Although little research evidence exists on the effectiveness of audit sampling, auditors should consider the effectiveness of audit sampling compared to other sources of evidence, and the use of statistical compared to nonstatistical sampling for both tests of controls and tests of details to develop the most effective and efficient sampling plans. Auditors that use nonstatistical sampling techniques should evaluate procedures to determine whether sample sizes and evaluation of results are comparable to sample sizes and conclusions reached using statistical methods. Auditors also often fail to project sample misstatements and explicitly consider sampling risk; auditor performance in the evaluation of samples is enhanced with the use of standardized sampling templates.

For more information on this study, please contact Randy Elder, rjelder@syr.edu.

Elder, R. J., A. D. Akresh, S. M. Glover, J. L. Higgs, and J. Liljegren.  2013. Audit sampling research: A synthesis and implications for future research. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory 32 (Supplement 1): 99-129

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