Use of taxonomy as tool to reduce the audit process subjective aspects

Abstract

This is a study about a taxonomy of financial statement distortions development as tool to reduce subjective aspects on audit process by an application case for studying. Distortion accounting risks are mapped based on accounting literature and classified on taxonomy structure. The way between a risk analysis and procedures choosing is an objective route that makes a logical relationship conceptual support. This is a qualitative and exploratory study that has a bibliography and a documental research as technical procedures supporting its qualitative analysis. A content analysis is applied on given documents by an independent public institution called Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU), which one is responsible for auditing on Brazilian Federal Government statements. The results show a taxonomy function as an auxiliary instrument for auditor’s decisions making originated on errors and frauds. Then, the logical procedure indicates objective routes as an audit trails suggesting a subjectivity reduction on auditor’s procedures decisions.