Which method can auditors use to validate the existence and effectiveness of a control?

The chosen method of reviewing, reperformance, and recalculation of a task is particularly effective for validating the existence and effectiveness of a control. This approach allows auditors to not only observe the control in operation but also to independently test it against established criteria. By reviewing processes, auditors can assess whether controls are designed adequately and functioning as intended. Reperforming tasks provides direct evidence that the controls are operating as expected, while recalculating outputs ensures that they produce the correct results based on the inputs.

This method is comprehensive because it involves both the examination of documentation and the practical execution of the control. It ensures that auditors can validate the control's performance through direct engagement rather than solely relying on observations or discussions with management, which may not reflect the full picture of how controls operate in practice.

In contrast, relying solely on observation does not provide evidence of consistency or effectiveness over time, and consulting management alone can lead to a biased perspective without direct evidence of control function. Recalculating financial statements, while also a valuable method, does not directly address the specific controls in place but rather examines the financial outcomes, which might not correlate to the effectiveness of internal controls.