AUDITING AND THE GROWING USE OF FINANCIAL SOFTWARE
Terms of reference
The report is a part of an assessment for the auditing unit; the intended audience is the lecturer Mr Ade Otukoya. The report is written after a presentation done in class to reflect on your understanding and how to improve after getting your feedback.
Table of contents
• Introduction (what is auditing??)
• Auditing definitions
• Purpose of auditing
• An overview of framework for audit assignment
•
Auditing terms and definitions
Audit evidence –
Inherent risk - Control risk -
Detection risk -
Business risk -
Compliance testing -
Substantive testing -
Governance framework -
Internal and external controls -
Computer assisted audit tools and techniques -
Auditor’s independence -
Auditing is defined as the investigation or the search for evidence to enable an opinion too be formed on the truth and fairness of financial and other information by a person or persons independent of the preparer or the people likely to gain directly from the use of the information, and the issue of a report on that information with the intention of increasing its credibility and therefore its usefulness.
There are two types of auditing; these are internal auditing and external. Internal auditing has been defined as an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation’s operations. It helps an organisation reach its objective by bringing a system, disciplined approach to
This course is the first in a two-part series that deals with auditing a company 's financial reports, internal controls, and
Two types of audits are conducted: internal control and performance audits. The internal audit is done to ensure that an agency is keeping proper records, adhering to policies and procedures. It evaluates and tests rules and regulations to ensure officials use public resources with integrity. On the other hand, Performance Audits assess how efficiently and effectively a local government runs aspects of its
A review and an audit report are both a form of an attestation engagement. A Review, however, is less in scope so it provides a moderate level of assurance on the financial statements. It is considered a “sniff” of an audit, which comparatively provides reasonable assurance that no material misstatements occurred. Since a review deals with a limited scope, it does not provide the basis for expressing an opinion on the presentation of the
Due to increasing economic and financial growth, many types of audit have been incorporated throughout the development process of internal activities. Audits can be performed manually or they can incorporate technology. According to Hunton and
The audit risk model has provided a conceptual framework for auditing practice for more than 40 years. Despite practical difficulties in implementation and criticisms of its theoretical foundation, the model has been fairly effective in helping auditors analyze risks and use that analysis to determine the nature, timing, and extent of audit procedures (especially substantive procedures) in audits of financial statements. The audit risk model provides a conceptual framework for the risk assessment standards.
An external audit examines the opportunities and threats that are available to it within its market and is also the study of other rivals that exist within its environment. It is important to study this when constructing a business plan as it is necessary to know what affects your rivals have on you and the environment you work in as well as the outside factors that affect your environment. An external audit will usually involve carrying out competition and market analysis.
Auditors should plan the audit so that the engagement is conducted in an effective manner.
The external audit focuses on identifying and evaluating trends and events beyond the control of a single firm. An external audit reveals essential opportunities and threats confronting an organization so that managers can formulate strategies to take advantage of the opportunities and avoid or reduce the impact of threats.
An audit is based when management prepares the financial statements, maintain internal control over financial reporting, and provide relevant information and access to the auditor.
A business needs to analyse external areas such as Political, Economic issue, Social issue, Technological change, Competition, Culture, Ethics, Environment and Pressure group. External auditing is very important for all business. All business needs to PEST analyse for getting success in future.
Internal auditing is an independent objective assurance and consulting acitivity designed to add value and improve an organizations operations.
Internal auditors cannot effectively provide an analysis on the company’s internal dealings as they are part of the company. External auditors, however, can observe these processes from the outside and then determine where the funds of the company and whether the dealings adhere to the regulations. Using external auditors in a company prevents conflict of interest from happening. Conflict of interest is a situation where an individual or organization has multiple interests and of those multiple interests, one could possible corrupt the motivation for an act on the other when the auditor has any kind of beneficial interest in their client’s performance. In other circumstances, there is also the threat of familiarity where auditors become
According to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), (2011), the internal auditing is a team of consultants, a department and a division or other practitioner which independent, have objective assurance and conduct a consulting activity which is designed to add value and improve the organization operations. The internal auditor can help an organization in achieving its objectives by bringing a discipline and systematic approach in order to improve and evaluate the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance process.
The role of internal audit is to provide independent declaration that an organization’s threatadministration, governance and internal control processes are functioning effectively. Internal auditors deal with concerns that are essentially important to the existence and success of any organization. Unlike external auditors, they aspect beyond financial possibilities and statements to reflect wider problems such as the organization’s reputation, development, its power on the location and the approach it treats its organizations.In summary, internal accountantssupport organizations to thrive.
This article initiates with the introduction on what is audit planning. It basically addresses the audit plan strategy of K & S Corporation limited’s Financial Statements. Being an external auditor of the company, key factors to be considered in auditing the financials of the subject company have been discussed in the article. The most significant accounts at risk being materially misstated have been critically examined citing the possible risks associated with such accounts. Last but not the least, the article concludes with recommendations with respect to audit assessment plan of the company. Hence, this article seeks to act as a ready reckoner guide for an audit manager in audit planning of K & S Corporation Limited.