Multiple invoices are usually received for individual purchase orders, since purchase orders require staggered delivery dates.
Which of the following is the BEST audit technique to test for duplicate payments?
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A. B. C. D.A.
The BEST audit technique to test for duplicate payments in the scenario described would be option B, i.e., using generalized audit software on the invoice transaction file.
Explanation: The scenario describes a situation where multiple invoices are received for individual purchase orders, which suggests that there is a possibility of making duplicate payments if the invoices are not reconciled properly with the purchase orders.
To test for duplicate payments, the auditor would need to examine the invoice transaction file, which contains all the information about the invoices processed by the organization, including invoice numbers, amounts, payment dates, etc. By using generalized audit software on this file, the auditor can perform a variety of audit tests, including:
Duplicate payment test: The auditor can use the software to compare the invoice numbers and payment amounts in the transaction file to identify any instances where the same invoice was paid twice.
Validity check: The auditor can use the software to ensure that each invoice corresponds to a valid purchase order and that the payment amount matches the purchase order amount.
Date range check: The auditor can use the software to ensure that the payment dates are within the authorized range for each invoice.
Option A, i.e., running the data on the software programs used to process supplier payments, may not be the best option as it would only provide information about the payments made and not the invoices themselves, which are the source of the potential problem.
Option C, i.e., running the data on the software programs used to process purchase orders, would not be the best option as it would not provide information about the invoices and the payments made against them.
Option D, i.e., using generalized audit software on the purchase order transaction file, would not be the best option as it would not provide information about the invoices and the payments made against them, which is the focus of the audit test.