Which of the following is MOST important for an IS auditor to understand when planning an IS audit?
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A. B. C. D.A.
When planning an IS audit, an IS auditor should consider several factors to ensure a successful and effective audit. Out of the given options, the most important factor for an IS auditor to understand is the inherent risk of auditable areas.
A. Inherent risk of auditable areas: Inherent risk refers to the level of risk associated with a particular auditable area or process, assuming there are no internal controls in place to mitigate that risk. By understanding the inherent risk of auditable areas, the IS auditor can better determine the scope of the audit and identify the areas that require the most attention. For example, if a system handles sensitive data, the inherent risk would be higher compared to a system that only handles non-sensitive data. By understanding the inherent risk of auditable areas, the IS auditor can better prioritize their audit efforts.
B. Management focus on particular operations: While management focus is important, it is not the most important factor to consider when planning an IS audit. The focus of management may not always align with the IS auditor's objectives, and it is not a reliable indicator of the level of risk associated with a particular area. Therefore, it is important for the IS auditor to prioritize their audit efforts based on the inherent risk of auditable areas rather than the management's focus.
C. Number of high-risk auditable processes: While the number of high-risk auditable processes is important to consider, it is not the most important factor. The number of high-risk auditable processes does not necessarily correlate with the level of risk associated with each process. Therefore, it is important for the IS auditor to assess the inherent risk of each auditable area and prioritize their audit efforts accordingly.
D. Availability of IS audit resources: While the availability of IS audit resources is important, it is not the most important factor to consider when planning an IS audit. An IS auditor should prioritize their audit efforts based on the level of risk associated with each auditable area, regardless of the availability of audit resources. Therefore, it is important for the IS auditor to carefully allocate their resources to the areas that require the most attention.
In summary, the inherent risk of auditable areas is the most important factor for an IS auditor to understand when planning an IS audit. By understanding the level of risk associated with each auditable area, the IS auditor can better prioritize their audit efforts and allocate their resources effectively.