Audit working papers
In one sentenceThe files in which the auditor documents what was examined, how it was examined and the results found. They are the support behind the opinion in the report.
Simply put
Working papers include the audit plan, balance schedules, copies of the documents examined, confirmations, and findings with their conclusions.
The rule: another auditor reading the papers should understand what was done and why the auditor reached the opinion. An accountant who prepares well-organized balance schedules saves a lot of audit time.
Example
A working paper for accounts receivable: a list of customer balances agreed to the trial balance, and next to each customer selected in the sample, the result of its confirmation, the differences and their explanation.