What is external confirmation in auditing?

External confirmation in auditing refers to evidence obtained from a third-party written response. This process involves auditors seeking direct evidence from an external party, which provides an independent verification of certain information. For instance, auditors might send confirmation requests to banks to verify account balances or to customers to confirm the amounts owed.

The reliability of this information is higher because it comes from an independent source not influenced by the organization being audited. This method is widely recognized in auditing standards as a strong form of evidence, as it helps to substantiate the assertions made by management in the financial statements.

This contrasts with other options, such as internal reports or assessments, which may not provide the same level of assurance since they originate from within the company being audited and could potentially be biased. External confirmations are therefore critical for auditors in establishing an objective basis for their conclusions regarding the financial statements.