BMAN73821 ASSURANCE AND CORPORATE CREDIBLE REPORTING
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BMAN73821
ASSURANCE AND CORPORATE CREDIBLE REPORTING
24 January 2022
QUESTION 1
(a) The IAASB’s framework for audit quality (2014, p4) suggests “ … . audit quality encompasses the key elements that create an environment which maximizes the likelihood that quality audits are performed on a consistent basis” .
Required:
Drawing on academic literature and ongoing discussion in regulatory and policy settings, critically evaluate the concept of audit quality and the attempts that have been made to ‘enhancing audit quality’ . In your answer, ensure you reflect on the commitment and ongoing action to separate off audit from other services
provided by the larger accounting firms. (20 mark)
(a) The FRC conducts annual Audit Quality Review (AQR) inspections of audit firms. Following the inspections, they send a letter to all the heads of audit in inspected firms providing their findings and comments. Following the 2018/2019 review the FRC found “that 25% of audits reviewed required improvement.” Subsequently the 2019/2020 inspection review suggested the major driver for poor quality audits over the past two years has been “the ineffective challenge of management”. They also go on to say that whilst “we have been encouraged by the initiatives that some firms are taking to develop and embed a culture of challenge… .. further action is needed by firms if greater consistency and quality of challenge is to be achieved. ”
Required:
With reference to academic debate on the invisibility of audit quality, critically evaluate the emergence of independent regulatory oversight and inspection and the impact you think these developments have had on ruling levels of audit quality. (30 marks)
QUESTION 2
When contemplating audit reform, one of the most prominent priorities emanating from the accounting profession, regulators and government policymakers is the importance of restoring trust and confidence in audit. However, it has been argued that a ‘restorative’ reform agenda is no longer sufficient, especially given the increasing claims being made in terms of auditors serving the public interest.
Required:
Drawing on your knowledge of reforming tendencies in relation to audit, and particularly the workings of your own discussion group on the future of audit, outline what you regard as the most critical areas in which audit reform is needed and what reforms do you think would be most valuable in terms of enhancing the social functioning of audit and satisfying the public interest?
Your answer must give appropriate justification for any reform recommendations and indicate, where applicable, what supporting contextual factors would help to enhance the prospects for, and impact of, your reform recommendations. (50 marks)
QUESTION 3
Discussions about audit expectations are often concerned with the existence of an Audit Expectations Gap [AEG]. This gap has been discussed extensively in regulatory guidance as well as the academic and practitioner literature, with diverse and conflicting opinions on why it exists and how it can be ‘closed’ . One area that has been the focus of such attention is audit reporting.
Required:
Drawing on your knowledge of relevant academic and professional practice audit literature, outline and assess what impact reforms in audit reporting have had in terms of their capacity to reduce the AEG. Your answer should highlight key audit reporting reforms and assess their impact on the AEG. Such evaluation should also indicate any additional areas or developments which you believe are likely to prove beneficial in terms of closing, or at least reducing the AEG. (50 marks)
QUESTION 4
In his independent review on the quality and effectiveness of audit, Sir Donald Brydon, observed that that there is no formal audit profession in existence, but an accounting profession, within which some choose to be professional auditors. In going on to call for the establishment of a distinct corporate audit profession, he noted that
“Auditing is not the same as accounting, and in the years ahead it will encompass even more. Furthermore, there are education and skills needed to conduct an audit that are not necessary to be an accountant. As my objective is to stimulate better audit, there needs to be much greater clarity about what an auditor is and to whom he or she owes a professional duty. Auditors need to be professionals in their own right, not just as a part of another profession. ”
(Brydon Report, 2019, para. 6.0.2)
Required:
(a) Drawing on your knowledge of the auditing literature, what would you characterise as the primary qualities of an auditing professional? To what extent are such qualities timeless? For example, do representations of the modern day auditing ‘professional’ differ significantly to those of the past? (15 marks)
(b) Why is it that people have come increasingly to talk of an audit industry rather than an auditing profession? Is this a positive development? How different are regulatory priorities regarding an industry compared to those of a profession? What consequences could such differences have on notions of professionalism? (15 marks)
(c) Give your opinion on Brydon’s proposal for the establishment of a distinct corporate auditing profession and assess what effect this could have on audit professionalism and on the development of the audit function? (20 marks)
2023-01-28