Routine Checking – Purpose and Objectives

Routine Checking

Whether a business is big or small, the record of its daily transactions is kept in the books of accounts. The daily checking of these books of accounts under audit is called Routine Checking. Usually, this work is done by the junior staff of the auditor.

Merits and Demerits of Routine Checking are also discussed in later articles.

Purpose

Routine Checking

  1. Making totals and sub-totals of primary books of accounts, carrying them forward to the next page, and calculating the balances and their checking.
  2. Checking of the ledger postings derived from the primary books and journal, and to see whether they are properly done or not.
  3. To see the totals of debits and-credits of different accounts and their balances.
  4. To check whether balances of various accounts are properly taken to the Trial Balance, or not.

Objectives Of Routine Checking

The routine serves the following objectives

  1. To know the mathematical accuracy of the accounts, entered in the primary books of accounts.
  2. To know the regularity of accounting in primary books of accounts.
  3. By making use of distinct Ticks and Marks to know that no changes are made in figures after the check.

Ticks And Marks Used In Routine Checking

While doing routine checking, some signs of different colors are used. These are called Ticks or Check Marks. The main points related to this are

  1. Precautions

    The following precautions must be taken while using these marks

    1. Mark should be small and clear.
    2. Marks should not be of the same color in which accounts are written.
    3. Different colors of marks must be used for different activities.
    4. Marks must be changed each year.
    5. The meanings of marks must be kept secret.
  2. Place of Ticks and Marks

    The place of making the mark must be decided beforehand because along with the colors, types of marks, the place of its use is also very important. Usually, for verifying the postings in accounts, the mark is made on the left side of the amount. On checking the voucher with the amount, the mark is made on the right side. On verifying the total, the mark is made below the total, etc.

  3. Importance of Ticks and Marks

    The Ticks and Marks have great importance in verification. Prof. Emerson while expressing the importance of Ticks & Marks has written that during an audit, Ticks and Marks must be kept in mind, in the same way as while walking, we keep track of the road in mind, while talking we keep words in mind and while shopping pocket kept in mind. In all these situations, a little carelessness creates various problems.

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