Materiality in Auditing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Materiality in Auditing - Essay Example Materiality is more of a limit point than a main qualitative feature that the information must have so as to be significant. It shows the need of omission or presentation of the accountancy information that defines the decision making of the users of that information. The materiality that is adopted should represent the value in the report with which it is being determined. It should indicate whether the miss-statements and omissions in the accounts, show whether the accounts offer a true, complete, accurate and fair view of the financial position and performance of an entity. Consequently, materiality represents the degree of error under which the understanding and interpretation of the financial statements will not be greatly affected. On the other hand, it represents the degree of error that is acceptable in order to make a decision on whether the accounts are true or false (Maria and Franca 2012, p.268). According to Maria and Franca 2012, p.268, the major users of the financial audit reports are the shareholders. The audit report gives a guidance to the shareholders on how they will go about their business and on coming up with strategic decisions. The financial auditor assesses whether the true image of financial statements is observed. The assessment by auditors is necessary so as to ensure that the decisions of the shareholders are not influenced. To determine materiality the financial auditor is supposed to determine the user of the financial information; establish how the information and the process of making decisions are connected. He is also supposed to identify what decisions the user will take on the grounds of the audited financial statements. The financial auditor should make important comments regarding the scope of the financial audit that show the materiality. His liability is fixed to the important information established by a materiality determined by the financial auditor on the