Industry
↳ Total assets reflects the asset-intensive nature of the entity.
Benchmark
Performance Materiality
Reduces the probability that uncorrected misstatements exceed overall materiality.
Clearly Trivial
Misstatements below this need not be accumulated unless qualitatively material.
ISA 320 Decision Tree
One-page visual guide for benchmark selection — plus one practical audit insight per week.
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Benchmark Guidance
Real estate and property companies are fundamentally asset-driven businesses. The balance sheet — specifically investment property and development assets — dominates the financial statements and drives stakeholder decisions.
Choosing the Right Benchmark
Total assets at 1–2% is the standard range for property entities. For investment property portfolios measured at fair value under IAS 40, the lower end is appropriate given the estimation uncertainty inherent in valuations.
Key Audit Considerations
Investment property valuations (IAS 40) are typically the highest-risk area. External valuations involve significant assumptions (yield rates, rental growth, vacancy rates).
The Dutch housing and commercial property market has seen significant price movements — ensure comparable transaction data reflects current market conditions.
Development property held as inventory (IAS 2) requires lower of cost and NRV assessment.
Lease accounting — both as lessor and lessee (IFRS 16) — is typically significant for property entities.
ISA 320.10 — Determine materiality for the financial statements as a whole when establishing the overall audit strategy.
ISA 320.11 — Determine performance materiality for assessing risks and determining further audit procedures.
ISA 320.A4 — Common benchmarks: PBT, revenue, gross profit, total expenses, total equity, or net asset value.