6- Audit Sampling Flashcards
What is Audit Sampling?
Taking part of a population- subjecting it to audit procedures- projecting results to a population
What are the characteristics of Statistical Sampling?
Based on formulas Helps find an appropriate audit sample Helps evaluate evidence obtained Helps evaluate results and quantify Sampling Risk
What are the characteristics of Non-Statistical Sampling?
Based on human decision Equally acceptable as Statistical Sampling
What are the characteristics of Substantive Tests?
Variables sampling Probability proportionate to size sampling
What type of sampling are Control Tests?
Attribute Sampling
What is Sampling Risk?
Risk that your sample isn’t representative of population Can happen even if audit is done properly
What is the risk of assessing Control Risk too high?
A risk of Control Testing - Auditor works to make Control Risk lower More substantive tests - Sample overstates Control Risk- Leads to an under-reliance on internal control- over-testing- and overall audit inefficiency Audit ends up being effective (correct result)- but you do more work
What is the risk of assessing Control Risk too low?
A risk of Control Testing - Complement to Confidence Level Inverse relationship to Sample Size Higher accepted risk of assessing Control Risk too low = Smaller Sample Lower accepted risk of assessing Control Risk too low = Larger Sample
What are the risks if the auditor concludes controls are operating effectively based on the sample and Control Risk is set too low?
Leads to higher Detection Risk - Fewer substantive tests Sample understates Control Risk This error leads to over-reliance on internal control- under-testing- and overall audit ineffectiveness. Does NOT necessarily mean that the Financial Statements are materially misstated - it does mean that if there is one- you are less likely to find it
What is the risk of Incorrect Acceptance?
A risk of Substantive Testing - Auditor accepts a balance as fairly stated- when in fact it is not fairly stated Hurts audit effectiveness Wrong conclusion reached Efficient- but not effective
What is the risk of Incorrect Rejection?
A risk of Substantive Testing - Auditor rejects balance as fairly stated when in fact it is fairly stated Hurts audit efficiency Wrong recommendations given Effective- but not efficient
What is Non-Sampling Risk?
Risk of human (auditor) missing an error Also called exception- error or deviation.
How does Sampling Risk compare to Non-Sampling Risk?
Sampling Risk deals with the chance that your audit sample is flawed Non-Sampling risk deals with the chance that your human decisions/conclusions are flawed
What is Attribute Sampling?
Looking at Control Procedures - Were invoices approved when paid? Errors are stated in terms of %- not dollar amounts For example- 5 invoices out of 100 were not properly paid. Error rate is 5% Hint: If you see Error Rate on the Exam- they are referring to Attribute Sampling.
How do you determine if Control Procedures are operating properly or not operating properly?
Control Procedures are either operating properly or they are not operating properly - based on Error Rate and the tolerance you have for errors