following period. The auditor should test the mathematical accuracy of payroll summaries
and trace totals to the payroll records and to the general ledger accounts.
The average salary per employee in the current period can be compared to the previous
year’s averages. ACL’s Stratify feature can help the auditor detect unusual
trends and abnormal balances in the payroll file. Substantive tests of details, however,
are normally not performed on payroll expense accounts unless analytical procedures
or severe weaknesses in internal controls indicate the need for additional
testing.