SUMMARY: Confirmations are extensively used and are often perceived by practitioners to be one of the most persuasive forms of audit evidence. Yet academic research has found limitations that restrict confirmation effectiveness for many management assertions. In addition, a number of problems with false and forged confirmations are identified in Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases (AAERs). The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) have put confirmation evidence on their respective agendas. Academic research indicates that receivable confirmations can be effective evidence for the existence assertion. Low response rates, as well as respondent errors and directional bias in detecting errors, are key barriers to confirmation effectiveness. Our review of AAERs identified failure to authenticate responses, collusion between auditee management and customers, and concealed side agreements and special terms as specific problem areas. We also identify a number of research questions for future research.
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1 November 2008
Research Article|
November 01 2008
A Summary of Research and Enforcement Release Evidence on Confirmation Use and Effectiveness
Online ISSN: 1558-7991
Print ISSN: 0278-0380
American Accounting Association
2008
AUDITING: A Journal of Practice & Theory (2008) 27 (2): 253–279.
Citation
Paul Caster, Randal J. Elder, Diane J. Janvrin; A Summary of Research and Enforcement Release Evidence on Confirmation Use and Effectiveness. AUDITING: A Journal of Practice & Theory 1 November 2008; 27 (2): 253–279. https://doi.org/10.2308/aud.2008.27.2.253
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