond would be so severely impaired, the chief executive would be in breach of his fiduciary duty and potentially guilty of an illegal act. At worst this is a case of fraud and at best a conflict of interest. We must first ascertain the facts, including why this matter does not appear in the board minutes and whether the other board members are aware that this transaction has occurred. As the chief executive is a shareholder and a director of Imposter there is potentially a self-interest threat here and he may be seen to be behaving in the best interests of Imposter in preference to the best interests of the shareholders of Razak. The question to be resolved is – did the chief executive know of the financial position of Imposter at the time when the bond was issued and was there evidence at that point that the bond would or could go bad? As a member of the board this would appear highly likely. Kay and Andrew should consider reporting the matter to the company’s money laundering compliance principal (MLCP) and possibly discussing their concerns with a non-executive director. Advice from ICAEW can also be taken regarding their own positions considering they are both chartered accountants. Razak’s consolidated statement of financial position at 30 September 20X2 Razak Assulin Adjs. Consol. £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 8,826 8,826 FV adjustment 1,400 – 140 10,720 Goodwill W3 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 6,000 Investment in Assulin 9,325 (9,325) 800 (800) 1,193 (503) (W6) Loan to Assulin Other financial assets 3,460 690 W6 17,318 Current assets Inventories Receivables Bank Total assets ICAEW 2022 1,255 610 1,865 960 400 1,360 0 70 70 2,215 1,080 – 3,295 19,533 4,540 (542) 23,531 Financial reporting 2 343 Razak Assulin Adjs. Consol. £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £1 ordinary shares 2,800 500 Share premium account 7,400 Retained earnings 2,510 Equity Other components of equity (500) 2,800 7,400 2,740 750 NCI (2,740) (529)(W5) 1,981 W5 300 1,050 W5 2,012 2,012 W4 1,715 1,641 + 74 (unwinding 6/12 months) 13,460 Non-current liabilities Contingent consideration Other 1,715 2,788 Loan from Razak 2,788 800 (800) Current liabilities Bank overdraft 1,220 Trade payables 865 290 1,155 1,200 210 1,410 3,285 500 19,533 4,540 Tax payable Total equity and liabilities 1,220 – (542) 3,785 23,531 Consolidated statement of financial position £’000 Non-current assets Goodwill Property, plant and equipment Other financial assets 8,826 10,720 690 Current assets Inventories 1,865 Receivables 1,360 Bank 70 Total assets 23,531 Equity £1 ordinary shares 2,800 Share premium account 7,400 Retained earnings 3,031 Non-controlling interests 2,012 344 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 £’000 Non-current liabilities Contingent consideration 1,715 Other 2,788 Current liabilities Bank overdraft 1,220 Trade payables 1,155 Tax payable 1,410 Total equity and liabilities 23,531 WORKINGS (1) Group structure Razak’s shareholding has increased from 15% to 80% therefore the investment should now be accounted for as a subsidiary. (2) Net assets SFP Acquisition £’000 £’000 500 500 Retained earnings 2,740 2,540 Fair value adjustment 1,400 1,400 (140) –––––– 4,500 4,440 Share capital Depreciation (six months) Total Since acquisition (4,500 – 4,440) 60 (3) Goodwill £’000 Original cost of 15% shares in Assulin 450 Revalue 15% shareholding to £16 per share at 30 Sept 20X1 through OCI/OCE 750 Revalue 15% shareholding to £20 per share at 31 March 20X2 300 Cost of 325,000 shares at £25 per share 31 March 20X2 8,125 Contingent consideration (£6 × 325,000 DCF 9% 2 years) 1,641 NCI at acquisition 100,000 shares × £20 per share 2,000 Total 13,266 Less net assets at acquisition including FV adjustment (W2) (4,440) Goodwill at acquisition ICAEW 2022 8,826 Financial reporting 2 345 (4) Non-controlling interest £’000 At acquisition 2,000 Profit share of Assulin since acquisition (60 × 20%) 12 Total 2,012 (5) Reserves Retained earnings Razak per draft £’000 £’000 2,510 750 Revalue 15% shareholding in Assulin at 31 March 20X2 (W3) 300 Unwinding of contingent payment (74) 80% of Assulin’s profit since acquisition (60 × 80%) 48 Imposter – net adjustments (529) (503) –––––– ––––– 1,981 1,050 Total (6) Imposter bond Loan receivables (gross carrying amount) £ At 1 October 20X1 Finance income (7.5% × 1,200,000) 1,200,000 90,000 Cash received At 30 September 20X2 (–) 1,290,000 Allowance for credit losses At 1 October 20X1 (Stage 1) (12-month expected credit losses) £ 7,000 Finance cost (unwind discount) (7.5% × 7,000) 525 7,525 Finance cost (increase in allowance) 592,475 At 30 September 20X2 (Stage 2) (Lifetime expected credit losses) 600,000 Value of bond at 30 September 20X2, net of allowance: £(1,290,000 – 600,000) = £690,000 Therefore adjustment = £1,193,000 – £690,000 = £503,000. Adjustments are required to retained earnings as follows: £ Finance income (7.5% × 1,200,000) Finance cost (unwind discount) (7.5% × 7,000) 346 90,000 (525) Finance cost (increase in allowance) (592,475) Net (503,000) Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Proposed pension plan Razak wishes to account for its proposed pension plan as a defined contribution scheme, probably because the accounting is more straightforward and the risk not reflected in the figures in the financial statements. However, although the entity’s proposed plan has some features in common with a defined contribution plan, it needs to be considered whether this is really the case. With defined contribution plans, the employer (and possibly, as proposed here, current employees too) pay regular contributions into the plan of a given or ‘defined’ amount each year. The contributions are invested, and the size of the post-employment benefits paid to former employees depends on how well or how badly the plan’s investments perform. If the investments perform well, the plan will be able to afford higher benefits than if the investments performed less well. With defined benefit plans, the size of the post-employment benefits is determined in advance ie, the benefits are ‘defined’. The employer (and possibly, as proposed here, current employees too) pay contributions into the plan, and the contributions are invested. The size of the contributions is set at an amount that is expected to earn enough investment returns to meet the obligation to pay the post-employment benefits. If, however, it becomes apparent that the assets in the fund are insufficient, the employer will be required to make additional contributions into the plan to make up the expected shortfall. On the other hand, if the fund’s assets appear to be larger than they need to be, and in excess of what is required to pay the post-employment benefits, the employer may be allowed to take a ‘contribution holiday’ (ie, stop paying in contributions for a while). The main difference between the two types of plans lies in who bears the risk: if the employer bears the risk, even in a small way by guaranteeing or specifying the return, the plan is a defined benefit plan. A defined contribution scheme must give a benefit formula based solely on the amount of the contributions. Razak’s scheme, as currently proposed, would be a defined benefit plan. Razak, the employer, would guarantee a pension based on the average pay of the employees in the scheme. The entity’s liability would not be limited to the amount of the contributions to the plan, but would be supplemented by an insurance premium which the insurance company can increase if required in order to fulfil the plan obligations. The trust fund which the insurance company builds up, is in turn dependent on the yield on investments. If the insurer has insufficient funds to pay the guaranteed pension, Razak has to make good the deficit. Indirectly, through insurance premiums, the employer bears the investment risk. The employee’s contribution, on the other hand is fixed. A further indication that Razak would bear the risk is the provision that if an employee leaves Razak and transfers the pension to another fund, Razak would be liable for, or would be refunded the difference between the benefits the employee is entitled to and the insurance premiums paid. Razak would thus have a legal or constructive obligation to make good the shortfall if the insurance company does not pay all future employee benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods. In conclusion, even though the insurance company would limit some of the risk, Razak, rather than its employees, would bear the risk, so this would be a defined benefit plan. 13 Melton plc Marking guide Up to 1 mark for each valid point Appropriate ratios and comparatives Other points Up to 1 mark for each valid point Up to 1 mark for each valid point Marks Available Marks 8 9 8 9 34 Maximum 30 Total 30 ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 347 Notes for meeting of investment team Diluted earnings per share Information that helps users of financial statements make predictions of future earnings and cash flows is very useful. The diluted EPS disclosure provides additional information regarding the future of the basic EPS amount, in that it relates current earnings to a possible future capital structure. Where financial instruments have been issued by a company which will potentially lead to the issue of further new equity shares, the earnings will be shared by more equity shares. In some cases earnings themselves will be directly affected by the issue of the shares, in other cases, they will not. The diluted EPS figure shows how the current earnings of the company, as adjusted for any profit effect of the issue of the new shares, would be diluted, or shared out amongst the future, potential new shares as well as the current shares. This gives the current shareholders an idea of the effect that these dilutive financial instruments could have on their shareholding in the future. However, there are limitations to the use of these figures: • The diluted EPS is based upon the current earnings figure, as adjusted for any profit effect of the issue of the new shares. This earnings figure may not be relevant in future years. What is more important is the level of earnings at the time conversion actually takes place. • Also, the calculation assumes a worst case scenario, that all potential diluting financial instruments will be exercised. It may be that future events do not unfold like this. For example, holders of convertible debt may choose to redeem rather than convert their debt or share options issued may lapse if the holders leave the company or there are adverse future movements in the share price. The diluted EPS is therefore a ‘warning’ to existing shareholders about potential future events. It is not a forecast of future earnings. Shareholders often find it helpful to calculate the P/E ratio based on diluted EPS to show the potential valuation effects. Analysis of performance of Melton plc Further ratios could be calculated. For example: 20X7 20X6 Operating profit % (3,200 as % of 37,780) and (2,610 as % of 29,170) 8.5% 8.9% Gross profit – existing outlets (87 as % of 354) and (83 as % of 343) 24.6% 24.2% Gross profit – new outlets (69 as % of 256) 26.9% – Administration expenses % (6,240 as % of 37,780) and (4,480 as % of 29,170) 16.5% 15.4% Depreciation and amortisation as % of (cost of sales + administration expenses) – (3,060 as % of (28,340 + 6,240)) and (2,210 as % of (22,080 + 4,480)) 8.8% 8.3% Interest cover (3,200/410) and (2,610/420) 7.8 times 6.2 times Cash interest cover (6,450/410) and (4,950/440) 15.7 times 11.3 times Cash generated from operations as % of operating profit (6,450 as % of 3,200) and (4,950 as % of 2,610) 202% 190% EBITDA/interest expense (6,260/410) and (4,820/420) 15.3 times 11.5 times P/E ratio (302/26.8) and (290/21.3) 11.3 times 13.6 times P/E ratio (based on diluted EPS) (302/21.2) and (290/19.2) 14.2 times 15.1 times Performance ratios Cash flow and liquidity ratios Investor ratios (Credit will be given for other ratios; the basis of the calculation should be given.) 348 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Introduction A first look at the information indicates that the group has grown significantly during 20X7. Revenues have increased by 29.5% ((37,780/29,170) – 1) and operating profits by 22.6% ((3,200/2,610) – 1). However, the additional information shows that there have been structural changes in the business with a 35% ((30/(115 – 30)) – 1) increase in the number of outlets that have opened. These structural changes will need to be considered in determining the performance of the business. A review of the statement of cash flows shows strong operating cash flows. However, these cash flows are being reinvested in new outlet openings (through capital expenditure). The group’s objective is to limit its new debt financing but this may be hindering the availability of distributions to investors. Profitability Revenue has grown by 29.5% during the year. For existing outlets (those open at 30 September 20X6) growth during the year has been 3.0% ((354/343) – 1). The real rate of growth may be lower than this as some outlets may have only been open for part of the previous year (ie, 20X7 is first full year of opening). This rate of ‘organic’ growth is disappointing and below the sector average of 4.1%. It may be that Melton only operates in a part of this sector which has a different growth rate that management are concentrating on new outlets. Gross profit margins have grown year on year from 24.3% to 25.0%. However, the segmental analysis shows that gross margins from existing outlets have only improved marginally to 24.6% and the new outlets have far better gross margins at 26.7%. This could be due to: • the locations of the new outlets in more profitable sites; • strong promotional activities of new outlets in their initial phase; • older outlets require refitting or advertising support; or • management focusing on new outlets to the detriment of older ones. Revenue per employee has grown from £37,900 to £41,100. This is an increase of 8.4%. This is significant as wage costs will be a major cost for the business. It may be that new working practices have reduced employee numbers or that staff numbers (eg, admin) do not increase linearly with the number of outlet openings. Administration costs as a percentage of revenue have increased significantly from 15.4% to 16.5%. These costs have increased by approximately £1.8 million. The list of key issues for Melton did not mention operating costs and this may not have been the focus of management’s attention. Alternatively, investment in administration may have been made with a view to further expansion. Melton has a reputation for ‘under depreciating’ assets. Some support for this is indicated by the losses on disposal in both years (see statement of cash flows). The depreciation rates are inconsequential when considering the cash flow which is strong (see below). Depreciation is 8.8% of the total of costs of sales and administrative expenses but it is growing significantly (up from 8.3% and from £2.21 million to £3.06 million) and any future change in estimates could significantly affect profit. EBITDA has improved significantly, mainly because of better absolute profit figures due to the continuing expansion. EBITDA is strong and confirms the strong cash flows (see below). The return on capital employed (ROCE) has improved from 19.1% to 20.0% giving the indication that the overall efficiency of management in employing the resources of the group has improved. Operating cash flows are strong and net capital employed has only increased by a small amount as the capital expenditure is almost covered by the operating cash flow. Resources have been well managed. However, this should be viewed against the fact that no dividend has been paid. Non-current asset turnover supports the assertion that management have managed the assets well. It has improved and the assets have been sweated harder. Interest costs in the statement of profit or loss have reduced slightly (by £10,000) but the statement of cash flows shows that net debt (new borrowings less cash increase) has increased. This may be a result of the timing of the cash flows (in particular capital expenditure and new outlet openings) during the year. Cash flow (and changes in financial position) The improvement in ROCE is supported by the increase in the cash return on capital employed to 40.2%. As expected it is higher than traditional ROCE as that ratio takes into account depreciation ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 349 and amortisation. The cash return on capital employed suggests that cash flow is strong and capital has been well managed. It appears that the objective of funding growth from existing cash flows is being achieved and this is having a positive effect on performance statistics. This is supported by the interest cover (7.8 times), which demonstrates the strong financial position and the possibility of further growth through borrowing if necessary. Other measures of interest are also strong – cash interest cover is 15.7 times and EBITDA/interest is 15.3 times. Both have improved as new outlet openings have improved operating cash flows whilst net debt has not changed significantly. The cash flows show that the quality of operating profits is strong. Cash generated from operations as a percentage of profit from operations is over 200% and improving year on year. The concerns about depreciation should only improve this ratio if depreciation increased. The current ratio is low at 0.56 times but this may not be unusual in an industry where customers will pay cash for their products and cash flow will be almost immediate. However, cash is high, and probably inventory, which may indicate a high payables balance. The trade payable period has fallen but the absolute amount of trade payables has increased. This will be due to the expansion of the business. Trade payables will be principally for sourcing goods and possibly lease rentals. It may be due to changes in payment patterns as the number of outlets expand. Investor ratios EPS has grown by 25.8% ((26.8/21.3) – 1) but diluted EPS has only increased by 10.4% ((21.2/19.2) – 1). This is potentially a concern. There appear to be some diluting instruments in issue that are having a potential adverse effect on future earnings. This could affect the future movements in market price. The P/E ratio has fallen. This may be in line with general trends in share prices or may be as a result of investor disappointment. The company is not paying a dividend and investors may be unhappy about this. The policy of reinvestment of cash flows limits dividend payments without taking on more debt. Further matters for investigation • Further analysis of revenue – is there true ‘like for like’ growth and what was the timing of the outlet openings in the prior year? • Locations of new outlet openings and product offerings to understand the higher margins on new against older outlets. • Non-current asset disclosure information – to determine the depreciation and amortisation policies and quantify the potential effect of any differences from industry averages. • Analysis of capital expenditure between expenditure on existing and new outlets to determine profile of ongoing replacement expenditure required by the business. • Dividend policy – shareholders will undoubtedly demand a return on their investment. The operating and financial review may indicate dividend and financing policy. • Details of future outlet openings and planned levels of capital expenditure. • An analysis of employee numbers by function and details of any changes in working practices to understand the strong increase in revenue per employee. • Details of administration costs changes – are there any non-recurring items disclosed in the notes or any details of costs in the Operating & Financial Review/Management Commentary? • Details of the tax charge and the tax reconciliation should be reviewed in the notes to the financial statements to understand why it is low (21.9% (610 as % of 2,790)) and the year on year change. • Receivables have increased significantly. As almost all sales will be for cash, this needs investigation. • Details of the potential diluting financial instruments (terms, timing etc) that may affect future EPS. Payment of dividend Distributable profits (the profits that are legally distributable to investors) are determined as the accumulated realised profits less accumulated realised losses of an entity. Generally they equate to the retained earnings of an entity. 