Major 2: Auditing & Assurance Principles: Concept & Application 1
Major 2: Auditing & Assurance Principles: Concept & Application 1
Major 2: Auditing & Assurance Principles: Concept & Application 1
Audit Process
The audit process is the sequence of different activities involved in
an audit. This process normally includes the following steps:
Phase Description
1. Pre-engagement This phase will require a decision from
the auditor whether or not to accept a
new client or continue. relationship with
an existing one. This process would
require evaluation not only of the
auditor's qualification, but also the
integrity and auditability of the client's
financial statements.
Primary objective: To minimize the
likelihood of being associated to a client
whose management lacks integrity.
Phase Description
2. Audit Planning Audit planning involves the development of an overall
audit strategy, audit plan and audit program. The
auditor usually obtained more detailed knowledge
about the client's business and industry in order to
understand the transactions and events affecting
the financial statements.
Preliminary assessment of risk and materiality is
also made during this phase.
Primary objective: To assess the different risks
associated with the audit to determine the nature,
timing and extent of further audit procedures
necessary to be performed
Phase Description
3. Consideration of Since entity's internal control directly
internal controls affects the reliability of the financial
statements, it is appropriate to study and
evaluate these controls.
Primary objective: To establish a basis
for reliance on internal controls, in
determining the nature, timing and extent
of audit procedures to be performed.
Phase Description
4. Evidence gathering Using the information obtained in audit
(Substantive testing) planning and consideration of internal
controls, the auditor performs substantive
test to determine whether entity's financial
statements are presented fairly in
accordance with financial reporting
standards. Substantive procedures could
either be analytical procedures or test of
details of transactions and balances.
ADEQUATE PLANNING
-helps the auditor:
•Devote appropriate attention to important areas.
•Identify and resolve potential problems on a timely basis.
•Properly organize and manage the audit so that it is performed in an
effective and efficient manner.
•To assist in the selection of team to respond to anticipated risks, and
the proper assignment of work.
•Facilitate the Direction and Supervision of team members and
Review of their work.
•Coordination of work done by auditors of components and experts.
Audit Planning
Overall Audit Strategy
Big picture of the audit; auditors can do this before they do audit procedures based on
Experience in and knowledge of the industry
Information gained through client acceptance process
Previous audit engagements, such as quarterly reviews
Components of the audit strategy
Scope of the engagement
Timing
Materiality and risk
Fraud risk
Audit Plan: Nature, Timing and Extent
First the auditor has to know:
Management assertions (which requires knowing which accounts are important),
materiality, risk, timing driven by client specifics.
Nature is type of test, control or substantive, and which specific audit procedures is to be
performed.
Timing is when it is to be performed; considerations are having audit resources available,
evidence availability, being able to test the period for which evidence is needed.
Extent is quantity of testing to be performed.
Audit Planning
Audit Program
“An audit program sets out the nature, timing, and extent of planned
audit procedures required to implement the overall audit plan.”