Indicators
Check all indicators that apply to the entity. Severity levels reflect their weight under ISA 570.A2. Expand any indicator to see the working paper guidance and likely review challenge.
ISA 570 Going Concern Reference Card — free PDF
All 19 ISA 570 indicators with severity ratings, review challenges, and auditor response guidance. One page for your planning folder. Plus one practical audit insight per week.
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Going Concern Assessment: Manufacturing
Manufacturing entities face going concern risks that are closely tied to production economics, supply chain stability, and demand cycles. A downturn in orders, a disruption in raw material supply, or a loss of a major customer can rapidly erode the financial position. The capital-intensive nature of manufacturing means that fixed costs remain high even when volumes decline, accelerating cash burn during downturns.
Key risk factors: Manufacturing
Key going concern indicators specific to manufacturing include: declining order backlog or loss of key customers, inability to pass on raw material cost increases, production facility obsolescence requiring major capital expenditure, excessive inventory build-up suggesting demand weakness, and dependency on a single supplier or customer representing more than 20–30% of activity. Covenant breaches on asset-based lending facilities are particularly relevant because manufacturing entities frequently use inventory and receivables as collateral.
Order backlog trends are a leading indicator — a declining backlog over two or more quarters signals potential revenue shortfall that may affect the entity's ability to cover fixed costs.
Raw material price exposure — if the entity cannot pass on cost increases to customers (common in long-term fixed-price contracts), margin compression can rapidly erode working capital.
Capital expenditure requirements — ageing production equipment may require replacement, but if the entity lacks the cash flow or borrowing capacity to fund it, operational capability deteriorates.
Customer concentration risk — loss of a single customer representing more than 15–20% of revenue can trigger a going concern assessment, particularly if contracts are short-term or subject to rebidding.
Inventory ageing analysis should be examined — significant build-up of finished goods or slow-moving raw materials may indicate demand problems and future write-down requirements.
Workforce availability and labour relations — manufacturing depends on skilled labour, and strikes, wage disputes, or inability to recruit can halt production and cash generation.
ISA 570.9 — The auditor shall evaluate management's assessment of the entity's ability to continue as a going concern.
ISA 570.A2 — Events or conditions that may cast significant doubt include financial, operating, and other indicators.
ISA 570.16 — If events or conditions have been identified, the auditor shall obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence about whether a material uncertainty exists.