The five different opinions in an independent auditor's report Show
What are the Types of Audit Opinions?In the independent auditor’s report, an auditor can issue one of five different opinions:
A clean (unqualified) opinion refers to financial statements that are “presented fairly, in all material respects…”. Deviations from a clean opinion (where the financial statements are not presented fairly) result in a reservation (modification) in the independent auditor’s report.  Summary
Understanding Reservations in an Independent Auditor’s ReportThere are two types of reservations: 1. GAAP departureSituations where the financial statements deviate from the established accounting criteria. For example, a company that uses an incorrect accounting method faces a GAAP departure. 2. Scope limitationSituations where the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to base the audit on. This presents a scope limitation. In addition, the type of opinion, based on the reservation made, depends on two factors: 1. MaterialityMisstatements to the financial statements are considered material if the misstatements (individually or in aggregate), are expected to influence the decisions made by users who rely on the financial statements. 2. PervasivenessMisstatements to the financial statements are considered pervasive if the misstatements affect a substantial portion of the financial statements. What is a Qualified Opinion?A qualified opinion can be issued due to a GAAP departure or a scope limitation. In both cases, the misstatements are material but not pervasive. In other words, there is a material impact on the financial statements, but the misstatements are not widespread (do not affect a large number of accounts). Example 1: Qualified opinion due to a GAAP departureThe auditor noticed that the inventory of ABC Company faces a write-down due to obsolescence. However, the company refuses to write down the inventory. In such a scenario, a GAAP departure reservation is made. Since only the inventory and cost of goods sold accounts are wrong, a qualified opinion due to a GAAP departure would be issued. Example 2: Qualified opinion due to a scope limitationThe auditor wants to send out confirmation letters to customers for the accounts receivable balance as audit evidence. However, ABC Company does not want the auditor to do so. In such a scenario, a scope limitation reservation is made. Since the auditor has been unable to verify the accounts receivable, a qualified opinion due to a scope limitation would be issued. What is an Adverse Opinion?An adverse opinion can only be issued due to a GAAP departure. In such a case, the misstatements are both material and pervasive. In other words, there is a material impact on the financial statements, and the misstatements affect a large number of accounts. Example: Adverse opinion due to a GAAP departureThe auditor believes ABC Company faces a going concern issue and is unable to survive another year. The company disagrees and prepares its financial statements on a historical cost basis instead of on a liquidation basis. In such a scenario, a GAAP departure reservation is made. Since ABC Company prepared its financial statements on a historical cost basis, the majority of the company’s accounts are incorrect. An adverse opinion due to a GAAP departure would be issued. What is a Disclaimer of Opinion?A disclaimer of opinion can only be issued due to a scope limitation. In this case, the misstatements are material and pervasive. In other words, the auditor is unable to collect sufficient appropriate audit evidence to base its audit on and, as a result, a large number of accounts are not verifiable. Example: Disclaimer of opinion due to a scope limitationThe auditor is looking to review the company’s minutes book, which contains important information regarding the board of directors meeting and the audit committee. ABC Company does not permit the auditor to review the minutes book. In such a scenario, a disclaimer of opinion reservation is made. Since the auditor is unable to access the minutes book, a majority of the company’s accounts cannot be verified. A disclaimer of opinion due to a scope limitation would be issued. Related ReadingsThank you for reading CFI’s guide to Auditor Opinions. To keep learning and advancing your career, the following CFI resources will be helpful:
Under what circumstances is an audit opinion unqualified?An unqualified opinion doesn't have any kind of adverse comments and it doesn't include any disclaimers about any clauses or the audit process. This type of report indicates that the auditors are satisfied with the company's financial reporting.
What are the conditions to fulfill unqualified opinion?It is issued when the auditor believes that all changes, accounting policies, and their application and effects, have accurately been disclosed.
What are the 5 circumstances required for a standard unqualified report to be issued?3-6 An unqualified report may be issued under the following five circumstances: All statements—balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings, and statement of cash flows—are included in the financial statements. The three general standards have been followed in all respects on the engagement.
What are the five sections of an unqualified audit report?A widely used report template is the standard unqualified audit report, which must include seven elements to be complete. These basic elements are report title, introductory paragraph, scope paragraph, executive summary, opinion paragraph, auditor's name and auditor's signature.
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