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8/13/2019 Exploring Leading Practices for Environmental Liabilities
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Deloitte & Touche LLP
July 2011
Auditing ManagementEstimates:Exploring Leading
Practices forEnvironmentalLiabilities
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Auditing Management Estimates
Introduction
Performing and documenting our testing of management estimates and
judgments has historically been, and continues to be, the area with the
highest rate of findings in internal and external inspections. When auditing
accounting estimates the primary objective of the auditor is to obtain
sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide reasonable assurance that
the estimates are reasonable in the circumstances.
The underlying theme in the inspection
findings is that often we are not obtaining
sufficient appropriate audit evidence.
The foundation of this practice aid was a
review of internal and external inspection
findings. Although the findings span a
number of different audit areas, and
occurred along the various elements of
the audit process, our significant findings
have predominantly been associated
with substantive testing when we
evaluated and tested the process used by
management to develop the estimate.
This practice aid was developed to assist professionals with gaining an
understanding of the common pitfalls identified related to our audit work
on management estimates, and provide further considerations to assist
engagement teams with developing additional procedures to remediate
these findings.
This practice aid provides professionals with:
• A workow that depicts the key elements of the audit process for
management estimates, which identifies common pitfalls along
that process
• A discussion about environmental liabilities that includes:
– Audit considerations for engagement leadership, primary reviewers,
and engagement quality control reviewers that often will be
appropriate in the context of the estimate
– Abbreviated hypothetical examples that denote audit considerations
for staff practitioners
As discussed above, our significant
findings have predominantly been
associated with substantive testing when
we evaluated and tested the process
used by management in developing the
estimate; thus, the focus of this practice
aid is on substantive testing.
It does not address testing the
operating effectiveness of internal
controls over financial reporting. It
also does not address the substantive
audit procedures that we perform
when we use other approaches to
auditing management’s estimates (i.e.,
developing an independent expectation of the estimate to corroborate the
reasonableness of management’s estimate, or reviewing subsequent events
or transactions occurring prior to the date of the auditor’s report).
Identify circumstances
that require estimates
Understand management’s
process (consider risk of
material misstatement)
Test management’s
process
Develop an
independentexpectation
Review subsequent
events or transactions
Analyze evidence
obtained and conclude
Contemporaneously
document
2
Note: As described in U.S. AAM P020.15, certain management estimates are considered to be significant matters. Each management estimate identified as a significant matter is
required to be described in our audit planning and summary memorandums in a manner that facilitates a thorough understanding of the significant matter [U.S. AAM 2010.02a, U.S.
AAM 7500.02a]. Furthermore, the engagement partner is required to perform a primary review of the audit documentation related to all significant matters and discuss such matters
with the engagement quality control reviewer [U.S. AAM P040.13a, U.S. AAM G240.02].
Our testing of management estimates is the single
greatest source of PCAOB findings
Common pitfalls include:
• Failing to evaluate management’s assumptions
or challenge management’s explanations for
reasonableness
• Failing to test underlying data used in developingestimates
• Failing to perform retrospective reviews
This practice aid was designed to help you avoid
these pitfalls
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Identify circumstances
that require estimates
3
Understand management’s
process (consider risk of
material misstatement)
Test management’s
process
Analyze evidence
obtained and conclude
Contemporaneously
document
Understand the entity, its environment, and management’s process as part
of our risk assessment
Consider alternative models/methodologies
Consider controls around accumulation of reliable data
Consider controls at service organizations and end user controls
Consider if management uses or ought to use a specialist
Perform retrospective review
Consider whether there has been a change or ought to have been a
change in the process
Test controls at appropriate level of precision
Test completeness, accuracy, and relevance of any underlying data
Understand specialists’ qualifications, methodologies, and assumptions
Concentrate on key factors and assumptions
Consider alternative assumptions
Review estimates for indicators of bias
Obtain audit evidence to provide reasonable assurance that the estimate i
appropriate in the circumstances
Consider alternative factors or assumptions and conclude as to why the
factors and assumptions used were most appropriate
Consider all positive, negative, and contradictory evidence
� Failure to consider all available evidence
� Leverage management’s conclusion instead of challenging it
� Failure to obtain sufficient persuasive evidence to overcome negative or
contradictory information
Include relevant professional literature, GAAP, and GAAS, when
documenting the conclusion
Document consultations with Firm specialists and subject matter experts
Document considerations of contradictory or inconsistent audit evidence
Document challenges that were raised and alternative positions and
assumptions considered
� Documentation fails to demonstrate the exercise of professional skepticism
� Failure to carry forward documentation or evidence
Auditing Management Estimates —Workflow
Evaluating assumptions
i n c l u d e s
Testingunderlying
data
Evaluatingfor bias
i n c l u d e s
Using aspecialist
Testing operatingeffectiveness ofinternal controls
i n c
l u d e s
i n c
l u d e s
i n c
l u d e s
Test management’sprocess
Retrospective
review
i n c l u d e s
Model/ Methodology
Assumptions &Uncertainty
Changes fromprior year
i n c l u d e s
i n c l u d e s
Using aspecialist
Internalcontrol: D&I
i n c
l u d e s
i n c
l u d e s
i n c
l u d e s
Understand management’sprocess (consider risk ofmaterial misstatement)
Develop an
independent
expectation
Review subsequent
events or transactions
The following is a workflow depicting the key elements of the audit process for testing management estimates. The s indicate keyconsiderations for each of the elements while the �s indicate common pitfalls.
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4
� Failure to obtain an understanding of management’s process and
methodologies
� Controls identified and tested were not sufficiently precise to address the
assertion
� Failure to identify controls at service organizations in addition to end user
controls
� Failure to alter nature, timing, and extent from prior years
� Failure to challenge management’s ability to accurately estimate by
performing retrospective review
� Failure to perform sensitivity analysis to identify the significant assumptions
� Failure to identify alternative assumptions
� Failure to challenge whether the process or methodology remained
appropriate in the current year
� Failure to test underlying data for completeness and accuracy
� Tested controls related to data integrity are not sufficiently precise
� Failure to assess the impact of control deficiencies on related substantive
procedures
� Failure to identify or address control deficiencies noted in SAS 70
� Tested controls do not address relevant assertions
� Failure to adequately understand specialist’s methodology and/or
assumptions
� Failure to reconcile or understand differences between specialist’s
calculation and the amount recorded by management� Failure to adequately address and document matters raised by internal
specialists
� Documentation includes “Per discussion with management” without
corroboration through source documents, reports, etc.
� Management assumptions are not challenged with external data
� Failure to consider whether differences between estimates best supported
by the audit evidence and the estimates included in the financial
statements, even if they are individually reasonable, indicate a possible bias
on the part of management
Understanding and TestingManagement’s Process —
Common Pitfalls A
B
C
D
E
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This material is split into two parts, a Reviewer Considerations
section and a Staff Practitioner’s Examples section.