350 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 However, the legality of a dividend distribution is determined by the distributable profits in the separate financial statements (of a single company) rather than by the consolidated retained earnings. A company may have a debit balance on its consolidated retained earnings (for example due to losses in subsidiaries) but it may have a credit balance on its own retained earnings which would allow the payment of a dividend to the parent company’s shareholders. In addition, a public company may not make a distribution if this reduces its net assets below the total of called-up share capital and undistributable reserves. In effect any net unrealised accumulated losses must be deducted from the net realised accumulated profits. The colleague’s comment is incorrect and further investigation is needed to determine why no dividends have been paid or proposed. Proposed sale of stake in R.T. Café The director proposes to sell 2,000 of Melton’s 8,000 shares in R.T. Café, which has a share capital of 10,000 shares, in January 20X8. In doing so it would be selling a 20% shareholding and going from an 80% stake to a 60% stake. R.T. Café would remain a subsidiary. In substance, under IFRS 3, Business Combinations there would be no disposal. This is simply a transaction between group shareholders, with the parent (Melton) selling a 20% stake to the non-controlling interest. The transaction would be dealt with by increasing the non-controlling interest in the statement of financial position, which has effectively doubled from 20% to 40% and recording an adjustment to the parent’s equity. The formula used to calculate the adjustment to equity at disposal is: £’000 Consideration received X Increase in NCI on disposal (X) Adjustment to parent’s equity (to be credited to group retained earnings) X Since the adjustment is recognised in retained earnings rather than profit for the year, there would be no impact on earnings per share. 14 Aroma Marking guide Financial performance discussion and ratios Growth Profitability Efficiency Financial position discussion and ratios Liquidity Working capital management Solvency Conclusion and recommendation Marks Available Marks 7 6 8 6 5 5 4 41 Maximum 30 Total 30 Introduction The aim of this report is to analyse the financial performance and position of Aroma and determine whether or not it would make a good investment. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 351 Financial performance Growth Revenue has increased by an impressive 62% in the year. This is largely due to the newly appointed sales director’s actions: (1) Setting up a new online store which has been trading for the last 14 months – even though this is a new venture, it generated 18% of Aroma’s total revenue in the year ended 30 June 20X1. (2) Securing a lucrative deal with a boutique hotel chain to manufacture products for the hotel. This new contract generated 15% of total revenue in the year ended 30 June 20X1, even though it had only been in place for six months, and can therefore be expected to generate twice as much revenue in future years. In addition, with the sales director’s contacts, other such deals could be won in the future, so generating further growth in revenue. Profitability Gross margin has improved slightly from 30% in the year ended 30 June 20X0 to 32% in the year ended 30 June 20X1. An analysis of the margins of the three different business areas reveals that the improvement is largely due to the strong margin of 43% on the new hotel contract. This could be due to a mark-up on the sales price for the right of the hotel chain to use its own name and logo on Aroma’s products. Aroma needs to ensure that it does not lose its own brand strength by allowing others to put their name to Aroma products. Net margin has also improved from 8.3% to 9% despite the increase in finance costs due to reliance on an overdraft in the current year and an increase in long-term borrowings. This is largely due to the online store generating the strongest margin of 12.6%. The overheads associated with running an online business are likely to be lower than those associated with operating retail stores from expensive premises. Furthermore, set-up costs incurred by the online part of the business would have been recognised in the year ending 30 June 20X0, causing that year’s net margin to be low. The net margin of the hotel contract part of the business is 9.1% in the year ended 30 June 20X1. This contract is relatively new and initial legal and other costs will be included in this segment’s costs. This margin may be expected to improve in the future. The online store and new hotel contract have been successful initiatives in terms of growing revenue and increasing both absolute profit and margins. Aroma could improve their overheads cost control though as administration expenses have increased by 111% in the year. As discussed, this may be the result of the initial costs of the new hotel contract, however a detailed breakdown of costs would be required in order to establish whether this were, in fact, the case. Distribution costs have increased by 30%; this is proportionately lower than the increase in revenue. This may be because online customers are required to pay their own postage and packing and therefore the increase in revenue associated with this part of the business does not result in a corresponding increase in distribution costs. Efficiency Aroma’s efficiency in using its assets to generate both revenue and profit has improved as illustrated by asset turnover increasing from 1.91 to 2.84 and return on capital employed from 21.8% to 33.3%. This can be attributed to improved margins (see above). Financial position Liquidity The current ratio has declined slightly from 4.05 to 3.98 – this is largely due to reliance on an overdraft in the current year and reduced receivable and inventory days. However, the quick ratio has increased from 0.93 to 1.06 largely due to paying suppliers more quickly (32 days compared to 53 days). Overall though, Aroma can easily afford to pay its current liabilities out of its current assets. However, long-term reliance on an overdraft is both risky as the overdraft facility could be withdrawn at any time (especially in light of the bank’s recent rejection of Aroma’s request for additional funds) and expensive. 352 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Working capital management Inventory days have decreased from 166 days to 113 days indicating that Aroma is selling their inventories more quickly. This could be to meet the increased demand from the new online store and the new hotel contract, or it may be to release some cash since the overdraft has not been extended. Inventory days remain high though – presumably this is due to the nature of the products (perfumes, lotions and candles) having a long shelf-life. If the development costs result in new improved products, there is a risk of obsolescence amongst the existing products. Receivable days are low as expected when the majority of the sales are from retail stores where the customers pay in cash. Aroma is now only taking 28 days on average to collect cash from its credit customers as opposed to 31 days in the prior year. It may be that favourable credit terms have been negotiated with the hotel chain. Interestingly, Aroma is paying its suppliers more quickly in 20X1 ie, taking on average 32 days as opposed to 53 days in 20X0. This seems inadvisable given that a significant overdraft has arisen in the current year. Aroma should take full advantage of the credit period offered by their suppliers. It may be that they are sourcing from a new supplier with stricter credit terms to fulfil the hotel contract. Solvency Even though the bank is refusing further funding, Aroma’s gearing, despite a small increase in the year, remains at a manageable level (38% in the current year). Furthermore, Aroma can easily afford to pay the interest on its debt as illustrated by an interest cover of 13.6 in the current year. Conclusion On initial analysis, there seems to be a strong case for investing in Aroma. The business is growing and innovative having just expanded into two new areas with the online store and new hotel contract due to the skills of the new sales director. It is also profitable and the profitability is improving year on year. Perhaps the only concern is reliance on the overdraft but this can be resolved by improving working capital management and ensuring that the full credit period of suppliers is taken advantage of. With further new initiatives from the sales director such as new contracts with other hotel chains and further growth of online sales, there is potential for even more growth in the future. One issue to raise, however, is whether the owner-managers are using a cash investment – and have tried to increase the overdraft – in order to pay themselves excessive dividends. However profitable the company, this needs clarification before any investment is made. Appendix 20X1 20X0 Return on capital employed = PBIT/(Debt + Equity – Investments) (540 + 43) ÷ (412 + 68 + 1,272) = 33.3% (307 + 34) ÷ (404 + 1,160) = 21.8% Asset turnover = Revenue/total assets 6,000 ÷ 2,115 = 2.84 3,700 ÷ 1,942 = 1.91 Gross margin = Gross profit/Revenue 1,917 ÷ 6,000 = 32.0% 1,110 ÷ 3,700 = 30% Gross margin of retail operations 1,200 ÷ 4,004 = 30.0% Gross margin of online store 330 ÷ 1,096 = 30.1% Gross margin of hotel contract 387 ÷ 900 = 43% Operating profit margin = PBIT/Revenue (540 + 43) ÷ 6,000 = 9.7% (307 + 34) ÷ 3,700 = 9.2% Net margin = PBT/Revenue 540 ÷ 6,000 = 9% 307 ÷ 3,700 = 8.3% Net margin of retail operations 320 ÷ 4,004 = 8.0% Net margin of online store 138 ÷ 1,096 = 12.6% Net margin of hotel contract 82 ÷ 900 = 9.1% ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 353 20X1 20X0 Current ratio = Current assets/Current liabilities 1,715 ÷ 431 = 3.98 1,532 ÷ 378 = 4.05 Quick ratio = (Current assets – Inventories)/Current liabilities (1,715 – 1,260) ÷ 431 = 1.06 (1,532 – 1,180) ÷ 378 = 0.93 Inventory days = (Inventories/Cost of sales) × 365 (1,260 ÷ 4,083) × 365 = 113 days (1,180 ÷ 2,590) × 365 = 166 days Receivable days = (Receivables/Revenue) × 365 (455 ÷ 6,000) × 365 = 28 days (310 ÷ 3,700) × 365 = 31 days Payable days = (Payables/Cost of sales) × 365 (363 ÷ 4,083) × 365 = 32 days (378 ÷ 2,590) × 365 = 53 days Gearing = Debt/Equity (412 + 68) ÷ 1,272 = 38% (404 – 42) ÷ 1,160 = 31% Interest cover = PBIT/Interest expense (540 + 43) ÷ 43 = 13.6 (307 + 34) ÷ 34 = 10.0 15 Kenyon Marking guide Financial performance discussion and ratios Profitability Earnings per share Contingent liability Pension Financial position discussion and ratios Liquidity Working capital management Conclusion and recommendation Contingent liability – impact on ratios Contingent liability – further information Marks Available Marks 7 6 3 3 6 5 4 4 38 Maximum 30 Total 30 Analysis Introduction This is an analysis of the financial performance and position of Kenyon plc (an operator of bottling plants) for the year to 31 October 20X1 in the context of whether or not it would make a good investment. Financial performance: Kenyon plc’s revenue has grown in the year by 43%. This is due to a combination of increased volume of sales to existing customers and a new contract secured at the start of the year. This increased volume has not been at the cost of profitability, which has improved in the year with return on capital employed increasing from 26% to 48%. This is due to both improved efficiency in using non-current assets to generate revenue (non-current asset turnover has increased from 1.34 to 1.74) and improved margins (see below). 354 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Kenyon plc’s gross profit margin has improved from 32% to 40% implying an improvement in how Kenyon management is running its core operations. This could well be due to a higher selling price under the new contract compared to the existing contracts. Alternatively there may have been some production efficiencies. The operating profit margin has improved in line with the gross margin (32% in 20X1; 24% in 20X0). However administration expenses have increased by more proportionately than other expenses or revenue implying some cost control issues with overheads. The investment in the associate partway through the year was a good investment, generating a return of 12.5%, (7/56). The investment income has declined significantly in the year in relation to the falling cash balance. The fall in the cash balance is discussed below. The earnings per share has improved from 31 pence to 58.7 pence in line with the improved profitability above. However, although the share price has increased in absolute terms from £2.80 to £4.90, the P/E ratio has deteriorated from 9.03 to 8.35. This implies decreased market confidence in Kenyon plc despite its increased volume and profitability. This is likely to be for two main reasons: (1) There is a contingent liability relating to a court case pending against Kenyon plc as a result of a chemical leak shortly before the year end. The lawyers believe that Kenyon plc is likely to lose the case but the amount of potential damages cannot be reliably estimated. The decline in P/E ratio indicates that the market is concerned about the impact that the loss of this case could have on the future profitability of Kenyon plc. In a worst case scenario, Kenyon plc’s going concern could be called into doubt. (2) The net pension liability which must relate to a defined benefit pension scheme has increased from £5 million to £38 million indicating a serious deficit in the scheme. This will undoubtedly result in increased contributions in the year ended 31 October 20X2, however, the amount is unknown. This is another uncertainty likely to have an impact on the share price. A cash-seeking investor would have been happy with the £100 million dividend paid in 20X1 (57% of profit for the year). Financial position There has been a significant decline in liquidity in the year as illustrated by the fall in the quick ratio from 1.64 to 0.79 and the fall in the cash balance from £60 million to £3 million. Arguably Kenyon plc were wrong to keep such a large balance of cash in 20X0 as better returns could usually be earned elsewhere. This could be the reason for the investment in the associate in 20X1 which is generating a healthy 12.5% return. Kenyon plc has also invested in non-current assets in the year which will be good for future growth. Working capital management has deteriorated slightly. Inventory days have nearly doubled from 46 to 79 days. This could be deliberate in terms of building up inventory levels to meet increased demand from existing and new contracts. However, Kenyon plc will be incurring significant holding costs and there is a risk in light of bad publicity from the court case, that Kenyon plc will be unable to sell all of the inventory, resulting in a write down. Receivable days have seen a slight increase from 38 days to 40 days but it seems that Kenyon plc’s credit control function is working efficiently. It may be that longer than standard credit terms were awarded under the new contract. Payable days have increased from 76 to 88 days. Whilst it is advisable to take advantage of free credit, Kenyon plc must be careful not to alienate their suppliers as it could ultimately result in withdrawal of credit or even supplies. Conclusion Kenyon plc’s growth and profitability make it an attractive investment proposition. However, there are two significant uncertainties making it a risky investment: • A pending court case which Kenyon plc is likely to lose. • A large pension deficit and future contributions to make good the deficit are uncertain. It would be advisable to wait until the amount of likely damages from the court case and the increase in contributions to the pension scheme are known before making a final decision on whether or not to invest. ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 355 Best and worst case potential impact of the contingent liability The lawyers have estimated the potential damages as being between £7 million and £13 million. The amount cannot be measured reliably, as there is no information available as to the likelihood of either outcome. However, it might be useful to consider the best and worst case scenarios of the potential impact on selected key ratios. The results (see Appendix) can be summarised as follows: Ratio No liability recognised Liability of £13m recognised Liability of £7m recognised ROCE 48% 46% 47% Operating margin 32% 30% 31% EPS 58.7p 54.3p 56.3p The potential effect on profitability ratios is only slight, with ROCE decreasing by 2% if the liability is £13 million and only 1% if it is £7 million and the operating margins showing the same variation. The fall in EPS is proportionally greater, but not such as to deter an investor. The main concern is as yet unquantifiable, and relates to the bad publicity that could arise from the negative outcome of the court case, and the potential future effect on sales. Further information regarding the contingent liability • The report resulting from the investigation into the potential environmental damage from the chemical spill to try and ascertain the likelihood of Kenyon plc losing the case and the possible damages they might have to pay. • Whether the chemical leak caused damage to the buildings, machinery and inventories and whether a write down was needed at the year end and if so, for how much? • How the incident has been reported in the press to ascertain the potential damage toKenyon plc’s reputation and subsequent loss of business? • Post year-end sales orders to ascertain potential loss of business as a knock-on effect from the spill. • Whether the plant has been repaired and is still in working order to ascertain ability to keep operating at the same capacity in the future. • Whether safeguards have been put in place to prevent it from happening again/in other plants. • Details of the length of the new contract, other contracts in place which expire soon and future contracts under negotiation. Appendix Key ratios (excluding potential impact of contingent liability) All workings in £m 20X1 20X0 ROCE = PBIT ÷ (Equity + Debt – Investments (221 – 1 – 7) ÷ (465 + 38 – 56) = 48% (117 – 6) ÷ (432 +5) = 26% Gross margin = Gross profit/Revenue 268/663 = 40% 148/463 = 32% Operating margin = Operating profit/Revenue (221 – 1 – 7) ÷ 663 = 32% (117 – 6) ÷ 462 = 24% EPS = Profit for year/Weighted average no of equity shares (Note: 50 pence shares) 176/300 = 58.7p 93/300 = 31p P/E ratio = Price per share/EPS 490/58.7 = 8.35 280/31 = 9.03 Non-current asset turnover = Revenue/Non-current assets 663/381 = 1.74 463/346 = 1.34 356 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 All workings in £m 20X1 20X0 Quick ratio = (Current assets – Inventories)/Current liabilities (161 – 86)/95 = 0.79 (148 – 40)/66 = 1.64 Inventory days = Inventory/Cost of sales × 365 86/395 × 365 = 79 days 40/315 × 365 = 46 days Receivable days = Receivables/Revenue × 365 72/663 × 365 = 40 days 48/463 × 365 = 38 days Payable days = Payables/Cost of sales × 365 95/395 × 365 = 88 days 66/315 × 365 = 76 days Selected key ratios (including potential impact of contingent liability) All workings in £m Damages of £13m Damages of £7m ROCE = PBIT ÷ (Equity + Debt – Investments (221 – 1 – 7 – 13) ÷ (465 – 13 + 38 – 56) = 46% (221 – 1 – 7 – 7) ÷ (465 – 7 + 38 – 56) = 47% Operating margin = Operating profit/Revenue (221 – 1 – 7 – 13) ÷ 663 = 30% (221 – 1 – 7 – 7) ÷ 663 = 31% EPS = Profit for year/Weighted average no of equity shares 176 – 13/300 = 54.3p 176 – 7/300 = 56.3p (Note: 50 pence shares) ICAEW 2022 Financial reporting 2 357 358 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 16 Dormro Scenario The candidate has recently assumed responsibility for the audit of Dormro Ltd and its consolidated financial statements. Dormro heads a group of companies which supply security surveillance systems. An assistant has completed work on the parent company and consolidation. The candidate is asked to brief the audit manager on the status of the audit work, and potential issues arising and additional information required from the client. An overseas subsidiary company has been acquired during the year, audited by another firm overseas which raises technical audit issues regarding the audit approach and the application of ISA 600 (UK) (Revised November 2019). In addition, the candidate is required to prepare a revised statement of financial position incorporating the new subsidiary. The candidate is required to review the junior assistant’s work papers identifying potential audit adjustments. The financial reporting requirement is therefore embedded within the exhibits. The candidate must identify potential financial reporting errors, including the correction of an accounting error (incorrect treatment of intragroup balances), incorrect application of a financial reporting standard (treatment of loan under IFRS 9) and the identification of embedded potential financial reporting adjustments arising from the scenario (understatement of provisions for warranty and inventory). There is also the potential non-compliance with IFRS with respect to the recognition of fair value adjustments on the acquisition of CAM. The candidate needs to identify whether there is sufficient information to propose an adjustment or whether further enquiries are required to determine the appropriate accounting treatment. A successful candidate will understand fully the principles and mechanics of a consolidation and be able to identify issues from the information provided. The scenario also tests the candidate’s ability to determine what is significant to a group (as opposed to an individual subsidiary) audit and to consider wider implications across the group of issues identified at a particular subsidiary. Marking guide Marks Issues and potential adjustments Additional audit procedures 20 10 Revised consolidated statement of financial position including Klip Marks Available 14 44 Maximum 40 Total 40 Work paper for the attention of audit engagement manager Introduction The purpose of this work paper is to identify and explain the issues which may give rise to an adjustment or an indication of a significant audit risk in the group accounts and additional audit procedures to enable FG to sign off the Dormro group accounts. The work paper also includes a revised consolidated statement of financial position at Appendix, reflecting an adjustment for the accounting treatment of the £8 million loan and the acquisition of Klip. Investments (Notes 1 and 2) Issues and potential adjustments • The work of the audit senior is inadequate and this in itself presents a risk for the firm. The insufficient audit procedures performed have a direct impact on the audit opinion. Agreeing a £10 million investment to bank statement alone is clearly inadequate. • The audit senior has failed to identify a subsidiary requiring consolidation and this will require adjustment – see below. