# SA 570 – Going Concern
## Concept
Going Concern (GC) is a fundamental accounting assumption. FS are prepared on the basis that the entity is a going concern and will continue operations for the foreseeable future — UNLESS management intends to liquidate, cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so (in which case, FS are prepared on a liquidation basis).
## Responsibilities
### Management's Responsibility
- Management must assess the entity's ability to continue as a GC even if the FRF does not explicitly require it.
- The assessment involves judgment about uncertain future outcomes. Relevant factors:
- Degree of uncertainty associated with outcome of an event.
- Size, complexity, nature and condition of the entity's business.
- Judgment is based on information available at the time it is made.
### Auditor's Objectives
- Obtain SAAE on the appropriateness of management's use of GC basis.
- Conclude whether a material uncertainty exists about the entity's ability to continue as GC.
- These responsibilities exist even if the FRF does not require management to make a GC assessment.
- Absence of reference to material uncertainty in the report is NOT a guarantee of GC ability.
## Risk Assessment Procedures
The auditor shall determine whether management has performed an assessment:
- If performed: Discuss with management and review how management plans to address events/conditions.
- If not performed: Discuss with management the basis for use of GC and whether events/conditions exist.
## Evaluating Management's Assessment
It is not the auditor's responsibility to rectify lack of analysis by management. Lack of management assessment may not always prevent the auditor from concluding. Evaluation may include:
- Management's plans for future actions and feasibility.
- Process used to make the assessment.
- Assumptions underlying the assessment.
- If management's assessment covers less than 12 months from FS date, auditor shall request extension to at least 12 months.
## Additional Procedures When Events/Conditions Identified
The auditor shall obtain SAAE to determine if material uncertainty exists:
- Where management has not performed assessment – request management to assess.
- For cash flow forecasts:
- Evaluate reliability of underlying data.
- Determine adequate support for assumptions.
- Consider additional information available since management's assessment.
- Request WR from Mgt & TCWG regarding plans for future action.
### Examples of Such Procedures
- Analysing cash flow forecasts with management.
- Analysing latest available interim FS.
- Reading terms of debentures and loan agreements; determining whether breached.
- Reading minutes of shareholder and TCWG meetings for references to financing difficulties.
- Inquiring of entity's legal counsel about litigation.
- Confirming existence and enforceability of financial support from related parties/third parties.
- Evaluating plans for unfilled customer orders.
- Performing subsequent events procedures.
- Confirming existence, terms and adequacy of borrowing facilities.
- Reviewing regulatory action reports.
- Determining adequacy of support for planned asset disposals.
## Disclosure Requirements
| Situation | Auditor's Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Material uncertainty exists | Check FS adequately disclose events/conditions, management's plans, AND clearly disclose material uncertainty exists. |
| Events/conditions identified but no material uncertainty | Evaluate whether FS provide adequate disclosure of these events/conditions. |
## Implications for Auditor's Report
| Situation | Type of Opinion |
|---|---|
| Management unwilling to make/extend its assessment | Qualified or Disclaimer of opinion |
| Use of GC basis is inappropriate (entity should be on liquidation basis) | Adverse opinion (regardless of whether management has disclosed) |
| GC appropriate, material uncertainty exists, adequate disclosure made (Case 1) | Unmodified opinion + separate section titled 'Material Uncertainty Related to GC' drawing attention to the FS note |
| GC appropriate, material uncertainty exists, disclosure NOT adequate (Case 2) | Qualified or Adverse opinion; Basis section states material uncertainty exists and FS do not adequately disclose |
## Events/Conditions That May Cast Significant Doubt
### Financial Indicators
- Net liability/net current liability position.
- Fixed-term borrowings approaching maturity without renewal prospects; reliance on short-term borrowings for long-term assets.
- Inability to comply with loan terms.
- Withdrawal of financial support by creditors.
- Inability to pay creditors on due dates.
- Inability to obtain financing for new product development.
- Negative operating cash flows.
- Adverse key financial ratios.
### Operating Indicators
- Management's intention to liquidate or cease operations.
- Loss of key management without replacement.
- Labour difficulties.
- Shortage of important supplies.
- Loss of major market, key customer, franchise, license, or principal supplier.
- Emergence of a highly successful competitor.
### Other Indicators
- Adverse changes in L&R.
- Non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Pending legal proceedings entity is unlikely to satisfy.
- Uninsured/underinsured catastrophes.