ISA (NZ) 706 (Revised)

Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor's Report

Mandatory Date:
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Statement of Authority

 

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ON AUDITING (NEW ZEALAND) 706 (REVISED)

Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor’s Report ISA (NZ) 706 (Revised)

This Standard was issued on 1 October 2015 by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of the External Reporting Board pursuant to section 12(b) of the Financial Reporting Act 2013.

This Standard is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012, and pursuant to section 27(1) of the Financial Reporting Act 2013 takes effect on 28 October 2015.

An auditor that is required to apply this Standard is required to apply it for audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after 15 December 2016. However, early adoption is permitted.

In finalising this Standard, the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board has carried out appropriate consultation in accordance with section 22(1) of the Financial Reporting Act 2013.

This Standard has been issued as a result of International Standard on Auditing 706 being revised. This Standard, when applied, supersedes International Standard on Auditing (New Zealand) 706

Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor’s Report.

This compilation was prepared in June 2023 and incorporates amendments up to and including May 2023.

 

Copyright

© External Reporting Board (“XRB”) 2015

This XRB standard contains copyright material and reproduces, with the permission of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), parts of the corresponding international standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (“IAASB”), and published by IFAC. Reproduction within New Zealand in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non-commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source.

Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes within New Zealand should be addressed to the Chief Executive, External Reporting Board at the following email address: enquiries@xrb.govt.nz

All existing rights (including copyrights) in this material outside of New Zealand are reserved by IFAC, with the exception of the right to reproduce for the purposes of personal use or other fair dealing. Further information can be obtained from IFAC at www.ifac.org or by writing to permissions@ifac.org

ISBN 978-1-927292-86-0

 

How to read this Standard

International Standard on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISA (NZ)) 706 (Revised), Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor’s Report, should be read in conjunction with ISA (NZ) 200, Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand).

Table of pronouncements – ISA (NZ) 706 (Revised) Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor’s Report

This table lists the pronouncements establishing and amending ISA (NZ) 706 (Revised).

Pronouncements

Date approved

Effective date

International Standard on Auditing (New Zealand) 706 (Revised)

September 2015

Effective for audits of historical financial statements for periods ending on or after 15 December 2016.

Conforming Amendments to Auditing and Assurance Standards as a result of the revised Professional and Ethical Standard 1

June 2020

Effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after 15 July 2020.

Conforming and Consequential Amendments to ISAs (NZ) and Other Pronouncements arising from ISA (NZ) 600 (Revised)

June 2022

Effective for audits of group financial statements for periods beginning on or after 15 December 2023.

Amendments to Auditing and Review Engagement Standards as a Result of the Revisions to Financial Reporting Standards

May 2023

Mandatory date of 1 January 2023.

 

Table of Amended Paragraphs in ISA (NZ) 706 (Revised)

Paragraph affected

How affected

By…[date]

Appendix 3, 4

Amended

Conforming Amendments to Auditing and Assurance Standards as a result of the revised Professional and Ethical Standard 1 [June 2020]

Appendix 3, 4,

Footnote 1

Amended

Conforming and Consequential Amendments to ISAs (NZ) and Other Pronouncements arising from

ISA (NZ) 600 (Revised) [June 2022]

Appendix 3, 4

Amended

Amendments to Auditing and Review Engagement Standards as a Result of the Revisions to Financial Reporting Standards [May 2023]

Scope of this ISA (NZ)

1. This International Standard on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISA (NZ)) deals with additional communication in the auditor’s report when the auditor considers it necessary to:

  1. Draw users’ attention to a matter or matters presented or disclosed in the financial statements that are of such importance that they are fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements; or

  2. Draw users’ attention to any matter or matters other than those presented or disclosed in the financial statements that are relevant to users’ understanding of the audit, the auditor’s responsibilities or the auditor’s report.

