Financial reports should express companies' economic and financial status according to generally accepted accounting principles. In order to assure compliance with this premise, companies use auditing services. Auditors apply procedures, which include observance and substantive tests, before expressing their opinion. The application of these tests does not cover all transactions occurred in the companies, because auditing work is carried out based on sampling tests in order to conclude about the universe of occurred transactions. Thus, this descriptive survey aims to identify the sampling techniques currently used by independent auditing companies established in Santa Catarina, using quantitative methodology. The study population consists of the 21 independent auditing companies established in this state, which are registered at the Brazilian Securities Commission, and the sample by accessibility totaled 12 companies. Data were collected through a questionnaire with open and closed questions. The results indicate that the independent auditing companies established in Santa Catarina do not apply statistical sampling techniques. Observance and substantive tests are carried out on a sampling basis selected on the basis of subjectivity or the auditors' judgment and experience.
Audit sampling; Observance tests; Substantive tests
