Audit and Assurance
Audit and assurance refer to the independent examination of financial information, systems, and processes, to provide an assessment of accuracy, reliability, and compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and standards. The purpose of audit and assurance is to provide stakeholders with a level of confidence in the information being presented to them.
Audit is the process of performing a systematic review of financial statements and other financial information to determine whether it is accurate, complete, and in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and standards. Auditors use a range of techniques and procedures, including testing, inspection, and observation, to gather evidence to support their opinions.
Assurance refers to the level of confidence that auditors provide to stakeholders in their assessment of financial information. This confidence is expressed through a written report, known as an audit report, which provides an opinion on the financial statements and other financial information. Assurance services can also include other activities, such as internal audit, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
The primary objective of audit and assurance is to provide stakeholders with a high degree of confidence in the financial information being presented to them, thereby helping to promote accountability and transparency in financial reporting.