Wiley Practitioner's Guide to GAAS 2013: Covering all SASs, SSAEs, SSARSs, and Interpretations

AU 337: Inquiry of a Client’s Lawyer Concerning Litigation, Claims, and Assessments

AU-C 501: Audit Evidence—Specific Considerations for Selected Items

AU EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICABILITY

Original Pronouncement	Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 12.
Effective Date	This standard is now effective.
Applicability	Audits of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS).

AU-C EFFECTIVE DATE AND SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SAS No. 122, Codification of Auditing Standards and Procedures, is effective for audits of financial statements with periods ending on or after December 15, 2012.

AU-C 501 combines the requirements and guidance from extant AU Section 331, Inventories; 332, Auditing Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Investments in Securities; and 337, Inquiry of a Client’s Lawyer Concerning Litigation, Claims, and Assessments.

AU 337.06 states, in part, “the auditor should request the client’s management to send a letter of inquiry to those lawyers with whom management consulted concerning litigation, claims, and assessments.” AU-C 501 takes a more principle-based approach. AU-C 501.18 requires the auditor to seek direct communication with the entity’s external legal counsel (through a letter of inquiry) if the auditor assesses a risk of material misstatement regarding litigation or claims, or when audit procedures performed indicate that material litigation or claims may exist.

AU-C Section 501 supersedes Appendix—Illustrative ...