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 359 • CAM appears to have an investment which has not been considered further. The amount is immaterial (£15,000) but it should be determined whether this is a trade investment or an investment in a subsidiary or associate whose results should be included in the group accounts. Further information on the nature of this investment and a determination of subsidiary/associate treatment are required so that the need for, and materiality of, any adjustment can be fully assessed. • The consolidation entries for the acquisition of CAM seem very simplistic and may not comply with IFRS. No fair value exercise appears to have been carried out at the date of acquisition and the difference between the net assets in CAM and the acquisition price has been posted to goodwill. There may be elements which should be allocated to intangibles. There may be consequential effects on performance for the year because of amortisation of the identified intangibles. • In addition, costs and revenues for CAM have been assumed to occur evenly throughout the year which may not be the case, especially as CAM is clearly a growing company. Given materiality of CAM’s results and goodwill balance, adjustments here could clearly be material. Further enquiries are required. Additional audit procedures Detailed reviews of the audit senior’s work should be carried out by an appropriate member of the audit team to ensure no further inadequacies in the senior’s work. The sale and purchase agreement for CAM and for Klip should be reviewed to ensure there is no additional consideration payable, or adjustments required (for example, in respect of inventories and warranties). Also evidence of ownership of shares through examination of share certificates must be confirmed in particular it is important to check that ownership of CAM is 100% as has been assumed in consolidation entries. Need to enquire as to how any costs related to the acquisition of CAM have been treated as these do not appear to have been included within the investment value. Audit work on the acquisition of CAM should be performed to substantiate that no fair value adjustments are required and to identify separate intangible assets, if any. An expert valuer may be required to assess this, unless an exercise was carried out at the time of the acquisition. Also, consideration should be given to whether adjustments should be made at the acquisition date for the application of group policies. Need to obtain management accounts or other evidence which give a more precise analysis of the split between pre and post-acquisition results. Likely to be significant additional work to do in auditing this once this information is available. Consolidation schedules are at summarised level. Work should be performed on the detailed disclosures within group accounts. Work done on consolidation adjustments comprises largely a description of the adjustment. Need to ensure that the amounts of the adjustments and the accounts to which they have been posted have been substantiated by agreement to individual company results or other supporting documentation. Need to confirm that Dormro has not issued any shares in year through reviewing Board meeting minutes and documents filed at Companies House. Review of Board minutes and legal correspondence for the holding company are important tests which do not appear to have been performed/documented. Intragroup balances and transactions (Note 3) Issues and potential adjustments • There is a difference on the intragroup balances which has been written off to profit or loss. Need to investigate further the difference on intragroup balances as the current treatment may be incorrect. • There does not appear to be any consolidation entries to eliminate intragroup sales and purchases. Given that all group companies operate in similar sectors, it seems unlikely that the only intragroup trading is management recharges so consolidation entries may well be incomplete. 360 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Additional audit procedures FG needs to enquire further into the nature of intragroup trading to ascertain whether further adjustment to eliminate intragroup sales and purchases is required. Also need to ensure that completeness of the consolidation entries has been considered by comparison to prior year and our knowledge of the way the companies trade and interact. Loan (Note 4) Issues and potential adjustments No loan interest has been accrued on the long-term loan and the loan arrangement fee of £200,000 appears to have been treated incorrectly as an administrative expense. Under IFRS 9 it should instead have been deducted from the loan balance outstanding and charged over the loan period in proportion to the outstanding balance on the loan. The adjustment proposed by the junior to charge accrued interest of £480,000 to profit or loss is incorrect. Interest should be calculated using the effective interest rate which would give a charge for the year of £521,040 not £480,000 as proposed. The accrued interest payable should be recognised in current liabilities and deducted from the long term loan. The loan should also be split between current liabilities, £1,000,000, and long term borrowings £6,841,040 as follows: £8,000,000 – £200,000 = £7,800,000 Instalment paid £ Year 1 7,800,000 Year 2 7,841,040 £ (1,000,000) Finance charge Interest payable £ £ £ 521,040 (480,000) 7,841,040 456,981 (480,000) 6,818,021 Journals required £’000 DEBIT CREDIT DEBIT CREDIT DEBIT CREDIT DEBIT CREDIT Loan £’000 200 Admin expenses Loan 200 480 Accrued interest Finance costs 480 521 Loan Loan – long term borrowings Loan – current liabilities 521 1,000 1,000 Additional audit procedures Need to consider carefully cash flow forecasts and ability of Dormro to repay its debts as they fall due. In addition, terms of the loan agreement need to be reviewed and covenant compliance assessed both now and over the next year as any breach of covenant might render the entire debt repayable immediately. Outstanding audit work Issues and potential adjustments • Going concern sign off is not required on each individual company for the sign off of group accounts. However, the overall cash position of the group is relevant and this looks poor, especially given that the first instalment of £1m on long-term debt was due on 1 May 20X2 and both Secure and CAM have very high trade payables. Although companies are profitable, there are also signs that trading is difficult. • The group policy on the obsolescence provision is potentially concerning. The potential adjustment identified in CAM is not material but should be considered along with any other unbooked adjustments at subsidiary or group level. An overall group adjustment schedule should be maintained. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 361 • If a similar error rate which is identified in CAM is applied to the provision in the other group companies, then the total error could be material. The Klip auditors have not raised this as an issue but that may be because their audit work has not gone beyond ensuring compliance with group policies (see below). However, the same issue could apply to Klip, particularly as a fair value adjustment on acquisition required a significant adjustment to inventory. • Warranty provision – Although the balance is not material, the key audit consideration here will be whether it is complete. An understatement could be material. • The tax position of Secure looks incorrect as no tax credit has been recognised at present. This requires further investigation and explanation to ensure that tax losses have been claimed appropriately. • There is also no deferred tax balance separately identified on the SOFP of all three companies and this needs to be followed up to ensure compliance with IFRS. Additional audit procedures The bank letters should be obtained as these also provide details of any loan accounts and other arrangements and are important audit evidence. Confirmations of all intragroup balances are not required, providing the balances eliminate on consolidation – there is in fact a difference and this is discussed above. The difference requires further investigation and possible adjustment. The nature of inventories in each entity should be considered and to evaluate further any potential error which may arise. In respect of the potential understatement of the inventory provision, discussion is required with management and the other audit teams to determine the extent to which additional analysis is required based on actual post year-end sales and sales forecasts rather than historic data. The warranty provision should be assessed based on the number of months for which warranty is given, historic experience of warranty claims and any known issues or problems with security equipment supplied. The tax position of Secure should be discussed with management to determine whether an adjustment is appropriate. The tax computation should be reviewed and discussed with a tax expert. Overseas subsidiary – Klip Issues and potential adjustments • Control is established when a parent owns more than 50% of the voting power of an entity. A 90% shareholding in Klip would therefore signify that control exists unless Dormro management can identify reasons why the ownership of the shares does not constitute control. Therefore, an adjustment is required to include the results from the date of acquisition and the assets and liabilities of Klip – see Appendix. • No assessment appears to have been made at the planning stage of whether Klip is a significant component. • FG has placed reliance on other auditors to audit this entity. There appears to be no evidence, however, that FG has obtained an understanding of the component auditor as required by ISA 600 (UK) (Revised November 2019), or confirmed that the component auditor meets the relevant independence requirements. Furthermore, confirmation appears to have been addressed to Dormro FD and not to FG. • The audit of Klip has been conducted under Harwanian Standards of Auditing, which may not be equivalent to the ISA. • Klip has prepared financial statements under group accounting policies supplied by group financial controller. Local policies have been used where group policies are silent. There is a risk that these are not compliant with IFRS or that they are incomplete. Additional audit procedures To determine whether Klip is a significant component, FG will need to assess whether Klip has financial significance, is significant by nature of its circumstances or due to its nature or circumstances is likely to lead to a significant material risk of misstatement to the group. The outcome of this assessment will determine the nature of the audit approach; full audit, audit of specific balances, specified procedures based on specified risks. 362 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 ISA 600 (UK) (Revised November 2019) requires FG to evaluate the reliability of the component auditor and the work performed. A formal confirmation of the independence of the Harwanian auditors will be required as this is not covered in the clearance supplied. FG will need to assess their competence by reviewing size, reputation, experience, client base of the firm. FG will need to assess adequacy of the audit procedures performed by the Harwanian auditors. This could be achieved by asking them to complete a questionnaire confirming their compliance with the ethical and independence requirements of the group audit, their professional competence, and the level of involvement the group auditor is able to have in the component auditor’s work. If the component auditor does not meet the independence requirements, their work must not be relied upon, and FG must perform additional risk assessment or further audit procedures on the financial information of the component. If there are less serious concerns about the component auditor’s competency, FG should be able to overcome the problems by being involved in the component auditor’s work. In particular, FG will need to conduct a very detailed review of completeness and appropriateness of policies supplied. As Klip is in a different business (manufacturing) to the UK entities, there may well be omissions and differences in the accounting policies adopted. Appendix – Dormro: Revised consolidated statement of financial position Group £’000 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment (3,014 + 462) 3,476 Goodwill (6,251 + 52) 6,303 Investments 15 Current assets Inventories (6,327 + 262) 6,589 Trade receivables (9,141 + 143) 9,284 Cash and cash equivalents (243 + 10) Total assets 253 25,920 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Share capital Retained earnings (W4) 200 5,766 Foreign exchange reserve (W6 and W7) 52 Non-controlling interests 22 Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings (6,841 (see above) + 333) 7,174 Current liabilities Loan Trade and other payables (10,252 + 329 + 480) 1,000 11,061 *Current tax payable Total equity and liabilities 645 25,920 *Further adjustments may be required to taxation ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 363 WORKINGS (1) Translation of the statement of financial position of Klip H$’000 H$’000 Rate £’000 1,940 4.2 CR 462 1,100 4.2 CR 262 600 4.2 CR 143 40 4.2 CR 10 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Current assets Inventories 2,100 Less write down at acquisition 1,000 Trade receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total assets 3,680 877 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Share capital 200 5.4 HR 37 Pre-acquisition reserves 575 5.4 HR 107 Post-acq. reserves (inc exchange diff. to date) 125 Balance 71 1,400 4.2 CR 333 Trade and other payables 1,380 4.2 CR 329 Total equity and liabilities 3,680 Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings Current liabilities 877 (2) Pre-acquisition reserves H$’000 Balance at 30 April 20X2 1,700 Less earnings post acquisition 125 Reserves at 31 January 20X2 1,575 Less inventory write down 1,000 Pre-acquisition reserves 575 (3) Goodwill H$’000 Consideration transferred Non-controlling interest £’000 918 775 × 10% 77 995 Less net assets of acquiree 775 Goodwill 220 HR 5.4 Exchange gain Retranslated at closing rate 364 Corporate Reporting 41 11 220 CR 4.2 52 ICAEW 2022 (4) Consolidated retained earnings £’000 Dormro (see below) 5,743 Adjustments Share of Klip post-acquisition profits 3 months × 90% of Klip H$500,000 = 112.5 @AR 4.8 23 5,766 Retained earnings at 1 May 20X1 5,496 Add profit for the year 568 Add write back of arrangement fee on loan 200 Less finance charge on loan (521) ––––– Revised retained earnings at 30 April 20X2 5,743 (5) Non-controlling interest £’000 Closing net assets (37 + 107 + 71) 215,000 × 10% 22 (6) Exchange difference on retranslation of subsidiary H$’000 Net assets at acquisition £’000 775 HR 5.4 144 775 CR 4.2 185 Gain 41 Retained profits since acquisition 500 ×3/12 125 AV 4.8 26 125 CR 4.2 30 4 Total gain (41 + 4) 45 Group share 90% 41 (7) Foreign exchange reserve £’000 Exchange gain on Goodwill 11 Exchange difference on retranslation of subsidiary 41 52 ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 365 17 Johnson Telecom Marking guide Marks Treatments Disposal of Cole Hedge re International Energy Acquisition of Routers Loan note and swap Hedging Explanation of hedging principles Draft hedging documentation Note independence issues Key risks and internal controls 1 mark for each risk/control identified and explained Audit evidence 3 5 4 2 4 3 2 9 1 mark for each piece of evidence Marks Available 9 41 Maximum 40 Total 40 Memorandum: Year-end reporting of financial instruments at Johnson Telecom Accounting treatment of financial instruments (1) Disposal of equity investment in Cole plc • 50,000 shares initially recorded at cost of £163,000. • The fair value (FV) at 31 December 20X6 was £230,000, hence £67,000 gains accumulated in other components of equity. • As the investment was classified as being at fair value through other comprehensive income it was correct to adjust its carrying amount to fair value at bid price at each reporting date. • However, IFRS 9 para 3.2.12 requires that the investment be remeasured at the date of derecognition prior to the disposal. The difference of £12,000 (£242,000 – £230,000) would be recorded in other comprehensive income. • Neither the gains of £67,000 accumulated in other components of equity at 31 December 20X6, nor the gain to the disposal date of £12,000, are reclassified to profit or loss on disposal of the investment, so the total profit or loss impact is £nil. The journal entries are as follows: £’000 DEBIT CREDIT Investment £’000 12 Other comprehensive income 12 Being revaluation of the investment in Cole plc at the date of disposal The journal entries are as follows: £’000 DEBIT CREDIT Cash Investment £’000 242 242 Being the disposal of the investment in Cole plc 366 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 (2) Investment in Routers plc 8 November 20X7 • 16,000 shares out of 50,000 shares were acquired, giving Johnson Telecom a holding of 32%. Routers plc should therefore be treated as an investment, not as a subsidiary. • The investment in Routers plc has been recorded at the offer price of £5.83. • Acquisition of 16,000 shares should have been initially recorded at bid price of £5.80 per share, a cost of £92,800. • The bid-offer spread of 3p reflects the transaction cost and as the investment is classed as at fair value through profit or loss, this cost of £480 should have been expensed to profit or loss for the year. • The journal entry to adjust for the transaction cost is as follows: £’000 DEBIT Profit or loss CREDIT £’000 0.48 Investment 0.48 31 December 20X7 • In addition, as the investment is classed as at fair value through profit or loss, the investment should have been re-measured to its fair value at the year end. • The year-end bid price is £5.85. The fair value of the investment at the year end should therefore be £93,600, with a gain of £800 being recorded in profit or loss. £’000 DEBIT Investment CREDIT £’000 0.8 Profit or loss 0.8 (3) Hedged investment in International Energy plc Eligibility to apply special hedge accounting rules In order to apply special hedge accounting rules, IFRS 9, Financial Instruments requires that the hedge be designated and documented at inception, and the effectiveness of the hedge to be tested at least every reporting date. As there is currently no documentation to support the hedge, Johnson will not be permitted to apply hedge accounting, because the hedge was not formally designated and documented at inception. By implication, IFRS 9 does not permit documentation to be backdated, nor for hedge accounting to be applied retrospectively. It is therefore incorrect to apply hedge accounting rules. Equity investment in International Energy • IFRS 9 states that if a hedging instrument hedges an equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income, the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised in other comprehensive income (IFRS 9, para 6.5). Since hedge accounting has been applied, the loss on revaluing the investment has been charged to other comprehensive income, in accordance with the IFRS 9 treatment of fair value hedges. Therefore, no adjusting entries are required because the loss would be recorded in other comprehensive income irrespective of the hedge accounting rules. • 30,000 shares measured at FV at 31 December 20X6 are valued at £255,000 (£8.50 per share), and £228,000 at 31 December 20X7 based on bid price of £7.60 per share. • Without applying special hedge accounting rules, the loss of £27,000 is recognised in the other components of equity, as follows: £’000 DEBIT CREDIT ICAEW 2022 Other components of equity £’000 27 Investment 27 Audit and integrated 1 367 No adjustment is required to the investment to reverse the hedge accounting as the investment is at fair value through other comprehensive income. Put options • The put options are initially measured at cost and re-measured to fair value at each reporting date. • The original cost of the put options was £60,000 (30,000 @ £2.00). At the year end, the fair value of the options is £72,000 (30,000 @ £2.40). • Without hedge accounting, the £12,000 fair value gain is recorded in profit or loss: £’000 DEBIT Derivative asset CREDIT £’000 12 Profit or loss 12 However, hedge accounting had been applied and the fair value gain recorded in other comprehensive income/other components of equity: £’000 DEBIT CREDIT Derivative asset £’000 12 Other components of equity 12 Therefore, the journal required to reverse the hedge accounting is: £’000 DEBIT Other components of equity CREDIT £’000 12 Profit or loss 12 (4) Investment in Spence & May bonds Year-end disposal of 50% of holding • The journal entry recording the disposal of the 50% holding neglected the gain arising from the disposal. As the supporting workings correctly calculate, the amortised cost of the debt investment sold was £72,227 (£144,454/2), giving a gain of £10,773 to be taken to the profit or loss, as follows. £’000 DEBIT Cash £’000 83 CREDIT Profit or loss 10.8 CREDIT Debt investment 72.2 The journal entry to adjust for this error is as follows: £’000 DEBIT CREDIT Debt investment Profit or loss £’000 10.8 10.8 (5) Loan note and interest rate swap • The treatment of the interest rate swap appears to be correct. However, the accounting note made no mention of the effectiveness of the swap, a factor upon which the appropriateness of hedge accounting depends. (Please see Audit evidence section below.) 