2. ISA (NZ) 7011 establishes requirements and provides guidance when the auditor determines key audit matters and communicates them in the auditor’s report. When the auditor includes a Key Audit Matters section in the auditor’s report, this ISA (NZ) addresses the relationship between key audit matters and any additional communication in the auditor’s report in accordance with this ISA (NZ). (Ref: Para. A1– A3)

3. ISA (NZ) 570 (Revised)2 and ISA (NZ) 720 (Revised)3 establish requirements and provides guidance about communication in the auditor’s report relating to going concern and other information, respectively.

4. Appendices 1 and 2 identify ISAs (NZ) that contain specific requirements for the auditor to include Emphasis of Matter paragraphs or Other Matter paragraphs in the auditor’s report. In those circumstances, the requirements in this ISA (NZ) regarding the form of such paragraphs apply. (Ref: Para. A4)

Effective Date

5. This ISA (NZ) is effective for audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after 15 December 2016.

NZ5.1 This ISA (NZ) supersedes ISA (NZ) 706, Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor’s Report.

1 ISA (NZ) 701, Communicating Key Audit Matters in the Independent Auditor’s Report

2 ISA (NZ) 570 (Revised), Going Concern

3 ISA (NZ) 720 (Revised), The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Other Information.

6. The objective of the auditor, having formed an opinion on the financial statements, is to draw users’ attention, when in the auditor’s judgement it is necessary to do so, by way of clear additional communication in the auditor’s report, to:

  1. A matter, although appropriately presented or disclosed in the financial statements, that is of such importance that it is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements; or

  2. As appropriate, any other matter that is relevant to users’ understanding of the audit, the auditor’s responsibilities or the auditor’s report

7. For purposes of the ISAs (NZ), the following terms have the meanings attributed below:

  1. Emphasis of Matter paragraph – A paragraph included in the auditor’s report that refers to a matter appropriately presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor’s judgement, is of such importance that it is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements.

  2. Other Matter paragraph – A paragraph included in the auditor’s report that refers to a matter other than those presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor’s judgement, is relevant to users’ understanding of the audit, the auditor’s responsibilities or the auditor’s report.

Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs in the Auditor’s Report

8. If the auditor considers it necessary to draw users’ attention to a matter presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor’s judgement, is of such importance that it is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements, the auditor shall include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report provided: (Ref: Para. A5– A6)

  1. The auditor would not be required to modify the opinion in accordance with ISA (NZ) 705 (Revised)4 as a result of the matter; and

  2. When ISA (NZ) 701 applies, the matter has not been determined to be a key audit matter to be communicated in the auditor’s report. (Ref: Para. A1–A3)

9. When the auditor includes an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report, the auditor shall:

  1. Include the paragraph within a separate section of the auditor’s report with an appropriate heading that includes the term “Emphasis of Matter”;

  2. Include in the paragraph a clear reference to the matter being emphasised and to where relevant disclosures that fully describe the matter can be found in the financial statements. The paragraph shall refer only to information presented or disclosed in the financial statements; and

  3. Indicate that the auditor’s opinion is not modified in respect of the matter emphasised. (Ref: Para. A7–A8, A16–A17)

Other Matter Paragraphs in the Auditor’s Report

10. If the auditor considers it necessary to communicate a matter other than those that are presented or disclosed in the financial statements that, in the auditor’s judgement, is relevant to users’ understanding of the audit, the auditor’s responsibilities or the auditor’s report, the auditor shall include an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report, provided:

  1. This is not prohibited by law or regulation; and

  2. When ISA (NZ) 701 applies, the matter has not been determined to be a key audit matter to be communicated in the auditor’s report. (Ref: Para. A9–A14)

11. When the auditor includes an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report, the auditor shall include the paragraph within a separate section with the heading “Other Matter,” or other appropriate heading. (Ref: Para. A15–A17)

Communication with Those Charged with Governance

12. If the auditor expects to include an Emphasis of Matter or an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report, the auditor shall communicate with those charged with governance regarding this expectation and the wording of this paragraph. (Ref: Para. A18)