In the Reviewer Considerations section you will find:
• A description of the estimate
• A list of signicant assumptions that often are applicable
to the respective estimate
• A list of factors that often inuence the identication of
risks of material misstatement• A list of information which is often obtained to support
our substantive audit of the estimate, along with a
listing of substantive procedures which will often be
appropriate in the context of the estimate and the
information described
• A list of common pitfalls that often arise in the audit of
the estimate
In the Staff Practitioner’s Examples section you will find:
• A description of factual situations where the estimate is
being considered
• A list of the audit procedures which the hypothetical
engagement team has already performed in testingmanagement’s process for establishing the estimate
• Descriptions of the most signicant deciencies in the
audit procedures
• Examples of some possible additional audit procedures
which may be considered in the circumstances
A meaningful way of using this material is in the planning
of your activities and as a support to the work you perform
or supervise. For example, an engagement partner may
find the Reviewer Considerations section of this estimate
helpful in planning the audit work, and in reviewing the
underlying working papers. Further, the staff auditor in this
situation may find the Staff Practitioner’s Examples section
to be helpful in executing his or her role in supervising or
performing the audit procedures.
Additional examples of estimates which illustrate new
principles and concepts will be added to the Practice Aid
when appropriate. If you believe there are such estimates,
contact the Audit Group in Wilton.
5
Preface
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6 Environmental Liabilities
Environmental Liabilities
Introduction
The purpose of this section is to provide users with considerations relevant to assessing the
adequacy of procedures for auditing environmental liabilities. Environmental liabilities generally
represent estimated future obligations for clean-up costs or damages and may be recognized
in connection with environmental loss contingencies, environmental remediation liabilities,
environmental guarantees, and asset retirement obligations (ARO) (see discussion in ASC 410,
Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations; the requirements for ARO estimates in ASC
410-20 are unique and not included in this section). Guarantees are discussed in ASC 460.
Environmental estimates and liabilities are frequently performance-based whereby certain
activities will be performed to achieve a desired objective or result (e.g., the remediation of
contaminated groundwater or soil).
Establishing these estimates requires the identification of a particular driver such as a
consent order issued by regulator, lawsuit, or asserted or unasserted claim to indicate a
liability has been incurred plus the activities or scope of work necessary and the supporting
details to measure the liability. The existence of a liability for environmental remediation
costs becomes determinable and the amount of the liability becomes estimable over
a continuum of events and activities that help to frame, define, and verify the liability.
In the early stages of the process, cost estimates can be difficult to derive because of
uncertainties about a variety of factors. Consequently, a multidisciplinary approach is
typically used to identify, understand, and measure these liabilities, and may includetechnical or engineering resources, legal, regulatory, and accounting competencies.
Environmental exposures frequently represent an understatement risk whereby (1)
management may not be aware of new or potential environmental exposures or incidents
or (2) management is aware of the environmental obligation and may assert that the
criteria for recognition has not been met (i.e., probable that the entity has incurred a
liability, however the loss is not reasonably estimable). The future cash outows related to
environmental matters may be deemed inestimable based on various factors (e.g., limited
information regarding volume and nature of contamination or what will ultimately be
required by the regulatory agency). While it may not always be possible to estimate the
entire liability, a portion of the liability can frequently be measured. In these cases a liability
should be recognized for that portion which can be estimated.
Whether notification by regulatory authorities in relation to particular environmental laws
and regulations constitutes the assertion of a claim is a matter of legal determination. If an
entity concludes that it has no current legal obligation to remediate a situation of probable
or possible environmental impact, then in accordance with paragraph 450-20-50-6 no
disclosure is required. However, if an entity is required by existing laws and regulations to
report the release of hazardous substances and to begin a remediation study or if assertion
of a claim is deemed probable, the matter would represent a loss contingency subject to
the disclosure provisions of paragraphs 450-20-50-3 through 50-4, regardless of a lack
of involvement by a regulatory agency. The d isclosure requirements of ASC 275-10 also
apply to environmental remediation liabilities. Other d isclosures related to environmental
liabilities may be appropriate (see ASC 410-30-50).
NOTE
These considerations provide example
procedures that an engagement team may
consider to enhance the effectiveness of their
audit. These consideration points are not
all-inclusive and are not intended to replace the
need for professional judgment. There may be
other acceptable ways to accomplish the auditobjectives for this management estimate that
are not specifically addressed herein. The nature,
timing, and extent of testing and audit evidence
that is appropriate will depend on the entity
specific facts and circumstances as well as our
approach to testing internal controls.
Reviewer Considerations
When identifying material classes of transactions,accounts, balances, and disclosures, we consider both
qualitative and quantitative factors. As we obtain an
understanding of the relevant industry, regulatory,
and other external factors, we may consider the
following qualitative factors related to contingent
environmental liabilities:
• The relevant legislation and regulations
• Environmental requirements affecting the industry
and the entity’s business
• The experience of the entity’s sector and
competitors
These factors may indicate an inherent risk and
susceptibility to misstatement that is not reected inthe account balance or the entity’s recent experience
related to the environmental exposures.
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Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
7 Environmental Liabilities
Common Significant Assumptions (NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE)
• Technical assumptions regarding the expected scope of work to be required at a site:
– Interpretation of the scope of work expected as a result of the provisions of a consent decree, unilateral order, otherdirective issued by a regulator, claim or potential claim, or lawsuit
– Regulator approval of remedy and work plan
– Establishment (submission and confirmation) of site clean-up standards (e.g., residential standards or industrial use
standards)
– The range of activities expected to be required
– Duration of activities during remediation and operations, maintenance, and monitoring periods
– Activities and cost components considered to be “typical” of the industry
– The timing of future expenditures and the impact on the classification of the liability in the balance sheet
• Judgments about:
– The probability and estimability of a loss related to an exposure
– The allocation percentages assigned to parties identified as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) and subject to joint
and several liability or other cost sharing mechanisms
– The credit worthiness of the other PRPs and the likelihood they will pay their share of the allocated costs
– The cost build-up, including volumes and unit costs (internal and external cost)
– The application of accounting conventions (e.g., future cash ows are inestimable beyond 10 years)
• Consideration of facts and circumstances when an exposure is determined to not be estimable
• Classication of the liabilities based on the driver of environmental exposure (a remediation liability from an unexpected
incident versus contamination from normal operation of an asset accounted for as an ARO, both may be present at a site)
• Differentiating between required environmental remediation and voluntary activities or pollution control activities
Factors That Could Lead to Risks of Material Misstatement (NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE)
• Existing or new exposures associated with environmental contamination are not identied and assessed in a timely manner
• Relying on contractor estimates which were not developed for purposes of nancial reporting
• Management relies on an external specialist to understand and apply the applicable accounting standards (e.g., U.S.
