


{"id":931,"date":"2020-04-02T14:45:24","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T14:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alminawi.com\/?p=931"},"modified":"2025-12-07T18:21:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T18:21:09","slug":"tts-series-e-internal-audit-evaluation-conclusion-techniques-episode-04-substantive-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/?p=931","title":{"rendered":"SKU.4014_Internal Audit, Evaluation &amp; Conclusion Techniques, Substantive Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"104\" data-end=\"617\"><strong data-start=\"97\" data-end=\"135\">Food for Thought:\u00a0<\/strong>Substantive testing is a core audit technique that verifies the accuracy and integrity of financial and operational records by directly examining transactions, balances, or disclosures. Unlike compliance testing, which checks whether procedures are followed, substantive testing confirms whether what\u2019s reported is <em data-start=\"460\" data-end=\"478\">actually correct<\/em>. This technique is essential during the evaluation and conclusion phase of the audit, particularly when material misstatements are a risk.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"619\" data-end=\"815\">Substantive testing involves recalculations, confirmations, document inspections, and analytical reviews. Internal auditors typically sample data and test for accuracy, completeness, and validity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"619\" data-end=\"815\"><a href=\"https:\/\/americanpro.org\/?product=sku-4014_internal-audit-evaluation-conclusion-techniques-substantive-testing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Tool: SKU.4014_Internal Audit, Evaluation &amp; Conclusion Techniques, Substantive Testing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"817\" data-end=\"820\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"822\" data-end=\"1120\"><strong data-start=\"822\" data-end=\"868\">Fictitious Dataset for Substantive Testing<\/strong><br data-start=\"868\" data-end=\"871\" \/>Let\u2019s assume ACME Corp. has a ledger of vendor expense transactions. Internal Auditor Auren wants to test if the amounts recorded in the general ledger match supporting invoices and receipts. Here\u2019s a simplified dataset for five sample transactions:<\/p>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_16hzy_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_16hzy_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1853\">\n<thead data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1224\">\n<tr data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1224\">\n<th data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1139\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Transaction ID<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1139\" data-end=\"1158\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Vendor<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1175\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Invoice Amount<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1175\" data-end=\"1193\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Recorded Amount<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1210\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Supporting Doc<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1224\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Exception?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1853\">\n<tr data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1433\">\n<td data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1346\" data-col-size=\"sm\">1001<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1346\" data-end=\"1367\" data-col-size=\"sm\">OfficePro Supplies<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1367\" data-end=\"1383\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$1,200.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1383\" data-end=\"1402\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$1,200.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1402\" data-end=\"1419\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Yes<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1433\" data-col-size=\"sm\">No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1538\">\n<td data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1451\" data-col-size=\"sm\">1002<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1451\" data-end=\"1472\" data-col-size=\"sm\">LogiTrans Freight<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1488\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$2,450.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1488\" data-end=\"1507\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$2,450.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1524\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Yes<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1538\" data-col-size=\"sm\">No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"1539\" data-end=\"1643\">\n<td data-start=\"1539\" data-end=\"1556\" data-col-size=\"sm\">1003<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1556\" data-end=\"1577\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Delta Stationers<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1593\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$980.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1593\" data-end=\"1612\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$1,020.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"1629\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Yes<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1629\" data-end=\"1643\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1748\">\n<td data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1661\" data-col-size=\"sm\">1004<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1661\" data-end=\"1682\" data-col-size=\"sm\">BrightTech IT<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1698\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$3,250.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1698\" data-end=\"1717\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$3,250.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1717\" data-end=\"1734\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Yes<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1734\" data-end=\"1748\" data-col-size=\"sm\">No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1853\">\n<td data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1766\" data-col-size=\"sm\">1005<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1787\" data-col-size=\"sm\">EcoClean Services<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1787\" data-end=\"1803\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$875.