The preliminary figure for materiality is a numerical size calculated at planning stage.

• A. The actual misstatement found at year-end
• B. A numerical size calculated at planning stage to guide materiality
• C. The final audit opinion
• D. A figure used to set detection risk only

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how materiality is set for planning. The preliminary figure is the numerical threshold chosen at the planning stage to guide what will be considered material in the audit. It isn’t the actual misstatement found at year-end, and it isn’t the final audit opinion. It also isn’t only a tool for setting detection risk, though materiality does influence the extent of testing and the level of detection risk the auditor is willing to accept. This planning figure helps determine the nature, timing, and extent of procedures and whether misstatements, individually or in aggregate, would be material.