4 ISA (NZ) 705 (Revised), Modifications to the Opinion in the Independent Auditor’s Report

The Relationship between Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Key Audit Matters in the Auditor’s Report (Ref: Para. 2, 8(b))

A1. Key audit matters are defined in ISA (NZ) 701 as those matters that, in the auditor’s professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period. Key audit matters are selected from matters communicated with those charged with governance, which include significant findings from the audit of the financial statements of the current period.5 Communicating key audit matters provides additional information to intended users of the financial statements to assist them in understanding those matters that, in the auditor’s professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit and may also assist them in understanding the entity and areas of significant management judgement in the audited financial statements. When ISA (NZ) 701 applies, the use of Emphasis of Matter paragraphs is not a substitute for a description of individual key audit matters.

A2. Matters that are determined to be key audit matters in accordance with ISA (NZ) 701 may also be, in the auditor’s judgement, fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements. In such cases, in communicating the matter as a key audit matter in accordance with ISA (NZ) 701, the auditor may wish to highlight or draw further attention to its relative importance. The auditor may do so by presenting the matter more prominently than other matters in the Key Audit Matters section (e.g., as the first matter) or by including additional information in the description of the key audit matter to indicate the importance of the matter to users’ understanding of the financial statements.

A3. There may be a matter that is not determined to be a key audit matter in accordance with ISA (NZ) 701 (i.e., because it did not require significant auditor attention), but which, in the auditor’s judgement, is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements (e.g., a subsequent event). If the auditor considers it necessary to draw users’ attention to such a matter, the matter is included in an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report in accordance with this ISA (NZ).

Circumstances in Which an Emphasis of Matter Paragraph May Be Necessary (Ref: Para. 4, 8)

A4. Appendix 1 identifies ISAs (NZ) that contain specific requirements for the auditor to include Emphasis of Matter paragraphs in the auditor’s report in certain circumstances. These circumstances include:

  • When a financial reporting framework prescribed by law or regulation would be unacceptable but for the fact that it is prescribed by law or regulation.

  • To alert users that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a special purpose framework.

  • When facts become known to the auditor after the date of the auditor’s report and the auditor provides a new or amended auditor’s report (i.e., subsequent events).6

A5. Examples of circumstances where the auditor may consider it necessary to include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph are:

  • An uncertainty relating to the future outcome of exceptional litigation or regulatory action.

  • A significant subsequent event that occurs between the date of the financial statements and the date of the auditor’s report.7

  • Early application (where permitted) of a new accounting standard that has a material effect on the financial statements.

  • A major catastrophe that has had, or continues to have, a significant effect on the entity’s financial position.

A6. However, a widespread use of Emphasis of Matter paragraphs may diminish the effectiveness of the auditor’s communication about such matters.

Including an Emphasis of Matter Paragraph in the Auditor’s Report (Ref: Para. 9)

A7. The inclusion of an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report does not affect the auditor’s opinion. An Emphasis of Matter paragraph is not a substitute for:

  1. A modified opinion in accordance with ISA (NZ) 705 (Revised) when required by the circumstances of a specific audit engagement;

  2. Disclosures in the financial statements that the applicable financial reporting framework requires management to make, or that are otherwise necessary to achieve fair presentation; or

  3. Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 570 (Revised)8 when a material uncertainty exists relating to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

A8. Paragraphs A16–A17 provide further guidance on the placement of Emphasis of Matter paragraphs in particular circumstances.

Other Matter Paragraphs in the Auditor’s Report (Ref: Para. 10–11)

Circumstances in Which an Other Matter Paragraph May Be Necessary Relevant to Users’ Understanding of the Audit

A9. ISA (NZ) 260 (Revised) requires the auditor to communicate with those charged with governance about the planned scope and timing of the audit, which includes communication about the significant risks identified by the auditor.9 Although matters relating to significant risks may be determined to be key audit matters, other planning and scoping matters (e.g., the planned scope of the audit, or the application of materiality in the context of the audit) are unlikely to be key audit matters because of how key audit matters are defined in ISA (NZ) 701. However, law or regulation may require the auditor to communicate about planning and scoping matters in the auditor’s report, or the auditor may consider it necessary to communicate about such matters in an Other Matter paragraph.

