I was reviewing a bundle of audit engagement documents including audited adjustment of a new client who had just transferred to us, only to discover an audit adjustment that left me speechless—RM16.80.

Yes, a grand total of sixteen ringgit and eighty cents.

Curious about the rationale behind this tiny adjustment, I called my manager over and asked, “What’s the materiality level here?

And roughly, what figures are we dealing with in the audited financial statements?”

My manager responded correctly, confirming that the financials was in ten million in turnover

But I couldn’t help but stare in disbelief. RM16.80? Really? I looked at my manager, hoping for some clarity. All I got was a foolish smile in return.

That’s when it hit me—this was a classic case of over-auditing.

I turned to my manager and said, “This is exactly what happens when ex-auditor get too caught up in perfection.”

We both couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing together.

While it made for a funny moment, this tiny adjustment revealed a bigger issue—over-auditing.

Sometimes auditors can get so absorbed in the process that they miss the bigger picture. Chasing after small, insignificant adjustments can lead to unnecessary time.

This incident served as a light-hearted reminder for me and my team.

In audit, it’s not just about ticking boxes or tracking every cent. It’s about understanding what really matters.

After all, our role isn’t just to find minor discrepancies but to provide meaningful insights.

And sometimes, that means knowing when to let RM16.80 slide.

auditlife #audit #motivation