Audit Theory and Conceptual Framework for the Development of Auditing

Abstract

The article considers the problem of developing a structured theory of audit. To that end the author develops the structure of a scientific theory in audit, introduces assumptions and axioms, modifies and complements audit postulates, refines the essence of audit and provides the author’s understanding of the “reliability” principle as a target criterion in audit. When developing the theory of audit the author clarifies such notions as “subject” and “object” of audit consideringthem in relation to theoretic and methodological concepts of accounting. The article systemizes the principles of auditing, offers new audit methods, supplements the list of prerequisites of financial reporting preparation and extends the range of analytic procedures. The financial (accounting) reports of an entity which are mainly historical do not always meet the needs of their users. In this regard the author proposes to supplement the concept of confirming the historical financial (accounting) reports with the concept of sustainable development of the entity.