Modified/modifications
An audit opinion is modified when the auditor concludes that the financial statements
are materially misstated, or the auditor has been unable to obtain sufficient appropriate
audit evidence to reach a conclusion. A modified opinion could be:
A qualified opinion—the auditor concludes that, except for specific matters explained
in the audit report, the financial statements give a true and fair view;
An adverse opinion—the auditor concludes that the financial statements do not give
a true and fair view;
A disclaimer of opinion—the auditor concludes that the extent of their inability to
obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence is such that it is not possible to form an
opinion on the financial statements.
The audit report can also be modified through an emphasis of matter paragraph without
altering the audit opinion (see the emphasis of matter definition above).