A10. In the rare circumstance where the auditor is unable to withdraw from an engagement even though the possible effect of an inability to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence due to a limitation on the scope of the audit imposed by management is pervasive,10 the auditor may consider it necessary to include an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report to explain why it is not possible for the auditor to withdraw from the engagement.

Relevant to Users’ Understanding of the Auditor’s Responsibilities or the Auditor’s Report

A11. Law, regulation or generally accepted practice may require or permit the auditor to elaborate on matters that provide further explanation of the auditor’s responsibilities in the audit of the financial statements or of the auditor’s report thereon. When the Other Matter section includes more than one matter that, in the auditor’s judgement, is relevant to users’ understanding of the audit, the auditor’s responsibilities or the auditor’s report, it may be helpful to use different sub-headings for each matter.

A12. An Other Matter paragraph does not deal with circumstances where the auditor has other reporting responsibilities that are in addition to the auditor’s responsibility under the ISAs

  1. (see Other Reporting Responsibilities section in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised)11), or where the auditor has been asked to perform and report on additional specified procedures, or to express an opinion on specific matters.

Reporting on more than one set of financial statements

A13. An entity may prepare one set of financial statements in accordance with a general purpose framework (e.g., the appropriate accounting standards in New Zealand) and another set of financial statements in accordance with another general purpose framework (e.g., International Financial Reporting Standards), and engage the auditor to report on both sets of financial statements. If the auditor has determined that the frameworks are acceptable in the respective circumstances, the auditor may include an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report, referring to the fact that another set of financial statements has been prepared by the same entity in accordance with another general purpose framework and that the auditor has issued a report on those financial statements.

Restriction on distribution or use of the auditor’s report

A14. Financial statements prepared for a specific purpose may be prepared in accordance with a general purpose framework because the intended users have determined that such general purpose financial statements meet their financial information needs. Since the auditor’s report is intended for specific users, the auditor may consider it necessary in the circumstances to include an Other Matter paragraph, stating that the auditor’s report is intended solely for the intended users, and should not be distributed to or used by other parties.

Including an Other Matter Paragraph in the Auditor’s Report

A15. The content of an Other Matter paragraph reflects clearly that such other matter is not required to be presented and disclosed in the financial statements. An Other Matter paragraph does not include information that the auditor is prohibited from providing by law, regulation or other professional standards, for example, ethical standards relating to confidentiality of information. An Other Matter paragraph also does not include information that is required to be provided by management.

Placement of Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Auditor’s Report (Ref: Para. 9, 11)

A16. The placement of an Emphasis of Matter paragraph or Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report depends on the nature of the information to be communicated, and the auditor’s judgement as to the relative significance of such information to intended users compared to other elements required to be reported in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised). For example:

Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs

  • When the Emphasis of Matter paragraph relates to the applicable financial reporting framework, including circumstances where the auditor determines that the financial reporting framework prescribed by law or regulation would otherwise be unacceptable,12 the auditor may consider it necessary to place the paragraph immediately following the Basis of Opinion section to provide appropriate context to the auditor’s opinion.

  • When a Key Audit Matters section is presented in the auditor’s report, an Emphasis of Matter paragraph may be presented either directly before or after the Key Audit Matters section, based on the auditor’s judgement as to the relative significance of the information included in the Emphasis of Matter paragraph. The auditor may also add further context to the heading “Emphasis of Matter”, such as “Emphasis of Matter – Subsequent Event”, to differentiate the Emphasis of Matter paragraph from the individual matters described in the Key Audit Matters section.

