A Historical Perspective on the Application of Sampling Theory and Methods to Statistical Auditing

• Activity Number: 555 - A Historical Perspective on the Application of Sampling Theory and Methods to Statistical
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Statistical Auditing Interest Group
• Author(s): Donald Roberts* and Wendy Rotz* and Richard Valliant* and Ron Bartyczak* and Alan H. Kvanli*
• Companies: University of Illinois - Emeritus Professor Retired and Grant Thornton and University of Maryland - Emeritus Professor Retired and Internal Revenue Service - Retired and University of North Texas
• Keywords: History of Statistical Auditing; Audit Sampling; Statistical Auditing; History of Audit Sampling

Abstract

The application of sampling theory and methods to statistical auditing was introduced by Herbert Arkin’s book entitled “Handbook of Sampling for Auditing” published in 1963. The Handbook introduced basic methods of sampling for financial auditing. In 1978, Don Roberts published the text entitled “Statistical Auditing” which presented a comprehensive summary of the theory and methods of audit sampling including coverage of ratio and regression estimators in stratified random samples. This text remains today the classic work on statistical auditing for financial audit compliance applications. Following the publication of his text, Dr. Roberts worked with several federal agencies, most notably the IRS, in developing their statistical auditing procedures. Additionally, based on his work, several states began to adopt statistical auditing methods for transaction tax compliance in the 1980’s. The panelists will present their views and comments regarding the evolution of the application of sampling theory and methods to statistical auditing. The panelists will also comment on the status of statistical auditing applications for various types of federal and state compliance audits.