ISA (NZ) 570 (Revised)

1. This International Standard on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISA (NZ)) deals with the auditor’s responsibilities in the audit of financial statements relating to going concern and the implications for the auditor’s report. (Ref: Para. A1)

NZ1.1 For the purposes of this ISA (NZ), a reference to “management” is taken to mean “management, and where appropriate, those charged with governance”.

NZ1.2 In New Zealand, those charged with governance generally have responsibility for ensuring an entity meets its legal obligations in relation to the preparation of the financial statements. In these cases the process of financial reporting is usually delegated to management, but the responsibility for such matters remains with those charged with governance. In applying this standard the auditor shall apply professional judgement, using knowledge of the legal requirements and corporate governance practices of New Zealand as well as the particular engagement circumstances, to determine whether the requirements of this standard apply to management or those charged with governance or both.

2. Under the going concern basis of accounting, the financial statements are prepared on the assumption that the entity is a going concern and will continue its operations for the foreseeable future. General purpose financial statements are prepared using the going concern basis of accounting, unless management either intends to liquidate the entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. Special purpose financial statements may or may not be prepared in accordance with a financial reporting framework for which the going concern basis of accounting is relevant (e.g., the going concern basis of accounting is not relevant for some financial statements prepared on a tax basis in particular jurisdictions). When the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate, assets and liabilities are recorded on the basis that the entity will be able to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. (Ref: Para. A2)

3. Some financial reporting frameworks contain an explicit requirement for management to make a specific assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and standards regarding matters to be considered and disclosures to be made in connection with going concern. For example, New Zealand Equivalent to International Accounting Standard (NZ IAS) 1 requires management to make an assessment of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.¹ The detailed requirements regarding management’s responsibility to assess the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and related financial statement disclosures may also be set out in law or regulation.

4. In other financial reporting frameworks, there may be no explicit requirement for management to make a specific assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Nevertheless, where the going concern basis of accounting is a fundamental principle in the preparation of financial statements as discussed in paragraph 2, the preparation of the financial statements requires management to assess the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern even if the financial reporting framework does not include an explicit requirement to do so.

5. Management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern involves making a judgement, at a particular point in time, about inherently uncertain future outcomes of events or conditions. The following factors are relevant to that judgement:

6. The auditor’s responsibilities are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding, and conclude on, the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements, and to conclude, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. These responsibilities exist even if the financial reporting framework used in the preparation of the financial statements does not include an explicit requirement for management to make a specific assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

7. However, as described in ISA (NZ) 200,² the potential effects of inherent limitations on the auditor’s ability to detect material misstatements are greater for future events or conditions that may cause an entity to cease to continue as a going concern. The auditor cannot predict such future events or conditions. Accordingly, the absence of any reference to a material uncertainty about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern in an auditor’s report cannot be viewed as a guarantee as to the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

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

NZ8.1 This ISA (NZ) supersedes ISA (NZ) 570, Going Concern.

9. The objectives of the auditor are:

1. To obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding, and conclude on, the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements;

2. To conclude, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern; and

3. To report in accordance with this ISA (NZ).

10. When performing risk assessment procedures as required by ISA (NZ) 315 (Revised 2019),³ the auditor shall consider whether events or conditions exist that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. In so doing, the auditor shall determine whether management has already performed a preliminary assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and: (Ref: Para. A3–A6)

1. If such an assessment has been performed, the auditor shall discuss the assessment with management and determine whether management has identified events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, management’s plans to address them; or

2. If such an assessment has not yet been performed, the auditor shall discuss with management the basis for the intended use of the going concern basis of accounting, and enquire of management whether events or conditions exist that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

11. The auditor shall remain alert throughout the audit for audit evidence of events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. (Ref: Para. A7)

12. The auditor shall evaluate management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. (Ref: Para. A8–A10, A12–A13)

13. [Amended by the NZAuASB. Refer to NZ13.1]

NZ13.1 In evaluating management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, the auditor shall consider the relevant period, which may be the same as or may differ from that used by management to make its assessment as required by the applicable financial reporting framework, or by law or regulation if it specifies a longer period. If management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern covers less than the relevant period, the auditor shall request management to extend its assessment period to correspond to the relevant period used by the auditor. (Ref: Para. A11–A13)

NZ13.2 Relevant period means the period of at least 12 months from the date of the auditor’s current report.

14. In evaluating management’s assessment, the auditor shall consider whether management’s assessment includes all relevant information of which the auditor is aware as a result of the audit.

