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Microlesson · 5-min read

Scope of Audit — What It Includes and Excludes

## Scope of Audit

### Part A — What Scope INCLUDES

#### (a) Coverage of All Relevant Aspects of the Entity

The audit must cover all aspects relevant to the FS, including:

  • The Financial Statements themselves
  • Internal Controls
  • Laws and Regulations applicable to the entity

#### (b) Reliability and Sufficiency of Financial Information

The auditor must be reasonably satisfied that information in Accounting Records and Other Records is:

  • Reliable, and
  • A sufficient basis for preparation of FS

To assess this, the auditor must:

  • Study and evaluate Accounting Records
  • Study and evaluate Internal Controls
  • Perform appropriate Audit Procedures (tests)

#### (c) Proper Disclosure of Financial Information

The auditor must ensure:

  • Financial information is properly disclosed
  • Transactions and events are accurately summarised
  • FS comply with Applicable FRF

> Management's Role in Scope: Preparation of FS is management's responsibility (involves significant judgments and selection of accounting policies). The auditor evaluates whether those policies are appropriate and consistently applied.

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### Part B — What Scope Does NOT Include

#ExclusionReason
(a)Preparation and presentation of FSThat is management's responsibility
(b)Duties outside the competence of the auditorBeyond professional expertise
(c)Authentication of documentsAuditor is not a document authentication expert
(d)InvestigationAudit ≠ Investigation (see separate topic)

Worked example

### Example 1

The auditor of ABC Ltd studies the internal controls over cash receipts (evaluating reliability) and tests a sample of 50 sales invoices against dispatch records (audit procedures). This satisfies the auditor that accounts receivable in the FS have a reliable and sufficient basis — within scope.

### Example 2

A shareholder asks the auditor to certify that every contract signed by the company is genuine. The auditor declines — authentication of documents is outside the scope and competence of an auditor.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Confusing auditor's responsibility with management's — the auditor does NOT prepare FS; management does. The auditor evaluates, not prepares.
  • Thinking investigation falls within the scope of audit — it is specifically excluded from the scope.
  • Forgetting that evaluating whether accounting policies are appropriate and consistently applied IS within scope, even though choosing those policies is management's job.
Reference:
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