The Impact of Materiality Decisions on Financial Ratios: A Computer Simulation

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which immaterial uncorrected errors may combine to affect specific financial ratios. A simulation is performed in which three balance sheet accounts and three related income statement accounts are seeded with immaterial errors. The magnitudes of the errors are controlled so the financial statement account balances are materially correct both individually and in the aggregate. The study examines six materiality heuristics for each of three industry classifications and three different error distribution patterns. For each heuristic/industry combination and error distribution pattern, a 95 percent confidence interval is generated for nine financial ratios. Results indicate that immaterial errors may combine to create substantial variances in some ratios. Profitability ratios based on income statement accounts display wide confidence intervals, while solvency ratios based on balance sheet accounts display relatively narrow intervals. Comparison between a standard normal distribution and a nonsymmetrical error distribution indicates that ratio variances are substantial and sensitive to error patterns even when errors are immaterial. Tests for equality of variances identify significant differences between heuristic methods and between industries. When making the decision regarding requiring entry or waiving discovered errors, the auditor should consider the impact of such errors not only on financial statement balances, but on the ways users may combine those balances.

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