This Auditing Standard deals with the auditor’s responsibilities relating to comparative information in an audit of a financial report. When the financial report of the prior period has been audited by a predecessor auditor or was not audited, the requirements and guidance in ASA 510 regarding opening balances also apply.
Compilation Details
Auditing Standard ASA 710 Comparative Information‑Corresponding Figures and Comparative Financial Reports (as Amended)
This compilation takes into account amendments made up to and including 30 June 2020 and was prepared on 8 July 2020 by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).
This compilation is not a separate Auditing Standard made by the AUASB. Instead, it is a representation of ASA 710 (October 2009) as amended by other Auditing Standards which are listed in the Table below.
Table of Standards
|
Standard |
Date made |
Operative Date |
|
ASA 710 [A] |
Financial reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010 |
|
|
27 June 2011 |
Financial reporting periods commencing on or after 1 July 2011 |
|
|
1 December 2015 |
Financial reporting periods ending on or after 15 December 2016 |
|
|
ASA 2020-2 [D] |
30 June 2020 |
Financial reporting periods ending on or after 15 July 2020 |
[A] Federal Register of Legislation – registration number F2009L04103, 10 November 2009
[B] Federal Register of Legislation – registration number F2011L01379, 30 June 2011
[C] Federal Register of Legislation – registration number F2015L02032, 16 December 2015
[D] Federal Register of Legislation – registration number F2020L00885, 7 July 2020
Table of Amendments
|
Paragraph affected |
How affected |
By … [paragraph] |
|
Appendix 1: Illustrations 1A and 2A |
Amended |
ASA 2011‑1 [70] |
|
Appendix 1: [Aus] Illustration 1A |
Amended |
ASA 2011‑1 [71] |
|
Appendix 1: [Aus] Illustration 2A |
Amended |
ASA 2011‑1 [72] |
|
Appendix 1: [Aus] Illustration 2A |
Amended |
ASA 2011‑1 [73] |
|
Appendix 1: Illustration 1,2,3 and 4 |
Amended |
ASA 2011‑1 [74] |
|
Appendix 1: Illustrations 1,2,3, 4 and [Aus] Illustrations 1A and 2A |
Amended |
ASA 2011‑1 [75] |
|
14 |
Amended |
ASA 2015‑1 [177] |
|
18 |
Amended |
ASA 2015‑1 [178] |
|
19 |
Amended |
ASA 2015‑1 [179] |
|
New A8 and heading |
Addition |
ASA 2015‑1 [180-181] |
|
Aus A7.1 |
Deletion |
ASA 2015‑1 [182] |
|
New A12 and heading |
Addition |
ASA 2015‑1 [183-184] |
|
Appendix 1 |
Amended |
ASA 2015‑1 [185] |
|
Appendix 1 |
Amended |
ASA 2020-2 [66] to [72] |
Preamble
Authority Statement
Auditing Standard ASA 710 Comparative Information-Corresponding Figures and Comparative Financial Reports (as amended to 30 June 2020) is set out in paragraphs Aus 0.1 to A13 and Appendix 1.
This Auditing Standard is to be read in conjunction with ASA 101 Preamble to Australian Auditing Standards, which sets out the intentions of the AUASB on how the Australian Auditing Standards, operative for financial reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010, are to be understood, interpreted and applied. This Auditing Standard is to be read also in conjunction with ASA 200 Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.
Conformity with International Standards on Auditing
This Auditing Standard conforms with International Standard on Auditing ISA 710 Comparative Information‑Corresponding Figures and Comparative Financial Statements 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 Auditing Standard (and do not appear in the text of the equivalent ISA) are identified with the prefix “Aus”.
Compliance with this Auditing Standard enables compliance with ISA 710.
The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) made Auditing Standard ASA 710 Comparative Information-Corresponding Figures and Comparative Financial Reports pursuant to section 227B of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, on 27 October 2009.
This compiled version of ASA 710 incorporates subsequent amendments contained in other Auditing Standards made by the AUASB up to and including 30 June 2020 (see Compilation Details)
Application
Aus 0.1
This Auditing Standard applies to:
- an audit of a financial report for a financial year, or an audit of a financial report for a half-year, in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001; and
- an audit of a financial report, or a complete set of financial statements, for any other purpose.
Aus 0.2
This Auditing Standard also applies, as appropriate, to an audit of other historical financial information.
Operative Date
Aus 0.3
This Auditing Standard is operative for financial reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2010. [Note: For operative dates of paragraphs changed or added by an Amending Standard, see Compilation Details.]
