- 20 Marks
Question
The Auditor is required by ISA 500 to design and perform appropriate audit procedures for obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence.
You are required to:
- (a) Identify FIVE factors that an Auditor will consider in determining what constitutes sufficient audit evidence. (5 Marks)
- (b) Explain FIVE principles that would assist the Auditor in assessing the reliability of audit evidence. (5 Marks)
- (c) Explain FOUR principles that would assist the Auditor in assessing the relevance of audit evidence. (10 Marks)
Answer
(a) Factors for Determining Sufficiency of Audit Evidence
- The quality of the evidence, including its source and reliability.
- The gravity of the risk that financial statements might not present a true and fair view.
- The materiality level of the item being examined.
- The strength of the internal controls in the client’s accounting systems.
- The sampling method used by the auditor, which affects the required audit sample size.
(b) Principles for Assessing Reliability of Audit Evidence
- Evidence from independent external sources is more reliable than internally generated evidence.
- Internally generated evidence is more reliable if related controls are effective.
- Evidence obtained directly by the auditor is more reliable than that obtained indirectly.
- Documentary evidence (such as electronic or physical records) is more reliable than oral representations.
- Original documents are more reliable than copies or other reproduced forms.
(c) Principles for Assessing Relevance of Audit Evidence
- Logical connection to the purpose of the audit procedure and the assertion.
- Relevance to specific assertions; for example, receivable collection documents may relate to existence but not cut-off.
- Tests of controls evaluate control effectiveness at the assertion level, relevant for identifying conditions indicating control performance.
- Substantive procedures are designed to detect material misstatements at the assertion level.
Explanation: The above principles guide auditors in evaluating the sufficiency, reliability, and relevance of audit evidence, ensuring it adequately supports the audit opinion.
- Tags: Audit evidence, ISA 500, Relevance, Reliability, Sufficiency
- Level: Level 2
- Series: MAY 2017
- Uploader: Theophilus