- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years ago by .
Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
OpenTuition recommends the new interactive BPP books for December 2024 exams.
Get your discount code >>
Forums › ACCA Forums › ACCA AA Audit and Assurance Forums › Ranking of Audit Evidence
Is external oral evidence is better than internal written evidence?
If you want a tutor response please use the ask tutor forum.
“better” as in “more reliable” wouldn’t matter if the evidence provided by both sources agree – it is only an issue if they conflict/contradict.
An auditor should always be alert to any audit evidence which contradicts other audit evidence (professional scepticism) and would have to weigh up the evidence on both sides (professional judgment) to reach a conclusion. So even if internal oral evidence contradicts external written evidence the latter does not automatically override the former.
That most audit evidence is “persuasive rather than conclusive” is one of the inherent limitations of an audit – which is why assurance is only reasonable and not absolute.