
The definition of preliminary analytical procedure is that ‘comparison of client rations to industry or competitor benchmarks provides an indication of the company’s performance’. The purpose of preliminary analytical procedure is to obtain understanding of the client’s company and industry. (textbook)
What is a preliminary Analytical Review?
Preliminary analytical review therefore entails a significant component of the risk assessment process. Now let's compare this to a review engagement. Within a review engagement audit evidence consists solely of analytical procedures and management inquiry procedures.
What is auditors preliminary analytical procedure?
Auditor Preliminary Analytical Procedure. The descriptions and other documentation of internal control will contribute the external auditor to gain an understanding of the company’s internal control. The direct assistance by internal auditor will help external auditor to make substantive test or tests of controls(textbook) (c)...
What are the different types of analytical procedures used by auditors?
Auditors use three types of analytical procedures, and each serves a different purpose. They include: Preliminary analytical review: Auditors conduct risk assessments, known as preliminary analytical reviews, to plan and time their strategies for conducting an initial analysis.
What are analytical procedures?
What are Analytical Procedures? Analytical procedures are a type of evidence used during an audit . These procedures can indicate possible problems with the financial records of a client, which can then be investigated more thoroughly. Analytical procedures involve comparisons of different sets

What is an analytical procedure?
analytical procedures only provide a broad initial indication about whether a material misstatement may exist. Accordingly, in such cases, consideration of other information gathered when identifying the risks of material misstatement and the results of such analytical procedures may assist the auditor in understanding and evaluating the results of the analytical procedures. Therefore, the auditing standards make it mandatory for the auditor to perform a risk assessment to identify and assess material misstatement risks at the financial statement and assertion level. Definition of analytical procedures Analytical procedures consist of ‘evaluations of financial information through analysis of plausible relationships among financial and non-financial data. They also encompass ‘such investigation as is necessary of identified fluctuations or relationships that are inconsistent with other relevant information or that differ from expected values by a significant amount’ (ISA 520). A basic premise underlying the application of analytical procedures is that plausible relationship among data may reasonably be expected to exist and continue in the absence of conditions to the contrary.
How are analytical procedures used in audit?
financial performance relative to prior years and relevant industry and comparison groups), to help assess the risk of material misstatement to determine the nature, timing and extent of audit procedures, i.e. to help the auditor develop the audit strategy and programme. 2. Substantive analytical procedures Analytical procedures are used as substantive procedures when the auditor considers that analytical procedures can be more effective or efficient than tests of details in reducing the risk of material misstatements at the assertion level to an acceptably low level.
What is final analytical review?
Final analytical review (required by ISA 520) Analytical procedures are performed as an overall review of the financial statements at the end of the audit to assess whether they are consistent with the auditor’s understanding of the entity. Final analytical procedures are not conducted to obtain additional substantive assurance. If irregularities are found, the risk assessment should be performed again to consider any additional audit procedures are necessary. Four key factorsaffect the precision of analytical procedures: 1 DisaggregationThe more detailed the level at which analytical procedures are performed, the greater the procedures' potential precision. Analytical procedures performed at a high level may mask significant, but offsetting, differences that are more likely to come to the auditor’s attention when procedures are performed on disaggregated data. The audit procedure's objective will determine whether data for an analytical procedure should be disaggregated, and to what degree it should be disaggregated. Disaggregated analytical procedures can be best thought of as looking at the composition of a balance (s) based on time (e.g. by month or by week) and the source (s) (e.g. by geographic region or by-product) of the underlying data elements. The data's reliability is also influenced by the comparability of the information available and the relevance of the information available. 2 Data reliabilityThe more reliable the data is the more precise the expectation. The data used to form an expectation in an analytical procedure may consist of external industry and economic data gathered through independent research. The source of information available is essential. Internal data produced from systems and records covered by the audit or that are not subject to manipulation by persons in a position to influence accounting activities are generally considered more reliable. 3 Predictability There is a direct correlation between the data's predictability and the quality of the expectation derived from the data. Generally, the more precise an expectation is for an analytical procedure, the greater
What is preliminary analytical procedure?
