The Audit Experience AS/2

Performance SupportThe Audit Approach

ManualQuick Reference Guide
The Audit Approach Manual (AAM) is based on International Standards of Auditing (ISAs) and
is the foundation for Deloitte audits. As a result, it is essential for you to know how to research
topics within the AAM. The AAM was developed to support the ease of use in finding,
accessing, and understanding the context of requirements that the auditor needs to follow.
This performance support will cover the following topics: (click on a link to go to the topic):
WHAT IS THE AAM?
WHERE CAN I ACCESS THE AAM?
HOW DO I USE IT AND WHAT ARE SOME USEFUL TIPS?
o Key Navigation Features
o Useful Tips
ALERTS, GUIDES AND TOOLS
WHAT IS THE AAM?
The AAM contains the methodology that DTTL auditors apply when performing the audit of
financial statements or other historical financial information. The AAM is a tool that can and
should be used during the audit to research topics, seek advice, and confirm which approach you
wish to apply in identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement.
For example, your field senior has asked you to assist in preparing an external confirmation for
accounts receivables; however, you have never helped with confirmations before. You can begin
by doing some of your own research using the AAM for guidance and then confirm your
approach or plans with your field senior.
WHERE CAN I ACCESS THE AAM?
The AAM may be found in the Global Technical Library. Use the following link to access the
AAM through the technical library:
https://techlib.deloitte.com
<Member firm to insert location of the AAM>
As our audit approach is constantly evolving, you need to ensure you are reviewing the version
of the AAM that is applicable to your audit. You should verify this with your field senior or your
local office.

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HOW DO I USE IT AND WHAT ARE SOME USEFUL TIPS?

Key Navigation Features:
The AAM is (1) structured around a series of interrelated topics, (2) contains multiple access
paths, and (3) integrates requirements with applicable guidance, yet clearly differentiates
requirements (bold text) from guidance (regular [not bold] text). Key navigational features
include:
Main menu:

Is positioned at the home page of the manual in the Deloitte Technical Library (DTTL
Audit Approach Manual 2010).
Provides a convenient starting point from which you can navigate to other areas.
Clicking on a navigational button will take you to that respective section of the manual.
There are various means by which to navigate back to the main menu from a section in
the manual.
Main menu navigational buttons:
Preface: Summarizes introductory information about the AAM.
Audit Approach Diagrams: Takes you to the Audit Approach Diagram (details below).
Pervasive: Generates hyperlinks for all of the pervasive AAM sections.
Process: Generates hyperlinks for topics in the AAM ordered in line with the audit
process.
Other Reporting: Generates hyperlinks for sections related to other reporting topics in the
AAM.
General: Generates hyperlinks for all of the general AAM sections.
Topic Index: Generates hyperlinks for all of the topics in the AAM sorted alphabetically.

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The Audit Experience AS/2

Numeric Index: Generates hyperlinks for all of the topics in the AAM sorted numerically.
Glossary: Generates a list of key terms and related definitions used in the AAM sorted
alphabetically.

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Audit Approach Diagram:

Are pictorial representations of the audit approach

Assist in the navigation to various topics within each stage of the audit
Currently the main diagram and six supporting diagrams

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Links from above and within main diagram take you to:
o A particular topic
o Another diagram
o Specific text within a topic
The subsequent diagrams provide links to the respective topics within those areas
Please keep in mind that not all topics within each area of the audit are included in the
diagrams. They provide a starting point; then other topics are accessed through links
within a topic, related topics, or focused searches.
Topic View:

Topics accessed through clicking on any of the navigational buttons, related topics, or links will
be opened in the Topic View.
Each link within the AAM will take you to a topic page.
You will stay within the respective topic page until you click on another link or navigate
back to the main menu.
Once in the topic view, navigation would be achieved through any of the options
previously explained above.
If you perform a search in the Deloitte Technical Library and wish to clear the search, this
can be done in one of two ways:
o Click on the Reset Search button in the top left corner of the screen
o Select the Search & Results menu, then select Reset.

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Links:
Links are displayed in underlined green or blue text and link the user to (refer to the figure above
in the Topic View section for an example of how the link will appear):
Other topics or to particular paragraphs within a topic. For example, Planning the audit
2000.03.
Sections or paragraphs in the DTT Policies Manual (DPM). For example, DPM 3210.
Paragraphs in the International Auditing Standards (ISAs). For example, ISA 300.18.
Click on the backspace key while navigating in a particular topic page to return to the last
topic page that you were looking at or back to return back to the main menu.
Clicking on a link to particular paragraphs (e.g., 2000.03 above) takes you to the
particular topic/section that contains those paragraphs.
Search:
Quick Search:

This is a quick search function located at the top left corner of the Deloitte Technical Library.
When performing a quick search, you should:
o Input the word(s) you are searching for into the quick search navigation bar, and
o Click on the

button to complete your quick search.

Advanced Search:

This is an advanced search function that can be accessed by clicking on the Search and Results
button at the top navigation bar in the Deloitte Technical Library.
When performing an advanced search in the Audit Approach Manual, you should:

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o Navigate to the Search & Results button in the top navigation bar
o Input the word(s) into the Search Text box
o Select other options applicable in the advanced search dialogue box
Click on the

button to complete your search

The number of search results per heading will be displayed in the Table of Contents
window.

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Useful Tips:
Glossary:

The glossary defines terms used throughout the AAM.

Terms that appear in the glossary are capitalized in text (e.g., Audit Engagement).
Some terms in AAM Glossary are the same as defined by the ISA Glossary; there is a link
to direct you to the ISA Glossary.
Related topics:
Related topics are topics that may be related to the current topic. Clicking on one of the related
topic links will take you to the related topic. Ordinarily the same topic will not be listed as a
related topic and as a link in the body of the respective topic. Additionally, search results will
not include text from related topics. Search result will also not include text from any of the
navigational buttons.
Deloitte Guides, Practice Aids, and Frequently Asked Questions
The Global Technical Library also contains a number of tools that are useful in helping to apply
the audit approach. These can be found within the navigation pane on the left hand side of the
Global Technical Library under Deloitte Guides, Practice Aids, and Frequently Asked
Questions.

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Guides, Practice Aids and Frequently Asked Questions by Topic: Includes links to
resources that were developed to provide information and background on specific audit
topics and issues. They are intended to assist with the application and understanding of
the Audit Approach and provide a number of useful templates as well as additional
guidance on each stage of the audit engagement (planning, performing and concluding)
Guides: Supplemental guides that may be used as resource material in respect to general
audit information and background to improve knowledge when performing an audit,
supporting an audit, or understanding aspects of auditing. These guides are designed to
provide auditors with detailed examples, additional background, or practical assistance in
auditing.
Practice Aids: Includes links to resources that outline the requirements, policies, and
guidance related to specific audit topics and issues.
Frequently Asked Questions for the DTTL Audit Approach: Provides responses to
frequently asked questions on the topics of general information, information technology,
and group audits.
The Deloitte Guides, Practice Aids, and Frequently Asked Questions section is a useful starting
point when you require more guidance. You can begin by doing some of your own research
using these tools and then confirm your approach or plans with your field senior.

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Note that this performance support does not replace the AAM. It should be read in conjunction with the
applicable AAM topics, as the manual states the requirements of our audit approach and provides further
guidance.

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