Kinds of Audit/Types of Audit

[usmanstar]

Kinds of Auditing

Continuous Auditor Running Audit

Continuous auditor also known as running audit or detailed audit. In large-scale business it is not possible for the auditor to get the true and fair view about the business in a short time period. So for the purpose of finding the correct information the continuous audit is conducted. Continuous audit is the audit that is conducted throughout the year with the fixed or non-fixed period.

Interim Audit

In normal word Interim means half yearly. It is conducted usually between two annual general meetings and only one time, not in intervals.

Final Audits or Complete Audit or Balance Sheet Audit

Final audit is also called as the Balance sheet audit or the Periodical Audit. Final audit is started when the books of accounts closed at the end of the year. It is the most satisfactory form of audit from the point of view of an auditor. In this audit there is cent percent checking of the accounts. In case if the business has an effective and proper internal control system. Then the audit sampling is possible.

Characteristics

The following are the main essentials or features or characteristics of the final audit.

1. In one session an auditor make only one visit.
2. This type of audit can be conducted on both the large and small type of business.
3. It is conducted when the accounting period ended.
4. In this audit the auditor can do test checking.
5. Auditor report is a prerequisite.
6. It is conducted to report to shareholders.
7. The audit is completed on a short period.

Advantages of Final Audit

• 1. Alteration Chances Limited
  In the other types of audit the alteration is possible in the audit. But in the final audit the alteration of any type is not possible after the audit.
  
  2. Checking of Complete Record
  
  In the final audit there is complete checking of the books of accounting. He can decide either to check cent percent or by sampling.
  
  
  3. Advantage for the Shareholders
  
  Final audit serves the shareholders by giving them the most reliable financial information for the investment purpose.
  
  
  4. Advantage for the Owner
  Sometimes the business is so large that even one owner doesn't know the real position about the business. So final audit throws light on the business position and provides him satisfaction.
  
  5. Convenient or Suitable
  Final audit is very suitable for the auditor and client staff. It saves both the parties from continuous disturbance.
  
  6. Saving of Time
  In the continuous audit the work of audit is continuous through out the year. It takes a lot of time. But as compare to it final audit takes a very short time. So, in the final audit the time is saved.
  
  7. Legal Demand
  Final audit is also helpful in checking either the management has fulfilled the legal requirements or not. The management is bound to fulfill the legal requirement.
  
  8. Economical
  Final audit is beneficial for the client. It is not a regular burden on him, because it is conducted only once in a year at the end of the accounting period. So, it gives the maximum benefit with minimum cost.
  
  9. Improves the Efficiency
  In this audit the performance of the staff improves due to finding out the weak points of the employees by the auditor by overcome these weakness the staff can improve his efficiency.
  
  10. Submission of Report
  About the fairness and correctness of accounts final report is very important for the good will of the company.
  
  11. Staff Duties
  In final audit there is no clash of duties between the audit and accounting staff. They performed their work accordingly. The accounting staff remains busy throughout the year in his work and the audit staff his work when the accounting staff ends his work.
  
  12. Convenient for Management
  The benefit of final audit is that it is convenient for management as well as for audit staff. The auditor can start and complete the audit at one session. The queries can be cleared on the same day.
  
  13. Minimum Time Period
  The time required for final audit is less as compared to continuous audit. The auditors can start and complete many audits. They can raise their income by means of new audit work.
  
  14. Planned Work
  The final audit has minimum time. So, the work of audit is completed under planning. An audit programme is maintained which provides the schedule of the working of the audit staff and the principal auditor can control the audit work.
  
  15. Work Continuity
  In the final audit the work of audit go through without any break and same way the auditor can be satisfied for the doubt, which raise from his work on the same time.
  
  16. Small Business
  The final audit is useful for small-scale business units. The fee charged by auditor is less as compared to continuous work. The small income of business can afford small audit fee.
  
  17. No Relations
  The merit of final audit is that it provides no chance to audit staff to develop friendly relation with accounting staff. The accounting staff is not in a position to get undue benefit from audit staff.
  
