The Important Role of Audit Evidence in Ensuring the Fairness of Financial Statements

Published: Jul 3, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the essential role of audit evidence in ensuring the fairness and reliability of financial statements, particularly in detecting material misstatements and supporting auditors’ professional judgment.

Methodology/approach: The research adopts a normative-descriptive approach using qualitative analysis. It involves a review of relevant literature, auditing standards (ISA and SPAP), and case studies on audit failures. Data sources include academic articles, audit guidelines, and financial reporting frameworks to evaluate how audit evidence contributes to achieving audit objectives.

Results/findings: The study finds that sufficient and appropriate audit evidence is critical in forming audit opinions and detecting irregularities or fraud. Various types of evidence—physical, documentary, analytical, and testimonial—must be evaluated for relevance and reliability. The effectiveness of audit procedures depends on the auditor’s competence, independence, and adherence to professional standards.

Conclusion: Audit evidence plays a pivotal role in maintaining the credibility of financial reporting. However, the absence of a structured evaluation of evidence or reliance on weak sources can lead to audit failure. Strengthening audit documentation, improving audit planning, and implementing risk-based approaches are key to enhancing audit quality.

Limitations: This study is limited to secondary data and theoretical analysis without empirical testing or interviews with audit practitioners, which may affect the applicability of conclusions in real-world settings.

Contribution: This paper contributes to audit research by reinforcing the theoretical foundation of audit evidence and providing practical insights into improving audit effectiveness and the reliability of financial statements.

Keywords:
1. Auditing
2. Audit Evidence
3. Fairness
4. Financial Statements
Authors:
1 . Restina Purba
2 . Cindy Milasari Br Sitanggang
3 . Meylin Amanda Simalango
How to Cite
Purba, R., Sitanggang , C. M. B., & Simalango, M. A. . (2025). The Important Role of Audit Evidence in Ensuring the Fairness of Financial Statements. Reviu Akuntansi, Manajemen, Dan Bisnis, 5(1), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.35912/rambis.v5i1.3683

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References

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    Ardha, N. B. D., Riwajanti, N. I., & Haris, Z. A. (2023). Fishbone diagram: Application of root cause analysis in internal audit planning. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 5(3), 297–309. Https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v5i3.1498

    Arens, Alvin A., Randal J. Elder, and M. S. Besley. 2014. Auditing and Assurance Service (16 Th Global Edition). Prentice Hall. New Jersey

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    Haniifah, M. N., & Pramudyastuti, O. L. (2022). Analisis Efektivitas Audit Tool and Linked Archive System Dalam Menunjang Proses Audit Laporan Keuangan. Jurnal Maneksi, 10(2), 169–176. Https://doi.org/10.31959/jm.v10i2.747

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    Rizky Khoirunisa, A., Melysa Almayzuroh, B., Zulfatus Syururi, D., & Khoiriawati, N. (2022). the Effect of Audit on Quality on Financial Statements Pengaruh Audit Terhadap Kualitas Pada Laporan Keuangan. Research In Accounting Journal, 2(3), 394–402. Https://doi.org/10.37385/raj.v2i3.677

    Supriyanto, S., Pina, P., Christian, C., & Silvana, V. (2022). Menganalisis Indikator Kualitas Audit Pada Perusahaan Audit Di Indonesia. SIBATIK JOURNAL: Jurnal Ilmiah Bidang Sosial, Ekonomi, Budaya, Teknologi, Dan Pendidikan, 2(1), 199–210. Https://doi.org/10.54443/sibatik.v2i1.520

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    Syukriyati Ainirrohmah, & Jihan Ibtisam Al-Ustadzi. (2024). Profesionalisme Auditor Dalam Penentuan Materialitas Pada Laporan Keuangan. Musytari : Neraca Manajemen, Akuntansi, Dan Ekonomi, 5(11), 121–130. Https://doi.org/10.8734/musytari.v5i11.3884

    Tuanakotta, Theodorus M. 2017. Akuntansi Forensik dan Audit Investigatif. Salemba Empat. Jakarta.

