Reference no: EM132990871

HI6026 Audit, Assurance and Compliance - Holmes Institute

Assessment - Executive Compensation, Independence and Covid-19 Impact on auditing

Learning Outcome 1: Evaluate the economic and legal basis for auditing and the applicable auditing standards and reporting requirements

Learning Outcome 2: Analyse and communicate knowledge of the auditor's professional judgement, legal and ethical responsibilities to their clients and third parties

Learning Outcome 3: Assess audit strategies including the evaluation of business risk and internal controls

Learning Outcome 4: Apply audit concepts and processes to gather evidence and formulate judgments with respect to the underlying information

Required Task:

Part A:

Listed companies are required to make certain disclosures in their annual reports about the compensation paid to their top executives. One reason for this is to help interested stakeholders assess the performance of executives. It also helps executives and companies set appropriate compensation levels, based on what other companies in the same industry and/or of the same size are paying their executives. These disclosures are audited.

Required

Obtain the annual reports of 10 listed Australian companies in the same industry from the Year 2020. Extract the information on executive remuneration and describe the data using graphs and tables. Write a report addressing the following questions (justify your responses by referring to the data where appropriate).

1. How are the executives paid (cash, bonuses etc.)?

2. Discuss details about executive qualification, experiences and independence.

3. Which companies' executives are paid the most and what is the range of pay?

4. Which companies' executives' pay is most linked to the company's profit and/or share price performance?
(Explain any assumptions you have to make.)

5. Overall, what do you conclude about how Australian company executives are paid and how clearly the compensation data is reported?

Part B:

Explain Auditing in times of social distancing: the effect of COVID-19 on auditing quality proposed by Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) in the following situations:

1. What should be the focus areas for auditors under COVID-19 conditions?

2. Should audit fees be reduced when reviewing other cost saving initiatives?

3. Should an auditor delay their opinion until a limitation or uncertainty is resolved?

4. What should be influence of COVID-19 and going concern assessment?

Attachment:- Assurance and Compliance.rar