Depreciation is referred to as the reduction in the cost of a fixed asset in sequential order, due to wear and tear until the asset becomes obsolete. Following are some of ...
Introduction As per SA 530, audit sampling refers to the application of auditing procedures to less than 100% of items within a population relevant under audit such that all the sampling units have an equal chance of selection. In simple words, sampling in auditing refers to the practice deriving aRead more
Introduction
As per SA 530, audit sampling refers to the application of auditing procedures to less than 100% of items within a population relevant under audit such that all the sampling units have an equal chance of selection.
In simple words, sampling in auditing refers to the practice deriving a conclusion by the auditor about a population of data by evaluation of only a part or sample of the whole data. Population means a set of data.
Concept of sampling
We know, an audit involves inspection of financial information of an entity by an auditor to form an opinion on its financial statements. Now the financial information of a firm usually contains large volumes of data. For example, a firm may have entered into 50,000 purchase transactions in a year.
Now, checking each and every purchase transaction will cost both time and money. Also, nowadays, almost every enterprise have internal controls and automated accounting systems that are established to ensure accuracy and prevention of errors. Hence, a full-fledged inspection of each and every transaction is not worth the time and effort.
Instead, a wise thing to do is to take a sample from the whole volume of transactions or accounts and apply the auditing procedures to the sample. The results derived from the sample are then projected upon the whole volume of data. Samples are often taken using statistical methods to ensure that sample is taken randomly and represents the whole population of data in a true and unbiased manner.
Consideration regarding the population before audit sampling:
- The population is appropriate for the specific audit objective of the auditor
- It is from a reliable source to ensure sample reliability
- It is complete in terms of coverage of all relevant items throughout the period.
Irrespective of the method of sampling, the sample must represent the whole population closely.
Approaches to sampling
There are two approaches to sampling:
- Statistical Approach: It is a scientific way of ensuring that the sample is chosen randomly from data and represents the data in a true and unbiased way. It employs mathematical and statistical tools like the theory of probability and also considers sampling risk characteristics.
- Non-Statistical Approach: Under this approach, the auditor employs his personal experience to collect sample from the population. No mathematical tools are used but the personal judgement of the auditor regarding sampling. Sometimes, this approach may give satisfactory results depending upon the capability of the auditor. But in most cases, reliability is less compared to the statistical approach.










The main objective of depreciation is to calculate net profit. Depreciation is an expense allowed on the fixed assets of an entity to provide for the cost of benefit utilized by the entity in that particular year. Since the such assets are used for more than one financial year, profits for the furthRead more
Depreciation is an expense allowed on the fixed assets of an entity to provide for the cost of benefit utilized by the entity in that particular year. Since the such assets are used for more than one financial year, profits for the further years would be misstated if such depreciation expense is not provided for.
Further, depreciation in no way shows previous profits or satisfies the tax department and a reduction in tax is secondary since it will only be allowed if charged in the profit & loss account. Thus, B is the correct answer.
2. Depreciation is generated due to wear and tear.
Depreciation is provided for to compensate for the wear and tear of the asset while being used by the entity. Depreciation is not generated due to increase in the value of liability, decrease in capital or decrease in the value of assets. Rather the vice versa is true, that is an increase in liability, decrease in capital and decrease in asset is created due to depreciation.
Thus, C is the correct answer.
3. The purpose of making a provision for depreciation in the accounts is to charge the cost of fixed assets against profits.
Fixed assets are long term assets with useful life of more than one accounting year and therefore the full cost of such assets are not provided for in the year of purchase rather a fixed portion is charged every year in the profit and loss account.
Thus, A is correct and others are incorrect.
4. According to the straight line method of depreciation, the depreciation remains constant.
In the straight line method of depreciation, depreciation is calculated on the historical or purchase cost of the asset and the same amount is charged every year till the useful value of the asset, thus depreciation remains constant.
Also, depreciation decreases each year in case of written down value method but depreciation can never increase. Thus, A is the correct answer.
5. Total amount of depreciation of an asset cannot exceed its depreciable value.
The depreciable value is the purchase cost of the asset less the scrap value. The total amount of depreciation can never exceed the depreciable value since depreciation is allowed on an asset till its useful life at a certain percentage. Even when the value of the asset becomes nil, no further depreciation would be charged and total depreciation would be equal to depreciable value but obviously cannot be more.
Thus, A is the correct answer and other are wrong.
6. According to fixed installment method, the depreciation is calculated on original cost.
In the fixed installment method, also known as the straight line method, depreciation is calculated on the basis of the original or purchase cost of the asset using the formula-
Depreciation = (Original cost – Scrap value)/Useful life of asset
Thus, B is the correct answer.
7. Salvage value means estimated disposal value.
Salvage value is the value of the asset that can be realized by the entity on its sale after the useful life of the asset has been exhausted and is now obsolete for the entity.
Salvage value is not definite but an estimation. Salvage value can be positive or nil but not negative. Thus, D is the correct option.
8. Depreciation is calculated under diminishing balance method, based on book value.
Under the diminishing value method, the depreciation is calculated at a certain percentage of the book value of the asset which is calculated after providing for depreciation in the previous year.
Depreciation cannot be calculated on scrap value since it is the disposable value of the asset and depreciation on original value is calculated under straight line method. Thus, B is the correct option.
9. Depreciation amount charged on a machinery will be debited to depreciation account.
Depreciation is an expense and depreciation account will be debited since depreciation is a nominal account, as per traditional method, and all expenses are debited. Also, as per modern rules of accounting, increase in expenses are debited.
When depreciation is charged there is a decrease in the value of assets therefore machinery account will be credit also depreciation cannot be classified under repair account or cash account heads. Thus, C is the correct option.
10. In accounting, becoming out of date or obsolete is known as obsolescence.
Amortization means decrease in the value of intangible assets of an entity. Depletion means exhaustion of existing wasting assets such as coal mines. Physical deterioration means fall in value of asset due to physical damage to the asset. Therefore, the correct answer is Obsolescence.
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