What must auditors do when conducting their work to ensure reliability?

To ensure reliability in their work, auditors must gather sufficient appropriate audit evidence. This process is fundamental to the auditing profession because the quality and quantity of the evidence collected directly influence the conclusions that can be drawn from an audit. Sufficient evidence means that the auditor has collected enough data to form a solid basis for their opinion on the financial statements, while appropriate evidence ensures that the data is relevant and reliable to the assertions being tested.

Collecting sufficient appropriate audit evidence allows an auditor to assess the risk of material misstatement and to test the effectiveness of the internal controls in place. This evidence serves as the cornerstone for the auditor's opinions on the financial statements, thereby enhancing the credibility of the audit report. Without adequate evidence, the auditor's findings and opinions would lack the necessary support, reducing the reliability of the audit as a whole.

Other options do not solidify the auditing process as effectively. Relying solely on management assertions would undermine the auditor's independence and objectivity. Communicating with external stakeholders, while important, does not directly contribute to the reliability of the audit itself. Completing audits within a restricted timeframe might compromise the thoroughness of the audit, potentially leading to a lack of sufficient evidence being gathered. Thus, the emphasis on collecting sufficient appropriate audit