AT - PERFORMING SUBSTANTIVE TESTS Flashcards
What are substantive tests?
Substantive tests are audit procedures designed to SUBSTANTIATE THE ACCOUNT BALANCES OR TO DETECT MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS IN THE FS. It has two types:
- Analytical Procedures
- Test of details
a. Test of details of balances
b. Test of details of transactions
The decision about which type of substantive test to use depends on the auditor’s judgment.
What are analytical procedures as part of substantive testing?
AP as ST enable the auditor to obtain corroborative evidence about a particular account, which involves COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION WITH AUDITOR’S EXPECTATIONS to determine the reasonableness of an account balance reported in a FS.
Which is more predictable, income statement or balance sheet accounts?
Income statement accounts are more predictable than balance sheet accounts.
What are tests of details?
ToD involves EXAMINING THE ACTUAL DETAILS MAKING UP THE VARIOUS ACCOUNT BALANCES.
What are test of details of balances?
It involves DIRECT TESTING OF THE ENDING BALANCE OF AN ACCOUNT. It is usually used when the account balances are affected by a large volume of relatively immaterial transactions
What are test of details of transactions?
It involves testing the transactions which give rise to the ending balance of an account. It is usually used when the account balances are composed of smaller volume of relatively material amounts.
Discuss the effectiveness of substantive testing.
The effectiveness of substantive testing is influenced by the NATURE, TIMING, AND EXTENT OF ST.
- NATURE of ST relates to the QUALITY of evidence. Auditor determines the appropriate quality of evidence needed to SUPPORT THE DESIRED LEVEL OF DETECTION RISK. The auditor should bear in mind that high quality evidence would also involve high costs, so he must strike a balance between the two.
- TIMING of ST
- EXTENT of ST relates to the AMOUNT of evidence needed to satisfy a particular objective, which is based on the auditor’s judgment.
Discuss the relationship between ST and ToC
Test of controls provide evidence that indicates a misstatement is LIKELY TO OCCUR.
Substantive testing provide evidence about the EXISTENCE OF A MISSTATEMENT in an account balance.
Explain Audit evidence.
Evidence refers to information obtained by the auditor in arriving at the conclusions on which the audit opinion is based. It consists of:
- UNDERLYING ACCOUNTING DATA - accounting records underlying the FS.
- CORROBORATING INFORMATION - supports the underlying accounting data obtained from client and other sources.
What are the 2 main qualities of audit evidence?
- Sufficiency
2. Appropriateness
Explain sufficiency as a quality of audit evidence.
Sufficiency refers to the AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE that the auditor should accumulate, which is based on the auditor’s judgment considering the cost and the benefits derived. Factors considered in evaluating sufficiency of evidence include:
- Competence - more competent evidence, lesser amount of evidence needed
- Materiality of item examined - more material the item is, the more evidence is needed to support its validity
- Risk involved - more risk means more evidence needed
- Experience gained during a previous audit may indicate the amount of evidence needed.
Explain appropriateness as a quality of evidence.
Appropriateness measures the QUALITY, RELIABILITY, AND RELEVANCE of audit evidence.
- Relevance relates to the timeliness of evidence and its ability to satisfy the audit objective.
- Reliability relates to the objectivity of evidence and is influenced by its source and nature.
Evidence from INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE SOURCES are more reliable than those generated internally
Evidence generated internally is more reliable when internal control is effective
Evidence OBTAINED DIRECTLY BY THE AUDITOR is more reliable than that obtained from the entity.
Evidence in the FORM OF DOCUMENTS AND WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS are more reliable than oral representations.
What are working papers?
Working papers are records kept by the auditor that DOCUMENTS THE AUDIT PROCEDURES APPLIED INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE OBTAINED, AND CONCLUSIONS REACHED. Its functions are:
- Support the audit opinion on FS
- Support auditor’s representation as to PSA compliance
- Assist auditor in planning, performance, review and supervision of the engagement
- Plan future audits
- Provide information useful in rendering other services
- Provide adequate defense in case of litigation
What are the important items that would be REQUIRED to be in an audit documentation?
- Discussions of SIGNIFICANT MATTERS with management and others
- Departation from basic principles or an essential procedure relevant in the audit and the alternatives performed
- Documentation of the nature,timing, and extent of audit procedures performed.
What are the classifications of working papers? Explain each.
- Permanent file - contains information of CONTINUING SIGNIFICANCE to the auditor in performing recurring audits.
- Current file - contains evidence gathered and conclusions reached relevant to the audit of a particular year.
Who owns working papers?
Working papers are the property of the auditor and the client has no rights to it.
Working papers may sometimes serve as a reference source for the client, but can never be a substitute for the client’s records.
What are the rules on confidentiality of the working papers?
Working papers cannot be shown to 3rd parties without the client’s permission. This rule, however, is overridden when by statute of law when:
- Disclosure is required when the working papers are subpoenaed by a court
- When there is a professional right to disclose, such as when the auditor defends himself when sued by client for negligence
How long should working papers be retained?
It should be retained for a period of time sufficient to meet the needs of the auditor and to satisfy any pertinent legal requirements of record retention.
Such retention period, however, should NOT BE SHORTER THAN FIVE YEARS from the report release date. Statutes, regulations, or the audit firm’s quality control policies may specify a longer retention period.
What is heading?
Heading identifies the working paper with such information such as the name of client, type or working paper, etc.
What is Indexing?
Indexing refers to the use of lettering/numbering system to aid in cross-referencing essential info.
What is cross-indexing / cross referencing?
It is used to provide a trail in reviewing the working papers.