Chapter 7 Audit Planning and Analytical Procedures

Presentation Outline I.Defining Audit Evidence II.Types of Audit Evidence III.Audit Documentation

I. Defining Audit Evidence A.Audit Evidence Decisions B.Persuasiveness of Audit Evidence C.Competence Considerations

A. Audit Evidence Decisions  Audit procedures to use – specific procedures should be spelled out for instruction during the audit.  Sample size – how many items should be tested for each audit procedure.  Items to select – determine which items in the population should be selected.  Timing – timing can vary from early in the accounting period to long after it has ended.

B. Persuasiveness of Audit Evidence Audit evidence is any information used by the auditor to determine whether the information being audited is stated in accordance with established criteria. Two determinants of persuasiveness of evidence are:  Competence – the degree to which evidence can be considered trustworthy.  Sufficiency – amount of evidence is enough to form a reasonable opinion.

C. Competence Considerations  Relevance – must pertain to the audit objective being tested.  Independence – evidence from outside the client is a stronger form of evidence  Effectiveness of client internal controls – good internal controls can mean better information.  Auditor direct knowledge – auditor determinations are stronger that client comments.  Qualifications – individual is a qualified source.  Degree of objectivity – objective evidence is stronger than subjective evidence.  Timeliness – balance sheet account evidence is better when it is collected around the date of the financial statement. Income statement evidence should sample entire period.

II. Types of Audit Evidence A.Physical examination B.Confirmations C.Documentation D.Analytical Procedures E.Inquiries of the Client F.Reperformance G.Observation

A. Physical Examination Inspection or count by the auditor of a tangible asset. Inspection or count by the auditor of a tangible asset. Different from examining documentation is that the asset has inherent value. Different from examining documentation is that the asset has inherent value.

B. Confirmations Positive Confirmations Negative Confirmations Asks for response even if balance is correct. Asks for a response only if balance is incorrect. More reliable than negative confirmations. Uncertainty associated with no response. The receipt of a written or oral response from an independent third party. Auditor has client request that the third party respond directly to the auditor. Confirmation of accounts receivable is normally required when practical reasonable (SAS 67)

B. Confirmations (Continued) 1. Customers – Confirm A/R balances 2. Vendors – Confirm A/P balances 3.Banks – Confirm checking account and loan balances 4. Attorneys – Confirm contingent liabilities 5. Inventory Agents – Confirm consignments

C. Documentation 1.Types of Documents 2.Document Vouching 3.Document Tracing

1. Types of Documents Internal Documents External Documents Examine supporting evidence in client files. Prepared and used within client company. Does not go outside the client. Document has been in hands of an outside party to the transaction. More reliable than internal documents.

2. Document Vouching Examination of documents that support a recorded transaction or amount. The direction of testing must be from the recorded item to the supporting document. Tests existence or occurrence Recorded Item Supporting Document

3. Document Tracing The primary test for unrecorded items and therefore tests the completeness assertion. The direction of testing must be from the supporting document to the recorded item. Supporting Document Recorded Item

D. Analytical Procedures Audits studies relationships among data. Unusual fluctuations occur when significant difference are not expected but do exist or when significant differences are expected but do not exist. Required during the planning and completion phases on all audits.

E. Inquiries of the Client Auditor obtains information from the client in response to questions. Auditor obtains information from the client in response to questions. Although much evidence is obtained through inquiry, it can not be regarded as conclusive and may be biased in the client’s favor. Although much evidence is obtained through inquiry, it can not be regarded as conclusive and may be biased in the client’s favor.

F. Reperformance Reperformance involves rechecking a sample of the computations and transfers of information. Rechecking of computations consists of testing mathematical accuracy. Rechecking of transfers of information involves seeing if information is recorded consistently in the accounting records. I don’t think this is what they meant by reperformance!

H. Observation Auditor witnesses the physical activities of the client. Auditor witnesses the physical activities of the client. Differs from physical examination because physical examination counts assets, while observation focuses on client activities. Differs from physical examination because physical examination counts assets, while observation focuses on client activities.

III. Audit Documentation A.Working Papers Files B.Typical Working Paper Format C.Storage of Working Papers D.Ownership of Working Papers The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires auditors of public companies to prepare and maintain audit working papers for a period of no less than 7 years. Audit documentation is the principal record of auditing procedures applied, evidence obtained, and conclusions reached by the auditor.

A. Working Papers Files Permanent File Current File Working papers provide the principal record that the audit has conformed to GAAS. Also provide information for deciding on the proper report. Information that is relevant for multiple years on recurring engagements. (See examples on page 178) Information relevant for a given audit client for a particular audit year. (See examples on pages )

B. Typical Working Paper Format Headings – audit client name, year under audit, etc. Headings – audit client name, year under audit, etc. Indexing – arrange papers in some common order. Indexing – arrange papers in some common order. Tick marks – symbols to key a footnote to an item. Tick marks – symbols to key a footnote to an item. Sign-off – indicates auditors that prepare and review. Sign-off – indicates auditors that prepare and review. Ricky Corporation Cash Prepared by: KM Reviewed by: J.S. A1 1 st Savings Traced to bank reconciliation.

C. Storage of Working Papers Working papers of continuing clients are maintained indefinitely. Check with legal counsel before discarding any working papers.

D. Ownership of Working Papers The working papers are the auditor’s property, not the clients. The working papers are the auditor’s property, not the clients. In most cases, an auditor can not reveal information in the working papers without the client’s permission. In most cases, an auditor can not reveal information in the working papers without the client’s permission.

Summary I.Audit Evidence and Persuasiveness II.Types of Audit Evidence III.Working Paper Format, Storage, and Ownership