Introduction As per SA 530, audit sampling refers to the application of auditing procedures to less than 100% of items within a population relevant under audit such that all the sampling units have an equal chance of selection. In simple words, sampling in auditing refers to the practice deriving aRead more
Introduction
As per SA 530, audit sampling refers to the application of auditing procedures to less than 100% of items within a population relevant under audit such that all the sampling units have an equal chance of selection.
In simple words, sampling in auditing refers to the practice deriving a conclusion by the auditor about a population of data by evaluation of only a part or sample of the whole data. Population means a set of data.
Concept of sampling
We know, an audit involves inspection of financial information of an entity by an auditor to form an opinion on its financial statements. Now the financial information of a firm usually contains large volumes of data. For example, a firm may have entered into 50,000 purchase transactions in a year.
Now, checking each and every purchase transaction will cost both time and money. Also, nowadays, almost every enterprise have internal controls and automated accounting systems that are established to ensure accuracy and prevention of errors. Hence, a full-fledged inspection of each and every transaction is not worth the time and effort.
Instead, a wise thing to do is to take a sample from the whole volume of transactions or accounts and apply the auditing procedures to the sample. The results derived from the sample are then projected upon the whole volume of data. Samples are often taken using statistical methods to ensure that sample is taken randomly and represents the whole population of data in a true and unbiased manner.
Consideration regarding the population before audit sampling:
- The population is appropriate for the specific audit objective of the auditor
- It is from a reliable source to ensure sample reliability
- It is complete in terms of coverage of all relevant items throughout the period.
Irrespective of the method of sampling, the sample must represent the whole population closely.
Approaches to sampling
There are two approaches to sampling:
- Statistical Approach: It is a scientific way of ensuring that the sample is chosen randomly from data and represents the data in a true and unbiased way. It employs mathematical and statistical tools like the theory of probability and also considers sampling risk characteristics.
- Non-Statistical Approach: Under this approach, the auditor employs his personal experience to collect sample from the population. No mathematical tools are used but the personal judgement of the auditor regarding sampling. Sometimes, this approach may give satisfactory results depending upon the capability of the auditor. But in most cases, reliability is less compared to the statistical approach.




What is Impairment of Assets? Impairment of assets means a decline in the value of assets due to unforeseen circumstances. Assets are impaired when the carrying value of assets increases its market value or “realizable value”. Impairment can be caused due to factors that are internal or external toRead more
What is Impairment of Assets?
Impairment of assets means a decline in the value of assets due to unforeseen circumstances. Assets are impaired when the carrying value of assets increases its market value or “realizable value”.
Impairment can be caused due to factors that are internal or external to the firm. Internal factors such as physical damage, obsolescence or poor management and external factors such as a change in legal or economic circumstances, increased competition or reduction in asset’s fair value in the market result in impairment.
Impairment Vs Depreciation
Asset impairment is often confused with asset depreciation, which is rather a recurring and expected event, unlike impairment that reflects an abrupt decrease in the value of the asset.
Impairment Loss
Impairment is always treated as a loss in accounting. It is the amount by which the carrying value or the asset’s book value exceeds its fair market value.
Before recording Impairment loss, a company must determine the recoverable value of the asset which is higher of the asset’s net realizable value or value in use. Then it is to be compared with the book value of the asset.
If the carrying value exceeds the recoverable value then the impairment loss is to be recorded at the exceeding value i.e. difference of carrying value and realizable value.
Example
Suppose a company Royal Ltd. has an asset with a carrying value of 50,000, which has suffered physical damage. According to the company’s calculation, the asset has a net realizable value of 30,000 and a value in use of 25,000.
Then, the recoverable value would be higher of the asset’s net realizable value or value in use, i.e., 30,000 which is still lower than the carrying amount of 50,000. Therefore, Royal ltd. will have to record 20,000 (50,000-30,000) as impairment loss.
This is will increase Royal Ltd’s expenses by 20,000 and decrease the asset’s value by the same amount.
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