15. The auditor shall enquire of management as to its knowledge of events or conditions beyond the period of management’s assessment that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. (Ref: Para. A14–A15)

16. If events or conditions have been identified that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, the auditor shall obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to determine whether or not a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern (hereinafter referred to as “material uncertainty”) through performing additional audit procedures, including consideration of mitigating factors. These procedures shall include: (Ref: Para. A16)

1. Where management has not yet performed an assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, requesting management to make its assessment.

2. Evaluating management’s plans for future actions in relation to its going concern assessment, whether the outcome of these plans is likely to improve the situation and whether management’s plans are feasible in the circumstances. (Ref: Para. A17)

3. Where the entity has prepared a cash flow forecast, and analysis of the forecast is a significant factor in considering the future outcome of events or conditions in the evaluation of management’s plans for future actions: (Ref: Para. A18–A19)

   1. Evaluating the reliability of the underlying data generated to prepare the forecast; and

   2. Determining whether there is adequate support for the assumptions underlying the forecast.

4. Considering whether any additional facts or information have become available since the date on which management made its assessment.

5. [Amended by the NZAuASB].

NZ16.1 Requesting written representations from those charged with governance, regarding their plans for future actions and the feasibility of these plans. (Ref: Para. A20)

17. The auditor shall evaluate whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been obtained regarding, and shall conclude on, the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements.

18. Based on the audit evidence obtained, the auditor shall conclude whether, in the auditor’s judgement, a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. A material uncertainty exists when the magnitude of its potential impact and likelihood of occurrence is such that, in the auditor’s judgement, appropriate disclosure of the nature and implications of the uncertainty is necessary for: (Ref: Para. A21-A22)

1. In the case of a fair presentation financial reporting framework, the fair presentation of the financial statements, or

2. In the case of a compliance framework, the financial statements not to be misleading.

19. If the auditor concludes that management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate in the circumstances but a material uncertainty exists, the auditor shall determine whether the financial statements: (Ref: Para. A22‒A23)

1. Adequately disclose the principal events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and management’s plans to deal with these events or conditions; and

2. Disclose clearly that there is a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, that it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

20. If events or conditions have been identified that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern but, based on the audit evidence obtained the auditor concludes that no material uncertainty exists, the auditor shall evaluate whether, in view of the requirements of the applicable financial reporting framework, the financial statements provide adequate disclosures about these events or conditions. (Ref: Para. A24–A25)

21. If the financial statements have been prepared using the going concern basis of accounting but, in the auditor’s judgement, management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is inappropriate, the auditor shall express an adverse opinion. (Ref: Para. A26–A27)

Use of Going Concern Basis of Accounting Is Appropriate but a Material Uncertainty Exists Adequate Disclosure of a Material Uncertainty Is Made in the Financial Statements

22. If adequate disclosure about the material uncertainty is made in the financial statements, the auditor shall express an unmodified opinion and the auditor’s report shall include a separate section under the heading “Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern” to: (Ref: Para. A28–A31, A34)

1. Draw attention to the note in the financial statements that discloses the matters set out in paragraph 19; and

2. State that these events or conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and that the auditor’s opinion is not modified in respect of the matter.

23. If adequate disclosure about the material uncertainty is not made in the financial statements, the auditor shall: (Ref: Para. A32–A34)

1. Express a qualified opinion or adverse opinion, as appropriate, in accordance with ISA (NZ) 705 (Revised)⁴; and

2. In the Basis for Qualified (Adverse) Opinion section of the auditor’s report, state that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and that the financial statements do not adequately disclose this matter.

24. If management is unwilling to make or extend its assessment when requested to do so by the auditor, the auditor shall consider the implications for the auditor’s report. (Ref: Para. A35)

25. Unless all those charged with governance are involved in managing the entity,⁵ the auditor shall communicate with those charged with governance events or conditions identified that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Such communication with those charged with governance shall include the following:

1. Whether the events or conditions constitute a material uncertainty;

2. Whether management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate in the preparation of the financial statements;

3. The adequacy of related disclosures in the financial statements; and

4. Where applicable, the implications for the auditor’s report.

26. If there is significant delay in the approval of the financial statements by management or those charged with governance after the date of the financial statements, the auditor shall enquire as to the reasons for the delay. If the auditor believes that the delay could be related to events or conditions relating to the going concern assessment, the auditor shall perform those additional audit procedures necessary, as described in paragraph 16, as well as consider the effect on the auditor’s conclusion regarding the existence of a material uncertainty, as described in paragraph 18.