The definition of preliminary analytical procedure is that ‘comparison of client rations to industry or competitor benchmarks provides an indication of the company’s performance’. The purpose of preliminary analytical procedure is to obtain understanding of the client’s company and industry. (textbook)
What are the two major stages of an analytical procedure?
In common, two major stages, simple comparisons and ration analysis, are used by auditors during analytical procedure; however ration analysis is a better understanding of the entity. Based on the data from question 6.33, the analysis procedure is allocated in two major stages. (textbook)
What does the proportion of error mean in the internal control of payments?
Also, these errors indicate that the internal control regarding payments is not very effective, because the proportion of error is almost 28% of 60 samples. It means that the risk of this related internal control is higher than average level.
What is analytical procedure?
Analytical procedures are formulas and processes that compare financial data to non-financial data in order to determine relationships between the two. Examples of non-financial data that can affect an organization's financial statements and taxes include contract compliance, energy consumption and the percentage of women in leadership positions. Companies can benefit from tax breaks if they meet certain qualifications regarding these issues, and they must follow specific protocols to maintain eligibility.
Why do auditors use analytical procedures?
Analytical procedures also help auditors investigate variations in figures that have shown consistency in the past or do not correlate with other values. If a long-term client, for instance, reports a substantial change in income, the auditor may research the origin of the additional funding to make sure it comes from a legitimate source and reflects valid information about the client's financial state. Auditors use three types of analytical procedures, and each serves a different purpose. They include:
How do auditors use trend analysis?
Auditors can use trend analysis using revenue and cost analysis. They use this process internally to create a trend line that reveals whether the company's revenue and costs have remained consistent. Depending on the distribution of the data points, auditors can identify potential problems and help their clients resolve them.
When do auditors use final analytical reviews?
Final analytical review: Auditors use final analytical reviews at the end of the audit to review their work and check for inaccuracies. If they find errors, they complete the risk assessment process again.
What is the method used to determine the ability of a company to cover its debts?
Coverage ratios: This method determines the ability of a company to cover its debts.
Why do auditors do ratio analysis?
One type of ratio analysis involves comparing line items on a financial statement to assess them for concerns such as liquidity, profitability and efficiency. Auditors calculate ratios and map them over an extended period. This helps them identify trends and view the organization's financial status over several years or fiscal periods so that they can ensure a consistent financial status. If the auditor notices that financial reports during a single period fall above or below the trend, they can research further to identify and resolve the issue.
What is analytical procedure?
Analytical procedures are the processes of evaluating financial information through trend, ratio or reasonableness of data in relation to other financial and non-financial data. In this case, auditors perform data analysis to examine whether it is consistent with other relevant information and whether the fluctuation is within their ...
What is the purpose of analytical procedures in audit?
Auditors are required to perform analytical procedures at the planning stage of audit and at the completion stage of audit to perform an overall review of the financial statements before issuing the audit report.
Why use analytically procedures in the evidence-gathering stage?
Additionally, analytically procedures may also be used in the evidence-gathering stage in order to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to form an opinion on financial statements.
Why do accountants use analytical procedures?
For example, cost accountant usually uses analytical procedures to identify the fluctuation of different types of costs or expenses and the reasons behind those fluctuations.
How to calculate annual compensation?
Multiply the number of employees by average pay to estimate the total annual compensation, and then compare the result to the actual total compensation expense for the period. The client must explain any material difference from this amount, such as bonus payments or employee leave without pay. This is a form of reasonableness test.
When the results of these procedures are materially different from expectations, the auditor should discuss them with management?
When the results of these procedures are materially different from expectations, the auditor should discuss them with management. A certain amount of skepticism is needed when having this discussion, since management may not want to spend the time to delve into a detailed explanation, or may be hiding fraudulent behavior. Management responses should be documented, and could be valuable as a baseline when conducting the same analysis in the following year.
What is analytical procedure?
Analytical procedures are a type of evidence used during an audit. These procedures can indicate possible problems with the financial records of a client, which can then be investigated more thoroughly.
What is trend analysis of bad debt?
This amount should vary in relation to sales. If not, management may not be correctly recognizing bad debts in a timely manner. This is a form of trend analysis.
Should management responses be documented?
Management responses should be documented, and could be valuable as a baseline when conducting the same analysis in the following year. Auditors are required to engage in analytical procedures as part of an audit engagement.
