For audit evidence to be considered reliable, it must be accurate, truthful, and verifiable. The absence of the bank heading, logo, or address on the bank statements raises concerns about the authenticity and integrity of the documents. Without these elements, there is no assurance that the statements are legitimate and have not been tampered with or falsified. Therefore, this evidence may not be reliable for audit purposes.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards)
"Auditing: A Risk-Based Approach to Conducting a Quality Audit" by Karla M. Johnstone, Audrey A.
Gramling, Larry E. Rittenberg

When planning to audit an outsourced function, the most appropriate first step for an internal auditor is to understand the objectives and strategies of the new arrangement. This step is crucial because it sets the foundation for the entire audit process. By understanding the objectives and strategies, the auditor gains insights into the rationale behind the outsourcing decision, the expected outcomes, and how these align with the organization's overall goals. This understanding helps in identifying key risks, establishing relevant audit criteria, and tailoring the audit scope and procedures accordingly. Without this initial step, the auditor may miss critical aspects of the outsourced arrangement, leading to an incomplete or ineffective audit.
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Practice Guide: "Auditing Outsourced Activities" COSO Enterprise Risk Management Framework

According to IIA guidance, before implementing any changes to the audit program's scope prior to beginning fieldwork, the most important action is to seek approval from the chief audit executive (CAE) for the proposed scope change. This ensures that any significant modifications are reviewed and authorized at the appropriate level, maintaining the integrity and alignment of the audit activity with the organization's audit plan and objectives.
IIA Standards: 2240 - Engagement Work Program
IIA Standards: 2020 - Communication and Approval

When conducting a review of an electronic data interchange (EDI) application provided by a third-party service, the internal auditor should ensure several key aspects to maintain security and compliance:
* Independent Review of Service Provider: Determine whether an independent review of the service provider's operations has been conducted. This review helps ensure that the service provider meets necessary standards and maintains adequate controls.
* Contractual Clauses: Verify that the service provider's contracts include necessary clauses. These clauses should cover aspects like data security, confidentiality, compliance with standards, and performance metrics.
Ensuring encryption keys meet ISO standards and verifying the use of public-switched data networks are important but are more specific technical controls that might be part of broader reviews. The focus here should be on independent verification and robust contractual agreements

One of the five attributes that internal auditors include when documenting a deficiency is the criteria used to make the evaluation. The criteria represent the standards, measures, or expectations used in the evaluation process. Documenting the criteria is essential as it provides a benchmark against which the actual conditions can be compared, thereby helping to identify and explain deficiencies in controls or processes.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Standard 2410 - Criteria for Communicating: "Final communication of engagement results must, where appropriate, contain the internal auditors' overall opinion and/or conclusions, as well as the criteria used for evaluation." IIA Practice Guide on "Documenting Internal Audit Observations"