368 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Hedge accounting rules and hedging principles Hedging principles • The fair value of the derivative is comprised of an intrinsic value (exercise price less share price) and a time value, based on the period to expiry of the option. • Where the share price is higher than the exercise price, the intrinsic value is zero as the put option is out-of-the-money and will not be exercised. • At acquisition, the share price was £9 (30,000 shares with a total cost of £270,000). The exercise price of the put option was also £9. The intrinsic value is therefore zero. • At the year end, the fair value of an option is £2.40 representing an intrinsic value of £1.40 (£9 – £7.60) and a time value of £1. • The share price has fallen by £1.40 since acquisition and this is exactly matched by the increase in the intrinsic value of the options from zero to £1.40. Hence it can be seen that the intrinsic element of the option provides a highly effective hedge for the change in fair value of the share price below £9.00. • It can be seen that the hedge constitutes a ‘fair value hedge’ as the option is protecting against movements in the fair value of the recognised equity investments below £9. Tutorial Note The company does not have to designate only the changes in the intrinsic value of the option as the hedging instrument: it could in fact designate the changes in the total fair value of the option as the hedging instrument instead. However, in this case the hedge would not be effective. Fair value hedge accounting Without applying hedge accounting, a mismatch would arise: the gain on the options and the loss on the associated investment are not recorded in the same financial statement. While the gain on the options is recorded in profit or loss, the loss on the investment is charged to other comprehensive income. Hedge accounting prevents such a mismatch. • The £27,000 loss arising on the FV movement in the shares would be accounted for as per the irrevocable election made on recognition, that is it would be recorded in other comprehensive income and other components of equity. • The gain on the derivative of £12,000 could be analysed as follows: – Gain on the intrinsic value change of £27,000 (90p × 30,000) – Loss on the time value change of £15,000 (50p × 30,000) • The £27,000 loss arising on the FV movement in the shares would be hedged by the gain arising on the increase in the intrinsic value of the options of £27,000. • The IFRS 9 hedge accounting rules would require the loss on the shares to be matched in OCI/OCE against the gain on the intrinsic element of the options, so this increase in the intrinsic value of the options would be recorded in OCI rather than in profit or loss as is usual. • The net effect on other comprehensive income for the year would be to show a loss of £15,000, reflecting the change in the time value of the options. Hedge documentation: International Energy plc As discussed above, the hedging documentation cannot be prepared retrospectively. The following is therefore for reference only. We should make clear to the Directors that they must use the documentation to support the hedge in question. As stated, hedge accounting should not be applied in this case. Hedge No. X Date 7 February 20X8 Risk management objective and strategy: The investment in the equity of International Energy plc is exposed to fluctuations in the market value. To hedge exposure of a decline in share price, management has entered into a put option over the entire holding. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 369 Hedge type Fair value Hedged risk Market risk that share price falls below £9.00 Hedged item Investment in holding of 30,000 equity shares in International Energy plc. Hedging instrument Put option in 30,000 equity shares in International Energy plc at an exercise price of £9.00 exercisable until 31 December 20X8. Hedge effectiveness Monitor on a quarterly basis comparing change in intrinsic value of options to change in share price where price falls below £9.00. From an ethical perspective, the preparation of documents for financial reporting purposes on behalf of the client would constitute a self-review threat. We should explain to the client that due to our obligation to remain independent, we are unable to prepare supporting documentation for the financial statements. Risks from derivatives trading: Key risks There are a number of concerns that we should address as auditors. • Credit risk is the risk that a customer or counterparty will not settle an obligation for full value. This risk will arise from the potential for a counterparty to default on its contractual obligations and it is limited to the positive fair value of instruments that are favourable to the company. • Legal risk relates to losses resulting from a legal or regulatory action that invalidates or otherwise precludes performance by the end user or its counterparty under the terms of the contract or related netting agreements. • Market risk relates to economic losses due to adverse changes in the fair value of the derivative. These movements could be in the interest rates, the foreign exchange rates or equity prices. • Settlement risk relates to one side of a transaction settling without value being received from the counterparty. • Solvency risk is the risk that the entity would not have the funds to honour cash outflow commitments as they fall due. It is sometimes referred to as liquidity risk. This risk may be caused by market disruptions or a credit downgrade which may cause certain sources of funding to dry up immediately. Necessary general controls and application controls Tutorial Note This answer assumes that a computer system is used in processing trades involving derivatives. General controls A number of general controls may be relevant: • For credit risk, general controls may include ensuring that off-market derivative contracts are only entered into with counterparties from a specific list and establishing credit limits for all customers. • For legal risk, a general control may be to ensure that all transactions are reviewed by properly qualified lawyers and regulation specialists. • For market risk, a general control may be to set strict investment acceptance criteria and ensure that these are adhered to. • For settlement risk, a general control may be to set up a third party through whom settlement takes place, ensuring that the third party is instructed not to give value until value has been received. 370 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 • For solvency (liquidity) risk, general controls may include having diversified funding sources, managing assets with liquidity in mind, monitoring liquidity positions, and maintaining a healthy cash and cash equivalents balance. Application controls These include the following: • A computer application may identify the credit risk. In this case an appropriate control may be monitoring credit exposure, limiting transactions with an identified counterparty and stopping any further risk-increasing transactions with that counterparty. • For legal risk, an application control may be for the system not to process a transaction/trade until an authorised person has signed into the system to give the authority. Such an authorised person may be different depending on the nature and type of transaction. In some cases it may be the company specialist solicitor, or the dealer’s supervisor. • For market risk, an application control may be to carry out mark-to-market activity frequently and to produce timely exception management reports. • For settlement risk, an application control may be a computer settlement system refusing to release funds/assets until the counterparty’s value has been received or an authorised person has confirmed to the system that there is evidence that value will be received. • For solvency risk, an application control may be that the system will produce a report for management informing management that there needs to be a specific amount of funds available on a given date to settle the trades coming in for settlement on that date. In addition to the above, a fraud risk arises because the Financial Director – who has maintained the accounting records for the derivatives almost single-handedly – also appears to be the only person within the company familiar with the accounting treatment for the financial instruments (including the derivatives). An effective system of internal controls will go some way to mitigate the fraud risk, but an informed management with an adequate understanding of derivatives and hedge accounting is crucial. Audit evidence: The additional audit evidence that we will need to obtain with regards to the financial instruments includes the following: Equity investments • Confirmations from management regarding the basis on which the year end valuation of the equity investments were made. • Information from third-party pricing sources regarding the fair value of the investments (including details of valuation techniques, assumptions and inputs). • Observable market prices at the year end for comparison. • Supporting documentation (board meeting minutes, accounting notes produced by the Treasury department) to support the classification of the investments in Cole plc and International Energy plc as investments in equity instruments at FVTOCI. • Details of controls that management has in place to assess the reliability of information from thirdparty pricing sources. • For the disposal of the investment in Cole plc, the sale agreement to support the disposal value of £242,000 and bank statement to confirm the receipt of the consideration. • For the acquisition of the investment in Routers plc, documentation (sale agreement, valuation documentation) to support the purchase price; bank statement and sale documentation to confirm the payment of the consideration. Hedged investment in International Energy plc • Copy of the put option agreement, and back-office report confirming the processing of the put option. • Statement from the clearing agents confirming the details of the options. • Third-party pricing sources to support the fair value of the options. (As discussed above, hedge accounting is not expected to be applied, as the hedge documentation has been lost and the criteria for hedge accounting have therefore not been met.) ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 371 Investment in Spence & May bonds • Copy of the purchase agreement for the initial purchase of the bonds. • Board meeting minutes or internal analysis confirming the suitability of measuring the bond at amortised cost under IFRS 9. • Sale agreement for the disposal of the bonds during the year. • Bank statements supporting interest payments and disposal proceeds. Loan note and interest rate swap • Copy of the loan documentation. • Copy of the interest rate swap agreement. • Counterparty and broker confirmations agreeing the details of the interest rate swap. • Copy of the hedging documentation for the files. • Supporting workings analysing the effectiveness of the swap as a hedge, including an explanation of the method used and any assumptions made. • Bank statements showing the interest payments on the loan and the interest receipts from the swap. • Supporting documentation for the fair value of the swap at the year end (including details of the methodology used, assumptions made, and report from independent experts where relevant). The exercise of professional scepticism will be particularly important around fair value measurements. Where the audit evidence obtained is inconsistent or incomplete, we must seek to perform further audit procedures. Further, where external experts have been consulted by the entity, the degree of reliance that can be placed on the external experts also needs to be considered. 18 Biltmore Marking guide Treatments General Harmony Tower 3 Grove Place Head office Northwest Forward Teesside Essex Mall Subone Head Office Coventry Building Adjustments 1 mark for each journal entry, maximum of Impact on the auditor’s report Quantify the combined impact Appropriate audit opinion and explanation, maximum of Marks 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 8 4 4 40 Total 40 As requested, I report below on the issues raised by the Biltmore Group’s investment properties. Proposed treatment Broadly, the group has not met the requirements of IAS 40, Investment Property in most cases. Each of those breaches has the effect of overstating profit and of overstating the value attributed to investment properties in the statement of financial position. 372 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Harmony Tower 3 We cannot accept the directors’ claim that this property must remain at cost because there is no reliable means of estimating its fair value. This is a standard office block in an area where there is a thriving market for such properties. There are observable market prices. It would be reasonable to expect this property to be valued at around £150 million because there is good evidence of that being the current market valuation. IAS 40 states that fair value must be measured in accordance with IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value as: ”the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” IFRS 13 states that entities should maximise the use of relevant observable inputs and minimise the use of unobservable inputs. The standard establishes a three-level hierarchy for the inputs that valuation techniques use to measure fair value: Level 1 Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date. Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly eg, quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or for identical or similar assets in non-active markets or use of quoted interest rates for valuation purposes. Level 3 Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability ie, using the entity’s own assumptions about market exit value. Harmony Tower may be valued using a Level 2 input, that is, prices that are directly observable for identical buildings in an active market. To obtain further evidence that a fair value of £150 million is appropriate, the use of auditor’s experts may be necessary. Grove Place The fair value of the property is £220 million. The £30 million spent during the year should only have been capitalised in accordance with IAS 16 if it represented an improvement in the asset – ie, increased the future economic benefits rather than maintaining the asset. Evidence has shown that the refurbishment work has not created the future economic benefits. Therefore, the £250 million carrying value must be written down to fair value at the year end, being £220 million, with the refurbishment expense of £30 million charged to profit or loss for the year. Head office – upper floors This is not an investment property. Biltmore plc occupies and uses a significant part of the building and the vacant part is not capable of being leased or sold separately. The whole building will have to be treated as normal owner-occupied property. Northwest development Biltmore plc’s use of this property is restricted to only a very small proportion, and the complex cannot be sold separately. It is therefore acceptable, under IAS 40, to treat the whole development as investment property. Buy-to-let portfolio – Teesside The fair value should be decided in terms of market conditions as at the year end. Thus, the company’s proposed valuation of £150 million is correct providing that the downturn arose after the year end. There may be an argument for treating this downturn as a non-adjusting event after the reporting period and disclosing the change in the market value in a note to the accounts. Essex Mall IAS 40 states that a property which is being developed for future sale cannot qualify as an investment property. Thus, the building must be treated in accordance with IAS 2 until such time as it is ready for disposal. Its initial recognition should be at cost, but it should be written down to its net realisable value if this falls below cost. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 373 Subone plc’s head office It is perfectly legitimate for Subtoo plc to treat this property as an investment property in its individual company financial statements because it is occupied by a third party. However, the Biltmore Group cannot treat the property as an investment property because it is owned by one group member and occupied by another. There is nothing to prevent the group from showing the property in its statement of financial position, but the revaluation gain on consolidation cannot be recognised in profit or loss for the year and must instead be recognised as other comprehensive income and accumulated in a revaluation reserve in equity. Coventry development This property ceased to be an investment property when it was placed on the market. It should have been transferred to inventory at that time at its deemed cost of £345 million which is its fair value at the date of its change in use. It should be accounted for under the requirements of IAS 2, Inventories. Any subsequent downward reassessment of the sales value would cause the asset to be written down to the new net realisable value. Required adjustments Harmony Tower 3 Recognise loss: £m DEBIT Gains on investment properties CREDIT £m 50 Investment properties 50 Grove Place Treat costs incurred as revenue: £m DEBIT Repairs CREDIT £m 30 Investment properties 30 Head office – upper floors Cancel gain recognised for year: £m DEBIT Gains on investment properties CREDIT £m 20 Investment properties 20 Reclassify building as non-investment property: £m DEBIT CREDIT Property, plant and equipment £m 80 Investment properties 80 Charge depreciation on additional non-investment property: £m DEBIT CREDIT Depreciation expense Property, plant and equipment £m 4 4 Northwest development No adjustment required. Buy-to-let portfolio – Teesside No adjustment required. 