Introduction
Scope of this Auditing Standard
1
This Auditing Standard deals with the auditor’s responsibilities relating to comparative information in an audit of a financial report. When the financial report of the prior period has been audited by a predecessor auditor or was not audited, the requirements and guidance in ASA 510[1] regarding opening balances also apply.
The Nature of Comparative Information
2
The nature of the comparative information that is presented in an entity’s financial report depends on the requirements of the applicable financial reporting framework. There are two different broad approaches to the auditor’s reporting responsibilities in respect of such comparative information: corresponding figures and comparative financial reports. The approach to be adopted is often specified by law or regulation but may also be specified in the terms of engagement.
3
The essential audit reporting differences between the approaches are:
- For corresponding figures, the auditor’s opinion on the financial report refers to the current period only; whereas
- For comparative financial reports, the auditor’s opinion refers to each period for which a financial report is presented.
This Auditing Standard addresses separately the auditor’s reporting requirements for each approach.
Effective Date
4
[Deleted by the AUASB. Refer Aus 0.3]
See ASA 510 Initial Audit Engagements—Opening Balances.
Objectives
5
The objectives of the auditor are:
- To obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence about whether the comparative information included in the financial report has been presented, in all material respects, in accordance with the requirements for comparative information in the applicable financial reporting framework; and
- To report in accordance with the auditor’s reporting responsibilities.
Definitions
6
For the purposes of this Auditing Standard, the following terms have the meanings attributed below:
6(a)
Comparative information means the amounts and disclosures included in the financial report in respect of one or more prior periods in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
6(b)
Corresponding figures mean comparative information where amounts and other disclosures for the prior period are included as an integral part of the current period financial report, and are intended to be read only in relation to the amounts and other disclosures relating to the current period (referred to as “current period figures”). The level of detail presented in the corresponding amounts and disclosures is dictated primarily by its relevance to the current period figures.
6(c)
Comparative financial reports means comparative information where amounts and other disclosures for the prior period are included for comparison with the financial report of the current period but, if audited, are referred to in the auditor’s opinion. The level of information included in those comparative financial reports is comparable with that of the financial report of the current period.
Aus 6.1
In accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework of the Corporations Act 2001 and Australian Accounting Standards, comparative information refers to corresponding figures.
For purposes of this Auditing Standard, references to “prior period” should be read as “prior periods” when the comparative information includes amounts and disclosures for more than one period.
Requirements
Audit Procedures
7
The auditor shall determine whether the financial report includes the comparative information required by the applicable financial reporting framework and whether such information is appropriately classified. For this purpose, the auditor shall evaluate whether:
- The comparative information agrees with the amounts and other disclosures presented in the prior period or, when appropriate, have been restated; and
- The accounting policies reflected in the comparative information are consistent with those applied in the current period or, if there have been changes in accounting policies, whether those changes have been properly accounted for and adequately presented and disclosed.
8
If the auditor becomes aware of a possible material misstatement in the comparative information while performing the current period audit, the auditor shall perform such additional audit procedures as are necessary in the circumstances to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to determine whether a material misstatement exists. If the auditor had audited the prior period’s financial report, the auditor shall also follow the relevant requirements of ASA 560.[2] If the prior period financial report is amended, the auditor shall determine that the comparative information agrees with the amended financial report.
