The Christie NHS FT Annual Report & Accounts 2019-20

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group and Trust measurement of property assets at valuation in the financial statements. With the valuer having declared this material valuation uncertainty, the valuer has continued to exercise professional judgement in providing the valuation and the Trust believes this remains the best information available to the Trust. The Trust has disclosed the estimation uncertainty related to the year-end valuations of land and buildings in note 1.1.2.2 to the financial statements and is planning to keep the valuation of the property under frequent review in 2020/21. The Trust’s valuer prepared their valuations in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Global Standards using the information that was available to them at the valuation date in deriving their estimates. Key observations We obtained sufficient audit assurance to conclude that: • the basis of the valuation of land and buildings was appropriate, and • the assumptions and processes used by management in determining the estimate of valuation of property were reasonable; • the valuation of land and buildings disclosed in the financial statements is reasonable. Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: • Documenting and understanding the implications that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the Trust’s ability to prepare the financial statements and updates to financial forecasts • Liaison with other audit suppliers, regulators and government departments to co-ordinate practical cross sector responses to issues as and when they arise. consideration of the Trust’s risk register to identify risks arising from Covid-19. We have evaluated: • the adequacy of the disclosures in the financial statements relating to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. • whether sufficient audit evidence can be obtained in the absence of physical verification of assets through remote technology • whether sufficient audit evidence can be obtained to corroborate significant management estimates such as asset valuations and recovery of receivable balances. • management’s assumptions that underpin the revised financial forecasts and the impact on management’s going concern assessment. Key observations We obtained sufficient audit assurance to conclude that: • The Trust’s disclosures are in line with the DHSC guidance relating to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic • Financial forecasts and the cashflow analysis of the Trust supports the ability for the Trust to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis, and • The inclusion of a material uncertainty regarding to the valuation of the Trust’s property, plant and equipment has been emphasised as a Key Audit Matter as detailed in risk 1 above.

Key Audit Matter – Trust

We therefore identified valuation of land and buildings as a significant risk, which was one of the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement.

Risk 2 - Covid-19 The global outbreak of the Covid-19 virus pandemic has led to unprecedented uncertainty for all organisations, requiring urgent business continuity arrangements to be implemented. We expect current circumstances will have an impact on the production and audit of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2020, including and not limited to; - Remote working arrangements and redeployment of staff to critical front line duties may impact on the quality and timing of the production of the financial statements, and the evidence we can obtain through physical observation Volatility of financial and property markets will increase the uncertainty of assumptions applied by management to asset valuation and receivable recovery estimates, and the reliability of evidence we can obtain to corroborate management estimates - Financial uncertainty will require management to reconsider financial forecasts supporting their going concern assessment and whether material uncertainties for a period of at least 12 months from the anticipated date of approval of the audited financial statements have arisen; and - Disclosures within the financial statements will require significant revision to reflect the unprecedented situation and its impact on the preparation of the financial statements as at 31 March 2020 in accordance with IAS1, particularly in relation to material uncertainties. We therefore identified Covid-19 as a significant risk, which was one of the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement. -

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