Auditing and Attestation - Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

An auditor is required to confirm accounts receivable primarily when those balances are material to the financial statements. Materiality in auditing refers to the significance of transactions, balances, or disclosures in the financial statements that could influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of those financial statements.

When accounts receivable are material, it indicates they represent a substantial amount and could impact the overall financial statements if misreported. As part of the auditor's responsibility to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, confirming accounts receivable helps verify the existence and accuracy of those balances through direct communication with the customers.

While high balances, newer accounts, or balances that are smaller than expected may warrant additional scrutiny, they do not automatically trigger a requirement for confirmation. The materiality of the balances is the key factor that dictates the need for this specific audit procedure. In fact, if the receivables are not material, the auditor may decide to perform alternative procedures to obtain sufficient audit evidence rather than requiring confirmations.