GAAP, IFRS) and the external specialist does not have an adequate understanding of the accounting standards
• Management’s internal or external specialist does not have the relevant experience or does not have the competency to
be able to provide advice or a particular liability estimate
• Judgments and estimates are not subject to sufcient review by management
• Decisions whether to modify the reserve are not subject to the appropriate level of review by management
• Management does not incorporate new data into the assessment of the liability
• All cost elements may not be included in the measurement of the environmental liability or may not be priced appropriately
• The costs included in the estimate may be several years old or based on old assumptions
• The entity’s policies state that liabilities are recorded when notice of a claim is received versus when it is probable that a
claim will be asserted that will result in an unfavorable outcome
• Management’s policy is interpreted as requiring the reserve be recorded at the low end of the range rather than the
best estimate
• Liabilities viewed by the entity as probable but not reasonably estimable can be estimated within a reasonable range
based on available information• The entity has a recovery mechanism (e.g., insurance or indemnity) and the receivable has been improperly netted
against the liability
• Management bias inuences the assumption used and judgments made
• Financial assurance costs (e.g., performance guarantee mechanisms such as bonds, letters of credit) are included in the
estimate versus treated as a period cost
• The cost estimate has been based on a scope of work that is not responsive to regulatory requirements or consistent
with ASC 410-30
• The entity discounts contingent liabilities that do not qualify for discounting as the timing and amount of the future
cash ows are not xed or reasonably determinable or the discount rate is not consistent with the rate used in other
internal analyses (note: if the low end of a range of possible losses were accrued, SEC staff comments have indicated that
discounting would not be appropriate because the aggregate obligation is not fixed and reliably determinable)
Superfund is the
name given to theenvironmental program
established to address
abandoned hazardous
waste sites. It is also
the name of the
fund established by
the Comprehensive
Environmental Response,
Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as
amended. It allows the
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to cleanup such sites and to
compel responsible
parties to perform
clean ups or reimburse
the government for
EPA-led clean ups. The
Superfund clean-up
process is complex. It
involves the steps taken
to assess sites, place
them on the National
Priorities List, and
establish and implement
appropriate clean-up
plans.
Similarly, under the
corrective action
requirements of the
Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act of
1976 (RCRA), the EPA
may order facilities that
treat, store, or dispose
of hazardous waste
to clean up releasesof hazardous waste
constituents associated
with past or ongoing
practices. In addition
to these programs,
there are numerous
federal and state
environmental laws that
may impact an entity’s
business and result in an
environmental exposure.
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Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
8 Environmental Liabilities
• The costs to treat environmental contamination are capitalized rather than charged to expense
• The entity does not track aggregate possible losses to determine if possible losses in excess of the reserves recorded are
significant and should be disclosed• The entity does not disclose that environmental liabilities are discounted and the amount of the d iscount
• The reserves are overstated to preserve remediation budgets or to serve as “cookie jar” reserves
• The entity does not make all of the required disclosures
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Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
In the context of environmental remediation liabilities, the probability criterion in ASC 450-20-25-2 consists of two elements.
The criterion is met if both of the following elements are met on or before the date the financial statements are issued:
• Litigation has commenced or a claim or an assessment has been asserted, or, based on available information, commencement
of litigation or assertion of a claim or an assessment is probable. In other words, it has been asserted (or it is probable that it
will be asserted) that the entity is responsible for participating in a remediation process because of a past event.
• Based on available information, it is probable that the outcome of such litigation, claim, or assessment will be unfavorable.
What constitutes commencement or probable commencement of litigation or assertion or probable assertion of a claim or
an assessment in relation to particular environmental laws and regulations may require legal determination.
Certain stages of a remediation effort or process and PRP involvement provide benchmarks that may be considered whenevaluating the probability that a loss has been incurred and the extent to which any loss is reasonably estimable. The
following are recognition benchmarks for a Superfund remediation liability. Analogous stages of the RCRA corrective-
action are also listed in ASC 410-30-25-15.
Identification as a PRP: If an entity
receives notification or otherwise
becomes aware that it may be a
responsible party, it should examine
its records to determine if it has
been associated with the site. If the
entity determines that it is
associated with the site, it is
probable that a liability has been
incurred. If all or a portion of the
liability is reasonably estimable, the
liability should be recognized.
Receipt of unilateral
administrative order: If an entity
receives an order to take action or
risk penalties, management should
accrue a liability for the requisite
work. The cost of performing the
requisite work generally is
estimable within a range and
recognition of a liability for costs of
the study and any other short-term
actions generally should not be
delayed beyond this point.
Participation in a remedial
investigation-feasibility study: If
an entity agrees to pay the cost of
a study, it should accrue a liability
for its share of the cost of the study
and any other costs that can be
reasonably estimated. As the study
proceeds, the entity’s estimate of
its share of the total cost of the
study can be refined.
Completed feasibility study:
At substantial completion of the
feasibility study, a minimum liability
generally will be reasonably
estimable. If management had not
previously concluded that it could
reasonably estimate the liability,
recognition should not be delayed
beyond this point.
Issued record of decision: The EPA
specifies a preferred remedy, which
further refines the amount of the
potential liability. Management’s
estimate normally can be refined
based on the specified preferred
remedy and a preliminary allocation
of the total remediation costs,
which will likely result in an
adjustment to the liability.
Remedial design through
operation and maintenance:
This phase includes actual site
remediation and involves the most
precise cost estimates, which
management uses to continue to
refine its liability adjustments. This
phase continues through
post-remediation monitoring.
1 2 3
4 5 6
An entity should determine its allocable share of liability for a site based on its estimate of the allocation methods and
percentage that will ultimately be used for the entire remediation effort. The primary source for this estimate should be
the allocation method and percentages that (1) parties have agreed to, (2) have been assigned by a consultant, or (3) have
been determined by a regulator. If the entity’s assessment of the ultimate allocation method and percentage differs from
these primary sources, the entity’s estimate should be based on objective, verifiable information including data about
the kinds and quantities of waste at the site, experience with allocation approaches in comparable situations, reports of
specialists, or other data refuting contributions to the site.
9 Environmental Liabilities
CAUTION
The following provides useful information about U.S. GAAP and the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codication (the
“Codification”) that may be considered when auditing environmental liabilities. It may be helpful to provide context to the audit procedures and considerations
that are outlined in this Section. The information was extracted from ASC 410-30 and it not intended as a substitute for the understanding of U.S. GAAP andthe Codification and the exercise of judgment. Engagement teams should have a thorough understanding of the Codification and should refer to the text of the
Codification, as necessary, in considering particular items presented below.
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1 The examples provide illustrative procedures that may assist in evaluating whether sufficient appropriate evidential matter has been obtained in connection with our audit of
management’s estimates. The example procedures indicated as “Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete” often are not sufficient and appropriate for management
estimates when performed alone. Limiting the nature, timing, and extent of procedures to these items, and not combining these procedures with other testing procedures, might
result in inadequate audit procedures as identified in internal and external inspection findings. The examples indicated as “Additional procedures we might perform” present
additional audit procedures that, individually or in some combination, may improve audit performance.
Consider the significance, complexity, and estimation uncertainty of the management estimate being tested to determine the additional aud it procedures, if any, that might be
relevant in the circumstances.