  18. Full Information
  The final audit is useful as it provides full information about business matters. The auditor can take decision on the spot for completion of audit work and submission of audit report.
  
  19. Income of Auditor
  This type of audit is also helpful for the auditor. Because this audit saves the time of the auditor and he can conduct many other audit of other business.
  
  20. Information of Client
  Final audit serves the shareholder by giving them the most reliable financial information for the investment purpose.
  
  21. Technical Knowledge
  According to the law all the companies are bound that a qualified and experienced person who must be a chartered accountant can conduct the audit. He is a qualified person and there are no chances of fraud or errors.
  
  22. Element of Friendship
  In final audit there is a short time for the auditor staff. So, in the auditor staff or accountant staff no friendship or soft corners created because their understanding is up to some limits. So there are no chances of fraud created by the both staffs.
  
  23. Beneficial for Client's Staff
  As final audit is conducted at the close of the books of Accounts. The client's staff is not distributed as in continuous audit. They can easily complete their work and the records are provided at the proper place.
  
  24. Protection
  In any business the directors can change the figures according to their interest but the final audit protect the rights of the shareholders by providing them correct information.
  
  25. Guidance
  
  The auditor not only provides the true and fair information but also guide the management how can they improve their accounting systems.
  
  
  26. Thread of Work
  In the final audit there is no interval in the work of auditor and it is carried on till its completion. So the audit staff cannot loose the thread of the work, which is performed by them.
  
  27. Moral Check
  In the final audit there is moral check of the person who performed the work. The signatures are specified on that work.
  
  

  Disadvantages of Final Audit
  

  
  1. Shortage of Time
  
  The auditor has many clients and their financial year ends on the same date. So it becomes very difficult for the auditor to finish the work in time. It is a disadvantages of final audit.
  
  2. Delay in Report
  
  The decisions of the business are made on the basis of the audit report. But this report is made one or two months late. So there is also delay in the making of important decisions.
  
  3. Complete Checking Not Possible
  
  It is very difficult for the auditor to check the each and every entry made in the books of account. He applies only test to save the time. So many mistakes remain untouched.
  
  4. May Misrepresent
  
  There may be also a chance that audit report may not represent the correctness of accounts because each and every transaction is not checked.
  
  5. No Moral Influence
  
  In this audit there is less pressure on the accounting staff. The audit staff comes once in the year. So the employees are not altering in their work.
  
  6. Late Corrections
  
  In this audit the errors are locate at the end of the accounting period. Some way, the corrections of errors are also late. And the entire producer takes more time.
  
  7. Audit Report
  
  The demerit of final audit is that report is not presented in time. It may be submitted one or two months late. The decisions are to be made on the basis of audited accounts.
  
  8. Planned Frauds
  
  In this type of audit, the management has a whole year to think and decide how to make the frauds. So they commit a planned fraud, which is very difficult to find by the auditor.
  
  9. Previous Year Data
  
  Past data is provided to the auditor for audit in this type of business. The errors and frauds are also previous they have no concern with present or future.
  
  10. Thorough Checking
  
  In the final audit there may not be thorough checking. The auditor may select the sampling. In this way the errors and frauds are not located and the purpose of audit dies.
  
  11. Planning for Future
  
  In the final audit the future planning is not prepared in time because audit work start when the accounting work ends. The audit work is completed late and the projected financial statements are also completed late.
  
  12. Delay in Accounting
  
  For the accounting staff it is not possible to prepare the financial accounts just at the end of the year. Due to audit there is delay in finalizing the accounting matters.
  
  13. Monthly Report
  
  If in a business monthly or quarterly report are required. In this type of business the final audit cannot be conducted.
  
  14. Proper Attention
  
  The auditor cannot pay the proper attention towards the audit because he is bound by the fixed time.
  
  15. Proper Decision
  
  As he is bound by the time period he cannot judge the weakness of the business properly and cannot give the proper decisions to workers.
  