Other Matter Paragraphs

  • When a Key Audit Matters section is presented in the auditor’s report and an Other Matter paragraph is also considered necessary, the auditor may add further context to the heading “Other Matter”, such as “Other Matter – Scope of the Audit”, to differentiate the Other Matter paragraph from the individual matters described in the Key Audit Matters section.

  • When an Other Matter paragraph is included to draw users’ attention to a matter relating to Other Reporting Responsibilities addressed in the auditor’s report, the paragraph may be included in the Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements section.

  • When relevant to all the auditor’s responsibilities or users’ understanding of the auditor’s report, the Other Matter paragraph may be included as a separate section following the Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements and the Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements.

A17. Appendix 3 is an illustration of the interaction between the Key Audit Matters section, an Emphasis of Matter paragraph and an Other Matter paragraph when all are presented in the auditor’s report. The illustrative report in Appendix 4 includes an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in an auditor’s report for an entity other than a FMC reporting entity considered to have a higher level of public accountability that contains a qualified opinion and for which key audit matters have not been communicated.

Communication with Those Charged with Governance (Ref. Para. 12)

A18. The communication required by paragraph 12 enables those charged with governance to be made aware of the nature of any specific matters that the auditor intends to highlight in the auditor’s report, and provides them with an opportunity to obtain further clarification from the auditor where necessary. Where the inclusion of an Other Matter paragraph on a particular matter in the auditor’s report recurs on each successive engagement, the auditor may determine that it is unnecessary to repeat the communication on each engagement, unless otherwise required to do so by law or regulation.

6ISA (NZ) 560, Subsequent Events, paragraphs 12(b) and 16

7ISA (NZ) 560, paragraph 6

8ISA (NZ) 570 (Revised), paragraphs 22–23

9ISA (NZ) 260 (Revised), paragraph 15

10See paragraph 13(b)(ii) of ISA (NZ) 705 (Revised) for a discussion of this circumstance.

11ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised), Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements, paragraphs 43–45

12For example, as required by ISA (NZ) 210, Agreeing the Terms of Audit Engagements, paragraph 19 and ISA (NZ) 800 (Revised), Special Considerations—Audits of Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with Special Purpose Frameworks, paragraph 14

(Ref: Para. 4, A4)

List of ISAs (NZ) Containing Requirements for Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs

This appendix identifies paragraphs in other ISAs (NZ) that require the auditor to include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report in certain circumstances. The list is not a substitute for considering the requirements and related application and other explanatory material in ISAs (NZ).

  • ISA (NZ) 210, Agreeing the Terms of Audit Engagements – paragraph 19(b)

  • ISA (NZ) 560, Subsequent Events – paragraphs 12(b) and 16

  • ISA (NZ) 800, Special Considerations—Audits of Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with Special Purpose Frameworks – paragraph 14

(Ref: Para. 4)

List of ISAs (NZ) Containing Requirements for Other Matter Paragraphs

This appendix identifies paragraphs in other ISAs (NZ) that require the auditor to include an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report in certain circumstances. The list is not a substitute for considering the requirements and related application and other explanatory material in ISAs (NZ).

  • ISA (NZ) 560, Subsequent Events – paragraphs 12(b) and 16

  • ISA (NZ) 710, Comparative Information—Corresponding Figures and Comparative Financial Statements – paragraphs 13–14, 16–17 and 19

  • ISA (NZ) 720 (Revised), The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Other Information in Documents Containing Audited Financial Statements – paragraph 10(a)

(Ref: Para. A17)

Illustration of an Auditor’s Report that Includes a Key Audit Matters Section, an Emphasis of Matter Paragraph, and an Other Matter Paragraph

For purposes of this illustrative auditor’s report, the following circumstances are assumed:

  • Audit of a complete set of financial statements of a FMC reporting entity considered to have a higher level of public accountability using a fair presentation framework. The audit is not a group audit (i.e., ISA (NZ) 600 (Revised)1 does not apply).

  • The financial statements are prepared by management of the entity in accordance with New Zealand equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS) (a general purpose framework).