9
As required by ASA 580,[3] the auditor shall request written representations for all periods referred to in the auditor’s opinion. The auditor shall also obtain a specific written representation regarding any restatement made to correct a material misstatement in the prior period financial report that affects the comparative information. (Ref: Para. A1)
Audit Reporting
Corresponding Figures
11
If the auditor’s report on the prior period, as previously issued, included a qualified opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or an adverse opinion and the matter which gave rise to the modification is unresolved, the auditor shall modify the auditor’s opinion on the current period’s financial report. In the Basis for Modification paragraph in the auditor’s report, the auditor shall either:
- Refer to both the current period’s figures and the corresponding figures in the description of the matter giving rise to the modification when the effects or possible effects of the matter on the current period’s figures are material; or
- In other cases, explain that the audit opinion has been modified because of the effects or possible effects of the unresolved matter on the comparability of the current period’s figures and the corresponding figures.(Ref: Para. A3-A5)
12
If the auditor obtains audit evidence that a material misstatement exists in the prior period financial report on which an unmodified opinion has been previously issued, and the corresponding figures have not been properly restated or appropriate disclosures have not been made, the auditor shall express a qualified opinion or an adverse opinion in the auditor’s report on the current period financial report, modified with respect to the corresponding figures included therein. (Ref: Para. A6)
Prior Period Financial Report Audited by a Predecessor Auditor
13
If the financial report of the prior period was audited by a predecessor auditor and the auditor is not prohibited by law or regulation from referring to the predecessor auditor’s report on the corresponding figures and decides to do so, the auditor shall state in an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report:
- That the financial report of the prior period was audited by the predecessor auditor;
- The type of opinion expressed by the predecessor auditor and, if the opinion was modified, the reasons therefore; and
- The date of that report. (Ref: Para. A7)
Prior Period Financial Report Not Audited
14
If the prior period financial report was not audited, the auditor shall state in an Other Matter paragraph in the auditor’s report that the corresponding figures are unaudited. Such a statement does not, however, relieve the auditor of the requirement to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence that the opening balances do not contain misstatements that materially affect the current period’s financial report.[4] (Ref: Para. A8)
Comparative Financial Reports
15
When comparative financial reports are presented, the auditor’s opinion shall refer to each period for which a financial report is presented and on which an audit opinion is expressed. (Ref: Para. A9‑A10)
16
When reporting on a prior period financial report in connection with the current period’s audit, if the auditor’s opinion on such a prior period financial report differs from the opinion the auditor previously expressed, the auditor shall disclose the substantive reasons for the different opinion in an Other Matter paragraph in accordance with ASA 706.[5] (Ref: Para. Aus A8.1, A10)
Prior Period Financial Report Audited by a Predecessor Auditor
17
If the financial report of the prior period was audited by a predecessor auditor, in addition to expressing an opinion on the current period’s financial report, the auditor shall state in an Other Matter paragraph:
- that the financial report of the prior period was audited by a predecessor auditor;
- the type of opinion expressed by the predecessor auditor and, if the opinion was modified, the reasons therefore; and
- the date of that report,
unless the predecessor auditor’s report on the prior period’s financial report is reissued with the financial report.
18
If the auditor concludes that a material misstatement exists that affects the prior period financial report on which the predecessor auditor had previously reported without modification, the auditor shall communicate the misstatement with the appropriate level of management and, and unless all of those charged with governance are involved in managing the entity,[6] those charged with governance and request that the predecessor auditor be informed. If the prior period financial report is amended, and the predecessor auditor agrees to issue a new auditor’s report on the amended financial report of the prior period, the auditor shall report only on the current period. (Ref: Para. Aus A8.1, Aus A12.1, A13)
Prior Period Financial Report Not Audited
19
If the prior period financial report was not audited, the auditor shall state in an Other Matter paragraph that the comparative financial report is unaudited. Such a statement does not, however, relieve the auditor of the requirement to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence that the opening balances do not contain misstatements that materially affect the current period’s financial report.[7] (Ref: Para. A12)
See ASA 560 Subsequent Events, paragraphs 14‑17.
See ASA 580 Written Representations, paragraph 14.
See ASA 510, paragraph 6.
See ASA 260 Communication with Those Charged with Governance, paragraph 13.
See ASA 510, paragraph 6.
Application and Other Explanatory Material
Audit Procedures
Written Representations (Ref: Para. 9)
A1
In the case of a comparative financial report, the written representations are requested for all periods referred to in the auditor’s opinion because management needs to reaffirm that the written representations it previously made with respect to the prior period remain appropriate. In the case of corresponding figures, the written representations are requested for the financial report of the current period only because the auditor’s opinion is on that financial report, which includes the corresponding figures. However, the auditor requests a specific written representation regarding any restatement made to correct a material misstatement in the prior period financial report that affects the comparative information.
Audit Reporting
Corresponding Figures
No Reference in Auditor’s Opinion (Ref: Para. 10)
A2
The auditor’s opinion does not refer to the corresponding figures because the auditor’s opinion is on the current period financial report as a whole, including the corresponding figures.
Modification in Auditor’s Report on the Prior Period Unresolved (Ref: Para. 11)
A3
When the auditor’s report on the prior period, as previously issued, included a qualified opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or an adverse opinion and the matter which gave rise to the modified opinion is resolved and properly accounted for or disclosed in the financial report in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework, the auditor’s opinion on the current period need not refer to the previous modification.
A4
When the auditor’s opinion on the prior period, as previously expressed, was modified, the unresolved matter that gave rise to the modification may not be relevant to the current period figures. Nevertheless, a qualified opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or an adverse opinion (as applicable) may be required on the current period’s financial report because of the effects or possible effects of the unresolved matter on the comparability of the current and corresponding figures.