    Vitriany, U. W. A., & Ardini, L. (2024). AN Audit Evidence: Mampukah Menghadapi Fraud?. BIP’s JURNAL BISNIS PERSPEKTIF, 16(1), 53 - 63. Https://doi.org/10.37477/bip.v16i1.508

    Winarto, H. (2020). Pengaruh Pengendalian Internal Dan Bukti Audit Terhadap Opini Audit (Studi Empiris di Kantor Akuntan Publik di Jakarta Timur). Jurnal Akuntansi Dan Bisnis Krisnadwipayana, 7(1), 1–13. Https://doi.org/10.35137/jabk.v7i1.374

    Žukauskait?, D. (2021). Assessment of the Risk of Material Misstatement in an Audit of Financial Statements. Whither Our Economies - 2021: International Scientific Conference Proceedings, 43–55. Https://cris.mruni.eu/cris/handle/007/17953

  1. Abdullah, S. Y., Apandi, R. N. N., & Widarsono, A. (2022). Sulthan Yusuf Abdullah , R . Nelly Nur Apandi , Agus Widarsono. 2020(April), 53–64. Https://doi.org/10.26418/apssai.v2i2.23
  2. Aguspriyani, Y., Triana, A., & Rahmawati, M. (2023). PENGARUH KUALITAS AUDIT TERHADAP PENGUNGKAPAN INFORMASI KEUANGAN: SEBUAH TINJAUAN LITERATUR. 2(12), 1–15.
  3. Aly, H. G., Elguoshy, O. R., & Metwaly, M. Z. (2023). Machine Learning Algorithms and Auditor’s Assessments of the Risks Material Misstatement: Evidence from the Restatement of Listed London Companies. Information Sciences Letters, 12(4), 1285-1298. Https://doi.org/10.18576/isl/120443
  4. Ardha, N. B. D., Riwajanti, N. I., & Haris, Z. A. (2023). Fishbone diagram: Application of root cause analysis in internal audit planning. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 5(3), 297–309. Https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v5i3.1498
  5. Arens, Alvin A., Randal J. Elder, and M. S. Besley. 2014. Auditing and Assurance Service (16 Th Global Edition). Prentice Hall. New Jersey
  6. Arham, A., Firmansyah, A., & Nor, A. M. E. (2020). Penelitian Transfer Pricing di Indonesia: Sebuah Studi Kepustakaan. Jurnal Online Insan Akuntan, 5(1), 57. Https://doi.org/10.51211/joia.v5i1.1318
  7. Bako, P. M. (2024). Audit committee attributes, audit quality and performance of oil and gas companies. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 5(4), 511–522. Https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v5i4.1634
  8. Haniifah, M. N., & Pramudyastuti, O. L. (2022). Analisis Efektivitas Audit Tool and Linked Archive System Dalam Menunjang Proses Audit Laporan Keuangan. Jurnal Maneksi, 10(2), 169–176. Https://doi.org/10.31959/jm.v10i2.747
  9. IAPI. 2011. Standar Profesional Akuntan Publik. Salemba Empat. Jakarta
  10. Mega Rosdiana. (2024). Perolehan Bukti Audit Berdasarkan Standar Audit 570 dan 580 Untuk Mendukung Opini Audit. Majalah Ekonomi, 28(02), 56–62. Https://doi.org/10.36456/majeko.vol28.no02.a8405
  11. Merauke, U. M. (2006). Bagaimana bukti audit dapat mengungkap fraud? Dina Fitri Septarini Universitas Musamus Merauke. 1989, 498–506.
  12. Messier, W. F., S. M. Glover, dan D. F. Prawitt. 2014. Jasa Audit dan Asurance. Salemba Empat. Jakarta
  13. Muhsin. (2021). Pengetahuan, Profesionalisma, Urutan Bukti Audit dan Audit Judgment. Jurnal Ilmiah STIE MDP, 10(2), 168–180. Https://doi.org/10.35957/forbiswira.v10i2.808
