Accountants – Which is more important: the audit of prepaid insurance or the adequacy of insurance?
October 31st, 2009
For my Auditing class, I have to answer this question and I want your opinion. The question:
"You are auditing a medium-size manufacturing company. Discuss which is usually more important: the audit of prepaid insurance or the determination of the adequacy of insurance."
MY ANSWER:
While both objectives are important, it is more important to audit the adequacy of insurance coverage than the prepaid insurance balance. The adequacy of insurance coverage would ensure that the client company would be a going concern if a catastrophe were to occur. An unqualified opinion on a client with inadequate business continuity, product liability, or general liability insurance coverage could lead to considerable liability on the auditor, if the client was forced out of business. Prepaid insurance is an asset created due to timing differences between insurance policy coverage dates and the date of the financial statements, and prepaid insurance is not usually a significant part of the balance sheet.
What do you think?
The question does not mention whether you are performing an audit of the company’s financial statements or of operations.
As an auditor of the financial statements (probably an external audit), you are responsible for the accurate presentation of the financials, so pre-paid insurance would be more important.
As an auditor of operations (as an external audit or internal audit), you are responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, as well as compliance. Adequacy of insurance would be more important because of its impact to operations. In addition, Company contracts/agreements/leases may require specific levels of insurance.
This all ties back to the general COSO objectives of: Reporting, Operations, & Compliance.
motorcycle
http://www.go4green.ws FREE LEADS! Lead generation tools. Learn how to generate massive leads with my free video techniques. LEADS leads lead generation
http://hbstop.ws (818)745-5657 Finally, someone who will share the secrets of getting Unlimited Network Marketing Leads for FREE! Are you tired of banging your head up against the wall and getting nowhere in your MLM business? Need some (marketing tips)? Well, we have the solution. Our 100% FREE internet marketing system will teach you step by step how to set up your (Home Based Business) and start getting leads today. Are you tired of spending thousands on Google Adwords? We will teach you how to post ads on Craigslist that actually work with (lead generation). If a 13 year old can do it, anyone can! Want to know how to be listed on Google within 24 to 48 hours and be seen on the first page? The Google Bomb is yours once you join the HBstop Team. (Free Network Marketing Leads) are easy to get once you learn to beat the system. Too bad 97% of all internet marketers have not figured it out yet. STOP calling your friends and family trying to get them involved, they do not want to hear it anymore. STOP …
http://www.CreatorstoWealth.com
http://www.Full-CoverageAutoInsurance.com. Want to get the most coverage for the least amount of money? Visit our website to get a free quote.
http://www.malmanlaw.com Joliet Car Accident Attorney. Call Will County Car Accident Attorney Steven Malman today.