Evidential Reasoning for WebTrust Assurance Services
Issue Date
2000Author
Srivastava, Rajendra P.
Mock, Theodore J.
Publisher
M.E. Sharpe
Type
Article
Article Version
Scholarly/refereed, author accepted manuscript
Published Version
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/220591267_Evidential_Reasoning_for_WebTrust_Assurance_ServicesMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study looks at two aspects of assurance services. The first deals with the type(s) of
evidential networks that will allow a professional accountant to provide assurance. Here, we
develop an evidential network model for “WebTrust Assurance,” a service being provided by
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants (CICA). Our model augments the AICPA/CICA approach and provides
goals, sub-goals and evidence relevant to the overall assurance to be provided. The aggregation
of evidence and the resolution of uncertainties follow the belief-function approach of
Srivastava and Shafer.
Next we develop a decision theoretic model for the assurance-planning problem. Our
approach is based on estimating the expected value of providing various levels of assurance and
is illustrated with several different scenarios that may be faced in practice. We also consider the
role of ambiguity in decision situations such as planning WebTrust engagements and calculate
bounds in expected value based on whether auditors are conservative or not in their approach
to risk.
Description
This is the author's final draft. The publisher's official version is available from: http://www.jmis-web.org
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Citation
Srivastava, Rajendra. (2000) Evidential Reasoning for WebTrust Assurance Services. Journal of
Management Information Systems, 16 (3).
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