374 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Essex Mall Cancel gain recognised for year: £m DEBIT Gains on investment properties CREDIT £m 80 Investment properties 80 Reclassify development as non-investment property: £m DEBIT Property under construction CREDIT £m 770 Investment properties 770 Subone plc’s head office (consolidation adjustment only) Reclassify building as non-investment property: £m DEBIT Property, plant and equipment CREDIT £m 150 Investment properties 150 Charge depreciation on additional non-investment property: £m DEBIT CREDIT Depreciation expense £m 6 Property, plant and equipment 6 (Book value throughout the year = £120m, divided by 20-year life = £6m.) Transfer recognised gain to revaluation reserve: £m DEBIT Gains on investment properties 30 DEBIT Property, plant and equipment 6 CREDIT £m Revaluation reserve 36 (The additional depreciation charged to profit or loss has to be added to the recognised gain on revaluation and added back to property, plant and equipment at valuation less depreciation.) Coventry development Cancel the revaluation gain recognised since property became part of inventory: £m DEBIT CREDIT Gains on investment properties £m 15 Investment properties 15 Transfer property to inventory: £m DEBIT CREDIT ICAEW 2022 Inventory £m 345 Investment properties 345 Audit and integrated 1 375 Impact on auditor’s report If Biltmore’s directors refuse to put through the reclassifying adjustments in respect of investment properties, several different accounts in the consolidated statement of financial position will be misstated as follows: Investment properties PPE Current assets Property under construction Total £m £m £m £m £m 2,360 57 6 0 2,423 Draft Harmony Tower 3 (50) (50) Grove Place (30) (30) Head office (100) Essex Mall (850) Subone Head Office (150) Coventry building (360) Revised 820 76 (24) 770 (80) 150 – 345 283 351 (15) 770 2,224 In addition, the misclassification has resulted in profit being overstated by £235 million as a result of associated adjustments, as follows: £m Harmony Tower 3 (fair value gain) 50 Grove Place (refurbishment costs) 30 Head office – upper floors (depreciation and fair value gain) 24 Essex Mall (fair value gain) 80 Subone plc’s head office (depreciation and fair value gain) 36 Coventry (revaluation gain) 15 Total 235 The revaluation reserve is also understated by £36 million. The materiality level for the financial statements as a whole is £24 million (total group assets of £2,423m × 1%). This shows clearly that the misstatements in each of the affected accounts are material. Indeed, the overstatement in investment properties alone represents 64% of the group’s total assets. Besides materiality for the financial statements as a whole, ISA 320 (UK) (revised June 2016) requires us to consider performance materiality. In particular, specific materiality levels may be set for particular account balances that could have a particular influence on users’ decisions in the particular circumstances of the entity. As Biltmore is a property business, and investment properties currently represent the largest account balance in the group’s statement of financial position, the investment properties account should be assigned a lower performance materiality. This makes the level of misstatement in the investment properties account even less acceptable. Arguably, inventory and properties under construction are equally significant to the users’ economic decisions. The difference between an inventory of less than £6 million (current assets in the summary statement of financial position) and £345 million, and indeed between properties under construction of £nil and £770 million, is highly important. Left unadjusted, it could be very misleading to the users of the financial statements. Finally, assuming the directors do agree to make the remaining adjustments listed above, keeping the four properties in the investment properties account at their adjusted carrying amount simply 376 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 would not make any sense from an accounting point of view. As they currently stand, the properties would not be accounted for in accordance with IAS 40. I would recommend explaining the above to the directors, so that they understand that the reclassification adjustments do have a material impact on the financial statements. Should the directors still refuse to make the adjustments, an unmodified opinion cannot be issued. Given that this misstatement represents a substantial proportion of the financial statements, there is an argument for this being considered both material and pervasive, which would lead to an adverse opinion; should this be considered material and not pervasive though, a qualified opinion would be used. As a separate point, given the directors’ attitude, it may be necessary to consider adjusting our materiality level, and to think about how this may impact other classes of transactions, account balances and disclosures. 19 Hillhire Marking guide Key audit risks and financial reporting treatment General Discontinuation Audit risk Financial reporting treatment Audit procedures Acquisition Swap Audit risk Financial reporting treatment Audit procedures New system Share options Ethical Marks Available Marks 5 3 4 3 7 3 4 3 4 5 4 45 Maximum 40 Total 40 Memorandum: Hillhire plc audit for the year ended 31 March 20X8 Audit risks General points The profit for the year of £27,240,000, after taking into account the loss for the year from discontinued operations, has decreased by 6.7%. Although this is not particularly serious in itself, management might be concerned that the shareholders will react unfavourably. We need to take particular care over any matters of accounting judgement that could have distorted the results in order to improve matters. It may be that the profit according to the draft statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income has been overstated already in order to mitigate the effects of this decline. Continuing operations More importantly we need to check that the profit from discontinued operations has been correctly classified. Excluding the loss arising from discontinued operations, profit for the year from continuing operations has shown an increase of 8.4%. The increase in revenue for 20X8 compared to 20X7 is 10%. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 377 Cost of sales In 20X8 cost of sales has increased by 11.5% over 20X7, compared with a 10% increase in revenue. Administrative expenses In spite of the 10% increase in revenue, administrative expenses (excluding amortisation) have increased by only 1.2%. Gearing and borrowing costs The company continues to be highly geared. Indeed, a great deal of additional borrowing has been raised. There does not appear to be any particular concern about going concern issues arising from this, but we should be sceptical about any accounting practices that have the effect of smoothing profits, as well as any that have the effect of increasing reported income. Long-term borrowings have increased by £69,240,000 or 22% whereas finance costs have increased by 11.56%. We need to look at the movement of interest rates in the period, look into the company’s other borrowings and request details of finance costs reflected in the profit or loss and other comprehensive income, to establish these have been correctly calculated and accounted for. We also need to ensure that the allocation of finance costs has been correctly made and not inappropriately allocated to the discontinued operations. It is possible that the figure for long-term borrowings could be even higher if the divested depots have borrowings which have been netted off within assets held for sale. This treatment would not be correct. Are depots able to raise their own finance? If so their borrowings are included within total borrowings in 20X7 but it is unclear how the liabilities of depots held for sale are treated in the current year. Have they been incorrectly netted off within assets held for sale or are they listed within total liabilities? We should also establish when repayment of the long-term borrowings is due as it’s a large amount. The company’s ability to repay any borrowings due in the near future needs to be considered, as this could affect the going concern assumption. In addition, perhaps the new borrowings were taken on mid-year so there’s not a full year’s finance charge, which will have implications for the future. Audit procedures Evaluate any adjustments that are proposed to the draft accounts that have the effect of increasing the reported profit and challenge directors over their suitability where appropriate. Perform analytical procedures on expenses to identify trends and confirm whether there is any risk of material misstatement from continuing operations. As part of these analytical procedures, we should be challenging any increases in costs which have not been reflected in higher sale prices. We also need to confirm that administrative expenses relating to continuing operations have not been incorrectly allocated by analytical procedures. Confirm the treatment of borrowing undertaken by depots held for sale by analysis of liabilities. Discontinued operations risks There is a risk that IFRS 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations has not been complied with. Professional scepticism would identify this as a risk here especially as the directors’ bias in the current year may well be to try to classify these depots as ‘discontinued’ as this allows them to disclose the losses separately in the hope of downplaying their significance to analysts assessing the company’s future prospects. In order to be treated as a discontinued operation, the Scottish depots would have to be a component of Hillhire which either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale, and: • represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations; • is part of a single coordinated disposal plan; or • is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale and the disposal involves loss of control. IFRS 5 defines a component of an entity as ‘operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes from the rest of the entity’. As each depot is viewed as a cash-generating unit the group of Scottish depots represents a component of Hillhire. 378 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 All of the depots are located in Scotland and the decision to sell is based on a strategic decision to withdraw from this part of the country. This suggests that this is a separate geographical area of operations. However further details would be required to determine what proportion of the total number of depots held is represented by the 15 being sold to assess whether this constitutes a major geographical area of operations. The plan to dispose of the Scottish depots would appear to be a single coordinated disposal plan based on the information provided. Despite meeting two of the criteria to be classified as a discontinued operation, the Scottish depots have not been disposed of by the reporting date and do not appear to meet the definition of ‘held for sale’ at this date. A disposal group is classified as held for sale only if its carrying amount will be recovered primarily through a sales transaction rather than through continuing use. The following criteria must be met in order for this to be the case: • The depots must be available for immediate sale in their present condition. In this case the depots are not available for immediate sale as they are still in use and no alternative arrangements have been made to store the vehicles currently held at these depots. • The sale must be ‘highly probable’, that is: – being actively marketed at a reasonable price; – changes to the plan are unlikely; – management must be committed to the sale; – there must be an active programme to locate a buyer; and – the sale must be expected to be completed within one year from the date of classification. From the information currently available, whilst management appear committed to the sale, indicated by the recording of the decision in the board minutes, there is currently no active programme to locate a buyer. Marketing of the properties is not due to start until May or June of 20X8. On this basis the Scottish depots should not be classified as either held for sale or discontinued operations and the loss for the year in respect of this group of depots should not be separated from the results of the continuing operations of the business in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. In the statement of financial position, the depots should not have been reclassified as held for sale on 1 January 20X8 but should have been retained in property, plant and equipment and depreciated for the remainder of the year. From the draft financial statements we can see that on transfer to held for sale, the depots have been measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Therefore, the following journals are required to reverse this transfer and record depreciation for the three months to 31 March 20X8: DEBIT Property, plant and equipment £44,520,000 CREDIT Profit or loss – discontinued operations £4,390,000 CREDIT Assets held for sale £40,130,000 and: DEBIT CREDIT Profit or loss (44,520/25 × 3/12) £445,200 Accumulated depreciation £445,200 The carrying value of the depots at 31 March 20X8 is therefore £44,074,800 (44,520 – 445.2). An assessment should be made to determine whether the depots have suffered an impairment. The depots are impaired if the carrying amount is in excess of the recoverable amount, being the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. The carrying amount would appear to be in excess of fair value but further information is required in order to calculate the value in use. Audit procedures Discuss the necessary adjustments with the directors to confirm that action will be taken. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 379 Confirm the progress of the planned sale of the depots with directors. Inspect board minutes and budgets and forecasts for evidence that management intend to sell the depots. Determine the proportion of depots which the sales of the 15 Scottish depots represent in comparison to the business as a whole. Confirm plans for moving vehicles currently held in the depots in Scotland. Obtain details and inspect correspondence with agents for evidence that the marketing of the depots is due to start in May/June only. Ascertain how fair value was assessed and review any valuation reports prepared by independent valuers. Agree remaining useful lives of the Scottish depots with the company’s stated depreciation policy. Discuss with the directors the extent of any impairment reviews performed by them and any follow up on any steps identified but not yet taken. Obtain details of the value in use for the Scottish depots and review the basis of these calculations. Acquisition of Loucamion The figure for intangibles (nearly £12 million) that appear to have been recognised on the acquisition of Loucamion is high, and there is a risk that some of the intangibles, especially any value allocated to customer relationships, may not meet the recognition criteria of IFRS 3, Business Combinations and IAS 38, Intangible Assets. The overriding requirements are that it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and that the cost can be reliably measured. In the case of an acquisition, the key issue to determine is whether other intangibles can be identified separately from goodwill. IFRS 3, Business Combinations gives some illustrative examples and these include customer lists and customer contracts and the related customer relationships. For the customer lists of Loucamion to be recognised they must meet the contractual-legal criterion or the separability criterion. Loucamion does not appear to have any legal rights to protect or control the relationship it has with its customers or their loyalty therefore the lists do not satisfy the contractual-legal criterion. IFRS 3 states that a customer list acquired in a business combination does not meet the separability criterion if the terms of confidentiality or other agreements prohibit the entity from selling, leasing or otherwise exchanging information about its customers. This appears to be the case with Loucamion’s customer list. On this basis the customer list should not have been recognised as a separable asset but should have been subsumed within goodwill. This error should be corrected and the amortisation charged for the year reversed as follows: DEBIT Goodwill £4,000,000 CREDIT Intangible assets £3,600,000 CREDIT Profit or loss (4,000,000/10) £400,000 There may be unrecognised impairments of goodwill and other assets by the year end. The other newly acquired intangible assets may not be amortised over a realistic useful life. It is essential we obtain details of the amortisation schedules and review these closely. Audit procedures Obtain a breakdown of the allocation of the purchase consideration and determine how much has been allocated to the other intangibles. Confirm that items recognised in other intangibles meet the criteria to be recognised separately. Obtain details from the auditors of Loucamion about the nature of the customer relationships to confirm that no legal relationships exist and that the confidentiality terms are in place. Ascertain how management have assessed the useful lives of the other intangibles for the purpose of amortisation and consider whether this is reasonable. Ascertain how the fair values of the assets and liabilities of Loucamion were assessed and review any valuation reports prepared by independent valuers. Obtain the consolidation schedules to review whether Loucamion has been correctly consolidated, including only post-acquisition results. 380 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Review the disclosures relating to the acquisition to ensure that all the requirements of IFRS 3 have been met. All relevant exchange rates should be recorded in the audit file so that we can ensure the subsidiary’s financial statements are translated from its functional currency to the presentation currency of the group ie, £. We need to consider the arrangements for the audit of Loucamion. It may not be cost-effective for us to visit the company ourselves. We will need to ensure that we are satisfied by the assurances provided by any local audit firm. Presumably this will not be too great a problem because the company already has a range of operations throughout Europe. We will also need to consider whether any issues relating to the valuation of goodwill and intangibles require disclosure as Key Audit Matters. Interest rate swap This appears to be the first time that Hillhire has used derivatives in this way, which increases the risk that the treatment is incorrect. There is a risk that the swaps do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting as set out in IFRS 9. We need to confirm that: • the hedging relationship consists only of eligible hedging instruments and eligible hedged items; • at the inception of the hedging relationship there is formal designation and documentation of the hedging relationship and the entity’s risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge; and • the hedging relationship meets all of the hedge effectiveness requirements of IFRS 9, namely (IFRS 9, para 6.4.1(c): – there is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument; – the effect of credit risk does not dominate the value changes that result from that economic relationship; and – the hedge ratio of the hedging relationship is the same as that actually used in the economic hedge. The condition that the hedge should be highly effective appears to be met as the hedge is a perfect match in terms of currency, maturity and nominal amount. There is a risk that hedging may be applied from the wrong date. Whilst the interest-rate swap was acquired on 1 April 20X7 it was only designated as a hedge on 1 May 20X7. In accordance with IFRS 9 hedge accounting may only be applied prospectively, from the later of the date of designation and the date that the formal documentation was prepared. We would need to check the date of the documentation but based on information currently available hedge accounting can be applied no earlier than 1 May 20X7. These risks are exacerbated by the fact that the company is highly geared. The directors have an obvious incentive to manipulate the manner in which this swap is accounted for so as to minimise the volatility associated with any changes in interest rates or the values of any assets or liabilities. The change in fair value up to the year end should be recognised as other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity. Interest for the period 1 October 20X7 – 31 March 20X8 has not been accounted for. The £9.5 million (£200m × 6/12 × (7.5% + 2%)) variable interest for the six months to 31 March 20X8 is charged to profit or loss and is accrued until payment is made. The net settlement on the interest rate swap of £1.5 million (£200m × 6/12 × (9.5% – 8%)) received from the swap bank as a cash settlement reduces the £9.5 million variable rate interest expense to £8 million. This is equivalent to the fixed rate cost (£200m × 6/12 × 8%). The following adjustments are required: DEBIT CREDIT DEBIT CREDIT ICAEW 2022 Profit or loss – interest expense £9.5m Interest accrual/cash Cash Profit or loss – interest expense £9.5m £1.5m £1.5m Audit and integrated 1 381 Audit procedures • Review board minutes documenting the decision to enter into the swap and the strategic reason for this ie, to confirm that there is formal designation of the hedge. • Review and recalculate the effectiveness of the hedge. • Confirm that documentation is adequate for IFRS purposes. This must include: – identification of the hedging instrument ie, interest rate swap – the hedged item or transaction ie, interest payments – nature of the risk being hedged ie, changes in interest rates – details of calculation of hedge effectiveness – statement of entity’s risk management objective and strategy • Confirm date of preparation of the documentation to determine the date from which hedge accounting should be applied. • Verify that adjustments already reflected in the draft financial statements have been calculated from the correct date and that hedge accounting has not been applied retrospectively. • Seek specific assurances about the credit rating of the counterparty to the swap. • Confirm basis on which the fair value of the hedge has been determined and assess whether this complies with IFRS 9. • Confirm that adjustments required for interest to 31 March 20X8 as outlined above have been made. Controls review on new online ordering system Risk The new system has been piloted at quite a large number of depots during the current year. There is a risk that any errors in the system will have affected the recording of transactions during the year. This is a highly sensitive system. It raises transactions involving payments from business customers and credit card companies. It can instigate the transfer of vehicles between branches. The whole point of piloting is the recognition that new systems frequently contain errors. Breakdowns in the system could have led to vehicles being transferred for fraudulent purposes. It is unlikely that staff would steal a commercial vehicle, but