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Intelligent Sampler: Overview

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Summary

Learn about the Intelligent Sampler and how it is used in MindBridge.


Go to the Data table tab

  1. Select the icon in the MindBridge sidebar.
    You will go to the Organizations page.
  2. Select View in line with the desired organization, or click anywhere in the organization row.
    You will go to the Engagements page.
  3. Select View in line with the desired engagement, or click anywhere in the engagement row.
    You will go to the Data page.
  4. Select View Analysis in line with the desired analysis.
    You will go to the Analyze page.
  5. Select the Data table tab.

Tip: If you are already in an analysis, simply use the sidebar to open the Analyze menu, then select the name of the analysis you want to see and go to the Data table tab.


What is the Intelligent Sampler?

The Intelligent Sampler is a tool used to generate samples that are either:

  • Risk-Stratified: Uses risk scores to stratify the filtered population (i.e.; entries or transactions). This method is unique to MindBridge and favors high risk and medium risk entries/transactions when creating the sample
  • Random: Creates a truly random sample from the filtered population (i.e.; entries or transactions). Each item in the population has an equal chance of being selected, regardless of risk level
Note: Any entries or transactions that have been previously added to the audit plan will be excluded automatically from generated samples.

Risk stratification and the 60/40 split

When the Intelligent Sampler generates a risk-stratified sample, it selects all high-risk scores available to be sampled, and the rest of the sample is split to contain 60% medium risk transactions and 40% low risk.

In the example image below, 100 transactions were selected for the sample size. The financial data table contains:

  • 20 high risk transactions
  • 48 medium risk transactions
  • 32 low risk transactions

Screen_Shot


Random sampling

When the Intelligent Sampler generates a random sample, the items in the filtered population (i.e.; entries or transactions that have not yet been added to the audit plan) are shuffled, assigned a number by a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG), and then selected based on that randomized number.

In the example image below, 100 transactions were selected for the sample size.

The samples returned may contain any number of high, medium, or low risk transactions.

Screen_Shot_2021-12-01_at_11.17.27_AM.png


Technical details

  1. The PRNG is configured with a random seed based on system time and other variables;
  2. A random number is generated for each item using the PRNG;
  3. The items are sorted by their generated numbers; and
  4. The lowest "n" (sample size) items are returned as the sample.

For risk-stratified sampling, the above process runs 3 times, for high, medium, and low risk transactions.

For random sampling, it runs once across the whole population.


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