Course Resources Archive

This module will provide students with the knowledge and skills to exercise judgement in the management of the audit process and in the application of audit techniques by analysing, evaluating and concluding on the assurance engagement and other audit and assurance issues in the context of best practice and current developments.

A  Regulatory Environment
1. International regulatory frameworks for audit and assurance services
2. Money laundering
3. Laws and regulations

B   Professional and Ethical Considerations
1. Code of Ethics and Conduct
2. Fraud and error
3. Professional liability

C   Practice Management
1. Quality control
2. Advertising, publicity, obtaining professional work and fees
3. Tendering
4. Professional appointments

D   Assignments
1. The audit of historical financial information including;
i) Planning, materiality and assessing the risk of misstatement
ii) Evidence
iii) Evaluation and review
2. Group audits
3. Audit-related services
4. Assurance services
5. Prospective financial information
6. Forensic audits
7. Internal audit
8. Outsourcing

E    Reporting
1. Auditor’s reports
2. Reports to management
3. Other reports

F    Current Issues and Developments
1. Professional, ethical and corporate governance
2. Information technology
3. Transnational audits
4. Social and environmental auditing

i. Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:
a)      Assess the legal and professional framework for statutory audit and practices
b)      Evaluate and appraise the objectives, benefits and limitations of statutory and other evaluation services
c)       Identify and discuss key issues which impact the various stages of an audit
d)      Communicate objectively the outcomes of audit and evaluation services
e)      Critically discuss the implications of current professional issues and developments affecting audit assignments, the profession and associated corporate governance issues
f)        Recognise the legal and regulatory environment and its impact on audit and assurance practice
g)      Demonstrate the ability to produce work relating to an assurance or other service engagement within a professional and ethical framework
h)      Assess and recommend appropriate quality control policies and procedures in practice management i)        Critically appreciate the auditor’s position in relation to the acceptance and retention of professional appointments
j)        Identify and formulate the work required to meet the objectives of audit and non-audit assignments
k)       Apply the International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) to evaluate findings on the results of work performed and draft suitable reports on assignments
l)        Critically review the current issues and developments relating to the provision of audit related and assurance services

ii. Skills
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:
a)      Analyse and interpret auditing and assurance literature
b)     Communicate through group based tutorial activities and written work of a variety of styles

Staff/student contact: approximately 20% (lectures, tutorials)
Student directed study: approximately 80%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.