it might have been possible to ‘lose’ a vehicle in the system and hire it out for cash. Apart from the loss of revenue, that could have led to exposure to claims if the unauthorised use meant that the company’s insurance policy did not cover any claims for damages in the event of an accident. Ideally, the pilot testing will have been controlled by a parallel run of the existing system at the branches. In practice, it is unlikely that resources would permit this to happen. It is worrying that the company has only engaged our IT specialists at this stage. That might suggest that there was no independent, expert oversight of the piloting process or that the consultant providing any such support has been sacked or has chosen to withdraw from the engagement. At best, this suggests some recklessness in terms of the manner in which the pilot process was managed. At worst, management may be planning to implement a system that has been found to be defective. Audit procedures The new system needs to be documented and control risk assessed. Management should be asked to provide detailed information about the errors that were uncovered in the course of the pilot testing and the steps that have been taken to correct them, both in terms of adjusting the system and correcting the underlying records that were affected by the errors. The proposal to roll the system out will also have implications for future audits. We will have to take great care over the audit of the system testing phase and the implementation phase. The transfer of standing data and the reconstruction of the vehicle register should both, ideally, be checked clerically and the results retained for us to review. Share options IFRS 2, Share-based Payment requires that the share options are reflected as an expense in profit or loss. 382 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 We need to assess the assumption that 10% of senior employees will leave and therefore forfeit the shares. Assuming the forfeiture of 10% is accurate, the expenses reflected in each of the three years from 20X8 should be as follows: Expenses Cumulative expenses £ £ 31 March 20X8 (50 × 100 × 90% × £10 × 1/3) 15,000 15,000 31 March 20X9 (50 × 100 × 90% × £10 × 2/3) – 15,000 15,000 30,000 31 March 20Y0 (50 × 100 × 90% × £10) – 30,000 15,000 45,000 £ £ Year ending The adjustment for 20X8 should be: DEBIT Profit or loss CREDIT 15,000 Equity 15,000 Ethical points arising The firm needs to consider whether the potential assurance assignment relating to the new system may pose a threat to objectivity in respect of the audit. There appear to be a number of threats. Firstly, we need to remain vigilant to any increase in our evaluation of global inherent risk. If the company’s profitability and financial position are deteriorating then management might be tempted to distort the financial statements. That will lead to an increased risk that we will be blamed for some alleged audit failure. If we see any clear evidence that the financial statements are being manipulated then we should consider resigning the appointment in order to protect our reputation. We would need to clarify the exact nature of the additional service to be provided by our IT specialists. In accordance with FRC Revised Ethical Standard our firm would be prohibited from designing and implementing financial information technology systems due to Hillhire being listed and as such a public interest entity (para 5.40 and Appendix B part (e)). Even if the nature of the service is such that the prohibition does not apply, we need to manage the perception that there could be a self-interest threat. We might be accused of being prepared to compromise on our audit opinion in order to win this consultancy business. Looking ahead to future years’ audits, if Barber and Kennedy provide assurance relating to the controls over the system it could amount to both a self-review and management threat, especially if in future years the firm was to place reliance on controls in gathering their audit evidence. 20 Maykem Scenario Requirement Skills Review of assistant’s work: key weaknesses Write in a clear and concise style appropriate to a file review. Identify weaknesses in assistant’s work. Link large number of invoices with low GRNI provision. Identify there is insufficient evidence on the audit file to determine the work performed on GRNI and other accruals. Identify that the financial controller is not the best source of audit evidence (eg, for ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 383 Requirement Skills confirmation of legal provision). Identify potential creative accounting – window dressing re invoices in transit. Additional audit procedures Identify practical solutions in terms of additional audit work to address the identified weaknesses. Financial reporting issues Write in a clear and concise style appropriate to a file review. Derivatives Identify the financial reporting issues relating to derivatives and possible treatments. Claim from MegaCo plc Assimilate facts relating to likelihood of claim and outline potential treatments. Contract liability Link change in revenue policy with potential for warranty provision. Identify inappropriate revenue recognition treatment. Disposal Highlight potential irrecoverable receivables from the disposal of the business. Identify potential need for dilapidations. Accounting treatment of pension scheme Adjustment required to proposed treatment. Calculation of amounts to be presented in the statement of financial position and of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Audit issues Evaluate the key issues including the impact of the departure of the responsible accountant and materiality. Ethics Evaluate with reference to ICAEW Code. Marking guide Marks Review of assistant’s work: key weaknesses Additional audit procedures Financial reporting issues Derivatives Claim from MegaCo plc Contract liability Disposal Accounting treatment of pension scheme Audit issues 11 8 Ethics Marks Available 5 45 3 2 3 3 7 3 Maximum 40 Total 40 384 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Review points on procedures performed Trade payables Explanation for decrease in payables seems odd as comments on commission imply high trading in last month of year. Are we sure there is no cut-off error here? Debit balances within trade payables ledger – what are these? What have we done to ensure that they are recoverable? How do we know it is appropriate to classify them as trade receivables? How were balances chosen for supplier statement reconciliation? Should select based on throughput rather than year-end balance as key risk is understatement. Work on invoices in transit is not adequate. Need to determine when goods were received rather than when invoice was posted. If goods were received pre year end then should have an accrual within goods received not invoiced (GRNI). This needs to be checked. Large number of invoices in transit and significant balance in GRNI accrual suggest a risk of a cut-off error so need to do careful work here. May be other balances denominated in foreign currency – where are FX rates used to translate these considered? Not clear what procedures if any have been done on GRNI accrual – would expect it to be tied into detailed listing which has been reviewed for unusual items, debit balances, old items etc. Also needs to be tested for completeness by reference to procedures on supplier statements, cut-off, accruals etc. Review for any intra-group balances that may need to be disclosed as related party transactions or may not be at arm’s length. (Consolidation schedules may also later require identification of such balances in group financial statements.) Accruals Exceptionally high May sales increase risk of cut-off errors and fraud. Need to ensure adequate procedures performed on sales cut-off. Procedures performed on bonus are inadequate – need to understand basis on which accrual made and bonuses to which staff are contractually entitled. Also need to determine what authorisation is required from parent company for element payable to directors. May need to wait and see amounts actually paid/authorised. Procedures on general and admin accruals are not adequately documented – need analysis on file so can see exactly what vouching was done. In addition, the direction of testing does not address risk that accruals are incomplete. We need to look at post year end payments and invoices and ensure that all items relating to pre year end purchases have been accrued in year end financial statements. The financial controller is not the right person to discuss the legal claim with – need to talk to whoever has been handling discussions and also seek direct input from the legal firm involved through circularisation. Need to examine and file copies of all relevant correspondence. May also need expert input re validity or otherwise of patent claim from a technological point of view. Should also consider whether legal firm was qualified to give an opinion in such a specialised area – fees seem quite low for expert advice against a large corporation which may have far more in-house expertise and expert lawyers. See also points re related financial reporting issue below. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 385 PAYE/NI No procedures documented – what has been done on this? Would expect agreement to payroll and post year end payment. Also important to discuss the outcome of any PAYE/NI inspections and whether any additional amounts of penalties are likely to be payable. Contract liabilities Cross reference to work carried out on revenues in audit file. See comments below re change in allocation between product and revenue. Given that there is a one year warranty period – seems odd that there is no warranty provision in current liabilities. Surplus property provision Again seem to rely on discussion with financial controller – not appropriate as she did not calculate provision. Need to determine what advice was taken in determining two year period for provision – would expect them to have taken advice from estate agents etc. See also issues identified below. General No taxation payable shown – where are such balances and what work has been done on them? No balances due to other group companies? Potential financial reporting issues and adjustments identified Accounting for derivatives Comment on Metallo balance makes it clear that there is a derivative in the form of a forward exchange contract. Accounting for this needs to be in line with IAS 32/IFRS 9. Will need to look carefully at whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. Fair value of derivatives should be shown within statement of financial position. If qualify for hedge accounting then gain/loss on the hedging instrument will be taken to profit or loss in same period as item which was hedged. This will depend on when inventory from Metallo is used. If does not qualify for hedge accounting then gain/loss should go to profit or loss. In either case, balance with Metallo should be translated at year end rate. We can only use fair value hedge accounting if there was appropriate documentation in place at inception of the contract. Could also use cash flow hedge as either FV or CF hedges are permissible under IFRS 9 for foreign currency. MegaCo claim MegaCo royalty claim – position taken in the accounts is very different to that taken in the prior year and we need to understand what has actually changed to justify the different treatment. Any claim like this represents a contingent liability where the probability of a payment being made needs to be assessed. Only if it is remote is there no provision or disclosure in the financial statements. If it is not remote but not more likely than not then a disclosure must be made and if possible quantified – quantification is clearly possible here as there must have been some basis for prior year provision. Letter was only sent to MegaCo a few months ago and the fact they have not yet responded is not adequate evidence that claim has been dropped, particularly given their acknowledgement letter – more likely that they are using the time to build a stronger case and possibly even a larger claim. Contract liability Revenue recognition change is inappropriate and contravenes IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Two performance obligations can be identified: the supply of a refrigeration unit and the three-year maintenance contract. Per IFRS 15, transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in proportion to the relative stand-alone selling price of the goods or services provided within each performance obligation. Since Maykem do sell products separately, they have evidence of stand-alone selling price of product by reference to what a customer will pay for it. The same is true of the additional amount a customer chooses to pay for maintenance contract. To split on any other basis would not be permitted. 386 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Changing allocation retrospectively in this way has resulted in a large release of revenue and additional profit which has materially distorted the results for the year. At the very least it will require disclosure and might be regarded as a change in policy (if valid at all). There is no requirement that all elements of a multi-element sale should give same margin – what matters is appropriate stand-alone proportions allocated to revenue. Revenue from the sale of the refrigeration unit should be recognised on delivery of the unit (performance obligation satisfied at a point in time). The maintenance contract is a performance obligation satisfied over time. Time elapsed (an input method) is an appropriate way to measure progress towards satisfaction of the performance obligation, so spread evenly over the period of the contracts. The revenue received in advance for the maintenance contract is a contract liability (consideration received or due before a performance obligation is satisfied). As maintenance contracts are for three years, surely part of the contract liability should be in payables falling due after more than one year. Disposal of business Seem to have considered only some of the costs. One might expect: • What about dilapidations for property as in bad state? • Do plant and machinery or leasehold improvements have a NBV which is impaired and should be written down or even written off completely? What proceeds, if any, are expected for such items? • What has happened to any receivables balances relating to domestic customers? Have these all been collected or is collectability in doubt given sale of business? • Does Maykem have any ongoing warranty or other obligations under terms of deal which should be provided for? Need also to consider whether domestic market is a separate business segment and therefore should be disclosed as a discontinued operation within the accounts. May also be assets held for sale which should be reclassified. Need to ensure gain or loss is properly described within statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as should probably be regarded as an exceptional item. Does sale of inventory suggest that other inventory provisions within Maykem might be inadequate? Need to understand more fully what profit or loss was made on sale of inventory. Should consider discounting in calculating surplus property provision. Pension scheme The directors are not correct. The contributions to the scheme are not recognised in profit or loss but are treated as a debit to plan assets. The accounting entries relating to the contributions should be: DEBIT Plan assets CREDIT £306,000 Cash £306,000 According to IAS 19, Employee Benefits, gains or losses on remeasurement of the net defined benefit asset/liability (actuarial gains or losses) must be recognised in other comprehensive income in the year in which they arise. The full accounting treatment is as follows: Amounts recognised in the statement of financial position Present value of obligation Fair value of plan assets Net liability ICAEW 2022 31 May 20X8 31 May 20X7 £’000 £’000 4,320 3,600 (4,050) (3,420) 270 Audit and integrated 1 180 387 Expense recognised in profit or loss for the year ended 31 May 20X8 £’000 Current service cost 360 Net interest on the net defined benefit obligation: (5% × 3,600) – (5% × 3,420) 9 Net expense 369 Loss recognised in other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 May 20X8 £’000 Actuarial loss on obligation (522) Return on plan assets (excluding amounts in net interest) 495 Net actuarial loss (27) Change in the present value of the obligation £’000 Present value of obligation at 1 June 20X7 3,600 Interest cost on obligation (5% × 3,600) 180 Current service cost 360 Benefits paid (342) Loss on remeasurement through other comprehensive income (residual) Present value of obligation at 31 May 20X8 522 4,320 Change in the fair value of plan assets £’000 Fair value of plan assets at 1 June 20X7 3,420 Interest on plan assets (5% × 3,420) 171 Contributions 306 Benefits paid (342) Gain on remeasurement through other comprehensive income (residual) Fair value of plan assets at 31 May 20X8 495 4,050 Audit issues • We need to determine where the information in Exhibit 2 has been obtained from in order to evaluate the integrity of the data. This is a particular issue as the accountant normally responsible for pensions has left. • We need to consider the implications for the audit of the involvement of experts ie, actuaries. • We need to ask why the accountant responsible for pensions has left and assess the consequences of this on our risk assessment and on other areas of our audit. • Materiality must be evaluated. The net effect on profit or loss is a reduction of profit of £63,000 (369 – 306). This in itself is not material (based on the materiality level of £250,000) but there are also consequences of the revised treatment in the statement of financial position and in other comprehensive income. The proposed treatment would also be inconsistent with the previous year therefore we should request that the financial statements are revised so that they are in accordance with IAS 19. 388 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Ethics: Sophie’s investment We have a responsibility to consider any possible or actual conflicts of interest. In this case, there is a threat of self-interest arising, as a member of the audit team (Sophie) has an indirect financial interest in the client’s parent company. The fact that the parent is listed on Euronext rather than the London Stock Exchange does not reduce the risk. The relevant factors from the ICAEW Code of Ethics (section 510) are as follows: • The interest is unlikely to be material to the client or to Sophie, as the investment is in a tracker fund rather than shares and, therefore, the value of Maykem will only have a small influence on the value of Sophie’s total investment. • Sophie is a junior member of the audit team and so her role is not significant in the sense that she will not be making audit conclusions or be substantially involved in areas of high audit risk. • The investment is in ParisMet, the parent, rather than in Maykem itself. The risk that arises to the independence of the audit here is not considered to be significant. It would be inappropriate to require Sophie to dispose of her investment. It is also unnecessary to remove Sophie from the assignment. 21 Tydaway Marking guide Marks Follow up work from inventory count Audit work arising from concerns and need to address financial statement assertions Financial reporting effects of four hedging options Explanation and comparison of the alternative financial reporting treatments 12 13 10 4 Documentation required for audit purposes Marks Available 4 43 Maximum 40 Total 40 Questions and follow up work on inventory count attendance notes Counting procedures It appears that counters had access to the quantities shown on the system as they counted. This is not best practice and can lead to a tendency to ‘count’ what should be there, as possibly illustrated in the mezzanine area discrepancies. You need to determine whether this was in fact the case and then to evaluate whether we can still rely on the count. If they did have access to quantities then you will need to raise a management letter point in this area. In addition, investigating only differences greater than 10% tolerance level may be insufficient given the level of materiality and significance of the inventory balances. Overall count difference No mention in your notes of what the overall count difference was – important to know this both to evaluate accuracy of count and to assess what work is necessary on roll-forward of count quantities to year end. Audit sample count sizes How were audit sample sizes for both raw materials and WIP determined? Important to know this so we can assess adequacy of work done and also understand how to evaluate the potential impact of errors identified. If errors are to be extrapolated into the population as a whole then we need to make sure a representative sample has been chosen. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 389 Whether this is the case is not clear from documentation at present. WIP sample size is very low at only five and unlikely to be representative unless number of WIP items is very low. You need to find out and clarify this. Weigh counting method for WIP What value of total inventory was counted using weigh counting? 