A1. ISA (NZ) 701⁶ deals with the auditor’s responsibility to communicate key audit matters in the auditor’s report. That ISA (NZ) acknowledges that, when ISA (NZ) 701 applies, matters relating to going concern may be determined to be key audit matters, and explains that a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern is, by its nature, a key audit matter.⁷

A2. Management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting is also relevant to public sector entities. For example, Public Benefit Entity International Public Sector Accounting Standard (PBE IPSAS) 1 addresses the issue of the ability of public sector entities to continue as going concerns.⁸ Going concern risks may arise, but are not limited to, situations where public sector entities operate on a for-profit basis, where government support may be reduced or withdrawn, or in the case of privatisation. Events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern in the public sector may include situations where the public sector entity lacks funding for its continued existence or when policy decisions are made that affect the services provided by the public sector entity.

A3. The following are examples of events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This listing is not all-inclusive nor does the existence of one or more of the items always signify that a material uncertainty exists.

Financial

• Net liability or net current liability position.

• Fixed-term borrowings approaching maturity without realistic prospects of renewal or repayment; or excessive reliance on short-term borrowings to finance long-term assets.

• Indications of withdrawal of financial support by creditors.

• Negative operating cash flows indicated by historical or prospective financial statements.

• Adverse key financial ratios.

• Substantial operating losses or significant deterioration in the value of assets used to generate cash flows.

• Arrears or discontinuance of dividends.

• Inability to pay creditors on due dates.

• Inability to comply with the terms of loan agreements.

• Change from credit to cash-on-delivery transactions with suppliers.

• Inability to obtain financing for essential new product development or other essential investments.

Operating

• Management intentions to liquidate the entity or to cease operations.

• Loss of key management without replacement.

• Loss of a major market, key customer(s), franchise, license, or principal supplier(s).

• Labour difficulties.

• Shortages of important supplies.

• Emergence of a highly successful competitor. Other

• Non-compliance with capital or other statutory or regulatory requirements, such as solvency or liquidity requirements for financial institutions.

• Pending legal or regulatory proceedings against the entity that may, if successful, result in claims that the entity is unlikely to be able to satisfy.

• Changes in law or regulation or government policy expected to adversely affect the entity.

• Uninsured or underinsured catastrophes when they occur.

The significance of such events or conditions often can be mitigated by other factors. For example, the effect of an entity being unable to make its normal debt repayments may be counter-balanced by management’s plans to maintain adequate cash flows by alternative means, such as by disposing of assets, rescheduling loan repayments, or obtaining additional capital. Similarly, the loss of a principal supplier may be mitigated by the availability of a suitable alternative source of supply.

A4. The risk assessment procedures required by paragraph 10 help the auditor to determine whether management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting is likely to be an important issue and its impact on planning the audit. These procedures also allow for more timely discussions with management, including a discussion of management’s plans and resolution of any identified going concern issues.

A5. The size of an entity may affect its ability to withstand adverse conditions. Small entities may be able to respond quickly to exploit opportunities, but may lack reserves to sustain operations.

A6. Conditions of particular relevance to small entities include the risk that banks and other lenders may cease to support the entity, as well as the possible loss of a principal supplier, major customer, key employee, or the right to operate under a licence, franchise or other legal agreement.

Remaining Alert throughout the Audit for Audit Evidence about Events or Conditions (Ref: Para. 11)

A7. ISA (NZ) 315 (Revised 2019) requires the auditor to revise the auditor’s risk assessment and modify the further planned audit procedures accordingly when additional audit evidence is obtained during the course of the audit that affects the auditor’s assessment of risk.⁹ If events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern are identified after the auditor’s risk assessments are made, in addition to performing the procedures in paragraph 16, the auditor’s assessment of the risks of material misstatement may need to be revised. The existence of such events or conditions may also affect the nature, timing and extent of the auditor’s further procedures in response to the assessed risks. ISA (NZ) 330¹⁰ establishes requirements and provides guidance on this issue.

A8. Management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern is a key part of the auditor’s consideration of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting.

A9. It is not the auditor’s responsibility to rectify the lack of analysis by management. In some circumstances, however, the lack of detailed analysis by management to support its assessment may not prevent the auditor from concluding whether management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate in the circumstances. For example, when there is a history of profitable operations and a ready access to financial resources, management may make its assessment without detailed analysis. In this case, the auditor’s evaluation of the appropriateness of management’s assessment may be made without performing detailed evaluation procedures if the auditor’s other audit procedures are sufficient to enable the auditor to conclude whether management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate in the circumstances.

