The most conclusive information to support supplier account balances is obtained by
A. Reviewing the vendor statements obtained from the accounts payable clerk.
B. Obtaining confirmations of balances from the suppliers.
C. Performing analytical account analysis.
D. Interviewing the accounts payable manager to determine the internal controls maintained over accounts payable processing.
Answer (B) is correct.
REQUIRED: The most conclusive information to support supplier account balances.
DISCUSSION: Confirmation has the advantage of obtaining information from sources external to the entity. Information from external sources provides greater assurances of reliability than information from sources within the entity.
Answer (A) is incorrect. Vendor statements obtained from the accounts payable clerk may be inaccurate, purposely misstated, or prepared for non-existing vendors.
Answer (C) is incorrect. Analytical account analysis is effective for identifying circumstances that require additional consideration.
Answer (D) is incorrect. Interviewing an employee provides oral, or testimonial, information, which is inherently less reliable than information obtained from independent sources.