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1803\" data-end=\"1822\" data-col-size=\"sm\">$875.00<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1839\" data-col-size=\"sm\">No<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1853\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"sticky end-(--thread-content-margin) h-0 self-end select-none\">\n<div class=\"absolute end-0 flex items-end\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr data-start=\"1855\" data-end=\"1858\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"2003\"><strong data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"1924\">Tool: Substantive Testing Matrix (Excel-based)<\/strong><br data-start=\"1924\" data-end=\"1927\" \/>A structured Excel template helps document each test case with these fields:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2004\" data-end=\"2234\">\n<li data-start=\"2004\" data-end=\"2024\">\n<p data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2024\"><strong data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2024\">Transaction ID<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2025\" data-end=\"2047\">\n<p data-start=\"2027\" data-end=\"2047\"><strong data-start=\"2027\" data-end=\"2047\">Transaction Date<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2048\" data-end=\"2065\">\n<p data-start=\"2050\" data-end=\"2065\"><strong data-start=\"2050\" data-end=\"2065\">Vendor Name<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2066\" data-end=\"2086\">\n<p data-start=\"2068\" data-end=\"2086\"><strong data-start=\"2068\" data-end=\"2086\">Invoice Amount<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2087\" data-end=\"2108\">\n<p data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2108\"><strong data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2108\">Recorded Amount<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2109\" data-end=\"2125\">\n<p data-start=\"2111\" data-end=\"2125\"><strong data-start=\"2111\" data-end=\"2125\">Difference<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2126\" data-end=\"2166\">\n<p data-start=\"2128\" data-end=\"2166\"><strong data-start=\"2128\" data-end=\"2166\">Supporting Document Verified (Y\/N)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2167\" data-end=\"2194\">\n<p data-start=\"2169\" data-end=\"2194\"><strong data-start=\"2169\" data-end=\"2194\">Exception Noted (Y\/N)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2195\" data-end=\"2217\">\n<p data-start=\"2197\" data-end=\"2217\"><strong data-start=\"2197\" data-end=\"2217\">Auditor Comments<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2234\">\n<p data-start=\"2220\" data-end=\"2234\"><strong data-start=\"2220\" data-end=\"2234\">Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"2236\" data-end=\"2239\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"2241\" data-end=\"2598\"><strong data-start=\"2241\" data-end=\"2280\">Real-Life Application at ACME Corp.<\/strong><br data-start=\"2280\" data-end=\"2283\" \/>CEO Liora asked Auren to verify the integrity of ACME\u2019s expense ledger due to suspected overstatements in April 2025. Auren used the Substantive Testing Matrix to randomly sample five vendor payments from the accounts payable ledger. He compared the recorded amounts with actual invoices and verified documentation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2600\" data-end=\"2609\">Findings:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2610\" data-end=\"2903\">\n<li data-start=\"2610\" data-end=\"2903\">\n<p data-start=\"2612\" data-end=\"2638\">Two exceptions were noted:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2903\">\n<li data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2731\">\n<p data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2731\"><strong data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2663\">Transaction 1003<\/strong>: A $40 overstatement. Auren traced it to a manual data entry error.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2734\" data-end=\"2903\">\n<p data-start=\"2736\" data-end=\"2903\"><strong data-start=\"2736\" data-end=\"2756\">Transaction 1005<\/strong>: No supporting document was attached. Aven, the Project Manager, explained the missing attachment and acknowledged the lapse in document handling.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2905\" data-end=\"2916\">Conclusion:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2917\" data-end=\"3162\">\n<li data-start=\"2917\" data-end=\"2955\">\n<p data-start=\"2919\" data-end=\"2955\"><strong data-start=\"2919\" data-end=\"2938\">Compliance Rate<\/strong>: 60% error-free.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"3162\">\n<p data-start=\"2958\" data-end=\"2978\"><strong data-start=\"2958\" data-end=\"2977\">Recommendations<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2981\" data-end=\"3162\">\n<li data-start=\"2981\" data-end=\"3046\">\n<p data-start=\"2983\" data-end=\"3046\">Automate invoice capture and matching in the accounting system.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3049\" data-end=\"3099\">\n<p data-start=\"3051\" data-end=\"3099\">Retrain finance team on documentation protocols.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3162\">\n<p data-start=\"3104\" data-end=\"3162\">Set monthly quality control checks for high-value entries.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3164\" data-end=\"3428\">Liora appreciated the clarity of the findings and directed Aven to implement the corrective action plan within two weeks. This example showed how substantive testing adds value by identifying financial misstatements before external audits or regulatory reviews do.<\/p>\n<p>__________<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/americanpro.org\/?product=sku-4014_internal-audit-evaluation-conclusion-techniques-substantive-testing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Tool: SKU.4014_Internal Audit, Evaluation &amp; Conclusion Techniques, Substantive Testing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Food for Thought:\u00a0Substantive testing is a core audit technique that verifies the accuracy and integrity of financial and operational records by directly examining transactions, balances, or disclosures. Unlike compliance testing, which checks whether procedures are followed, substantive testing confirms whether what\u2019s reported is actually correct. This technique is essential during the evaluation and conclusion phase [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":826,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tt-internal-audit"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GIF-05.gif","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=931"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/931\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3124,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/931\/revisions\/3124"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}