10
EVALUATE DEGREES OF EVIDENCE
The determination of the nature, timing, and extent of procedures, and also the degree of documented evidence needed to support those
procedures, is a professional judgment dependent upon specific facts and circumstances.
Whatever the facts and circumstances, the documentation of the procedures performed would demonstrate the sufficient appropriate
evidence obtained, the conclusions we reached, and the basis for our conclusions regarding the reasonableness of the estimate.
100˚
90˚
80˚
70˚
60˚
50˚
40˚
30˚
20˚
10˚
0˚
C nt r t rEv n
t vEv n
B l n
In t lEv n
10 Environmental Liabilities
Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
Information we typically
receive
Audit procedures
internal process flow
narratives and internal
control matrices
Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete1
• Conduct and document high-level discussions with management to update the prior-
year understanding
• Identify controls (e.g., review and approval of journal entries, reviews by senior
management of environmental specialist’s reports) that may not consider all thesignificant aspects of developing the estimate, may not be sufficiently precise to meet
the relevant assertions, or address the risks of material misstatements associated with
the relevant financial statement assertions
• Assess the design of controls by considering some of the important attributes of the
control
• Tests of operating effectiveness for a portion of the important attributes of the control
(e.g., only inspecting the documentation evidence of the reviewer’s sign-off)
• Determine how the responsibility for monitoring environmental liabilities is shared
between Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) and the legal department
Additional procedures we might perform1
• Obtain management’s current-year process ow descriptions and control matrices
and compare them with the prior year to identify whether any changes in the process
or controls occurred• Enhance our understanding of the likely sources of misstatements by updating and
supplementing the prior-year understanding, including asking probing questions and
obtaining corroborative evidence related to the following:
– New or potential environmental exposures
• Who reviews the list for completeness
CAUTIONCommon pitfalls
• Failure to identify relevant controls that are designed to specically address the identied risks of material misstatement and operate at a sufcient level of precision
• Failure to assess important attributes of the design of controls identied
• Failure to appropriately challenge the sufciency of management’s process• Failure to perform substantive tests of the underlying data used to develop the estimate
• Failure to challenge whether no change in the recorded balance year over year is appropriate
• Failure to adequately understand the external specialist’s methodology and/or assumptions
• Failure to reconcile or understand differences between the external specialist’s calculation and the amount recorded by management
• Failure to adequately address and document matters raised by the Environmental Specialist
• Failure to challenge if an exposure is truly not probable or estimable• Failure to document all of the considerations made by the Environmental Specialist in nding that the management’s estimates were reasonable (i.e., the basis for the
Environmental Specialist’s conclusions)
• Failure to corroborate comments made by management or the external specialist engaged by management• Failure to retrospectively review actual costs compared to estimated costs, where appropriate, for management bias and to assess if management has demonstrated
proficiency in determining the estimate
• Failure to properly determine whether costs to treat environmental contamination should be capitalized or charged to expense
• Failure to apply the appropriate accounting treatment or classication which may result in recognition or measurement differences• Failure to include the appropriate disclosures (e.g., lack of appropriate disclosure of sites where the amount is not estimable)
• Failure to document sufcient information regarding the procedures performed and professional judgments made to enable an experienced auditor, having no previous
experience with the engagement, to understand the nature, timing, and extent of the procedures performed, the evidence obtained, and the conclusions reached
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1 The examples provide illustrative procedures that may assist in evaluating whether sufficient appropriate evidential matter has been obtained in connection with our audit of
management’s estimates. The example procedures indicated as “Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete” often are not sufficient and appropriate for management
estimates when performed alone. Limiting the nature, timing, and extent of procedures to these items, and not combining these procedures with other testing procedures, might
result in inadequate audit procedures as identified in internal and external inspection findings. The examples indicated as “Additional procedures we might perform” present
additional audit procedures that, individually or in some combination, may improve audit performance.
Consider the significance, complexity, and estimation uncertainty of the management estimate being tested to determine the additional aud it procedures, if any, that might be
relevant in the circumstances.
11 Environmental Liabilities
Information we typically
receive
Audit procedures
internal process flow
narratives and internalcontrol matrices (cont.)
Additional procedures we might perform1 (cont.)
• What activities are designed to identify, monitor, and measure incidents orexposures and the impact on the related disclosures
• What controls exist to ensure consistency in evaluation of probabilities
– Relevant controls to review the key assumptions and cost build-up used to estimate
the reserve and related documentation
– Relevant controls to review whether a reserve adjustment should be recorded
– Appropriate participation of resources with technical and engineering, legal,
regulatory, and accounting competencies in the preparation and review of the
remediation cost estimates and the reserves
– The appropriateness of the entity’s accounting policies related to remediation liabilities
– The process by which data that could affect disclosures is tracked, aggregated,
communicated, and reviewed
– How any overlap between environmental remediation liabilities, AROs, and voluntary
and/or future expenditures required for pollution control are reviewed and addressed– Frequency and adequacy of the entity’s review processes to update remediation
reserve estimates
• Identify controls that mitigate the risks of material misstatement of environmental
liabilities and evaluate the adequacy of the level of precision at which the control
operates, which may include:
– Purpose of the control. A procedure that functions to prevent or detect
misstatements generally is more precise than a procedure that merely identifies and
explains differences (e.g., a detailed review of the calculation of the environmental
liability reserve including the supporting regulatory or legal orders and assumptions
by someone knowledgeable of ASC 410-30 is generally more precise than a
procedure that identifies and explains differences between the recorded reserve and
the report prepared by the specialist engaged by management)
– Level of aggregation. A control that is performed at a more granular level
generally is more precise than one performed at a higher level (e.g., an analysis of
environmental liabilities by site normally is more precise than an analysis of total
environmental liabilities)
– Consistency of performance. A control that is performed routinely and consistently
generally is more precise than one performed sporadically
– Correlation to relevant assertions. A control that is indirectly related to an assertion
normally is less likely to prevent or detect misstatements in the assertion than
a control that is directly related to an assertion [e.g., a detailed review of the
calculation of the environmental liability reserve including the supporting regulatory
or legal orders and assumptions by someone knowledgeable of ASC 410-30 would
not likely address the completeness assertion (i.e., there are no material omissions
from the reserve)]
– Criteria for investigation. For detective controls, the threshold for investigating
deviations or differences from expectations relative to materiality is an indicationof a control’s precision (e.g., a control that investigates items that are near the
threshold for financial statement materiality has less precision and a greater risk
of failing to prevent or detect misstatements that could be material than a control
with a lower threshold for investigation)
Assess whether other audit
evidence obtained elsewhere
in the audit contradicts or
is inconsistent with any
assumptions used in developing
the estimate.
Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
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1 The examples provide illustrative procedures that may assist in evaluating whether sufficient appropriate evidential matter has been obtained in connection with our audit of
management’s estimates. The example procedures indicated as “Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete” often are not sufficient and appropriate for management
estimates when performed alone. Limiting the nature, timing, and extent of procedures to these items, and not combining these procedures with other testing procedures, might
result in inadequate audit procedures as identified in internal and external inspection findings. The examples indicated as “Additional procedures we might perform” present
additional audit procedures that, individually or in some combination, may improve audit performance.
