Abstract:

The objective of this paper is to summarize and present the results of the research performed in respect of the key audit matters identified and reported in the independent auditors’ reports issued in conjunction with the statutory audit of the annual financial statements. The research focused primarily on the reporting requirements in respect of key audit matters relating to audits of historical financial information as defined in the International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and examination of the auditors’ reports issued in conjunction with the statutory audit of the 2017 annual financial statements of the WIG 20 constituent companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (Poland). It was tentatively assumed that risks relating to revenue recognition will in general be regarded as significant and therefore be identified and communicated in the key audit matters by the auditors of the WIG 20 constituent companies (hypothesis 1). It was also assumed that at least two additional key audit matters will be identified and communicated by auditors in their reports (hypothesis 2).