Reliance on Internal Control

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #1615566
    Boruch
    Participant

    Hi all

    I’m using Roger to prepare for the exam and he’s got me totally confused regarding the assessment of whether to rely on IC or not.

    I think my question boils down to what factors is the auditor required by GAAS to consider before deciding on whether to rely on the internal controls.

    Answers highly appreciated.
    Thank you!

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - NINJA in Training
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.
Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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  • #1615592
    imsotiffanyy
    Participant

    I had the same exact issue but I hope this clarifies it for you:

    Auditors only care about assessment of ICs that they intend to rely on. They do not assess all ICs.

    This is basically constraint by cost and benefit analysis.

    Never say never.

    Aud - 78 - 8/29/2017

    Bec - 85 - 2/11/2017

    Far - 85 - 11/29/2016

    Reg - 82 - 1/14/2017

    #1615605
    Boruch
    Participant

    Just to make sure I understand you correctly, you're saying that the assessment is basically part of a cost benefit analysis?

    That would make perfect sense, it's just that Roger has something about “expectations of operational effectiveness” as a factor too. Could you speak to that?

    Thank you very much!

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - NINJA in Training
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.
    #1615613
    imsotiffanyy
    Participant

    I'm currently studying for Audit as well and I think the best way to frame Audit is similar to winning a court case.

    As an auditor you're assessing the numbers on the financial statements, your job is not to ensure that IC is working properly. Therefore to make sure the numbers are correct. You would only need to test the ICs that you need to rely on to support your claim that the financial statements are good.

    However if their ICs suck or it cost too much for you to test their controls, you will need more substantive testing.

    Hope this is helpful!

    Never say never.

    Aud - 78 - 8/29/2017

    Bec - 85 - 2/11/2017

    Far - 85 - 11/29/2016

    Reg - 82 - 1/14/2017

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