Consider the significance, complexity, and estimation uncertainty of the management estimate being tested to determine the additional aud it procedures, if any, that might be
relevant in the circumstances.
12 Environmental Liabilities
Information we typically
receive
Audit procedures
internal process flow
narratives and internalcontrol matrices (cont.)
– Predictability of expectations. Some entity-level controls are designed to detect
misstatements by using key performance indicators or other information to developexpectations about reported amounts. The precision of those controls depends
on the ability to develop sufficiently precise expectations to highlight potentially
material misstatements [e.g., the EH&S Director’s review of a summary of the
three-year trend line of total expenditures would not likely detecting material
misstatements because the EH&S Director is merely reviewing the trend reports
for indications that the balance may be wrong (i.e., nothing came to his or her
attention that would indicate the balance is materially misstated)]
– The completeness and accuracy of any reports or information that the control is
dependent upon
• Perform tests of the relevant controls, including evidence to verify each of the
important attributes of the design of the control (e.g., observation of meetings in
which the control is performed, and reperformance of the review)
• Specically indicate the degree of Estimation Uncertainty associated with each
aspect of the process and tailor the substantive procedures accordingly
• When assessing the qualications and objectivity of environmental specialists engaged
by the entity, specifically assess and document the professional qualifications and the
nature of any relationship with the entity that may impair or appear to impair the
objectivity of the work
Rollforward of
environmental exposures
and claims including
any new environmental
incidents, fines, and
violations which may be
indicative of exposuresand claims
Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete1
• Agree the beginning balance to prior year working papers and agree ending balance
to the general ledger
• Hold discussions with management regarding the status of each site
• Read any new relevant information related to existing environmental exposures/
incidents, fines and violations, and claims
• Read relevant information related to new environmental exposures/incidents, nesand violations, and claims
• Test the rollforward for completeness
– Consider the following sources of information to identify missing environmental
exposures or incidents, fines and violations, and claims:
• The entity’s incident reporting system
• Internal audit reports and ndings
• EH&S compliance audit reports and ndings, which are frequently managed at
the facility or business unit level
• Legal letters from in-house and external legal counsel
• Disbursement testing and other audit procedures performed
– Make inquiries of management, in-house legal counsel, business unit leadership,
EH&S leadership, and facility personnel
– Perform a public domain search using Google and Factiva to identify any events,issues, or claims reported in the media
• Review changes to the reserve balances for any unusual variances that are
inconsistent with our understanding
Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
Because of the
complexity and highly
specialized knowledge
and experience in
identifying, assessing,
and measuring financial
information, multiple
competencies may
need to collaborate to
determine if and how
to report a contingent
environmental liability:
• Legal counsel
must determine
the likelihood that
an asserted claim
will result in an
unsuccessful outcome
• Environmental
scientists, engineers,
and financial experts
work with legal
counsel to estimate
the amount of
probable loss
• Accountants
determine whether
the amount of theloss, individually or in
the aggregate with
other environmental
liabilities, are material
Consider if tests of
IPE that support
the control activities that
management undertakesneed to be performed
on the reports we use in
our substantive testing,
and/or that are used to
support management’s
control activities where
we test those control
activities.
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Retrospective reviews can be an
effective technique to assess if
management has demonstrated
proficiency in determining the
estimate and to understand
whether management has a
tendency to skew estimates
with bias.
1 The examples provide illustrative procedures that may assist in evaluating whether sufficient appropriate evidential matter has been obtained in connection with our audit of
management’s estimates. The example procedures indicated as “Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete” often are not sufficient and appropriate for management
estimates when performed alone. Limiting the nature, timing, and extent of procedures to these items, and not combining these procedures with other testing procedures, might
result in inadequate audit procedures as identified in internal and external inspection findings. The examples indicated as “Additional procedures we might perform” present
additional audit procedures that, individually or in some combination, may improve audit performance.
Consider the significance, complexity, and estimation uncertainty of the management estimate being tested to determine the additional aud it procedures, if any, that might be
relevant in the circumstances.
13 Environmental Liabilities
Information we typically
receive
Audit procedures
Rollforward of
environmental exposures
and claims including
any new environmental
incidents, fines, and
violations which may be
indicative of exposures
and claims (cont.)
Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete1 (cont.)
• Make a selection of exposures and claims for further testing
• Evaluate the current versus the noncurrent classication of environmental liabilities
• Evaluate the discount rate and whether the costs that were discounted met the
criteria of ASC 410-30-35-12 (i.e., timing of cash payments is fixed or reliably
determinable)
Additional procedures we might perform1
• Consider the circumstances and factors in U.S. AAM G018.03–.04 to determine the
nature and involvement of an Environmental Specialist
• In order to establish an understanding with the Environmental Specialist regarding the
nature of his or her assistance to the audit team, perform the following:
– Conduct a planning meeting
– Consider including the Environmental Specialist in the walkthrough– Complete a detailed scoping memo that summarizes the allocation of the
procedures between the Environmental Specialist and the audit team. Agree that
the Environmental Specialist will provide a memo and supporting working papers
that document the procedures performed and the conclusions reached
– Prior to the Environmental Specialist completing his or her planning memo, arrange
a planning call with the Environmental Specialist, the EH&S Director, the Controller,
and specialists engaged or employed by the entity in order to understand the
scope of the work performed by management’s specialist, the methodology used
in estimating the reserves, sources of information, key assumptions, and important
administrative matters to facilitate the engagement team’s procedures
• Involve an Environmental Specialist to assist with testing the entity’s process for
understatement by performing the following:
– U.S.: Conduct a search of the regulatory, legal, and other databases in the public
domain to identify environmental events, lawsuits, news items, and violations
reported during a stated period. Such databases tend to be based on U.S. events or
exposures
– International: Conduct a search of Factiva and other international news services
and local jurisdiction regulatory databases, if available. Searches may be possible in
some countries but require coordination with other DTTL Member Firms and may
require submitting a request for information to a national or municipal government
office
– Compare results of the searches to (1) the incident reporting system and (2) the
litigation and claims listing to access completeness
• Involve an Environmental Specialist to assist in the identication of industry/sector or
peer group environmental exposures reported in the public domain
• Assess the process and documentation maintained if the entity has determined a
reserve adjustment is not required for a site or a period
Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
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1 The examples provide illustrative procedures that may assist in evaluating whether sufficient appropriate evidential matter has been obtained in connection with our audit of
management’s estimates. The example procedures indicated as “Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete” often are not sufficient and appropriate for management
estimates when performed alone. Limiting the nature, timing, and extent of procedures to these items, and not combining these procedures with other testing procedures, might
result in inadequate audit procedures as identified in internal and external inspection findings. The examples indicated as “Additional procedures we might perform” present
additional audit procedures that, individually or in some combination, may improve audit performance.
