The current standard requires the auditor to perform certain specified procedures. The proposed standard would extend current practice by requiring the auditor to obtain an understanding of the nature and business rationale of an entity's related party relationships and transactions sufficient to identify, assess, and respond to the risks of material misstatement resulting from them. It also places greater emphasis on the difficult task for the auditor of attempting to identify related party relationships and transactions not identified or disclosed by management. The revision also places new emphasis on evaluating the effects of related party relationships and transactions on the financial statements, even in circumstances where the financial reporting framework does not establish related party accounting or disclosure requirements. Comments on the exposure draft are due by 30 April 2006. Click for:

• IAASB Press Release (PDF 83k).
• Exposure Draft (PDF 214k).