Development of an Overall Plan

The auditor should consider the following matters in developing his overall plan for the expected scope and conduct of the audit :

•  The terms of his engagement and any statutory responsibilities.
•  The nature and timing of reports or other communication.
•  The applicable legal or statutory requirements.
• The accounting policies adopted by the client and changes in those policies.
• The effect of new accounting or auditing pronouncements on the audit.
•  The identification of significant audit areas.
•  The setting of materiality levels for audit purposes.
•  Conditions requiring special attention, such as the possibility of material error or fraud or the involvement of parties in whom directors or persons who are substantial owners of the entity are interested and with whom transactions are likely.
•  The degree of reliance he expects to be able to place on accounting system and internal control.
• Possible rotation of emphasis on specific audit areas.
• The nature and extent of audit evidence to be obtained.
•  The work of internal auditors and the extent of their involvement, if any, in the audit.
• The involvement of other auditors in the audit of subsidiaries or branches of the client.
•  The involvement of experts.
•  The allocation of work to be undertaken between joint auditors and the procedures for its control and review.
•  Establishing and coordinating staffing requirements.

The auditor should document his overall plan. The form and extent of the documentation will vary depending on the size and complexity of the audit. A time budget, in which hours are budgeted for the various audit areas or procedures, can be an effective planning tool.