Final answer:
The factors that influence the nature of the information confirmed in an audit include the form of confirmation, prior experience with the entity, the intended respondent, and the type of audit report. Reliability is also affected by the intended audience, verifiability of evidence, potential biases, and the regularities in the object being measured.
Step-by-step explanation:
Several factors influence the nature of the information being confirmed in an audit. The form of confirmation can affect how information is perceived and validated; different forms may provide various levels of reliability and detail. Prior experience with the entity can give the auditor insight into potential risk areas and influence the nature of the confirmation processes.
Choosing the intended respondent is crucial as it affects the reliability of the confirmation received; the respondent's expertise and independence can greatly affect the audit confirmation process. Additionally, the type of audit report also plays a role since it frames the information and determines what needs to be confirmed.
When considering these factors, it's essential to recognize the impact of the document's audience on its reliability. The evidence must be verifiable, free from bias, and supported by expert consensus to ensure reliability. Assessing the logic, relevance, and comprehensiveness of information will make auditors more or less willing to accept the conclusions.
Auditors need to be aware of biases such as the actor-observer bias, which can affect their judgment about situational versus dispositional influences on behavior. Understanding the regularities in the object being measured and other factors that influence outcomes are also critical to forming a comprehensive and accurate audit conclusion.