Verification definition
/What is Verification in Auditing?
Verification is the use of various procedures to ensure the accuracy or truth of information. The concept is heavily used by auditors, who act as independent third parties who verify whether accounting transactions and source documents are correct.
Examples of Verification
Here are several examples of the types of verification that an auditor can employ as part of an audit:
Compare source documents to a balance recorded in a company's general ledger to verify that the balance is correct and recorded within the correct date range.
Send a confirmation letter to a client's customer to verify that a receivable balance is correct.
Compare the fixed asset register to the actual fixed assets, to ensure that all recorded assets are actually on the premises.
Recalculate the interest expense on a client’s loan.
Verification FAQs
What are common methods of verification?
Common methods of verification include physical inspection of assets to confirm their existence and condition, such as counting inventory or examining equipment. Document review is also used, where supporting records like invoices, contracts, or title deeds are checked against the books. In addition, confirmations from third parties and reconciliations of internal records provide further assurance of accuracy.
How does verification differ from validation?
Verification determines whether information is accurate, complete, and supported by evidence. Validation determines whether a method, process, assumption, or data input is appropriate for its intended purpose. For example, an auditor may verify that invoice amounts match source documents, while validating whether the revenue recognition approach is reasonable.