Consider the significance, complexity, and estimation uncertainty of the management estimate being tested to determine the additional aud it procedures, if any, that might be
relevant in the circumstances.
14 Environmental Liabilities
Information we typically
receive
Audit procedures
For those cost estimates
selected for further
testing, support for the
cost estimates used as
the basis for the reserve
(e.g., engineering reports,
management’s analysis
or estimates, regulatory
orders)
Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete1
• Reconcile the cost estimate in the engineering report or other detailed estimate to the
general ledger
• Read the engineering report or cost estimate for consistency with the stated
requirements (e.g., general scope of effort) in the consent decree or other directive
• Compare recent expenditures to the amount for the same period/tasks from the
engineering report cost estimate or other detailed estimate and consider the impact
on projections
• Detail test the current year spending by obtaining the respective support (e.g., invoice
and canceled check) and determine:
– If the expenditure was appropriately applied against the respective reserve and task
– If the expenditure was recorded for the correct amount
– If the nature of the expense was appropriate (e.g., incremental costs directly relatedto the remediation or other d irect internal costs)
– The effect, if any, on estimated future expenditures, if the spending is related to an
overrun
• Read related regulatory correspondence or approvals for additional information and
new developments which have affected or should affect management’s estimates
• Read correspondence from the party(ies) managing the clean up at the site (e.g., PRP
Committee, site operator) for additional information and new developments which
have affected or should have affected management’s estimates
• Inquire of management regarding key assumptions used to develop the estimate
which may include the following:
– Assumptions regarding the allocation of responsibility (i.e., PRP allocation)
– The timeframe and scope associated with long-term remediation efforts and post-
remediation operations, maintenance, and monitoring– Recovery opportunities (e.g., insurance, indemnities, cost recovery)
– Basis for estimating the costs (e.g., internal rates, external market rates, inclusion of
other internal direct costs, legal costs, regulatory oversight costs)
– Utilization of a life cycle cost estimation approach (i.e., consideration of costs
expected to be incurred over the lifetime of the remediation as compared to only
the cost of the current activities)
• Assess whether the credit worthiness of other PRPs has been appropriately considered
in the entity’s assessment and measurement of its PRP allocation
• Assess the funding mechanism used to manage the site, if applicable and determine
whether the trust fund/account has been set up as a separate legal entity under a
trust agreement or represents a cooperative account controlled by the parties
• Obtain from the entity a list of financial assurances (i.e., performance guarantees)
provided to the government or regulatory agencies and confirm a similar liability is
recorded (e.g., contingent liability or ARO) [note: statutory measurement requirements
may vary from the applicable accounting standard (e.g., U.S. GAAP, IFRS)]
Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
Assess whether other audit
evidence obtained elsewhere
in the audit contradicts or
is inconsistent with any
assumptions used in developing
the estimate.
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Retrospective reviews can be an
effective technique to assess if
management has demonstrated
proficiency in determining the
estimate and to understandwhether management has a
tendency to skew estimates
with bias.
1 The examples provide illustrative procedures that may assist in evaluating whether sufficient appropriate evidential matter has been obtained in connection with our audit of
management’s estimates. The example procedures indicated as “Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete” often are not sufficient and appropriate for management
estimates when performed alone. Limiting the nature, timing, and extent of procedures to these items, and not combining these procedures with other testing procedures, might
result in inadequate audit procedures as identified in internal and external inspection findings. The examples indicated as “Additional procedures we might perform” present
additional audit procedures that, individually or in some combination, may improve audit performance.
Consider the significance, complexity, and estimation uncertainty of the management estimate being tested to determine the additional aud it procedures, if any, that might be
relevant in the circumstances.
15 Environmental Liabilities
Information we typically
receive
Audit procedures
For those cost estimates
selected for further
testing, support for the
cost estimates used as
the basis for the reserve
(e.g., engineering reports,
management’s analysis
or estimates, regulatory
orders) (cont.)
Additional procedures we might perform1
• Read the engagement letters between the entity and its external environmental
specialist to assess the relevance of the specialist’s report and any potential for
bias or manipulation [e.g., the intended use or purpose of the external estimates is
inconsistent with the applicable accounting standard (e.g., U.S. GAAP, IFRS)]
• Determine the key regulatory requirements and drivers for the site
• Read the regulatory documents and identify what requirements and tasks are active
and/or open as some requirements from previous orders from the regulator may be
unresolved
• Reconcile the regulatory requirements stated in the consent decree, regulations, or
other directive to the scope of work included in the engineering cost estimate or
other detailed cost build-up by considering the following:
– Extent of investigation and study required– Alignment of the geographic coverage of the estimate with the requirements
– Process and status of report submissions and approvals [note: guidance related to
staging and milestones and the presumption that costs should be estimable are
included in ASC 410-30]
– Progress and success with remediation performed to date
– Identification of remediation that is likely to require an extended timeframe and the
timeframe is not specified by the regulator as it is objective based
– Expected post-remediation operations, maintenance, and monitoring scope and
time frame
• Identify gaps in the scope of work due to uncertainties resulting from open
investigations, indecisiveness or inaction by the regulator, or ongoing negotiations
with the regulator
• Assess the reasonableness of the engineering estimate or detailed cost build-upbased on available supporting information (e.g., contracts, bids, drawing, workplans),
industry practice, and cost benchmarks
• Assess the reasonableness of the estimate as “most probable.” If there is no more
probable estimate, assess the range of possible costs and the points within the range
used for the reserve balance and for disclosure purposes [note: ASC 410-30-25
provides for the low end of the range to be recorded if there is no more probable
amount within the range]
• Corroborate information provided by management regarding the status of the site,
the regulatory interest and requirements, and any offsite or related community
exposures to the information available in the public domain
• Perform a site visit to conrm the status of the site
• Challenge management’s assertion when no accrual has been recorded
• Assess the adequacy and completeness of the entity’s documentation regarding key
assumptions, impact of uncertainties and alternative scenarios. Such assumptions are
frequently embedded in the engineering estimate
• Assess the methodology utilized by the entity to estimate the liability (e.g.,
probabilistic modeling, actuarial approach, range of possible costs)
Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
Consider using an
Environmental
Specialist (see
U.S. DPM 10610.127)
to perform some of the
procedures.
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1 The examples provide illustrative procedures that may assist in evaluating whether sufficient appropriate evidential matter has been obtained in connection with our audit of
management’s estimates. The example procedures indicated as “Procedures typically performed that may be incomplete” often are not sufficient and appropriate for management
estimates when performed alone. Limiting the nature, timing, and extent of procedures to these items, and not combining these procedures with other testing procedures, might
result in inadequate audit procedures as identified in internal and external inspection findings. The examples indicated as “Additional procedures we might perform” present
additional audit procedures that, individually or in some combination, may improve audit performance.
Consider the significance, complexity, and estimation uncertainty of the management estimate being tested to determine the additional aud it procedures, if any, that might be
relevant in the circumstances.
