When an auditor concludes that no audit work can be performed, what is the result?

When an auditor concludes that no audit work can be performed, the result is to issue no audit opinion. This situation arises when the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an opinion on the financial statements. Factors leading to this conclusion might include limitations imposed by management, such as inadequate access to information or records, or situations where the auditor is presented with conditions that hinder their ability to conduct an adequate audit.

In such circumstances, issuing no opinion reflects the auditor's inability to reach a conclusion due to the insufficiency of evidence, which effectively communicates to users of the financial statements that the auditor could not perform the work required to form an opinion. This differs from other types of opinions, like a disclaimer of opinion where the auditor acknowledges the lack of evidence but still provides some form of opinion, albeit limited. Thus, when no audit work is possible, the most accurate conclusion is that no audit opinion is rendered.