Audit Sampling Flashcards
Variables sampling is used to
test an amount
Variable estimation sampling is used to estimate a numerical amount that can be compared to a recorded amount
the higher the tolerable error rate
the smaller the sample size
inverse relationship
the higher expected error rate
the higher the sample size
direct relationship
incorrect rejection
reject sample when in population it’s correct.
rejecting a population because of a projected error that is based on a SAMPLE exceeds the tolerable misstatement despite the fact that the actual error in the population is below the tolerable misstatement
Incorrect acceptance would occur when
projected error that is based on a sample is lower than the tolerable misstatement when the actual error in the population is higher
attribute sampling: sample final error rate =
(errors in sample + missing elements in sample)/ total elements in sample + allowance for sampling risk
incorrect acceptance
accept sample even though in population it’s incorrect.
When an auditor concludes that an error or deviation rate in a population is acceptable based on a sample even though it is not true of the population, it represents a sampling error that results in incorrect acceptance
advantages of PPS sampling (probability-proportional-to-size)
- standard deviation is not needed
- a sample is automatically stratified
- a smaller sample will often result when few errors are expected
- sampling can begin before the entire population is complete
disadvantages of PPS sampling (probability-proportional-to-size)
- zero and negative balances require special handling
- large sample sizes result when many errors are expected
- it is not useful for detecting an understatement
Attribute sampling is
statistical sampling
Attribute sampling is used to determine whether a population has a particular attribute
Statistical sampling allows an auditor to
quantify sampling risk
Stratified nonstatistical sampling, haphazard sampling, and block sampling are all
nonstatistical sampling, which doesn’t allow an auditor to quantify sampling risk
Stop-or-go sampling is a
technique of attribute sampling that is used when the error rate is expected to be low.
It allows the auditor to conclude a test and draw conclusions before all items in the sample have been tested if the error rate in items tested is at an acceptably low level
PPS (probability proportional to size)
The purpose of variable estimation sampling, which PPS is an example of, is to measure amounts, which can be compared to client data to identify overstatements.
PPS increases the proportion of larger, not smaller items in the sample.
PPS is used in substantive testing and would not be used to determine if a control was being applied. Since items are chosen based on the relationship of their balances to an interval, zero and negative balances are not a focus
The higher the expected deviation rate in the population,
the more likely the population will be unacceptable and the auditor will want to make certain not to make the error of incorrect acceptance. To avoid this, the auditor will seek more precision requiring a larger sample size, indicating a direct relationship