FINAL EXAM COPY Flashcards
Purpose: To estimate characteristic of group without complete examination of all items constituting the group.
Sampling
Definition: A technique or methodology for (1) Determining Sample Size (2) selecting items to be tested and of (3) evaluating the results of the test on the basis of mathematical laws of probability.
Statistical Sampling
Definition: Technique for selecting sample size that is not calculated. Ex: “Go pick a few”
Non-Statistical Sampling
Sampling Technique: Selection of a sample from a population of items in such a manner that each item in the population has an equal chance of being chosen for examination. 1. Random number table or random number generators are generally used for applying this selection approach.
2. Population items must be numbered.
Random sampling
Sampling Technique: sample items are selected according to some predetermined fixed interval (selection of every nth item). The first sample item is selected at random thus establishing the sequential pattern. 1. Population items should be arranged in random order or the auditor should use multiple random starts.
2. Population items do not need to be numbered.
Systematic Selection
Sampling Technique: Population is divided into classes or strata which are more homogeneous than the population as a whole. 1. Generally used to control variability in the population and reduce sample size.
2. Enables auditor to relate sample selection to materiality.
Stratified Selection
risks due to factors not related to sampling. Failure to recognize error in a document or transaction or failure to apply appropriate audit procedures.
Nonsampling Risk
2 step process in sampling a population
Project population, adjust for Sampling Risk
Important Concepts: Concerned with “How Much” or Dollar Amounts – Primarily used in substantive testing
Record (or Dollar) Sampling
Important Concepts: Concerned with “How Many” – Used to “Test (Internal) Controls” – Are controls working?
Attribute Sampling
Risk of incorrect Acceptance: in a test of internal controls, it is the risk that the sample supports a conclusion that the control is operating effectively when, in fact, it is not operating effectively. Same as beta.
Type II – This is the one to AVOID.
Risk of incorrect Rejection: in a test of internal controls, it is the risk that the sample supports a conclusion that the control is not operating effectively when, in fact, it is operating effectively (same as alpha from your stat class).
Type I
Important Concepts: Risk that sample is not representative of the population.
Sampling Risk
Important Concepts: Risk that sample is not representative of the population. – Controlled by Sample Size
Sampling Risk
Important Concepts: Selection of every nth item in the population. Used where population items are not numbered
Systematic Selection
Important Concepts: Used to control variability of population and reduce sample size. Divide population into sub-groups reducing variability which is measured by Standard Deviation
Stratification
Important Concepts: Used to audit for OVERSTATEMENT. Used to estimate max amount of Error in population
Dollar Unit Sampling
Important Concepts: Used to measure and control sampling risk. Based on Mathematical Laws of Probability
Statistical Sampling
Sampling Theory: Uses attribute-sampling theory
Monetary-Unit Sampling (MUS)
Sampling Theory: Used for $’s rather than attributes
Monetary-Unit Sampling (MUS)
Sampling Theory: Commonly used to test accounts such as accounts receivable, loans receivable, investment securities, and inventory (all of which are assets)
Monetary-Unit Sampling (MUS)
What is the following factor’s relationship to sample size, Direct or indirect? Desired Confidence Level
Direct, as it decreases, sample size decreases and vice versa
What is the following factor’s relationship to sample size, Direct or indirect? Tolerable Deviation Rate
Inverse, as it decreases, sample size increases
What is the following factor’s relationship to sample size, Direct or indirect? Tolerable Deviation Rate
Inverse, as it decreases, sample size increases
Factors that drive sample size
a. Desired confidence or reliability level
b. Tolerable deviation rate (misstatement)
c. Expectations
Once the desired confidence level is established, the sample size is determine largely by what?
Precision - How much the tolerable error exceeds expected error
rate comes from our planned assessed lvl of control risk
Tolerable Deviation Rate
Two technological advances have reduced the number of times auditors need to apply sampling techniques to gather audit evidence:
- Development ofwell-controlled,automated accounting systems. 2. Advent of powerfulPC audit software todownload andexamine clientdata
All sample results must be adjusted for:
Sampling Risk
All sample results must be adjusted for sampling risk and compared to?
