Evidence and Risk Flashcards
Evidence and RIsk
Evidence and Risk
What is the majority of an auditor’s work in determining an audit opinion?
Collection of evidence to support the opinion.
Evidence and Risk
Of what does audit Evidence consist?
Evidence consists of client accounting data and supporting documentation from client or from third parties.
Evidence and Risk
What is the relationship between Evidence and Detection Risk?
Evidence has an inverse relationship with Detection Risk
The one aspect of Audit Risk an auditor can control through (N)ature (T)iming (E)xtent of audit procedures.
Inherent Risk and Control risk are outside of auditor’s control.
Evidence and Risk
Which aspects of Audit Risk can an auditor control?
Detection Risk which is decreased by gathering evidence.
Evidence and Risk
Which aspects of Audit Risk can an auditor NOT control?
Inherent Risk and Control Risk are outside of an auditor’s control.
Evidence and Risk
How does a high level of acceptable Detection Risk affect an audit?
Less Evidence collected. Opens door for incremental audit risk - Internal Control should be strong.
Business and transactions should be relatively stable and predictable.
(N) Less-competent Evidence collected
(T) Interim testing acceptable
(E) Fewer transactions are verified.
Evidence and Risk
What should occur when a low level of Detection Risk is acceptable?
More Evidence collected
(N) More-competent Evidence collected
(T) End of year balance testing
(E) More transactions are verified
Evidence and Risk
What are the primary risks in an audit for a typical for-profit company?
Auditors are there to verify that
Assets & Revenues are not overstated
Expenses & Liabilities are not understated
Exception - if the CPA Exam states that it is a tax-driven company flip them around
Evidence and Risk
What is the primary constraint on audit evidence?
Cost vs. Benefit is a primary constraint.
Evidence and Risk
What characteristics should audit evidence have?
Sufficient (quantity)
Appropriate: Relevant & Reliable (Quality)
Evidence and Risk
How does the quality of audit evidence vary depending on who has provided it?
Best evidence: Observation of activity by auditor.
2nd Best: Originates from External Parties and is sent directly to auditor (or failing that items are generated by third party and provided to auditor by the client such as a bank statement)
Weakest: Oral evidence from management.
Evidence and Risk
Which documents are the most persuasive and credible?
Third party documents are more persuasive and credible than internally-prepared docs
Auditor Knowledge = Most Persuasive
3rd Party info given to auditor
3rd Party info given to client
Internally-prepared doc
Evidence and Risk
What are Substantive Procedures?
Test substance/amounts/values. They help to reduce the risk of material misstatements. They only test accuracy of financial statements and dollar amounts - they don’t test internal controls.
Evidence and Risk
What are the substantive tests that are most often performed?
Trace (or Vouch) Reconcile Analytical Procedures Confirmations Examine evidence that supports management assertions.
(T.R.A.C.E.)
Evidence and Risk
When performing audit procedures what should auditors focus on?
Auditors focus first on Balance Sheet Accounts then associated Income Statement items
Evidence and Risk
How is Cash audited?
Assurance Level is High.
Acceptable Detection Risk is Low.
Evidence and Risk
How is Accounts Receivable audited?
If Acceptable DR is High - Negative Confirmation is used - Customer only responds if balance is materially wrong.
If Acceptable DR is Low - Positive Confirmation is used - Customer asked to confirm by telling auditor the balance.
Corresponding Income Statement Account - Revenue
Evidence and Risk
How is Accounts Payable audited?
Review purchase orders/invoices
Confirm with Vendors
Corresponding Income Statement Account - Various Expenses
Evidence and Risk
How is Inventory audited?
Examine purchase agreements
Look at Board Minutes
Is Inventory held as collateral?
Corresponding Income Statement Account - COGS
Evidence and Risk
How are beginning balances audited?
Should match last year’s ending balance.