5% error rate is only acceptable if this is clearly immaterial when applied to the whole relevant population. You need to clarify whether weigh counting differences noted all went in one direction or whether there were unders and overs as would be expected. 5% error rate does seem quite high unless value of items involved is clearly immaterial. Inventory controller – discussion on paint and chemicals We cannot rely on discussion with controller to evaluate whether the approach taken on paint and chemicals is reasonable. Again you need to determine the total value of such items and to estimate what total possible mis-statement could be from the approach taken. If potentially significant then additional work and analysis will be necessary at the year end. Errors in mezzanine area – need for additional year end procedures Although specific differences noted in the mezzanine area have been corrected, the fact that two differences were noted in the same area may be indicative that counters in that area were not accurate enough. You should ideally have performed additional counts in the areas that team had counted to determine whether errors were indeed isolated or whether the whole area should be checked and recounted. However you cannot now do that but, depending on the significance of inventory counted by that team, we will need to consider additional procedures at year end, possibly including a year-end inventory count. It is important to understand fully the nature of the errors and inventory items on which they arose as it may be possible to isolate the risk of similar errors to part of the population and thus either determine that any misstatement cannot be material or limit additional procedures to the relevant part of the overall population. As the errors went in both directions this suggests that there is both overstatement and understatement risk. You need to determine the nature of the errors and the inventory items which were miscounted. No work on finished goods No work appears to have been performed on finished goods quantities – were there any at inventory count date? We might have expected some from the management accounts analysis which showed goods made for Swishman. Old or damaged inventory Was any old or clearly damaged inventory noted during the count? We need details of this to ensure adequately provided at year end. Consignment inventory Do you have any further details of how inventory sent on consignment to subcontractors is accounted for? We would expect it to remain within inventory records but notes from count imply that it is booked out and then booked back in again when it is received back. This might result in under-recognition of inventory and a grossing up of revenue and cost of sales entries. You need to understand and document fully the arrangements with the subcontractors and to review all accounting entries. There may also be more inventory at the subcontractor which we need to consider. In addition there is a question as to how inventory received back should be accounted for – as raw materials or as WIP. It is also important to understand and document where subcontractor costs are recorded in profit or loss so appropriate amount is inventorised but there is no double counting. Cut-off at count date There is no evidence that you have tested the accuracy of cut-off entries at the inventory count date. You need to do this so that the comparison of book to physical quantities is accurate as books have been updated for all physical transactions before the count and post count transactions are not included. 390 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Financial statement assertions – concerns or issues and key audit procedures Introduction Inventory is a material debit balance and audit work would be expected therefore to focus on the assertions of existence, accuracy, valuation and allocation, and rights and obligations (ownership). Each of these is considered below. Within the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income the inventory balance is a credit element of cost of sales and so it is also important to ensure that it is not understated. Work on existence of inventory Roll forward – work on book inventory The count at the South London factory was on 30 June, one month before year end; we will need to perform work on inventory movements over the last month to ensure that the year-end inventory at that factory exists and has been accurately recorded. This might include test counts and cut off work at year end or detailed work on completeness and accuracy of movements recorded within the book stock records. Also need to make sure that the count data tested at the inventory count has been tied into the system and that the physical inventory count (including any book to physical adjustment) has been recorded accurately in the accounting records. Woodtydy – not included in count? Inventory at Woodtydy does not appear to have been included in the 30 June count – we will need to make arrangements to attend a count at this site and to perform appropriate audit tests of the accuracy and completeness of this count. If the count is not at year end then we will also need to rollforward procedures as above. Will also need to address risk of incorrect cut-off on inventory transferred between the two sites. Work on accuracy, valuation and allocation of inventory The fact that differing methods are used to value inventory at the two sites is not necessarily an issue, providing both result in a reasonable approximation to actual cost of inventory held. However the different approaches mean that there will be two separate populations for audit testing and that the testing will need to be tailored for each site. Purchase price variance Tydaway’s inventory is valued at standard cost which has proved to be a reasonable approximation to actual cost in the past. However purchase price variances are much higher in the 10 months to 31 May 20X1 than in the equivalent prior year period and might well need to be taken into account in determining the actual cost of inventory held at year end. • Audit work should include testing a sample of individual raw material costs, comparing the actual cost to the standard cost and ensuring that the difference has been posted accurately to the purchase price variance account. • Purchase price variances (PPV) should then be reviewed for any significant one-off items such as that already identified in the commentary on the management accounts. Such items should be excluded from any adjustment made to inventory if, like the £25,000 in the commentary, they relate to purchases of inventory which has been sold prior to year end. • We will then need to determine whether any adjustment has been made by management to include a proportion of PPV in inventory and thus adjust the raw material inventory valuation to a closer approximation to actual cost. An independent assessment of the reasonableness of this adjustment should then be made. Calculations to assess the appropriateness of the PPV add back could include: – extrapolating the difference between actual and standard costs noted in the sample testing and comparing this to the add back made; – calculating the ratio of PPV to raw material purchases (excluding in both cases the one off items identified above); – applying this percentage to the raw material element of inventory; and – considering PPV over the period of average inventory turn and ensuring after adjustment for one off items that the amount added back is equivalent to PPV over the period in which inventory was acquired. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 391 The change between old and new standard costs may have been posted to PPV when standard costs were changed on the first day of the financial year. If it was, then this would need to be excluded from the PPV add back calculation. No PPV add back should be applied to £60,000 of components which were purchased in the previous year. However, we will need to look at whether the standard cost for these was increased at the beginning of year and to reverse that entry as the correct cost is cost components that were actually purchased in prior year. Freight costs Freight is added to standard cost at 1.5% whereas actual costs are running at around 3.2% of raw materials (£77,000/£2,431,000). It is not clear where the variance has been accounted for. It may have been taken into account in variances already considered. In any case the amounts which might potentially be included in inventory are not material so are not considered further. However should note that % in 20X0 was 1.4% so may be exceptionally high costs in 20X1 which should not be included within inventory valuation. Overheads Overheads included in inventory need consideration as these are based on May figures and could well be material. You should obtain client calculation of the amount to be included in year-end inventory and perform the following procedures: • Consider whether the assumption that WIP is on average 50% complete is reasonable – this may involve an inspection of the WIP on site at year end. • Verify accuracy of calculations and agree amounts to expenses tested in statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income testing or other supporting evidence. • Agree overheads included are all items that can be included within inventory valuations. As they appear to include delivery costs this may well not be the case as such costs are selling costs and should not be inventorised. • Consider whether levels of activity through the factory have been normal as it would be inappropriate to include in inventory excess levels of overhead arising from idle time or inefficient production. There are some indications that this may have arisen as sales are at around 75% of prior year level and direct production costs are also lower (despite higher unit costs for materials) but overheads have remained at around the same level. • Ensure both finished goods and WIP are included in the calculation. Woodtydy’s inventory Work will also be necessary on Woodtydy’s inventory valuation. In designing this work we will need to consider the extent to which audit work has been completed in the past as Woodtydy was only a division. Work may also be required on opening balances. • In addition, the description of the inventory records implies that they may be manual in which case additional work may be needed to ensure internal consistency and clerical accuracy. • Raw materials are valued at the latest invoice price and the accuracy of this can be tested by taking a sample and agreeing the value to an invoice for the last transaction. • We also need to consider whether latest invoice price is appropriate as this may result in inventory which was purchased earlier in the year being included in inventory at a price which is higher or lower than actual cost. If differences are significant then additional testing may be necessary to determine error over whole population. It would normally be more appropriate to use FIFO pricing and although latest invoice can be an estimate of this, it is not always an accurate one. • To test overheads we will need to look at actual hourly rates and compare to the £30 rate used to include overhead in inventory. Also we need to ensure that hours included on each job card appear reasonable and are consistent between similar jobs. Information available to test this is not clear at present so further investigation will be necessary. As for Tydaway we need to look at the nature of costs included and whether overheads are for normal level of production. • No obvious freight costs are included in the value at Woodtydy so we need to discuss whether freight and other purchasing costs are included and if not, whether the effect could be material. • Woodtydy’s inventory is also likely to include components purchased from Tydaway as there are sales between the factories. We will need to ensure that any interdivisional profit is eliminated in the company accounts. 392 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 • To the extent that any issues are noted with valuation of Woodtydy inventory, we will need to consider whether there is any impact on fair values recorded at the time of Woodtydy acquisition. In addition, we need to consider any pre-existing supply contract between Tydaway and Woodtydy and assess whether the fair value of this needs to be taken into account. Provisions We will need to do work on inventory provisions at both sites. The provision at Tydaway appears not to have been reassessed since the last year end and looks very low compared to the level of inventory, the slower stock turn and the provision made by Woodtydy which is in a similar business. It seems likely that a specific provision will be required against the finished goods made for Swishman as the margin (11%) possible on any sales is unlikely to cover the rework costs and may also only be able to sell repainted units at a lower price. We also need to consider whether any contingent asset should be recognised re: claim against Swishman. Swishman has agreed to pay an immaterial amount £6,000, which prima facie can be shown as an asset – however financial position of Swishman means it is unlikely to be able to pay. The same consideration applies to any further amounts claimed from Swishman and we would need to be virtually certain that the additional claim would be upheld to meet the criteria for recognition of a contingent asset. • We need to consider whether there is any risk of further order cancellations from other customers. • Old components still in stock but purchased in a prior year may also need a provision as they are clearly very slow moving. Need to discuss this with management. • Work done should include understanding and assessing the appropriateness of the provisions that have been made but also considering whether the provisions are complete. This will mean following up on potentially obsolete items noted at stock count; considering data available which will allow us to identify slow moving items; and looking at the margins made on individual product sales (including post year-end sales of WIP held at year end) to determine whether there are low margin items or items sold at a loss where a provision may be necessary. Overhead costs which are not included in standard costs at Tydaway, selling costs and any rework costs should all be considered in this analysis. In addition a sample of high value items should be reviewed to ensure that there are no NRV issues, that the items are being used in current production and that there is no excess inventory. Tutorial Note Credit should also be awarded for answers that discuss the impact of ISA (UK) 540 (Revised) Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures in relation to complexity, subjectivity and estimation uncertainty, as well as the controls in place at this client leading to a separate assessment of audit risk for these categories of balances. Work on rights and obligations (ownership) of inventory • Testing of value will ensure agreement to valid purchase invoices. However, testing is also required around cut-off to ensure that inventory is only included where either it has been paid for or a creditor recorded and where the delivery was received before the year end. This will involve testing the last few deliveries before year end to ensure both inventory and creditor included and the first few post year end to ensure that goods not delivered until after year end have not been booked into year-end inventory. • We will also need to test sales cut-off to ensure that goods shipped to a customer before the year end are not also included in inventory. This will involve detailed testing but also enquiry as to any goods held at year end on behalf of customers. Consignment stock sent to subcontractors will need more consideration as highlighted under stock count queries as this may well be owned stock not included at present. Understatement of inventory Much of the work outlined above will be two directional – for example the detailed sample testing of valuation. In addition, cut-off testing will test for understatement as well as overstatement, as will stock count work. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 393 Work on PPV add back and freight will involve an expectation/calculation which is also two directional. Work on provisions will need to be extended to ensure that provisions made are on a valid basis and not overstated. Impact of Chinese transaction on the financial statements No hedging In the absence of hedging there is no recognition of the purchase of the metal in the financial statements for the year ending 31 July 20X1 as there has been no physical delivery of the inventory, so it is unlikely that control has passed from the seller to Tydaway. The firm commitment would not therefore be recognised. On 15 December 20X1, the purchase takes place and the transaction would be recognised at the exchange rate on that day at a value of £354,409 ($500,000/1.4108) as follows: DEBIT Inventory CREDIT £354,409 Cash £354,409 This cost of inventory (which is £44,004 greater than at the time the contract was made) would then be recognised in cost of sales and impact on profit in the year ending 31 July 20X2. Hedging with forward contract – but no hedge accounting At 31 July 20X1: DEBIT Forward contract – financial asset CREDIT £20,544 Profit or loss £20,544 To recognise the increase in the fair value of the forward contract (ie, a derivative financial asset) and to recognise the gain on the forward contract in profit or loss. At 15 December 20X1: DEBIT Forward contract – financial asset CREDIT £23,450 Profit or loss £23,450 To recognise the further increase in the fair value of the forward contract (ie, a derivative financial asset) and to recognise the gain on the forward contract in profit or loss. DEBIT CREDIT Cash £43,994 Forward contract £43,994 To recognise the settlement of the forward contract by receipt of cash from the counterparty. DEBIT CREDIT Inventory Cash £354,409 £354,409 Being the settlement of the firm commitment (ie, the purchase of inventory) at the contracted at the spot rate on 15 December 20X1 ($500,000/1.4108). Fair value hedge A hedge of a foreign currency firm commitment may be accounted for as a fair value hedge or as a cash flow hedge (IFRS 9 para 6.5.4) at the choice of the entity. If the hedged risk is identified as the forward exchange rate, rather than the spot rate, then it could be assumed to be perfectly effective. The value of the transactions are as follows: At 15 July 20X1 $500,000/1.6108 = £310,405 At 31 July 20X1 $500,000/1.5108 = £330,950 394 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Difference = £20,545 is almost identical to the movement in the fair value of the forward at £20,544 and is clearly therefore highly effective: Similarly, at 15 December 20X1 $500,000/1.4108 = £354,409 Difference = £23,459 which is almost identical to the movement in the fair value of the forward at £23,450 and therefore remains highly effective. Cash flow hedge At 15 July 20X1 No entries are required at this date as the firm commitment is unrecognised. The forward contract is potentially recognised, but it has a zero fair value and there is no related cash transaction to record. At 31 July 20X1: The increase in the fair value of the future cash flows (the hedged item) of £20,545 is not recognised in the financial statements. However, as it exceeds the change in the fair value of the forward (the hedging instrument) it is fully effective. DEBIT CREDIT Forward contract – financial asset £20,544 Other comprehensive income £20,544 To recognise the increase in the fair value of the forward contract (ie, a derivative financial asset) and to recognise the gain on the forward contract in other comprehensive income. At 15 December 20X1: DEBIT CREDIT Forward contract – financial asset £23,450 Other comprehensive income £23,450 To recognise the increase in the fair value of the forward contract financial asset and to recognise the gain on the forward contract in other comprehensive income. It is recognised in its entirety in other comprehensive income (ie, no part is recognised in profit or loss) as there is no ineffectiveness as the increase in the fair value of the forward contract (the hedging instrument) is less than the change in the fair value of the future cash flows (the hedged item) (IFRS 9 para 6.5.8). DEBIT CREDIT Cash £43,994 Forward contract £43,994 To recognise the settlement of the forward contract at its fair value by receipt of cash from the counterparty. DEBIT CREDIT Purchases £354,409 Cash £354,409 Being the settlement of the firm commitment (inventory purchase) at the contracted price of $500,000 at the spot rate on 15 December 20X1 ($500,000/1.4108). DEBIT CREDIT Other comprehensive income Purchases £43,994 £43,994 To remove the firm commitment from other comprehensive income and adjust the carrying amount of the inventory resulting from the hedged transaction. