ABSTRACT
What is an audit? in what does the duty of auditing consist? If it were a duty about the performance of which no doubt, or any difference of opinion existed, the simple attestation “Audited” at the foot of a balance sheet, followed by the auditor’s signature, would and should be sufficient; but the fact of there being so many forms of attestation in use, none of which can be said to carry a specific meaning, is a proof that this very important subject has not had that attention given to it which it deserves, and that the shadow and not the substance, as in other formal matters, is what is deemed sufficient.