  • The terms of the audit engagement reflect the description of the responsibilities of those charged with governance for the financial statements in ISA (NZ) 210.

  • The auditor has concluded an unmodified (i.e., “clean”) opinion is appropriate based on the audit evidence obtained.

  • Professional and Ethical Standard 1 International Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence Standards) (New Zealand) comprises all relevant ethical requirements that apply to the audit.

  • Based on the audit evidence obtained, the auditor has concluded that a material uncertainty does not exist related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern in accordance with ISA (NZ) 570 (Revised).

  • Between the date of the financial statements and the date of the auditor’s report, there was a fire in the entity’s production facilities, which was disclosed by the entity as a subsequent event. In the auditor’s judgement, the matter is of such importance that it is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements. The matter did not require significant auditor attention in the audit of the financial statements in the current period.

  • Key audit matters have been communicated in accordance with ISA (NZ) 701.

  • The auditor has obtained all of the other information prior to the date of the auditor’s report and has not identified a material misstatement of the other information.

  • Corresponding figures are presented, and the prior period’s financial statements were audited by a predecessor auditor. The auditor is not prohibited by law or regulation from referring to the predecessor auditor’s report on the corresponding figures and has decided to do so.

  • In addition to the audit of the financial statements, the auditor has other reporting responsibilities required under local law.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the Shareholders of ABC Company [or Other Appropriate Addressee]

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements2

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of ABC Company (the Company), which comprise the statement of financial position as at December 31, 20X1, and the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policy information.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, (or give a true and fair view of) the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 20X1, and (of) its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with New Zealand equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS).

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISAs (NZ)). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1 International Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence Standards) (New Zealand) issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Other than in our capacity as auditor we have no relationship with, or interests in, the Company.

Emphasis of Matter3

We draw attention to Note X of the financial statements, which describes the effects of a fire in the Company’s production facilities. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

[Description of each key audit matter in accordance with ISA (NZ) 701.]

Other Matter

The financial statements of ABC Company for the year ended December 31, 20X0, were audited by another auditor who expressed an unmodified opinion on those statements on March 31, 20X1.

Other Information [or another title if appropriate such as “Information Other than the Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report Thereon”]

[Reporting in accordance with the reporting requirements in ISA (NZ) 720 (Revised)-see Illustration 1 in Appendix 2 of ISA (NZ) 720 (Revised).]

Directors’ Responsibilities for the Financial Statements4

[Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised) – see Illustration 1 in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised).]

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

[Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised) – see Illustration 1 in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised).]

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

[Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised) – see Illustration 1 in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised).]

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is [name]. [Signature in the name of the audit firm, the personal name of the auditor, or both, as appropriate] [Auditor Address]

[Date]

1 ISA (NZ) 600 (Revised), Special Considerations—Audits of Group Financial Statements (Including the Work of Component Auditors)

2The sub-title “Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements” is unnecessary in circumstances when the second sub-title “Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements” is not applicable.

3As noted in paragraph A16, an Emphasis of Matter paragraph may be presented either directly before or after the Key Audit Matters section based on the auditor’s judgement as to the relative significance of the information included in the Emphasis of Matter paragraph.

4Throughout these illustrative auditor’s reports, the term directors’ may need to be replaced by another term that is appropriate in the context of the legal framework of the entity.

(Ref: Para. A8)

Illustration of an Auditor’s Report Containing a Qualified Opinion Due to a Departure from the Applicable Financial Reporting Framework and that Includes an Emphasis of Matter Paragraph

For purposes of this illustrative auditor’s report, the following circumstances are assumed:

  • Audit of a complete set of financial statements of an entity other than a FMC reporting entity considered to have a higher level of public accountability using a fair presentation framework. The audit is not a group audit (i.e., ISA (NZ) 600 (Revised) does not apply).

  • The financial statements are prepared by management of the entity in accordance with NZ IFRS (a general purpose framework).

