What determination should be made regarding Chesters International, LLC's ability to continue as a going concern?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Chester's International, LLC's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued.
Auditors' Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations or the override of internal control. Misstatements, including omissions, are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.
In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, we:
- Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audits.
- Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
- Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audits in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Chester's International, LLC's internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
- Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.
- Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Chester's International, LLC's ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.
Source: Item 21 — **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FDD page 48)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company's management is responsible for evaluating whether there are conditions that raise substantial doubt about Chester's International, LLC's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued. The independent auditor's report for both 2024 and 2023 states that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Chester's International, LLC. This statement suggests that the auditors did not identify any substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The auditors' responsibilities include obtaining reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. They exercise professional judgment, assess risks, and evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies. As part of their audit, the auditors conclude whether any conditions or events raise substantial doubt about Chester's ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates that Chester's financial statements have been reviewed by independent auditors, and they have given their opinion that the statements are fairly presented. The absence of a "going concern" qualification in the audit opinion is a positive sign. However, it is important to note that an audit provides reasonable, but not absolute, assurance. A franchisee should review the financial statements and notes carefully and consider consulting with a financial advisor to fully understand the financial health of Chesters.