A5
Illustrative examples of the auditor’s report if the auditor’s report on the prior period included a modified opinion and the matter giving rise to the modification is unresolved are contained in Illustrations 1, [Aus] 1A, 2 and [Aus] 2A of Appendix 1.
Misstatement in Prior Period Financial Report (Ref: Para. 12)
A6
When a prior period financial report that is misstated has not been amended and an auditor’s report has not been reissued, but the corresponding figures have been properly restated or appropriate disclosures have been made in the current period financial report, the auditor’s report may include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph describing the circumstances and referring to, where relevant, disclosures that fully describe the matter that can be found in the financial report (see ASA 706).
Prior Period Financial Report Audited by a Predecessor Auditor (Ref: Para. 13)
A7
An illustrative example of the auditor’s report if the prior period financial report was audited by a predecessor auditor and the auditor is not prohibited by law or regulation from referring to the predecessor auditor’s report on the corresponding figures is contained in Illustration 3 of Appendix 1.
Prior Period Financial Report Not Audited (Ref: Para. 14)
A8
If the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the opening balances, the auditor is required by ASA 705[8] to express a qualified opinion or disclaim an opinion on the financial report, as appropriate, in accordance with ASA 705. If the auditor encountered significant difficulty in obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence that the opening balances do not contain misstatements that materially affect the current period’s financial report, the auditor may determine this to be a key audit matter in accordance with ASA 701.[9]
Comparative Financial Reports
Aus A8.1
In respect of audit engagements conducted under the Corporations Act 2001, the auditor’s opinion refers to a financial report for the current period, which include corresponding figures, and not to comparative financial report(s). Consequently, paragraphs 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, and related paragraphs A9, A10, A11, and A12 have no application to audit engagements under the Corporations Act 2001.
Reference in Auditor’s Opinion (Ref: Para. 15)
A9
Because the auditor’s report on comparative financial reports applies to the financial report for each of the periods presented, the auditor may express a qualified opinion or an adverse opinion, disclaim an opinion, or include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph with respect to one or more periods, while expressing a different auditor’s opinion on the financial report of the other period.
A10
An illustrative example of the auditor’s report if the auditor is required to report on both the current and the prior period financial reports in connection with the current year’s audit and the prior period included a modified opinion and the matter giving rise to the modification is unresolved, is contained in Illustration 4 of Appendix 1.
Opinion on the Prior Period Financial Report Different from Previous Opinion (Ref: Para. 16)
A11
When reporting on the prior period financial report in connection with the current period’s audit, the opinion expressed on the prior period financial report may be different from the opinion previously expressed if the auditor becomes aware of circumstances or events that materially affect the financial report of a prior period during the course of the audit of the current period. In some jurisdictions, the auditor may have additional reporting responsibilities designed to prevent future reliance on the auditor’s previously issued report on the prior period financial report.
Prior Period Financial Report not Audited (Ref: Para. 19)
A12
If the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the opening balances, the auditor is required by ASA 705 to express a qualified opinion or disclaim an opinion on the financial report, as appropriate, in accordance with ASA 705. If the auditor encountered significant difficulty in obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence that the opening balances do not contain misstatements that materially affect the current period’s financial report, the auditor may determine this to be a key audit matter in accordance with ASA 701.
Prior Period Financial Report Audited by a Predecessor Auditor (Ref: Para. 18)
Aus A12.1
In respect of audit engagements conducted under the Corporations Act 2001, if the prior period auditor’s report on the prior period financial report is amended by a predecessor auditor during the current financial year, the auditor is unable to express an opinion in the current period auditor’s report in respect of that amendment.
A13
The predecessor auditor may be unable or unwilling to reissue the auditor’s report on the prior period financial report. An Other Matter paragraph of the auditor’s report may indicate that the predecessor auditor reported on the financial report of the prior period before amendment.
In addition, if the auditor is engaged to audit and obtains sufficient appropriate audit evidence to be satisfied as to the appropriateness of the amendment, the auditor’s report may also include the following paragraph:
As part of our audit of the 20X2 financial report, we also audited the adjustments described in Note X that were applied to amend the 20X1 financial report. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 20X1 financial report of the entity other than with respect to the adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 20X1 financial report taken as a whole.
See ASA 705 Modifications to the Opinion in the Independent Auditor’s Report.
See ASA 701 Communicating Key Audit Matters in the Independent Auditor’s Report.
Illustrations of Auditors’ Reports on a General Purpose Financial Report — Corresponding Figures and Comparative Financial Reports (Fair Presentation Framework)
Appendix 1
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Download example Auditors' Reports.
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