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Senior Auditor Mock Interview

Question 20 of 25 for our Senior Auditor Mock Interview

Senior Auditor was written by on January 4th, 2021. Learn more here.

Question 20 of 25

What is the difference between fraud and error?

"The main difference between fraud and error is that fraud is intentional and errors are unintentional. As auditors, we are primarily concerned with financial misstatements that are caused by fraudulent financial reporting and misstatements that are caused by theft and other misappropriation of assets."

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How to Answer: What is the difference between fraud and error?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Senior Auditor job interview.

  • 20. What is the difference between fraud and error?

      How to Answer

      This is a technical topic covered in the auditing standards under AU-C Section 240. The key difference between fraud and error is that the former is intentional and the latter is unintentional. There are two main types of fraud that an internal auditor should be concerned with: fraudulent reporting and misappropriation of assets (ie theft).

      Written by Brian Schuchart on January 4th, 2021

      Answer Example

      "The main difference between fraud and error is that fraud is intentional and errors are unintentional. As auditors, we are primarily concerned with financial misstatements that are caused by fraudulent financial reporting and misstatements that are caused by theft and other misappropriation of assets."

      Written by Brian Schuchart on January 4th, 2021

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "Fraud is an intentional act to deceive a person. For instance - An employee embezzles inventory from the warehouse and reports this transaction as a cash sale without recording the cash into the cash balance, leading to misappropriation of assets. Whereas an error is an unintentional act. For instance - Failure to record expenses under the correct accounting head."

      Cindy's Feedback

      Very good. Do you have an example you can share where you drew a distinction between the two and took appropriate action? This will help show an application of your knowledge in action.

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