What are the differences between substantive test and test of controls?

Answer 1

In the auditing phase, the auditor first carries "test of controls" to verify if the organisation's financial statements are worth relying upon. If the auditor is not satisfied with this, he then carries "substantive test" which is a comprehensive analysis.

For example, to test the accuracy of figure of "Sales" in income statement, the auditor will look at your Sales system, i.e. the internal controls. If they work fine, the auditor will be satisfied that this Sales figure cannot be wrong. But if the Sales system is not properly structured, for example, credit checks not performed, sales made without customer on the database, sales still made to bad debts, etc., these all are weaknesses in internal controls, so the auditor will now carry a substantive test in which he assess whether the given figure is accurate or not. For example, by using ratios, analytical procedures, inquiries, confirmation letters from receivables etc.