Top tier of confidence interval
Conditions that create the demand for audits:
Conflict of Interest, Consequence, Complexity and Remoteness
Conditions that create the demand for audits: conflict between an information preparer and a user can result in biased information production
Conflict of Interest
Conditions that create the demand for audits: information can have substantial economic consequences to a decision maker
Consequence
Conditions that create the demand for audits: expertise is often required for information preparation and verification
Complexity
Conditions that create the demand for audits: users are frequently prevented from directly assessing the quality of information.
Remoteness
What theory says people take information into account, use it wisely, do not systematically make mistakes
Rational expectations theory
What 3 things will principals do with the Agency Theory?
Expect divergent acts from agent, Estimate the impact of divergent acts, Adjust the agent’s compensation to reflect the cost of divergent acts
2 agency problems that raise agency costs with the Agency theory:
information asymmetry & divergent acts
What is the risk that the observed F/S ≠ True F/S?
Information Risk
Risk that relates to peculiarities of individual firm’s data
Firm specific (unsystematic risk)
Risk that relates to variability of market as a whole
Market related (systematic risk)
The basic argument is that management can share liability exposure with an auditor and share the cost.
The Insurance Hypothesis; We now have proportionate liability unless you knowingly violate the securities act!
What 3 things does the Information Hypothesis imply?
Reduces risk, Improves management decision making and trading profits
What has been the effects of PCAOB inspections on auditors and audit quality?
Appearance and Fact
FORM AP requires disclosure of:
Identify lead partner and identify other accounting firms that perform more than 5% of audit. If less than 5%, report number of firms providing less than 5%.
New audit reporting model:
Pass/Fail, CAMs, challenging, subjective, or complex auditor judgments (must be material, disclose how issue was addressed), and must address tenure with audit firm
CAMS
Any matter that was or required to be communicated to the AC
“…the likelihood that an auditor (1) detects and (2) reports a material misstatement.”
Audit Quality
Practitioners often define this based on adherence to GAAS.
Audit Quality
The inverse of acceptable audit risk (i.e., the likelihood that an auditor fails to modify the opinion on f/s that are materially misstated).
Audit Quality
Appearance vs. Fact
Competence in fact and independence in appearance
Situation where we can know (become aware of) the quality of an audit.
Past observation of: Client financial restatements, Client fraud, Investor’s/Creditor’s response to audited financial statements and Other business failures
Detection
This primarily deals with “competence”
Detection actual Identified Differences:
Large Firms have less litigation,
Compliance increases with firm size, Large Firms issue GC opinions more often
Detection perceived Identified Differences:
Higher audit fees for Large Firms, IPO Prices, Higher stock price issues
Which is more difficult? For a company to find a new auditor OR For an auditor to find a new client
Much more difficult for auditor to find a new client
Short Tenure Pros and Cons
Pro: Fresh Eyes. Con: Low client familiarity (billing hours)
Long Tenure Pros and Cons
Pros: Increase client specific expertise. Cons: Complacent & loose objectivity (aligning with management)
Determinants of Audit Quality
Profession, Audit Firm, Local Office, Audit Team and Individual
How does the profession promote audit quality?
Standard Setting, Code of Conduct, Inspections and Peer Review, Research, Legal Liability
What are some things about an individual firm (or an office of the firm) that might affect “actual” audit quality?
- Human resources – hiring & training. 2. Control Processes (Strong audit methodologies, Peer review, Client acceptance & continuance) 3. Industry Expertise 4. Tone at the Top
What are some things about the team that might influence actual audit quality?
Partner & Manager attention, Skepticism, Client Experience, Industry experience
Self-Serving Bias - Example aspects of accounting/auditing that amplify the problem:
Ambiguity in GAAP & GAAS, Attachment to client, Approval of biased judgments
Self-Serving Bias - Example aspects of human nature that amplify the problem:
Familiarity with client, Discounting of delayed consequences, Escalation – we explain away minor issues
A General Model of
Audit-Related Pressures and Their Effects:
Pressure –> Stress Response –> Outcome
Audit-Related Pressures: Anticipating having to justify one’s judgments and decisions to others.
Accountability