  16. Interim Dividend
  
  The business, which conducts the final audit, it is very difficult for him to declare the interim dividend.

  
  
  Characteristics of Continuous Audit
  
  * The auditor visits the business regularly.
  
  * It is conducted in the large business concern.
  
  * It is conducted through the year.
  
  * Throughout checking is possible.
  
  * It is an expensive audit.
  
  * Audit report is not prerequisite.
  
  * It is used to cover the deficiencies of the business.
  
  * Surprise visits are also possible by the auditor.
  
  * The manager can fix the time.
  
  

  Advantages of Continuous Audit
  

  
  1. Early Location of Errors and Frauds
  
  In the Continuous Audit, the audit visit the clients after a short period. So, he is in a position to check the information completely in detail. It is helpful in checking the errors and frauds easily. If the audit is conducted after the year ended. It is not possible to find the errors or frauds easily.
  
  2. Check on Frauds
  
  In the Continuous Audit the errors are located earlier. So it is also helpful in the early correction of errors and frauds because it is located at the time when it can be corrected earlier.
  
  
  3. Quick Rectification
  
  Due to Continuous Audit errors are located easily and rectified at an early stage.
  
  4. Special Attention
  
  Before the finalization of accounts an auditor has a sufficient time to pay proper attention to the checking of account and detection of frauds and errors.
  
  5. Guidance to Client
  
  The auditor remains in touch with the business details, so he also indicates about the mistakes and gives valuable suggestions to the client to keep the accounts in proper manner.
  
  6. Useful for Declaration of Dividend
  
  The continuous audit is also helpful for the declaration of the dividend. As the accounts are checked throughout the year, so the audit accounts are ready for the declaration of dividend.
  
  7. Upto Date Accounts
  
  Accounts of the business are kept up to date by the staff because they know that auditor may visit and check the accounts at any time.
  
  8. Chance of Over Looking Reduces
  
  Auditor has a close contact with the details of the accounts and he has also sufficient time to check the records. So the chances of over looking are reduced in this type of audit.
  
  9. Quick Presentation of Accounts
  
  Continuous audit is very useful because accounts are maintained regularly. So as the financial years end final audited accounts are presented before the shareholders.
  
  10. Accounts Completion
  
  Another audit benefit is the early completion of the accounts checking. The results of audit can be found out just at the end of the accounting period.
  
  11. Moral Check
  
  In the continuous audit the auditor make the surprise visit in the business. The clerks are not aware about the visit. So they are alert and efficient in their work. There is less chances of frauds in this type of business.
  
  
  12. Convenient for Auditors
  
  In this audit, the several visits paid by the auditor to the client's office in enable his work to proceed easily and smoothly. It also increases his confidence in his capacity to do his work efficiently and effectively.
  
  
  13. Regular Staff
  
  The regular visits performed by the auditor, make the clerks alert to maintain the accounts up to date and accurate for fear that the auditor may land up in the office any time.
  
  
  14. Sufficient Time
  
  Continuous audit provides sufficient time to the audit staff. The important and ambiguous matters may require more time to draw conclusion. There is ample time for such matters.
  
  
  15. No Missing Entries
  
  Continuous audit is also helpful in keeping the full record. In the record there is no missing entries.
  
  
  16. Early Correction of Errors
  
  The continuous audit is helpful for early correction of errors. The auditor can point out
  
  17. Prompt Filing of Returns
  
  The continuous audit is also helpful for the prompt filing of returns. The management can submit audited account to the registrar as soon as the end of the year.
  
  18. Early Meetings
  
  This audit is helpful for the early meeting of the shareholders. The accounts are presented for the distribution of profit.
  
  19. Surprise Visits
  
  The continuous audit provided chances of surprise visit to audit staff. The accounting staff becomes alert due to surprise visit. It is essential for eliminating the chances of error and frauds.
  
  20. Upto Date Record
  
  The continuous audit is useful for keeping the up to date record. Such record is needed by management for borrowing funds, settlement of tax and dealing with labour union.
  
