Audit Techniques

For  collection  and  accumulation  of  audit  evidence,  certain  methods  and  means  are available  and these are known as audit techniques. Some of the techniques commonly adopted by the auditors are the following :

1. Posting checking
2.Casting checking
3.Physical examination and count
4.Confirmation
5.Inquiry
6.Year-end scrutiny

7.Re-computation
8.Tracing in subsequent period
9.Bank Reconciliation

The  two  terms,  procedure  and  techniques,  are  often  used  interchangeably;  in  fact, however,  a distinction does exist. Procedure may comprise a number of techniques and represents the broad frame of the manner of handling the audit work; techniques stand for the methods employed for carrying out the procedure. For example, procedure requires an examination of the documentary evidence. This job is  performed by the procedure known as vouching which would  involve techniques of inspection and checking computation of documentary evidence. As per SA-500 on Audit Evidence, basically audit procedures are broadly of two types viz. compliance  procedures and tests of detail. Test of details are further comprised of  substantive audit  procedures  and  analytical  review  procedures.

Vouching is a substantive audit procedure which involves audit techniques like casting, cross-casting, checking of  posting, etc. On  the other hand, verification of  assets and liabilities  is a substantive audit procedure which involves application of audit techniques like physical examination, confirmation from third parties, etc