A10. In other circumstances, evaluating management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, as required by paragraph 12, may include an evaluation of the process management followed to make its assessment, the assumptions on which the assessment is based and management’s plans for future action and whether management’s plans are feasible in the circumstances.

The Period of Management’s Assessment (Ref: Para. 13)

A11. Most financial reporting frameworks requiring an explicit management assessment specify the period for which management is required to take into account all available information.¹¹

Considerations Specific to Smaller Entities (Ref: Para. 12–13)

A12. In many cases, the management of smaller entities may not have prepared a detailed assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, but instead may rely on in- depth knowledge of the business and anticipated future prospects. Nevertheless, in accordance with the requirements of this ISA (NZ), the auditor needs to evaluate management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. For smaller entities, it may be appropriate to discuss the medium and long-term financing of the entity with management, provided that management’s contentions can be corroborated by sufficient documentary evidence and are not inconsistent with the auditor’s understanding of the entity. Therefore, the requirement in paragraph 13 for the auditor to request management to extend its assessment may, for example, be satisfied by discussion, enquiry and inspection of supporting documentation, for example, orders received for future supply, evaluated as to their feasibility or otherwise substantiated.

A13. Continued support by owner-managers is often important to smaller entities’ ability to continue as a going concern. Where a small entity is largely financed by a loan from the owner-manager, it may be important that these funds are not withdrawn. For example, the continuance of a small entity in financial difficulty may be dependent on the owner-manager subordinating a loan to the entity in favour of banks or other creditors, or the owner-manager supporting a loan for the entity by providing a guarantee with his or her personal assets as collateral. In such circumstances, the auditor may obtain appropriate documentary evidence of the subordination of the owner-manager’s loan or of the guarantee. Where an entity is dependent on additional support from the owner-manager, the auditor may evaluate the owner-manager’s ability to meet the obligation under the support arrangement. In addition, the auditor may request written confirmation of the terms and conditions attaching to such support and the owner-manager’s intention or understanding.

A14. As required by paragraph 11, the auditor remains alert to the possibility that there may be known events, scheduled or otherwise, or conditions that will occur beyond the period of assessment used by management that may bring into question the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Since the degree of uncertainty associated with the outcome of an event or condition increases as the event or condition is further into the future, in considering events or conditions further in the future, the indications of going concern issues need to be significant before the auditor needs to consider taking further action. If such events or conditions are identified, the auditor may need to request management to evaluate the potential significance of the event or condition on its assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. In these circumstances, the procedures in paragraph 16 apply.

A15. [Amended by the NZAuASB. Refer to NZA15.1].

NZA15.1 Other than enquiry of management, the auditor does not have a responsibility to perform any other audit procedures to identify events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern beyond the relevant period, which, as discussed in paragraph NZ13.2, is at least twelve months from the date of the auditor’s report on the current financial statements.

A16. Audit procedures that are relevant to the requirement in paragraph 16 may include the following:

A17. Evaluating management’s plans for future actions may include enquiries of management as to its plans for future action, including, for example, its plans to liquidate assets, borrow money or restructure debt, reduce or delay expenditures, or increase capital.

A18. In addition to the procedures required in paragraph 16(c), the auditor may compare:

A19. Where management’s assumptions include continued support by third parties, whether through the subordination of loans, commitments to maintain or provide additional funding, or guarantees, and such support is important to an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, the auditor may need to consider requesting written confirmation (including of terms and conditions) from those third parties and to obtain evidence of their ability to provide such support.

A20. The auditor may consider it appropriate to obtain specific written representations beyond those required in paragraph 16 in support of audit evidence obtained regarding management’s plans for future actions in relation to its going concern assessment and the feasibility of those plans.

A21. The phrase “material uncertainty” is used in NZ IAS 1 in discussing the uncertainties related to events or conditions which may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern that should be disclosed in the financial statements. In some other financial reporting frameworks the phrase “significant uncertainty” is used in similar circumstances.

A22. Paragraph 18 explains that a material uncertainty exists when the magnitude of the potential impact of the events or conditions and the likelihood of occurrence is such that appropriate disclosure is necessary to achieve fair presentation (for fair presentation frameworks) or for the financial statements not to be misleading (for compliance frameworks). The auditor is required by paragraph 18 to conclude whether such a material uncertainty exists regardless of whether or how the applicable financial reporting framework defines a material uncertainty.

