COVID-19 and CAM Reporting

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Auditors’ reports for certain public companies must contain a new element: critical audit matters (CAMs). The requirement was in effect for audits of large accelerated filers (with market values of $700 million or more) in fiscal years ending on or after June 30, 2019. It goes into effect for smaller public companies in fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2020.

Regardless of where you are in the implementation process, anticipating the CAMs that will appear in your auditor’s report may be especially challenging, given the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

What are the basics?

The auditor’s report offers an opinion as to whether the financial statements fairly present the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or another applicable financial reporting framework. 

In 2017, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) expanded the auditor’s report’s pass-fail format.

The PCAOB rule requires auditors to describe CAMs, which are matters that require especially challenging, subjective or complex judgment from the auditor’s point of view. CAMs aren’t necessarily meant to reflect negatively on the company or indicate that the auditor found a misstatement or internal control deficiencies. But they can raise a red flag to stakeholders.

Let’s get close-up on CAMs

When identifying CAMs, the auditor must:

  • Describe the principal considerations that led the auditor to determine that the matter is a CAM,
  • Describe how the CAM was addressed in the audit, and
  • Refer to the relevant financial statement accounts or disclosures that relate to the CAM.

In May, research firm Audit Analytics reported that the four most common CAMs in auditors’ reports issued for large accelerated filers through April 30, 2020, were: 1) goodwill and intangible assets, 2) revenue recognition, 3) structure events (valuation of acquiring assets), and 4) income taxes. Together, these topics accounted for more than half of all CAMs. These matters are expected to continue to present auditing challenges during the COVID-19 crisis.

Are CAMs a moving target?

CAMs may change from year to year, based on audit complexity, changing risk environments, and new accounting standards. Each year, auditors determine and communicate CAMs in connection with the audit of the company’s financial statements for the current period.

A significant event — such as a cybersecurity breach, a hurricane, or the COVID-19 pandemic — may cause the auditor to report new CAMs. Though such an event itself may not be a CAM, it may be a principal consideration in the auditor’s determination of whether a CAM exists. And such events may affect how CAMs were addressed in the audit.

Prepare now to prevent surprises

Management and the audit committee should know what to expect when the financial statements are delivered. A dry run before year end can help you anticipate the CAMs that will appear on your auditor’s report for the fiscal year 2020, so you can provide clear, consistent messaging to stakeholders. 

For additional information, call us at 818-334-8631 or click here to contact us. We look forward to speaking with you soon. 

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