16 Environmental Liabilities
Information we typically
receive
Audit procedures
For those cost estimates
selected for further
testing, support for the
cost estimates used as
the basis for the reserve
(e.g., engineering reports,
management’s analysis
or estimates, regulatory
orders) (cont.)
Additional procedures we might perform1 (cont.)
• Perform the following procedures to identify possible management bias in the entity’s
estimate:
– Perform a retrospective review by comparing current period payments to prior-year
estimates to evaluate the accuracy of the entity’s prior cost estimates
– Determine if overruns are consistently recorded or experienced
– Assess whether there are inconsistencies with observable marketplace assumptions
(e.g., impacts of new environmental regulation or technology, evolving standards of
what constitutes acceptable remediation)
– Evaluate whether the historical results of our retrospective review indicate a pattern
of excessive optimism or pessimism
– Evaluate whether the historical results of our retrospective review uctuate with the
overall financial performance of the entity (e.g., the reserves were increased whenthe entity’s financial performance exceeded analysts’ expectation but decreased
when analysts’ expectations were not met without any appropriate underlying
reason)
– Determine whether compensation is tied to remediation cost savings or other
aspects of environmental liabilities
• Evaluate any differences noted from management’s estimate, document the reason
for the variance, and perform additional procedures, if necessary, to adequately
resolve the difference
• If an insurance recovery is recorded, evaluate financial or other available information
regarding the insurer to support collectibility. If the insurer is experiencing solvency
issues, evaluate management’s analysis and rationale for amounts deemed collectible
• Evaluate the entity’s conclusion that the recovery of a receivable is probable,
overcoming the presumption that the insurance receivable is not realizable whennegotiations to reach agreement and resolve essential details (e.g., payment amounts,
the period of payment, and other provisions) are still ongoing
• Compare assumptions and judgments used with assumptions and judgments made in
other financial statement estimates (e.g., projections used by management for other
purposes such as the goodwill impairment analysis)
• Use the Professional Judgment Whitepaper to assist in applying judgment and
documenting consideration of the procedures performed and judgments made
Reviewer Considerations (cont.)
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CAUTION
The following examples focus on specific facts and circumstances used to illustrate and highlight certain procedures performed when auditing environmental
liabilities. Therefore this listing of procedures presented is not intended to be complete. When conducting an actual audit, additional procedures would be
necessary to obtain sufficient appropriate evidential matter in connection with our audit of environmental liabilities.
17 Environmental Liabilities
Staff Practitioner’s Examples
Example 1
Facts
• The Company is the sole responsible party for Site X for which remediation activities started in 20X5
• The reserve balance as of December 31, 20XX, represents the projected remediation costs for the next 10 years based
on the estimate prepared by the contractor engaged to assist in the remediation; the estimate was prepared to assist
the Company in understanding the lowest cost alternative
• Management asserts that costs cannot be estimated beyond 10 years, although information submitted to the regulatory
agency includes an estimate for the next 20 years
Note: For purposes of Example 1, assume that we performed the appropriate procedures to identify any
additional sites or projects that may require recognition or d isclosure under ASC 410-30 and did not
identify any other than Site X. The example is designed to focus attention on management’s assertion that costscould not be estimated beyond the 10-year period and that the control we identified over the estimation process lacked
sufficient precision to detect a material misstatement in the financial statements.
Audit procedures performed
• Conducted high-level d iscussions with the contractor and management to update the prior-year understanding of
management’s process
• Identied and tested one control — the CFO’s meeting with the contractor to review the contractor’s recommendations
and to approve the reserve balance on an annual basis
• Tested the control by reviewing the report and noting the CFO’s signature as evidence of the control operating effectively
• Detail tested current-year spending by obtaining the respective support (e.g., invoice and canceled check) and
determining whether the expenditure was appropriately applied against the reserve
• Reconciled the projected costs from the contractor’s report to the technical order and amounts recorded
• Compared the projected costs for the next 10 years to the current year spending and assessed the projected costs forreasonableness
Deficiencies in audit procedures
• We did not challenge whether the report prepared by the contractor was appropriate for audit purposes (i.e., whether
the report was prepared to assist the Company in estimating its environmental liability for financial reporting purposes
or to perform remediation tasks and establish a budget for spending through the next 10 years)
• We d id not evaluate the qualications and objectivity of the expert
• We did not understand management’s process sufciently, which resulted in a failure to identify all the risks and relevant
controls
• We d id not adequately evaluate the design of the control
• We d id not sufciently test the operating effectiveness of the control
• We d id not challenge whether there was a more probable amount in the range of outcomes other than the low end of
the range
• We d id not challenge whether the 10-year period for the remediation tasks was appropriate and whether costs may be
estimated beyond that period
• We d id not perform procedures to identify possible management bias
Potential additional audit procedures1
• To challenge whether the report prepared by the contractor was appropriate for audit purposes, we could have
performed the following procedures:
– Evaluated the qualifications and objectivity of the expert
– Obtained an understanding of the contractor’s work (e.g., reviewed the engagement letter to understand the terms
of the engagement)
Consider if tests of
IPE that support
the control activities that
management undertakes
need to be performed
on the reports we use in
our substantive testing,
and/or that are used to
support management’scontrol activities where
we test those control
activities.
1 The additional audit procedures that would apply and/or suffice are a matter of professional judgment based on specific facts and circumstances
8/13/2019 Exploring Leading Practices for Environmental Liabilities
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Retrospective reviews can be aneffective technique to assess if
management has demonstrated
proficiency in determining the
estimate and to understand
whether management has a
tendency to skew estimates
with bias.
