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Microlesson · 5-min read

SA 560 – Subsequent Events

## SA 560 – Subsequent Events

### What Are Subsequent Events?

Subsequent events are events that occur after the Balance Sheet date but have a bearing on the financial statements.

```

Balance Sheet Date ←——————————————→ Date of Audit Report

(31/3) (31/5)

↑ This window = Subsequent Events Period

```

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### Types of Subsequent Events

TypeDescriptionExampleRequired Action
Adjusting EventConditions existed at BS date; event provides evidence of those conditionsDebtor declared insolvent – provision was only 10% at BS dateAdjust the financial statements
Non-Adjusting EventCondition arose after BS date; no evidence of condition at BS dateFire occurred after year-end destroying stockDisclose if material

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### Auditor's Objectives (SA 560)

1. Obtain SAAE that events occurring between the date of FS and the date of Audit Report that require adjustment/disclosure have been dealt with by the entity.

2. Respond appropriately to facts that become known after the date of the Audit Report.

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### Case I – Events Between Date of FS and Date of Audit Report

Auditor must obtain SAAE that appropriate adjustment/disclosure has been done.

Auditor's Responsibilities:

StepProcedure
iEvaluate management's procedure for identifying subsequent events
iiInquire from management whether any subsequent event requiring adj/disclosure has been identified
iiiRead minutes of meetings held after the date of FS
ivRead latest interim financial statements, if available
+May also inspect/study accounting records after the date of FS

If an event is identified → Ascertain whether appropriate adjustment/disclosure has been made.

Obtain WIR from Management relating to subsequent events.

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### Case II – Facts Becoming Known AFTER the Date of Audit Report

#### (A) After Audit Report Date but BEFORE FS Issued to Public

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31/3 (FS Date) → 31/5 (Audit Report Date) → [Fact discovered here] → 10/6 (FS issued to public)

```

No obligation to perform audit procedures after the Audit Report date. However, if a fact becomes known that would have affected the report:

Auditor must:

a. Discuss with management

b. Determine whether FS needs amendment

c. Inquire about management's intended action

If Management is Willing to Amend:

  • Carry out audit procedures on the amendment
  • Extend audit procedures to the date of the New Audit Report
  • Date of new Audit Report shall not be earlier than Board approval of amended FS

Special Case – Restricted Amendment (allowed by Law/Regulator):

Two options:

1. Dual Reporting – New/Amended Audit Report + additional date on which auditor carried audit procedure on the specific fact

2. New Report with EOM/OM Para – giving details of restricted amendment and date, without extending audit procedures to entire period

If Management is Unwilling to Amend:

  • If Audit Report still with auditor → Modify Audit Report (no amendment done by management)
  • If Audit Report already with management → Auditor notifies management not to issue the AR to third parties unless amendment is done
  • If management issues the AR to third parties anyway → Auditor takes action so that the public does not rely on the Audit Report

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#### (B) After FS Issued to Public

Same content as (A), with one additional point if management is willing to amend:

  • Management must take steps to inform the public about the amendment and that they should not rely on the earlier issued FS.

If management is not willing to take necessary action:

  • Option to modify opinion is not available (FS already issued)
  • Auditor asks management/TCWG to take necessary action to put non-reliance on the audited FS
  • If no action taken → Auditor takes necessary action to put non-reliance on the audited FS

Worked example

### Example 1

Example – Adjusting Event: Balance Sheet date is 31/3. A debtor who owed ₹10 lakhs is declared insolvent on 15/5 (before the 31/5 audit report date). Investigations reveal the debtor's financial condition was already deteriorating at 31/3 and only a 10% provision was made. Since conditions existed at the BS date, this is an adjusting event → Management must adjust the provision to reflect full loss. Auditor verifies the adjustment has been made.

### Example 2

Example – Non-Adjusting Event: Balance Sheet date is 31/3. A fire destroyed the company's warehouse on 15/4 (after the BS date), damaging stock worth ₹20 lakhs. Since the fire occurred after the BS date, no condition existed on 31/3. This is a non-adjusting event → If material, the entity must disclose the event and its financial impact in the notes to FS. No adjustment to stock value is needed.

### Example 3

Example – Case II(A): Management willing to amend: Audit report was signed on 31/5. On 10/6, the auditor discovers a major contingent liability that existed at 31/3 was not disclosed. FS has not yet been issued to the public. Auditor discusses with management; management agrees to amend. Auditor performs audit procedures on the amendment and issues a new Audit Report dated not earlier than the Board's approval date of the amended FS.

### Example 4

Example – Case II(B): Management unwilling: The audited FS were issued to the public on 30/6. On 15/7, the auditor discovers that revenue was overstated by ₹50 lakhs. Management refuses to issue a corrected FS or inform the public. The auditor, unable to modify the already-issued report, takes necessary steps (e.g., notifying regulators, SEBI) to ensure the public does not place reliance on the audited FS.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Confusing adjusting and non-adjusting events: the key test is whether the condition existed at the Balance Sheet date, not whether the event itself occurred before or after.
  • Believing the auditor has an obligation to actively search for subsequent events after the Audit Report date – there is NO such obligation (Case II).
  • Forgetting that the date of the new Audit Report cannot be earlier than the Board's approval of the amended FS.
  • In Case II(B), students often say the auditor can 'modify the opinion' – this is wrong because the FS are already issued to the public; modification is not possible at that stage.
  • Confusing 'Dual Dating' (used in restricted amendment – two dates on one report) with issuing two entirely separate reports.
Bare-Act text SA 560, Para 4 – Objectives · SA 560 – Subsequent Events (ICAI) · click to expand
The objective of the auditor is to: (a) Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence about whether events occurring between the date of the financial statements and the date of the auditor's report that require adjustment of, or disclosure in, the financial statements are appropriately reflected in those financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework; and (b) Respond appropriately to facts that become known to the auditor after the date of the auditor's report.
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