What are the implications if management refuses to sign a management representation letter?

What is a Management Representation Letter?

A management representation letter is a form letter written by a company's external auditors, which is signed by senior company management. The letter attests to the accuracy of the financial statements that the company has submitted to the auditors for their analysis. The CEO and the most senior accounting person (such as the CFO) are usually required to sign the letter. The letter is signed following the completion of audit fieldwork, and before the financial statements are issued along with the auditor's opinion.

In essence, the letter states that all of the information submitted is accurate, and that all material information has been disclosed to the auditors. The auditors use this letter as part of their audit evidence. The letter also shifts some blame to management, if it turns out that some elements of the audited financial statements do not fairly represent the financial results, financial position, or cash flows of the business. For this reason, the statements that the auditor includes in the letter are quite broad ranging, encompassing every possible area in which management's failings could lead to the issuance of inaccurate or misleading financial statements.

An auditor typically will not issue an opinion on a company's financial statements without first receiving a signed management representation letter.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board provides considerable detail regarding the content of a management representation letter in its AU Section 333.

Contents of a Management Representation Letter

Following is a sample of the representations that may be included in the management representation letter:

• Management is responsible for the proper presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable accounting framework

• All financial records have been made available to the auditors

• All board of directors minutes are complete

• Management has made available all letters from regulatory agencies regarding financial reporting noncompliance

• There are no unrecorded transactions

• The net effect of all uncorrected misstatements is immaterial

• The management team acknowledges its responsibility for the system of financial controls

• All related party transactions have been disclosed

• All contingent liabilities have been disclosed

• All unasserted claims or assessments have been disclosed

• The company has disclosed all liens and other encumbrances on its assets

• All material transactions have been properly recorded

• Management is responsible for systems designed to detect and prevent fraud

• Management has no knowledge of fraud within the company

• The financial statements conform to the applicable accounting framework

Auditors typically do not allow management to make any changes to the content of this letter before signing it, since this would effectively reduce the liability of management.

Terms Similar to Management Representation Letter

A management representation letter may also be called a rep letter, representation letter, client representation letter, or letter of representation.

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Is management representation letter mandatory?

Who is responsible for signing the written representation letter?

Why is it important for an auditor to request a management representation letter?

Where management will not acknowledge its responsibilities or agree to provide the written representation The auditor will?