Which procedure is a standard part of a statutory audit?

Reperformance of tasks is considered a standard part of a statutory audit because it allows auditors to verify the accuracy and reliability of processes and controls within the organization. During an audit, auditors often perform selected procedures that mirror the activities of the entity to assess the effectiveness of its internal controls and ensure that transactions are recorded accurately in the financial statements.

By reperformance, auditors can gather sufficient appropriate evidence to conclude on the fairness of financial statement presentation. This procedure is crucial, as it provides auditors with firsthand knowledge and direct evidence of the operations of the client, thus supporting their audit opinion.

In contrast, unannounced client visits, client feedback sessions, and focus groups with employees, while potentially useful in certain contexts or specific engagements, are not standard procedures typically required in statutory audits. They may not yield the same level of objective evidence necessary for a statutory audit as reperformance does. Hence, the structured nature of reperformance aligns more closely with the fundamental aims of the audit process, which focus on validation and verification of financial information.