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 395 Discussion of financial reporting differences Year ending 31 July 20X1 No hedge No hedge accounting Fair value hedge Cash flow hedge £ £ £ £ – 20,544 20,544 – SPLOCI Profit or loss (20,545) Other comprehensive income – – – 20,544 Financial asset – 20,544 20,544 20,544 Inventory – – – – Cash – – – – Retained earnings – 20,544 – – Hedging reserve – – – 20,544 Firm commitment – – 20,545 – SOFP Year ending 31 July 20X2 No hedge No hedge accounting Fair value hedge Cash flow hedge £ £ £ £ – 23,450 23,450 – SPLOCI Profit or loss (23,459) Other comprehensive income – – – Note (2) SOFP Financial asset Inventory Cash – 354,409 (354,409) Note (1) Note (1) Note (1) 354,409 354,409 (44,004) (43,994) (354,409) (354,409) (354,409) 43,994 43,994 43,994 354,409 Retained earnings – 43,994 – – Hedging reserve – – – Note (2) Firm commitment – – 44,004 – (44,004) Notes 1 The financial asset increases to £43,994 before being settled for cash. 2 Other comprehensive income and the hedging reserve each increase to £43,994 before being recycled into inventory. 396 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Tutorial Note The notes below are more detailed than would be expected from even the best candidates. The purpose of hedging is to enter into a transaction (eg, buying a derivative) where the derivative’s cash flows or fair value (the hedging instrument) are expected to move wholly or partly, in an inverse direction to the cash flows or fair value of the position being hedged (the hedged item). The two elements of the hedge (the hedged item and the hedging instrument) are therefore matched and are interrelated with each other in economic terms. Overall, the impact of hedge accounting is to reflect this underlying intention of the matched nature of the hedge agreement in the financial statements. Hedge accounting therefore aims that the two elements of the hedge should be treated symmetrically and offsetting gains and losses (of the hedge item and the hedging instrument) are reported in profit or loss in the same periods. Normal accounting treatment rules of recognition and measurement may not achieve this and hence may result in an accounting mismatch and earnings volatility, which would not reflect the underlying commercial intention or effects of linking the two hedge elements which offset and mitigate risks. For example, typically, derivatives are measured at fair value through profit or loss; whereas the items they hedge are measured at cost or are not measured at all (eg, a firm commitment in the case of the Chinese contract). Hedge accounting rules are therefore required, subject to satisfying hedge accounting conditions. In the case of the Chinese contract, the forward rate hedge attempts to lock Tydaway into the contractual price of £310,405 ($500,000/1.6108). This reflects the US$ price at the exchange rate at the time of the contract at the spot rate at the original contract date. In the absence of hedging, the inventory cost would be higher at £354,409 ($500,000/1.4108) reflecting the movement in the spot rate by the settlement date (according to the scenario in the working assumptions). This would be reflected in a higher cost of sales in the year ended 31 July 20X2 and therefore lower reported profit, due to the exchange loss, than would have been the case with hedging. With hedging, but without hedge accounting, the inventory would still be recognised at £354,409, but there would now be a gain on the forward contract derivative. This overall gain of £43,994 would be recognised through profit or loss entirely separately from the inventory purchase contract without trying to match the two elements of the hedge transaction in the same period. The gain on the derivative is split between the two accounting periods according to when the gain arose (£20,544 in the year ending 31 July 20X1; and £23,450 in the year ending 31 July 20X2). The earnings therefore would be inflated in the year ended 31 July 20X1 by the £20,544 gain. Earnings would be deflated in the year ended 31 July 20X2 as the higher inventory cost of £44,004 in cost of sales would only be partially offset by the derivative gain of £23,450, resulting in earnings volatility. Fair value hedge accounting attempts to reflect the use of the forward rate derivative (the hedging instrument) to hedge against fair value movements in inventories arising from foreign exchange movements (the hedged item). To do this, movements in the derivative, in the year ending 31 July 20X1, go through profit or loss and are recognised in the statement of financial position as a financial asset. The treatment of the firm commitment (the hedged item), in order to match the treatment of the hedging instrument, is also recognised through profit or loss and as a liability in the SOFP in order to avoid a mismatch. (A firm commitment would not, in the absence of hedge accounting, satisfy normal recognition criteria and so would not normally be recognised.) The small ineffective element for Tydaway represents the net difference in the movements of the fair values of the hedged item and the hedging instrument and is recognised through profit or loss in accordance with IFRS 9 para 6.5.8. On settlement, the firm commitment is offset against the inventory cost to reflect the inventory price that the futures contract originally tried to lock in. Cash flow hedge accounting attempts to reflect the use of the forward rate derivative to hedge against future cash flow movements from inventory purchases arising from foreign exchange movements. To do this, movements in the derivative, in the year ending 31 July 20X1, which would normally go through profit or loss, are recognised in other comprehensive income. The other comprehensive income balance (including further movements in 20X2 in the forward exchange derivative) is recycled to profit or loss in the same period in which the hedged firm commitment (the Chinese contract) affects profit or loss. (This may be regarded as superior to fair value hedge accounting as it avoids the need to recognise a firm commitment, which would not be recognised in any other circumstances.) In this case, this is in the year ending 31 July 20X2 when the contract is ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 397 settled and the hedging gain is recognised as part of the inventory assets (basis adjustment) which in turn affects cost of sales and profit in the period. The offset against the carrying amount of the inventory resulting from the hedged transaction is to reflect the inventory price and ultimate cash flows that the futures contract originally tried to lock into. Note that under cash flow hedge accounting, the increase in the fair value of the future cash flows (the hedged item) of £20,545 is not recognised in the financial statements. However, as it exceeds the change in the fair value of the forward (the hedging instrument) it is fully effective (IFRS 9 para 6.5.11). This is because the separate component of equity associated with the hedged item is limited to the lesser of: the gain/loss on the hedging instrument; and the change in fair value of the hedged item (IFRS 9 para 6.5.11). Documentation For audit purposes and to meet the requirements of IFRS 9, we would expect the following documentation to be available: • Details of the risk management objectives and the strategy for undertaking the hedge • Identification and description of the hedging instrument (forward contract) • Details of the hedged item or transaction (payable settled in $) • Nature of the risk being hedged (exchange rate changes £:$) • Description of how Tydaway will assess the hedging instrument’s effectiveness 22 Wadi Investments Marking guide Report describing, explaining and quantifying required accounting treatment of: Acquisition of Strobosch Additional audit procedures Change of use of asset Audit procedures Points for instruction letter Loan to Strobosch Hedging of net investment Marks Available Marks 7 5 6 5 8 4 8 43 Maximum 40 Total 40 Report: Audit of Wadi Investment Group Audit of parent company Acquisition of Strobosch We need to consider whether Strobosch is a subsidiary. The acquisition of an 80% stake in the equity of Strobosch strongly suggests that Wadi has control of the entity, and provided there are no indications to the contrary as listed in IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements the investment should be treated as a subsidiary. On this basis the purchase consideration will be accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations. Cost of investment in the books of Wadi The cost of the investment does not appear to have been calculated correctly. IFRS 3 requires that the initial investment in the subsidiary is recorded in Wadi’s statement of financial position at the fair value of the consideration transferred. • Under IFRS 3 costs relating to the acquisition must be recognised as an expense at the time of the acquisition. They are not regarded as an asset. The RR23 million legal costs and the £2 million internal costs incurred by Wadi’s M&A team must therefore both be expensed. The RR23 million should be translated at the rate ruling at the date of acquisition. 398 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 • IFRS 3 requires that costs of issuing debt or equity are to be accounted for under the rules of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. The £6 million transaction costs associated with the issue of the debentures must therefore be written off against the carrying amount of the debentures and expensed over the life of the debentures using the IRR%. Based on the above the investment should initially have been accounted for as follows: £m DEBIT Consideration transferred (675 + 360) 1,035 DEBIT Profit or loss for the year (2 + (23 × 0.45)) 12 £m CREDIT Cash (675 + 2 + 6 + (23 × 0.45)) 693 CREDIT Non-current liability: Debentures (360 – 6) 354 The following journal is therefore required to correct the investment: £m DEBIT Profit or loss for the year 12 DEBIT Non-current liability: Debentures 6 CREDIT Investment in Strobosch £m 18 At the year end, the debentures must be measured at amortised cost (W1). • The interest expense of £16 million, determined by the IRR of 4.42%, should be charged to profit or loss for the year. • The coupon of 4% for the six-month period is the amount actually paid. • The debenture is therefore recognised at £356 million. The following adjustment is required: £m DEBIT Interest expense £m 16 CREDIT Cash 14 CREDIT Debenture 2 Audit procedures The following additional procedures are required: • Details of the consideration paid for the investment should be agreed to the purchase agreement. • The purchase agreement should also be reviewed to determine that there is no additional consideration to be paid. • The number of shares purchased should be agreed to the sale agreement to confirm the 80% holding and the details should be reviewed to determine that Wadi does have control of Strobosch. • Ownership of the shares should be confirmed by examination of share certificates. • Confirm the nature of costs detailed as issue costs of the debenture to ensure that they should not be written off to profit or loss. • Confirm where the IRR of 4.42% has been obtained from and the basis on which it has been calculated. • Discuss with management the way in which the costs of the internal team have been allocated to the acquisition to agree appropriate treatment is applied. • Agree legal costs to invoices. • Discuss adjustments required to the investment and the debenture with management to determine whether they will be made. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 399 Change of use of non-current asset IAS 40, Investment Property requires that property that is held to earn rental or capital appreciation or both, rather than for ordinary use by the business, must be recognised as investment property. Hence the head office in London must be reclassified from Property, plant and equipment to Investment property in the statement of financial position. The asset must be accounted for under IAS 16, Property, Plant and Equipment up to the date of change in use, and any difference between its carrying amount and its fair value at this date must be dealt with as a revaluation in accordance with this same standard. The carrying amount of the asset at 15 March 20X9, the date of change in use, was £108 million (W2a), hence the £16 million uplift to its fair value of £124 million at this date should have been recognised in OCI and as a revaluation surplus. The accounting treatment of the asset from this date is governed by IAS 40 and, as the company applies a fair value policy to its investment property, no further depreciation should have been charged on this asset from 15 March 20X9. At the year end, the £4 million uplift to the new fair value of £128 million (W2a) should have been credited to profit or loss for the year. By continuing to record the asset in Property, plant and equipment, the asset has continued to be depreciated and hence excess depreciation of £1 million (W2b) must be added back to the group’s profits. The revaluation surplus of £21 million (128m – 107m, W2b) has been recognised in the revaluation reserve, meaning that profit for the year is understated by £5 million (21m – 16m). A further adjustment must be made to recognise the gain on remeasurement of £4 million. Audit procedures • Agree original cost and confirm depreciation policy. • Check that fair values have been calculated in accordance with IFRS 13. • Check basis on which the fair values have been calculated. Current prices in an active market should be available for this type of asset. • Agree valuations to valuer’s certificates. • Confirm the date that the office was vacated. • Review details of the rental agreement to confirm terms ie, occupier is not a company connected to Wadi and rent has been negotiated at arm’s length. • Reperform calculations to confirm the net book value at the date of change of use. • Discuss adjustments required to remove the asset from property, plant and equipment with management to determine whether management is willing to make these. • Confirm that disclosure is adequate ie, disclosure of the policy and a reconciliation of the carrying amount of the investment property at the beginning and end of the period. Audit of the consolidation Points to be included in the letter of instruction The following points should be included: Matters that are relevant to the planning of the work of Kale & Co: • A request that the component auditor will cooperate with our firm. • Timetable for completing the audit. • Dates of planned visits by group management and our team, and dates of planned meetings with Strobosch’s management and Kale & Co. • The work to be performed by Kale & Co, the use to be made of that work and arrangements for coordinating efforts. • Ethical requirements relevant to the group audit, particularly regarding independence. • Component materiality and the threshold above which misstatements cannot be regarded as clearly trivial. • A list of related parties. • Work to be performed on intra-group transactions and balances. • Guidance on other statutory reporting responsibilities. 400 Corporate Reporting ICAEW 2022 Matters relevant to the conduct of the work of Kale & Co: • The findings of our tests of control of a processing system that is common for all components, and tests of controls to be performed by Kale & Co. • Identified risks of material misstatement of the group financial statements, due to fraud or error, that are relevant to Kale & Co’s work, and a request that Kale & Co communicates on a timely basis any other significant risks of material misstatement of the group financial statements, due to fraud or error, identified in Strobosch and Kale & Co’s response to such risks. • The findings of internal audit. • A request for timely communication of audit evidence obtained from performing work on the financial information of Strobosch that contradicts the audit evidence on which the team originally based the risk assessment performed at group level. • A request for a written representation on Strobosch’s management’s compliance with the applicable financial reporting framework. • Matters to be documented by Kale & Co. Other matters: • A request that the following be communicated on a timely basis: – Significant accounting, financial reporting and auditing matters – Matters relating to going concern – Matters relating to litigation and claims – Significant deficiencies in internal control and information that indicates the existence of fraud We should also request that Kale & Co communicate matters relevant to our conclusion with regard to the group audit when they have completed their work on Strobosch. Loan to Strobosch The loan to Strobosch represents an intra-group item. On consolidation the non-current liability must be cancelled against the matching financial asset of Wadi. The intra-group loan of £200 million must be translated into RR at the spot rate. It has been recorded as a non-current liability in the books of Strobosch at RR444 million (£200m/0.45). As a monetary liability, retranslation to the closing rate at the year end is required to give a liability of RR426 million (£200m/0.47) and an exchange gain in the books of Strobosch of RR18 million. We must confirm that the financial statements of Strobosch included in the consolidation schedule reflect the adjustments above. We should confirm that the intra-group balances agree and that the cancellation has been reflected in the adjustments column of the consolidation schedule. Hedging of net investment There is a risk that hedging provisions have been adopted inappropriately. IFRS 9, Financial Instruments states that the use of a foreign currency loan to hedge an overseas investment can only be used where strict conditions are met: • The hedging relationship consists only of eligible hedging instruments and eligible hedged items – we could seek the services of a suitably qualified expert in this field to ensure this condition has been met. • At the inception of the hedging relationship there is formal designation and documentation of the hedging relationship and the entity’s risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. We would need to confirm that the hedge has been formally designated as such and check that the following have been documented: – Identification of the hedging instrument ie, the loans. – The hedged item ie, the net investment in Strobosch. – Details of how hedge effectiveness is to be determined. – Statement of the entity’s risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. ICAEW 2022 Audit and integrated 1 401 • The hedging relationship meets all of the hedge effectiveness requirements of IFRS 9, namely (IFRS 9 para 6.4.1(c)): – there is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument; – the effect of credit risk does not dominate the value changes that result from that economic relationship; and – the hedge ratio of the hedging relationship is the same as that actually used in the economic hedge. – Based on the information there does appear to be an economic relationship. – The gain on the translation of the net investment in Strobosch is 80% × 41m = £33 million (W3). – The exchange loss on the hedging loans is £36 million. Hence the hedge is effective and hedge accounting rules may be applied provided that the other conditions have also been met. Assuming the conditions have been met we must confirm that the following accounting treatment has been adopted: • The portion of loss on the loans that is determined to be an effective hedge, £33 million, should be recognised directly in equity to offset the gain on the translation of the subsidiary. • The ineffective portion of the exchange difference on the loans, a loss of £3 million, should be recognised in profit or loss for the year. If we conclude that the hedging provisions of IFRS 9 have not been met an audit adjustment will be required. The exchange loss on the loans would be charged to profit or loss for the year and the gain on the subsidiary to the foreign currency reserve. WORKINGS (1) Debenture £m Initial measurement (360 – 6) 354 Interest for 6 months @ 4.42% 16 Coupon paid (8% × 360 × 6/12) (14) Year end balance 356 (2) Correction of investment property Correct treatment Date 3 April 20X6 30 June 20X7 30 June 20X7 30 June 20X8 15 March 20X9 15 March 20X9 £m Initial measurement Depreciation (90 × 15/600) 30 June 20X9 402 Corporate Reporting (2.250) Carrying amount 87.750 Revaluation to FV 112 Depreciation (112 × 12/585) (2.297) Depreciation (112 × 8/585) (1.532) Carrying amount Gain on revaluation (OCI and revaluation surplus) 15 March 20X9 90 108.171 15.829 Revaluation to FV 124 Gain on remeasurement (profit or loss) 4 Revaluation to FV 128 ICAEW 2022 Current treatment Date £m 15 March 20X9 30 June 20X9 Carrying amount 108 Depreciation (112 × 4/585) 30 June 20X9 (1) Carrying amount 107 Gain on revaluation (to revaluation reserve) 30 June 20X9 21 Revaluation to FV 128 (3) Foreign currency reserve £m Opening net assets: RR1,865m @ Closing rate 0.47 877 @ Opening rate 0.45 839 38 Retained earnings: 280 + gain on loan 18 = RR298m @ Closing rate 0.47 140 @ Average rate 0.46 137 3 Gain on retranslation of Strobosch 41 23 Lyght Marking guide Concerns of ethics partner New IT system Inventories Sale of tyres Leased buildings Asset treated as held for sale Receivables Marks Available Marks 8 8 5 6 6 7 7 47 Maximum 40 Total 40 To: Gary Orton From: A Senior Date: 11 May 20X8 S