audit

     

The most general efinition of an audit is an evaluation of a person, organization, system, process, project or product. Audits are performed to ascertain the validity and reliability of information, and also provide an assessment of a system's internal control. The goal of an audit is to the person/organization/system etc. under evaluation based on work done on a test basis. Due to practical constraints, an audit seeks to provide only reasonable assurance that the statements are free from material error. Hence, statistical sampling is often adopted in audits. In the case of financial audits, a set of financial statements are said to be true and fair when they are free of material misstatements - a concept influenced by both quantitative and qualitative factors.

Trivia about audit

  • Beth finds it apt that this taxing process' name comes from Latin for "to hear" -- she's heard some whoppers
  • Not just for taxes, you can do this to a class to review material but not receive a grade
  • If you've been selected for one of these, the IRS cheerfully informs you that many of them result in refunds