...01 An Introduction to Assurance and Financial Statement Auditing True / False Questions 1. | Independence standards are required for audits of public companies, but not for audits of private companies. True False | 2. | Decision makers demand reliable information that is provided by accountants. True False | 3. | Information asymmetry seldom occurs. True False | 4. | Conflicts of interest often occur between absentee owners and managers. True False | 5. | Auditing services and attestation services are the same. True False | 6. | Auditing is a type of attest service. True False | 7. | Testing all transactions that occurred during the period is cost prohibitive. True False | Multiple Choice Questions 8. | Why do auditors generally use a sampling approach to evidence gathering? A. | Auditors are experts and do not need to look at much to know whether the financial statements are correct or not. | B. | Auditors must balance the cost of the audit with the need for precision. | C. | Auditors must limit their exposure to their auditee to maintain independence. | D. | The auditor's relationship with the auditee is generally adversarial, so the auditor will not have access to all of the financial information of the company. | | 9. | Which of the following statements best describes a relationship between sample size and other elements of auditing? A. | If materiality increases, so will the sample...
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...Introduction Technology plays a vital role in continuous auditing activities. As an automatic method, continuous auditing’s responsibility is to perform auditing activities more frequently which including control and risk assessments. With the aim of helping to automate the identification of anomalies or exceptions, analyze models, test controls and review trends, “Continuous” in this aspect of continuous reporting and auditing serves as the financial information’s real-time ability to be shared and checked. Continuous auditing presents that the financial information’s integrity can be evaluated at any given-point-time; as a result, financial information’s inefficient, frauds and errors could able to be verified constantly. In the other hand, we could consider continuous auditing as a very detailed audit. 1 Historical development of continuous auditing As a kind of audit method, it theoretical sources is from the traditional auditing method. The traditional auditing theory is the basis of analyzing the continuous auditing. Most of the auditing is a format of statutory audit, but not all the auditing is required by the statutory from the beginning. Under the freedom of market environment, we should strengthen research on audit risk, explore ways of audit risk management and control, continue to improve audit quality, and reduce audit risk. “In fact, the concept of “continuous auditing” has been around since the late 1980s. But the urgency that Sarbanes-Oxley has brought...
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...instability and the compromising factor of accounting profession itself. Out of the many parties in the league and the major force behind the debacle of Enron concern Andersen's, the accounting and auditing firm that once deserved name in the industry for its conscience in accounting professional services and auditing. As the case relates to, accounting audit for Enron is attended by Andersen's since long enough. However, the interesting feature is that some compromise in the profession of accounting services by Andersen's was notable, given that there are noteworthy feature of stock manipulation, especially in financial statements of Enron attended and audited by Andersen's. The statement and restatement of Enron also gives some probable indication for manipulation of accounting, where debate and counter debate in that regard from the prying eye of the media was a common feature. Thus, the involvement of Andersen's in Enron consultancy and professional auditing makes it rather more imploded for the direct involvement of Andersen's that also successively ushered the debacle and bankruptcy of Enron for the entire sheer element attached to it. Moreover, the accounting scandal involving Enron have been subject to criticism from many quarters. However, insiders who testify against the auditing firm make it the biggest party of the fall out and bankruptcy of Enron...
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...INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING Haryono, MCom, Ak 1 Why study Information Systems and Information Technology? • Vital component of successful businesses • Helps businesses expand and compete • Businesses use IS and IT: To improve efficiency and effectiveness of business processes For managerial decision making For workgroup collaboration IS and IT change the business process dramatically 2 IT Inside Organization 3 SIMASTERGAMA Case study: UGM UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE SYSTEM Informasi untuk Eksekutif (Rektor, Wakil REktor, Direktur) Informasi untuk Manajer (Ka Adm, Kabag/Kasi) Academics MO DUL /AP LIK AS HR Payroll Library Accounting Informasi untuk Operasional (Front Office) I dll. Fakultas Biologi Fakultas Ekonomika dan Bisnis Fakultas ISIPOL Fakultas Farmasi Fakultas Kedokteran Fakultas Pertanian TAS KUL FA Transition of IS Governance Poor IS Governance Good IS Governance 5 Need for Audit of Information Systems 6 Information System Auditing “IS Auditing is the process of collecting and evaluating evidence to determine whether a computer system safeguards assets, maintains data integrity, allows organizational goals to be achieved effectively, and uses resources efficiently” (Weber, 1999) 7 Objectives of IS Auditing Evaluate and Improved of… asset safeguarding system efficiency IS Auditing system effectiveness data integrity 8 Information Technology Auditing IT audits: provide...
