Lesson: Reliance on Management Representations

In this lesson, Nick Palazzolo discusses how auditors rely on management representations during the audit process. Management makes both oral and written representations to auditors in response to specific inquiries and through the financial statements. These representations serve as a part of audit evidence, but they are not a substitute for the application of procedures. Auditors maintain a professional skepticism and continue to test and verify information. Written representations are obtained to complement other auditing procedures, and in some cases, provide additional audit evidence when other forms of evidence may be limited. The lesson emphasizes the importance of documentation, testing, and monitoring management intentions.