payroll audit MCQ need help

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #1539876
    adsfasf
    Participant

    In auditing payroll, an auditor most likely would:

    A. verify that checks representing unclaimed wages are mailed.

    B. trace individual employee deductions to entity journal entries.

    C. observe entity employees during a payroll distribution.

    D. compare payroll costs with entity standards or budgets.

    CCorrect answer is D and I agree. However, I have problem with B. Can anyone explain to me why B is not right? Auditor can verify whether deduction such as insurance deduction and tax deductions by checking individual’s payroll journal. Please let me why I am wrong

    Fight!
Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #1539924
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Individual employee deductions are going to be immaterial to the financial statements as a whole, so although an auditor might perform this procedure, it is not more likely than performing analytical procedures like comparing actual payroll costs vs budgeted payroll costs (Option D).

    #1539927
    Missy
    Participant

    The journal entry for payroll won't be split out by individual employees so you wouldn't be able to trace to they j/e.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
    Finance/Admin/HR Manager

    #1539948
    ThomasHallberg
    Participant

    I remember this question, can someone explain why it isn't C? Is it because C is a Test of Controls?

    AUD - 81
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 76
    REG - 75
    How does Santa's accountant value his sleigh? Net Present Value

    Good luck favors the prepared

    KPMG Audit

    #1539975
    adsfasf
    Participant

    Thank you all!

    Fight!
    #1540000
    adsfasf
    Participant

    @brickellCPA

    I still have problem. The question did not ask us to test the Financial Statement as a whole. Reviewing individual's deductions will can verify whether the company has calculated the deductions correctly. Do you mean the sample size is too small because only reviewing one employee? I felt like choice B meant to say to review many individuals' deductions..

    Fight!
    #1540006
    adsfasf
    Participant

    @mla11692

    Hi, actually our company split out the payroll journal entries by each individual. I can easily trace anyone's gross amount, deductions, taxes by looking at the journal entries

    Fight!
    #1540021
    Missy
    Participant

    xinren then your company is a very rare exception. I've been doing payroll for over 20 years and never split out an entry by individual. Usually the journal entry is prepared by their payroll provider (ADP, Paychex, etc) and while its possible I suppose to split it out its not efficient or cost effective to do so.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
    Finance/Admin/HR Manager

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.