Statistical or Non-Statistical Sampling: Which Approach Is Best?

Abstract

When planning sampling procedures, the auditor considers this question: should a non-statistical or a statistical approach be used? A statistical method provides an objective measure of risk, optimizes the sample size, and is best for a population of a large number of homogeneous transactions. If the population members are dissimilar or there are key items, a non-statistical approach is most suitable. Some practitioners believe a statistical sample is more defensible; others feel a non-statistical approach can be more readily justified.