  21. Even Work Load
  
  Due to even workload, the audit staff feels the satisfaction. The books of accounts are maintained as the routine matters. And there is less chances of errors and frauds.
  
  22. Auditor Advice
  
  In the continuous audit the auditor can find the weakness of the business during the year and he can make the suggestion for the improvement of the business.
  
  23. Close and Extensive Check
  
  As the auditor visits the client's office after a month or so, but at regular intervals, a detailed close and exhaustive cheek can be possible. If the audit is to be under taken after the end of the year, such detailed checking will be difficult.
  
  24. Technical Detail
  
  In a continuous audit, the auditor is more in touch with the technical details and business affairs. So, the auditor can help his clients by giving him the valuable suggestions to improve business.
  
  25. Distribution of Work
  
  Continuous audit is also helpful in distribution of load of work on the staff. The work of audit continues the whole year. The audit staff can easily make the audit programme according the time required.
  

  Disadvantages of Continuous Audit
  

  
  1. Alteration of Figures
  
  The records and figures in the books of accounts, which have already been checked by the auditor, may be altered after the audit is over. A dishonest clerk can do it do defraud the accounts.
  
  2. Expensive
  
  Continuous audit is more expensive as compared to other kinds of audit, because the auditor has to devote more time to this audit.
  
  3. Inconvenience
  
  In this audit, the auditor visits the client's office at regular intervals to check the accounts and records these frequent visits made by the auditor may dislocate the work of his client and cause convenient to him.
  
  4. Mechanical Work
  
  The work of audit becomes too mechanical because it remains continue throughout the year.
  
  5. Queries Problem
  
  If the auditor's two visits interval is long then so many queries remains outstanding.
  
  6. Small Business
  
  Continuous audit is not fit for small business concerns. A small business has few transactions so there is no need of audit for whole one year. The owner as manager can know facts behind books as details audit is burden.
  
  7. Client Work
  
  The demerit of continuous audit is that the work of the client suffers due to clash of duties and the client staff remaining busy for the whole years. When the audit work is started work of accounting staff as books are not spare.
  
  8. Staff Intimacy
  
  The accounting staff and audit staff work side by side for the whole year. Friendship among the employees and auditors may lead to error and frauds. The sympathetic view of audit staff may fail to show true and fair view.
  
  9. Missing Link
  
  In the audit the auditor has to come at regular interval to check the accounts and hence the link between the past and present work cannot be maintained. Consequently the thread of work is very likely to be lost.
  
  10. Low Income
  
  The continuous audit keeps the staff busy for one year. They are not able to start and complete many audits at the same time. The given to one business is much higher as compared to final audit. So it is not suitable for audit staff from financial point of view.
  
  11. Spoon Feeding
  
  Frequent visits by the auditor may induce the client's staff to depend upon him even for minor things.
  
  12. Expensive
  
  A continuous audit is an expensive form of audit in that the more frequent visits by the auditor means the higher fees of auditor.
  
  13. Wastage of Time
  
  This type of audit is not helpful for the auditor because in this time period they cannot conduct any other audit. So this is low-income audit for the auditor.
  
  14. Words of Client
  
  Another disadvantage of the audit is that the works of the client staff suffer due to the work of both positive. The books of the accounts are not free for the other party to do.
  
  15. Type of Business Concern
  
  This is not fir for the small type of business concern. In the small business concern, there are only few transactions. So there is no need for this concern.
  
  16. Mechanical Work
  
  In this type of audit, the auditor has to repeat all the products as bookkeeper does where as audit work by nature should not be under thinking and boring.
  
  17. Extensive Notes Taking
  
  In this type of audit possible alteration after audit can be avoided by taking note on diary regarding audit of internal control. So the continuous audit requires the compilation of bundle of notes.
  
  18. Chances of Collusion
  
  Frequent visits of auditor may establish some unhealthy relationship between the client's staff and auditor's staff. Thus there are chances of moral check. Upon them and there may be collusion between them.