Which of the following statements is correct concerning statistical sampling in tests of controls?
A. As the population size doubles, the sample size should also double.
B. The qualitative aspects of deviations are not considered by the auditor.
C. Deviations from control procedures at a given rate usually result in misstatements at a higher rate.
D. There is an inverse relationship between the sample size and the tolerable rate.
Answer:D
Choice "D" is correct. As the auditor's tolerable rate decreases (the auditor cannot accept as large an error rate), the sample size increases and vice-versa. Therefore, there is an inverse relationship between the sample size and the tolerable rate.
Choice "C" is incorrect. Deviations from control procedures at a given rate usually result in misstatements at a lower rate (i.e., not every deviation from an internal control procedure will necessarily result in a misstatement in the financial statements).
Choice "A" is incorrect. When using statistical sampling for tests of controls, changing the size of the population has very little effect on the sample size (unless the population is very small).
Choice "B" is incorrect. Consideration should be given to the qualitative aspects of deviations, including the nature and cause of deviations and the possible relationship of the deviations to other phases of the audit.