  • The terms of the audit engagement reflect the description of the responsibilities of those charged with governance for the financial statements in ISA (NZ) 210.

  • A departure from the applicable financial reporting framework resulted in a qualified opinion.

  • Professional and Ethical Standard 1 International Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence Standards) (New Zealand) comprises all relevant ethical requirements that apply to the audit.

  • Based on the audit evidence obtained, the auditor has concluded that a material uncertainty does not exist related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern in accordance with ISA (NZ) 570 (Revised).

  • Between the date of the financial statements and the date of the auditor’s report, there was a fire in the entity’s production facilities, which was disclosed by the entity as a subsequent event. In the auditor’s judgement, the matter is of such importance that it is fundamental to users’ understanding of the financial statements. The matter did not require significant auditor attention in the audit of the financial statements in the current period.

  • The auditor is not required, and has otherwise not decided, to communicate key audit matters in accordance with ISA (NZ) 701.

  • The auditor has not obtained any other information prior to the date of the auditor’s report.

  • In addition to the audit of the financial statements, the auditor has other reporting responsibilities required under local law.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

To the Shareholders of ABC Company [or Other Appropriate Addressee]

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements1

Qualified Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of ABC Company (the Company), which comprise the statement of financial position as at December 31, 20X1, and the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policy information.

In our opinion, except for the effects of the matter described in the Basis for Qualified Opinion section of our report, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, (or give a true and fair view of) the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 20X1, and (of) its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with New Zealand equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS).

Basis for Qualified Opinion

The Company’s short-term marketable securities are carried in the statement of financial position at xxx. Management has not marked these securities to market but has instead stated them at cost, which constitutes a departure from NZ IFRS. The Company’s records indicate that had management marked the marketable securities to market, the Company would have recognised an unrealised loss of xxx in the statement of comprehensive income for the year. The carrying amount of the securities in the statement of financial position would have been reduced by the same amount at December 31, 20X1, and income tax, net income and shareholders’ equity would have been reduced by xxx, xxx and xxx, respectively.

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISAs (NZ)). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1 International Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence Standards) (New Zealand) issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our qualified opinion.

Other than in our capacity as auditor we have no relationship with, or interests in, the Company.

Emphasis of Matter – Effects of a Fire

We draw attention to Note X of the financial statements, which describes the effects of a fire in the Company’s production facilities. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

[Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised) – see Illustration 1 in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised).]

Directors’ Responsibilities for the Financial Statements2

[Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised) – see Illustration 1 in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised).]

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

[Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised – see Illustration 1 in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised).]

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

[Reporting in accordance with ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised) – see Illustration 1 in ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised).]

[Signature in the name of the audit firm, the personal name of the auditor, or both, as appropriate] [Auditor Address]

[Date]

1 The sub-title “Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements” is unnecessary in circumstances when the second sub-title “Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements” is not applicable.

2Or other terms that are appropriate in the context of the legal framework of the entity

This conformity statement accompanies but is not part of ISA (NZ) 706 (Revised).

Conformity with International Standards on Auditing

This International Standard on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISA (NZ)) conforms to International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 706 (Revised) Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor’s Report, issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), an independent standard-setting board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

Paragraphs that have been added to this ISA (NZ) (and do not appear in the text of the equivalent ISA) are identified with the prefix “NZ”.

This ISA (NZ) incorporates terminology and definitions used in New Zealand. Compliance with this ISA (NZ) enables compliance with ISA 706.

Comparison with Australian Auditing Standards

In Australia, the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) has issued Australian Auditing Standard ASA 706 Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent Auditor’s Report.

ASA 706 conforms to ISA 706 (Revised).

The equivalent requirements and related application and other explanatory material included in ISA 706 in respect of “relevant ethical requirements”, have been included in Auditing Standard, ASA 102 Compliance with Ethical Requirements when Performing Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements. There is no international equivalent to ASA 102.