18 Environmental Liabilities
– Understood the assumptions described in the contractor’s report, which may have indicated the nature of the
engagement or raised questions about the specialist’s understanding of U.S. GAAP or the specialist’s objective to
identify the lowest cost alternative– Evaluated the appropriateness of that contractor’s work as audit evidence for the relevant assertion
• To understand management’s process steps sufciently in order to identify additional relevant controls, we could have
performed the following procedures:
– Involved an Environmental Specialist to participate in our procedures to obtain our understanding to assist in
identifying the process steps, risks, and relevant controls including:
• Made inquiries of persons involved in the process
• Asked probing questions
• To evaluate the design of control, we could have considered the following factors to assist us in evaluating the design of
the control and enable us to better plan the tests of operating effectiveness of controls:
– Purpose of the control
– Level of aggregation
– Consistency of performance
– Correlation to relevant assertions
– Criteria for investigation
– Predictability of expectations
• To test the operating effectiveness of the control, we could have performed the following procedures:
– Attended the meeting between the CFO and the contractor to assess the extent and nature of the CFO’s interaction
and effectiveness of the review (observation)
– Examined the reports and any other supporting documents used in performing the control to understand the level of
detail available to the reviewer and tested the reports/documents for accuracy and completeness (inspection)
– Reviewed the report and data for anomalies and appropriate support for the assumptions and conclusions
(reperformance)
– Examined documentary evidence to validate the criteria for investigation used and follow up actions taken (inspection)
• To challenge whether there was a more probable amount in the range of outcomes other than the low end of the range
and the Company’s assertion regarding the 10-year period, we could have performed the following procedures:
– Involved an Environmental Specialist to assess:
• Whether the scope of the client estimate is responsive to the regulatory requirements and represents the most
probable amount
• The reasonableness of the 10-year period, considering the following:
Whether an indefinite remediation period is expected due to the nature of the contaminant
The regulatory order or the relevant regulations to determine if a time horizon is specified
The effectiveness of clean-up activities to date to assess the reasonableness of assumptions
The cost components and cost build-up of the reserve to determine consistency with U.S. GAAP
– Evaluated the reasonableness of recording the low cost alternative and the high end of the range of possible costs
which should be considered for disclosure. If there is no more probable estimate, assessed the range of possible
costs and the points within the range used for the reserve balance and for d isclosure purposes [note: ASC 410-30-25
provides for the low end of the range to be recorded if there is no more probable amount within the range]
• To identify possible management bias in the Company’s estimate, we could have performed the following procedures:
– Performed a retrospective review by comparing current-period payments to prior-year estimates to evaluate the
accuracy of the entity’s prior cost estimates
– Involved an Environmental Specialist to assess whether the key assumptions embedded within the estimate are:• Reasonable and appropriately identied in the documentation
• Consistent with observable marketplace assumptions (e.g., impacts of new environmental regulation or technology,
evolving standards of what constitutes acceptable remediation)
– Determined if overruns are consistently recorded or experienced
– Evaluated whether the historical results of our retrospective review indicate a pattern of excessive optimism or pessimism
– Evaluated whether the historical results of our retrospective review uctuate with the overall nancial performance
of the Company (e.g., the reserves were increased when the Company’s financial performance exceeded analysts’
expectation but decreased when analysts’ expectations were not met without any appropriate underlying reason)
– Determined whether compensation is tied to remediation cost savings or other aspects of environmental liabilities
Staff Practitioner’s Example (cont.)
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Assess whether other audit
evidence obtained elsewhere
in the audit contradicts or
is inconsistent with any
assumptions used in developing
the estimate.
19 Environmental Liabilities
Staff Practitioner’s Examples (cont.)
Example 2
Facts
• The Company has grown through acquisitions in the U.S. and continues to manage and track environmental exposuresat the business unit level
• Support for the reserve estimates and exposures are maintained at the business unit or facility level
• The EH&S Director reviews of a summary of the following environmental-related information, which includes a three-
year trend line of total expenditures, the total number of new issues identified during the period, the total number of
issues resolved, and the net change in the reserve on quarterly basis. The EH&S Director relies upon each business unit to
determine whether any exposure has met the criteria for recognition under ASC 410-30 (e.g., probable and estimable)
• The Company’s policy is to consider remediation obligations probable and reasonably estimable only when the
regulatory order has been agreed to
Audit procedures performed
• Obtained a list of environmental exposures or incidents, nes, violations, and claims
• Performed a public domain search using Factiva and Google to test the completion assertion
• Discussed signicant changes from the prior-year with the corporate-level management to update our prior-year understanding
• Evaluated design of the control, determined whether it was implemented, and tested the operating effectiveness
• Veried that the Company’s policy was consistently followed
Deficiencies in audit procedures
• We d id not adequately assess whether the list of environmental exposures or incidents, nes, violations, and claims was
complete
• We d id not challenge whether the control is effective at detecting material misstatements — either overstatements or
understatements in the estimates — because the EH&S Director is merely reviewing the trend reports for ind ications that
the balance may be wrong (i.e., nothing came to their attention that would indicate the balance is materially misstated).
The EH&S Director would not be able to determine that:
– There are no material omissions from the reserve
– One or more of the key assumptions were appropriate
– There are no material errors in the underlying calculations
– The Company is measuring its exposures on a consistent basis (e.g., each business unit may have different criteria for
reporting environmental exposures or incidents, fines, violations, and claims)
– Management at the business unit has the appropriate knowledge and competence of U.S. GAAP
• We did not challenge whether the Company’s policy (i.e., consider remediation obligations probable and reasonably
estimable only when the regulatory order has been agreed to) is in accordance with U.S. GAAP
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Assess whether other audit
evidence obtained elsewhere
in the audit contradicts or
is inconsistent with any
assumptions used in developing
the estimate.
20 Environmental Liabilities
Staff Practitioner’s Examples (cont.)
Potential additional audit procedures1
• To challenge whether the list of environmental exposures or incidents, nes, violations, and claims was complete, we
could have performed the following procedures:– Considered the following sources of information to identify missing items:
• Incident reporting
• Internal audit reports and ndings
• EH&S compliance audit reports and ndings
• Legal letters from in-house and external counsel
• Disbursement testing and other audit procedures performed
– Corroborated inquiries of management, internal legal counsel, business unit leadership, EH&S leadership, and facility
personnel
– Involved an Environmental Specialist to assist to conduct a search of the regulatory, legal, and other databases in the
public domain to identify environmental events or releases, cases, news items, violations reported during a stated period
• To challenge whether the control is effective at detecting material misstatements, we could have performed the
following procedures:
– Understood the process and identified controls for recording a liability at the business-unit level in addition to our
understanding at the corporate-level
– Corroborated our understanding obtained from discussions with corporate-level management with management at
the business unit level
– Assessed whether the business unit management has the appropriate knowledge and competence to determine when
a liability should be recorded (i.e., does business unit management understand the objectives of the reserve process)
– Included an Environmental Specialist in updating our understanding that includes questioning business unit personnel
about their understanding of what is required by the Company’s prescribed procedures and controls at the points at
which important processing procedures occur
• To challenge whether management’s policy to consider remediation obligations probable and reasonably estimable only
when the regulatory order has been agreed to is consistent with ASC 410-30, we could have performed the following
procedures by teaming with an Environmental Specialist:
– Performed a site by site analysis to consider the specific requirements and circumstances for each site
– Considered whether a portion of the remediation costs may be estimated [note: at the early stages of the remediation
process, particular components of the overall liability may not be reasonably estimable. This fact should not preclude
the recognition of a liability. Rather, the components of the liability that can be reasonably estimated should be
viewed as a surrogate for the minimum in the range of the overall liability]
– Assessed whether the site situation is common or similar to situations at other sites with which the Company has
been associated (e.g., the remediation involves only the removal and disposal of contaminated soil and on-going
groundwater monitoring, similar to other company sites) and therefore the liability can be reasonably estimated
1 The additional audit procedures that would apply and/or suffice are a matter of professional judgment based on specific facts and circumstances
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Contacts
For more information please contact:
Mark Loizeaux
Partner
Audit Group
Wilton
+1 203 761 3081
Shelby Murphy
Audit Senior Manager
Audit Group
Wilton
+1 203 761 3160
Questions concerning the Practice Aid can also be d irected to National Office (Audit Consultation)
or +1 866 547 1725.
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