CONFIRMATION
Describes the receipt of a written or oral response from an independent third party verifying the accuracy of information that was requested by the auditor.
The request is made to the client, and the client asks the independent third party to respond directly to the auditor.
Written confirmations are easier for supervisors to review and better support
Auditors decide whether or not to use confirmations depending on the reliability needs of the situation as well as the alternative evidence available.
To be considered reliable evidence, conformations must be controlled by the auditor from the time they are prepared until they are returned.