  14. Munawarah, I. (2023). Pengaruh Kompetensi & Independensi Auditor Terhadap Kualitas Audit Dengan Kompetensi Bukti Audit Sebagai Variabel Intervening. Jurnal Gici Jurnal Keuangan Dan Bisnis, 14(1), 1–15. Https://doi.org/10.58890/jkb.v14i1.1
  15. Pt Mnc Energy Investments Tbk Dan Entitas Anak / And Subsidiaries. 2022.
  16. Ramadhany, A. A., Fadlilah, A. H., & Masiam, S. (2021). Prosedur Audit Laporan Keuangan Pada Kantor Akuntan Publik Ery Dan Rekan. Realible Accounting Journal, 1(1), 1–9. Https://doi.org/10.36352/raj.v1i1.152
  17. Ramdani, D., & Prayitno, Y. H. (2023). The leverage and company size impact on delay in the audit. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 5(3), 265–279. Https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v5i3.397
  18. Roemkenya Madolidi Handoyo, B., & Indah Bayunitri, B. (2021). The influence of internal audit and internal control toward fraud prevention. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 3(1), 45–64. Https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v3i1.181
  19. Rosadi, Y. M. R., & Barus, I. S. L. (2022). The Effect of Time Budget Pressure and Auditor’s Competency on Audit Quality. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 4(3), 241–254. Https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v4i3.346
  20. Rizky Khoirunisa, A., Melysa Almayzuroh, B., Zulfatus Syururi, D., & Khoiriawati, N. (2022). the Effect of Audit on Quality on Financial Statements Pengaruh Audit Terhadap Kualitas Pada Laporan Keuangan. Research In Accounting Journal, 2(3), 394–402. Https://doi.org/10.37385/raj.v2i3.677
  21. Supriyanto, S., Pina, P., Christian, C., & Silvana, V. (2022). Menganalisis Indikator Kualitas Audit Pada Perusahaan Audit Di Indonesia. SIBATIK JOURNAL: Jurnal Ilmiah Bidang Sosial, Ekonomi, Budaya, Teknologi, Dan Pendidikan, 2(1), 199–210. Https://doi.org/10.54443/sibatik.v2i1.520
  22. Suyono, E. (2018). Peran Komite Audit dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas Pengungkapan Laporan Keuangan: Bukti Empiris di Bursa Efek Negara-negara Teluk. Visioner & Strategis, 7(1), 7–16.
  23. Syukriyati Ainirrohmah, & Jihan Ibtisam Al-Ustadzi. (2024). Profesionalisme Auditor Dalam Penentuan Materialitas Pada Laporan Keuangan. Musytari : Neraca Manajemen, Akuntansi, Dan Ekonomi, 5(11), 121–130. Https://doi.org/10.8734/musytari.v5i11.3884
  24. Tuanakotta, Theodorus M. 2017. Akuntansi Forensik dan Audit Investigatif. Salemba Empat. Jakarta.
  25. Vitriany, U. W. A., & Ardini, L. (2024). AN Audit Evidence: Mampukah Menghadapi Fraud?. BIP’s JURNAL BISNIS PERSPEKTIF, 16(1), 53 - 63. Https://doi.org/10.37477/bip.v16i1.508
  26. Winarto, H. (2020). Pengaruh Pengendalian Internal Dan Bukti Audit Terhadap Opini Audit (Studi Empiris di Kantor Akuntan Publik di Jakarta Timur). Jurnal Akuntansi Dan Bisnis Krisnadwipayana, 7(1), 1–13. Https://doi.org/10.35137/jabk.v7i1.374
  27. Žukauskait?, D. (2021). Assessment of the Risk of Material Misstatement in an Audit of Financial Statements. Whither Our Economies - 2021: International Scientific Conference Proceedings, 43–55. Https://cris.mruni.eu/cris/handle/007/17953