Getting to the Source: External Confirmations

Overview

External confirmations are one of the most persuasive forms of audit evidence, but only when designed and executed effectively. This session explores how to apply the requirements of CAS 505 in a practical, risk-focused way. Participants will learn when and how to use confirmations (both positive and negative confirmations), how to assess reliability and how to evaluate to non-responses or exceptions.

Through discussion and real-world examples, this course emphasizes applying professional judgment and a skeptical mindset to strengthen audit quality. Auditors will leave with practical strategies to design effective confirmation procedures and evaluate the evidence obtained to support audit conclusions.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and key requirements of CAS 505
• Identify when and how to use external confirmations effectively
• Design clear, reliable and targeted confirmation requests
• Address non-responses and exceptions appropriately
• Evaluate reliability and sufficiency of confirmation evidence

Verifiable CPD

1.5 hour