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...Audit and the Performance of Auditing in Sudan This study by : Babiker Othamn Omer Saad This paper conducted to study in an in-depth research of the importance of the auditing performance , the subject matter of this research mainly focused on not having available quantitative measuring tools which evaluate the risk , therefore, we find that in most of the time there is threatening risk , based on that the auditing practice will not lead to trace the intrinsic forgery cases even when the agreed measurement of auditing is applied. The main aim of this study is to shade light on the types of risks in auditing performance and to build understanding of the importance of the relevant relation between tis and practice , the researcher uses the assumptions e.g the relation between auditing practice and the risk of auditing mainly depends on the evaluating and reporting of the auditor, planning of the audit process implies a comprehensive strategy of evaluating and implementing the auditing operation, this paper also proved that there is a relation between the quantitative audit reporting and enough clues of prove . This research proved that we cannot neglect the audit process and this considered as an entrance to better of the organization which will facilitate professional performance of the audit process. Based on the outcome of this study the researcher came out with the following recommendations: * The organizational firms should develop the process of the internal system by which...
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...REFLECTION PAPER ON “THE IMPACT OF EMERGING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON AUDITING” In our modern world today, everything is possible... Everything is faster. But based on this fact, do we really know the influence of evolving “Information Technology” on our society specifically in the dynamics of businesses nowadays? To respond with this, IT has affected many sectors or aspects especially auditing. Audit is an evaluation of a person, organization, system, process, enterprise, project or product to enable the auditor to express an opinion whether the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, is in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. The use of computers in the process of auditing is what we called “Accounting Information System” which is wildly by the auditors today. In a business context, information technology (IT) is defined as "the study, design, development, application, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems". The prompt growth in information technology (IT) competencies and the longing of businesses of all sizes to obtain competitive advantage have led to a dramatic increase in the use of IT systems to make, process, store and communicate information. Today, employees at all levels use IT systems in their daily activities. Electronic records have replaced traditional paper documents. In fact, there are few companies that don’t rely on IT to at least some extent to achieve their financial...
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...Continuous Auditing Jessica Hunt Accounting 510 Dr. Yining Chen December 3, 2014 Intorduction Generally auditing: is performed months after the business activities have actually occurred, based on a sampling approach, and includes reviewing of systems of approvals and reconciliations as well as policies and procedures. This method has been realized to provide auditors with only a narrow scope of evaluation and doesn’t really provide much value because of its lack of timeliness. Furthermore it has become evident that a need for timely and ongoing assurance over the effectiveness of risk management and control systems is crucial. This along with the environment of rising risks, and regulatory activity and compliance costs (complying with section 404 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act) makes this an optimal time to consider a new approach. Continuous auditing is a method used to perform control and risk assessment automatically on a more frequent basis (Coderre 2005). It enables auditors to continually gather from processes data that supports auditing activities (Deloitte 2010), and allows auditors to provide written results on the subject matter using one or a series of reports issued simultaneously (ISACA 2002). Continuous auditing leverages technology and opens database architecture to enable auditors to monitor a company’s systems over the internet using sensors and digital agents. Discrepancies between the records and the rules defined in the digital agents are transmitted...
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... Towards Reducing the Audit Expectation Gap: Possible Mission? The auditing profession believes that the increase in litigation and criticism against auditors may be due to the audit expectation gap. The audit expectation gap is defined as the difference between what the public expects from an audit and what the audit profession accepts the audit objective to be. The audit expectation gap is critical to the auditing profession because the greater the unfulfilled expectations of the public, the lower the credibility, earning potential and prestige associated with the work of auditors. The objective of this paper is to review and evaluate some of the possible solutions that can be taken to narrow the gap. The study found the proposed solutions in the literature are unlikely to be implemented in view of the practical issues identified. Hence, the proposed solutions are only likely to be effective on theoretical grounds. It is hoped that this paper will provide some insights into proposed solutions which will enable the audit expectation gap to be reduced in a comprehensive and effective manner. E xternal auditing plays an important role in contributing to the effectiveness and efficient functioning of business operations, the capital markets, and the economy by adding credibility to financial statements (Rezaee, 2004). The reliability of auditing functions and the professionalism of the auditing profession was, however, called into question after some spectacular...
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...The Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Auditing Prior to the 2002, there were numerous accounting and corporate scandals that rocked the business world. Foremost of which is the Enron debacle which was followed by WorldCom, Tyco International and Global Crossing (CIO Decisions). The collapse of these businesses was attributed to the lack of regulatory controls in the part of the government as well as transparency of operations of corporations which can be of help to its stakeholders in the analysis of profitability and assurance of good governance to the public. They importance of the Act lies on the accountability and security of financial reporting that the stakeholders would have in a corporation’s implementation of good business practices and adherence to laws and regulations in the administration and operations of the company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act revised a significant portion of the federation securities laws which had been in place for 60 years already (Sarbanes-Oxley Information). Before SOX, there is a self-regulation in the accounting profession whereby the Securities and Exchange Commission was “given statutory authority to set accounting standards and oversight over the Activities of the auditors…the role of establishing standards was left to the accounting profession” (CPCAF). One of the key changes in internal audits is that the “Act requires all financial reports to include an internal control report” (Sarbanes...
