Updated for the new risk assessment standards, this Audit and Accounting Guide as of May 1, 2007 summarizes applicable practices and delivers "how-to" advice for handling almost every type of financial statement. It describes relevant matters, conditions and procedures unique to the agriculture industry — and illustrates treatments of financial statements and reports to caution auditors and accountants about unusual problems.
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Preface
This guide has been prepared to assist the independent auditor in auditing and reporting on financial statements of agricultural producers and agricultural cooperatives by describing relevant matters unique to the industry. It is intended:
Generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) and accounting principles (GAAP) are applicable to all types of agribusiness. The general application of these standards and principles is not discussed herein; rather, this guide focuses on the special problems inherent in auditing and reporting on the financial statements of agricultural producers and agricultural cooperatives.
This guide contains some suggested auditing procedures, but detailed internal control questionnaires and audit programs are not included. The nature, timing and extent of auditing procedures are matters of professional judgment and should be responsive to the assessed risks of material misstatement. This guide also includes information regarding statutory rules and regulations applicable to the industry and illustrations of the form and content of financial statements of agricultural producers and agricultural cooperatives and the independent auditor's reports thereon.
Statement of Position (SOP) 85-3, Accounting by Agricultural Producers and Agricultural Cooperatives, is included as an appendix to this document, and its recommendations on accounting for agricultural producers and cooperatives are an integral part of this guide. SOP 85-3 and the accounting provisions of this guide do not apply to personal financial statements of agricultural producers or statements prepared on a comprehensive basis of accounting other than generally accepted accounting principles (for example, the income tax or the cash basis of accounting). They also do not apply to growers of timber; growers of pineapple and sugarcane in tropical regions; raisers of animals for competitive sports; or merchants or noncooperative processors of agricultural products that purchase commodities from growers, contract harvesters, or others serving agricultural producers.
Effective Date
The provisions for this guide shall be effective for audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after December 31, 1987.
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