You are the manager responsible for the audit of Boston Co, a producer of chocolate and co

nfectionery. The audit of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 is nearly complete and you are reviewing the audit working papers. The financial statements recognise revenue of $76 million, profit before tax for the year of $6·4 million and total assets of $104 million.

The summary of uncorrected misstatements included in Boston Co’s audit working papers, including notes, is shown below. The audit engagement partner is holding a meeting with the management team of Boston Co next week, at which the uncorrected misstatements will be discussed.

(i) During the year Boston Co impaired one of its factories. The carrying value of the assets attributable to the factory as a single, cash-generating unit totalled $3·6 million at the year end. The fair value less costs of disposal and the value in use were estimated to be $3 million and $3·5 million respectively and accordingly the asset was written down by $100,000 to reflect the impairment. Audit procedures revealed that management used growth rates attributable to the company as a whole to estimate value in use. Using growth rates attributable to the factory specifically, the audit team estimated the value in use to be $3·1 million.

(ii) Interest charges of $75,000 relating to a loan taken out during the year to finance the construction of a new manufacturing plant were included in finance charges recognised in profit for the year. The manufacturing plant is due for completion in November 2016.

(iii) One of Boston Co’s largest customers, Cleveland Co, is experiencing financial difficulties. At the year end Cleveland Co owed Boston Co $100,000, against which Boston Co made a 5% specific allowance. Shortly after the year end Cleveland Co paid $30,000 of the outstanding amount due but has since experienced further problems, leading to their primary lender presenting a formal request that Cleveland Co be liquidated. If successful, only secured creditors are likely to receive any reimbursement.

(iv) During the year Boston Co purchased 150,000 shares in Nebraska Co for $4·00 per share. Boston Co classified the investment as a financial asset held at fair value through profit or loss. On 31 December 2015, the shares of Nebraska Co were trading for $4·29. At the year end the carrying value of the investment in Boston Co’s financial statements was $600,000.

Required:

(a) Explain the matters which should be discussed with management in relation to each of the uncorrected misstatements, including an assessment of their individual impact on the financial statements; and

(b) Assuming that management does not adjust any of the misstatements, discuss the effect on the audit opinion and auditor’s report.

The following mark allocation is provided as guidance for this question:

(a) 14 marks

(b) 6 marks