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...Continuous Auditing In the customary tradition, internal auditing’s testing of controls has been performed on months once business activities have occurred. Internal auditors need to respond effectively to the demands of a fast changing business environment, while assisting organizations comply with growing regulatory mandates. This pressures internal auditors to provide more timely and ongoing assurance that controls are working effectively and risk is being mitigated. Today, IAs use continuous auditing as a method to perform control and risk assessments automatically on a more frequent basis. According to Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Continuous Auditing is defined as a methodology that enables independent auditors (both internal & external) to provide written assurance on a subject matter using a series of auditors’ reports issued simultaneously with, or a short period of time after, the occurrence of events underlying the subject matter (Searcy and Woodroof, 2003). The Institute of Internal Auditors' (IIA) Global Technology Audit Guide (GTAG 3) defined continuous auditing as any method used by auditors to perform audit-related activities (including control and risk assessments) on a more continuous (occurring without interruption) or continual (occurring at repeated intervals.) basis. Continuous auditing requires specialized skills of audit personnel to monitor information...
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...their system on a daily basis. The company relies on this data to be accurate and trustworthy. Considering the dependency and importance of the electronic data flowing through the system in such a high volume, they would benefit from computer assisted audit techniques (CAATs). A CAATs audit is focused on testing the computer systems for data integrity and security of the company’s information data processing. CAATs provide a 10 step process made available to the auditor for use as guidelines in conducting an efficient audit. The guidelines will reduce the time to complete the audit, save money and ensure a high degree of confidence in the audit results. The CAATs audit will provide the owner of Kudler Fine Foods with assurance that the systems are operating with accuracy and the data is secure. To initiate the audit procedure, the auditor will first collaborate with the owner of Kudler Fine Foods to define the intents and desired end results of the audit. The auditor will review the computer systems, processes, types of data and process controls with Kathy Kudler to ensure that she thoroughly understands the system. Through this collaboration, the auditor will determine the best strategies for assessing the risks associated with the system and current processes. He or she will also determine the optimal strategy for collecting and testing data. Once the auditor determines the best strategies for conducting the audit, he or she will begin collecting and testing data...
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...The talk of having a new body that was tasked with the mandate of overseeing public companies accounting and auditing process had been circulating before the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley act. As early as 1990s, the then chairman of the Security and Exchange Commission was already lamenting about the erosion of auditor independence. However, accounting scandals that emerged towards the end of 1990s showed the deplorable state of the corporate world that characterized the United States corporate community. As such, this prompted the legislature to act fast in order to tame this runaway menace. Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which was purposely developed in order to address the shortcomings of the auditing process that was evident in the American market....
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...Nature and Functions of Auditing August 31st, 2012 Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you explain the nature and functions of auditing. Relate your explanation to the audit functions in your organization, or an organization with which you are familiar. In your paper, be sure to address the following: • Describe the elements of the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). • Describe how these standards apply to financial, operational, and compliance audits. • Explain the effect that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), will have on audits of publicly traded companies. Discuss the additional requirements that are placed on auditors from this Act, and the actions of the PCAOB. This paper discusses the nature and functions of auditing addressing the elements of the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), how these standards apply to financial, operational, and compliance audits, the effect that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) will have on audits of publicly traded companies, and the additional requirements that are placed on auditors from SOX and PCAOB. Nature and Functions of Audit Auditing is a systematic process of obtaining and evaluating evidence regarding assertions about economic actions, events and processes wherein evaluations are made and verified as true and correct. The auditing process consists of gathering...
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...Management: Bedrijfsdomeinen Accounting and auditing Financial misstatements and/or errors are likely to occur in the accounting reports of many firms for a variety of reasons that might involve the complexity of financial information as well as an intent to deceive (e.g. by tampering with the earnings figure of a firm), or even to hide criminal activities such as money laundering. This is why auditing the financial results of a firm, although not always required by law, often proves useful to investors and shareholders (for example to assess the state of the company), the fiscal authorities (for example to detect fraud), etc. Auditing is performed within a given framework of rules and transparency in order to avoid possible conflicts of interests, bribes or frauds, yet accounting scandals and questionable auditing practice regularly make the news. The purpose of this paper...
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...Generally Accepted Auditing Standard Paper ACC/491 Generally Accepted Auditing Standards Paper Auditing is defined as “a systematic process of objectively obtaining and evaluating evidence regarding assertions about economic actions and events to ascertain the degree of correspondence between the assertions and established criteria and communicating the results to interested users” (Louwers, Ramsay, Sinason, & Stawser, p. 3). This is basically saying that auditors are given the job of ensuring that all processes are recorded correctly and obtained for the required amount of time. I will discuss the nature and functions of auditing, while giving examples from my current employer, Capital One. I will then describe the elements of the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, and also tell how these standards apply to financial, operational and compliance audits. I will explain the effect that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board will have on audits on publicly traded companies. Last, I will discuss the additional requirements that are placed on auditors from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the actions of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The auditing process can be very tedious. As an auditor, you must pay close attention to detail. As a Lead Teller with Capital One, I have the responsibility of not only ensuring that all processes are done correctly and retained for the amount of time specified by the company...
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