Pre-Advance Information

The below represents a summary of the advance information an audit firm is required to submit to CPA Ireland prior to the commencement of a QA review. This must be submitted electronically by the date as per the initial QA notice. For the detailed requirements for a non-audit firm Click here.

The timely receipt of this information is important to ensure that your review is planned efficiently and effectively.

Practice Information
  • QA-Information -Required 2024-Word document. (Audit) - (Non-Audit) - This guide will support you in preparing the advanced information for submission as part of your Quality Assurance review.
  • QA Information required 2024 - Excel tracking tool. (Audit) - (Non-Audit) - This tool is to aid in the receipt of the pre-advanced information. Please can you complete the QA Information required - Excel tracking tool, and return to me completed with your submission of the pre-advanced information.
  1. Completed Pre-Visit Questionnaire. (Audit) - (Non-Audit)
  2. The firm’s full client listing identifying audit, audit exempt and non-corporate clients. This should be completed using the standard CPA client list template only.  This listing should reconcile fully to the public record and the Pre-Visit Questionnaire as applicable. Any and all variances should be fully reconciled with explanatory notes.          
  3. Most recently completed Annual Compliance Review, detailing the whole firm review.
  4. A copy of the most recently completed cold file review for each statutory auditor (as applicable), to include the remediation plan compiled to address weaknesses identified in the review.
  5. Fit and proper declaration for all firm personnel for 2024.
  6. Independence and confidentiality statement for all firm personnel for 2024.
  7. ISQM policy document and accompanying firm risk assessment.
  8. Confirmation the ISQM policy document was communicated to firm’s personnel (as applicable).
  9. Details of any engagement quality reviews (EQRs) undertaken as per ISQM 1 and 2.
  10. Partnership Agreement (if applicable).
  11. Copy of firm’s headed paper.
  12. Continuity of practice agreement (if sole practitioner).
  13. Professional Indemnity Insurance: Policy document & latest renewal details.
  14. Copy of most recent Practice Accounts prepared and Management Accounts to date.
  15. Names of the largest audit and non-audit fees from any client or group of related clients for the last two years. 
  16. Listing of fee invoices raised for the last two years for the firm.
  17. Current aged debtors analysis.
  18. Where a Client bank account is held by the firm a copy of the;
    1. Current bank statements with fully balanced client ledger.
    2. Supporting documentation, to include client instructions.
 
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
  1. The CPD records for all statutory auditors as per the pre-visit questionnaire for the years; 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date.
  2. The CPD plan for the years 2023 and 2024 for each statutory auditor in the firm.
  3. The CPD plan evaluation for the year 2023 for each statutory auditor in the firm.
  4. The CPD records for all non-audit partners and senior audit staff in the firm for the years; 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date.
Anti-money Laundering (AML) Records
  1. Anti- Money Laundering policies and procedures for the firm.
  2. Confirmation the AML policy document was communicated to firm’s personnel (as applicable).
  3. The documented risk assessment of the firm and clients for AML purposes for 2023 and 2024.
  4. Details of any suspicious transaction reporting made to the relevant authorities undertaken by the firm since the last Quality Assurance review.
  5. Details and content of the AML CPD undertaken together with a copy of the AML CPD completed by the firm’s personnel for the previous 12 months.