1. Populations and Samples
a. Sampling involves selecting representative items from a population (an entire group of items), examining those selected items, and drawing a conclusion about the population based on the results derived from the examination of the selected items.
b. Auditors must draw conclusions about populations (invoices, accounts receivable, etc.) that are too numerous for every item to be tested.
1) By applying the principles of statistics, auditors can test relatively small samples that allow them to draw conclusions about a population with measurable reliability.
2) The main issue in sampling is choosing a sample that is representative of the population. Valid conclusions then may be stated about the population.