A23. Paragraph 19 requires the auditor to determine whether the financial statement disclosures address the matters set forth in that paragraph. This determination is in addition to the auditor determining whether disclosures about a material uncertainty, required by the applicable financial reporting framework, are adequate. Disclosures required by some financial reporting frameworks that are in addition to matters set forth in paragraph 19 may include disclosures about:

• Management’s evaluation of the significance of the events or conditions relating to the entity’s ability to meet its obligations; or

• Significant judgements made by management as part of its assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Some financial reporting frameworks may provide additional guidance regarding management’s consideration of disclosures about the magnitude of the potential impact of the principal events or conditions, and the likelihood and timing of their occurrence.

A24. Even when no material uncertainty exists, paragraph 20 requires the auditor to evaluate whether, in view of the requirements of the applicable financial reporting framework, the financial statements provide adequate disclosure about events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Some financial reporting frameworks may address disclosures about:

A25. When the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a fair presentation framework, the auditor’s evaluation as to whether the financial statements achieve fair presentation includes the consideration of the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, and whether the financial statements, including the related notes, represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.¹² Depending on the facts and circumstances, the auditor may determine that additional disclosures are necessary to achieve fair presentation. This may be the case, for example, when events or conditions have been identified that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern but, based on the audit evidence obtained, the auditor concludes that no material uncertainty exists, and no disclosures are explicitly required by the applicable financial reporting framework regarding these circumstances.

A26. If the financial statements have been prepared using the going concern basis of accounting but, in the auditor’s judgement, management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the financial statements is inappropriate, the requirement in paragraph 21 for the auditor to express an adverse opinion applies regardless of whether or not the financial statements include disclosure of the inappropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting.

A27. When the use of the going concern basis of accounting is not appropriate in the circumstances, management may be required, or may elect, to prepare the financial statements on another basis (e.g., liquidation basis). The auditor may be able to perform an audit of those financial statements provided that the auditor determines that the other basis of accounting is acceptable in the circumstances. The auditor may be able to express an unmodified opinion on those financial statements, provided there is adequate disclosure therein about the basis of accounting on which the financial statements are prepared, but may consider it appropriate or necessary to include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in accordance with ISA (NZ) 706 (Revised)¹³ in the auditor’s report to draw the user’s attention to that alternative basis of accounting and the reasons for its use.

A28. The identification of a material uncertainty is a matter that is important to users’ understanding of the financial statements. The use of a separate section with a heading that includes reference to the fact that a material uncertainty related to going concern exists alerts users to this circumstance.

A29. The Appendix to this ISA (NZ) provides illustrations of the statements that are required to be included in the auditor’s report on the financial statements when New Zealand equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS) is the applicable financial reporting framework. If an applicable financial reporting framework other than NZ IFRS is used, the illustrative statements presented in the Appendix to this ISA (NZ) may need to be adapted to reflect the application of the other financial reporting framework in the circumstances.

A30. Paragraph 22 establishes the minimum information required to be presented in the auditor’s report in each of the circumstances described. The auditor may provide additional information to supplement the required statements, for example to explain:

A31. Illustration 1 of the Appendix to this ISA (NZ) is an example of an auditor’s report when the auditor has obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting but a material uncertainty exists and disclosure is adequate in the financial statements. The Appendix of ISA (NZ) 700 (Revised) also includes illustrative wording to be included in the auditor’s report for all entities in relation to going concern to describe the respective responsibilities of those responsible for the financial statements and the auditor in relation to going concern.

A32. Illustrations 2 and 3 of the Appendix to this ISA (NZ) are examples of auditor’s reports containing qualified and adverse opinions, respectively, when the auditor has obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the appropriateness of the management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting but adequate disclosure of a material uncertainty is not made in the financial statements.

A33. In situations involving multiple uncertainties that are significant to the financial statements as a whole, the auditor may consider it appropriate in extremely rare cases to express a disclaimer of opinion instead of including the statements required by paragraph 22. ISA (NZ) 705 (Revised) provides guidance on this issue.¹⁵

A34. When the auditor of a regulated entity considers that it may be necessary to include a reference to going concern matters in the auditor’s report, the auditor may have a duty to communicate with the applicable regulatory, enforcement or supervisory authorities.

A35. In certain circumstances, the auditor may believe it necessary to request management to make or extend its assessment. If management is unwilling to do so, a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion in the auditor’s report may be appropriate, because it may not be possible for the auditor to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements, such as audit evidence regarding the existence of plans management has put in place or the existence of other mitigating factors.