ISA 550, Related Parties, is an international auditing standard issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). It provides guidance to auditors on how to identify, assess, and disclose related party transactions and relationships in financial statements. Related parties are individuals, entities, or other parties that have the ability to influence the financial and operating policies of an entity, or have significant influence over the entity’s management or financial reporting.
Definitions:
Related Parties:
Related parties are parties that are closely associated with an entity due to ownership, control, or other relationships. They include but are not limited to:
An entity and its subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures
Individuals who have control or significant influence over the entity
Key management personnel and their close family members
Entities that are controlled, jointly controlled, or significantly influenced by the same party that controls, jointly controls, or significantly influences the entity being audited.
Related Party Transactions:
Related party transactions are transactions between an entity and its related parties, regardless of whether a price is charged. They include, but are not limited to, the transfer of assets or liabilities, the provision of goods, services, or guarantees, and the settlement of obligations.
Explanations:
ISA 550 requires auditors to obtain a clear understanding of an entity’s relationships and transactions with related parties, and to perform audit procedures to address the risks associated with such relationships and transactions. Auditors need to exercise professional skepticism and perform additional audit procedures to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence related to related party transactions and relationships.
Auditors should evaluate the nature, extent, and purpose of related party transactions, and assess the risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error. They should consider the characteristics of related party transactions, such as the complexity of the transactions, the existence of related party transactions that are not conducted at arm’s length, and the adequacy of related party disclosures in the financial statements.
Examples:
Company A is a publicly traded company, and its CEO, who is also a member of the board of directors, owns 30% of the shares of Company B. During the year, Company A purchases goods worth $1 million from Company B at a price higher than the prevailing market price. This transaction is a related party transaction, and auditors need to assess whether the price charged by Company B is reasonable and in accordance with the arm’s length principle.
Company C, a manufacturing company, has a joint venture with Company D, a supplier of raw materials. The joint venture is not consolidated in the financial statements of Company C. During the year, Company C purchases raw materials worth $500,000 from Company D. As the joint venture is a related party of Company C, auditors need to assess the appropriateness of the price charged by Company D for the raw materials, and whether the transaction is disclosed appropriately in the financial statements.
Case Studies:
XYZ Inc. is a multinational conglomerate with operations in various countries. During the audit of XYZ Inc.’s financial statements, auditors identify that XYZ Inc. has several subsidiaries and joint ventures that are considered related parties. The auditors perform additional procedures to assess the nature and extent of transactions with these related parties, including reviewing contracts, obtaining confirmations, and assessing the financial performance and position of the related parties. The auditors also evaluate the disclosures related to these related party transactions in the financial statements to ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
ABC Ltd. is a privately held company that is owned and controlled by a family. The company has several related party transactions, including sales of goods and services to entities owned by the family members, loans provided to family members at favorable terms, and rental agreements with properties owned by family members. The auditors of ABC Ltd. perform extensive procedures to assess the appropriateness of these related party transactions, including obtaining evidence of the business rationale for the transactions, evaluating the terms and conditions of the transactions to ensure they are conducted at arm’s length, and assessing the impact of these transactions on the financial statements of ABC Ltd.
In another case, DEF Corp. is a publicly traded company with a complex ownership structure involving various related parties, including subsidiaries, joint ventures, and significant shareholders. During the audit of DEF Corp.’s financial statements, the auditors identify potential related party transactions that were not disclosed in the financial statements. The auditors perform detailed audit procedures, including reviewing board minutes, contracts, and other relevant documentation, and conducting inquiries with management and the board of directors to identify and assess the nature and extent of these related party transactions. The auditors also evaluate the adequacy of related party disclosures in the financial statements and assess whether the financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects, including the related party transactions.
In all these case studies, the auditors are required to exercise professional skepticism, obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence, and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements. They need to assess the risks associated with related party transactions and relationships, including the potential for fraud or error, and ensure that the financial statements provide a true and fair view of the entity’s financial position and performance.
In conclusion, ISA 550, Related Parties, provides guidance to auditors on how to identify, assess, and disclose related party transactions and relationships in financial statements. Related parties are parties that are closely associated with an entity due to ownership, control, or other relationships. Auditors need to obtain a clear understanding of an entity’s relationships and transactions with related parties, and perform audit procedures to address the risks associated with such relationships and transactions. Examples of related party transactions include sales of goods and services, loans, and rental agreements with related parties. Case studies highlight the importance of auditors performing detailed procedures to assess the appropriateness of related party transactions and disclosures, and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements. By adhering to ISA 550 and exercising professional skepticism, auditors can provide assurance on the reliability of financial statements with related party transactions, thus enhancing the credibility of financial reporting