Assertions definition

What are Assertions?

Assertions are the set of representations by a management team that were incorporated into the financial statements and accompanying disclosures that they produced. Auditors investigate the validity of these assertions as part of their audit procedures.

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Examples of Assertions

Examples of the assertions used in an audit are noted below.

Accuracy

Transactions have been recorded at their actual amounts.

Classification

Transactions have been appropriately presented within the financial statements and accompanying disclosures.

Completeness

All transactions that should have been included in the financial statements have actually been included.

Cut-Off

Transactions have been recorded within the correct accounting period.

Existence

Balance sheet items actually existed as of the balance sheet date.

Occurrence

The transactions summarized into the financial statements have actually occurred.

Valuation

All balance sheet items have been stated at their proper values.