"Audit Sampling" means the application of audit procedures to less than 100% of the items within an account balance or class of transactions to enable the auditor to obtain and evaluate audit evidence about some characteristics of the items selected in order to form or assist in forming a conclusion concerning the population. The purpose of AAS is to establish standards on the design and selection of an audit sample and the evaluation of sample results and applies equally to statistical and non-statistical sampling. The areas covered by the AAS include design of sample, audit objectives, population, stratification, sample size and risk, tolerable and expected error, selection of sample, evaluation of sample results, analysis of errors in the sample, projection of errors, reassessing sampling risk.

The AAS is effective for all audits relating to accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 1998.

Issued in April, 1998.
Published in the Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements, Vol. I, (Edn. 2003).
Also available as a separate publication of the Institute (Price: Rs. 15/-).
ISBN: 81-87072-24-5.