ACC 8106 Advanced Auditing

STAFFING:

SYNOPSIS:

This readings-based course examines contemporary issues in auditing and assurance services and recent developments affecting external and internal auditors. Through appraisal of the professional and academic literature, the course explores the implications of research findings for the auditing profession and users of the audit report. The course considers various corporate governance issues related to the demand for and supply of auditing and assurance services. Behavioural aspects, such as auditor decision-making, and current audit concerns regarding Web-based transactions are also considered.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. understand the nature and relevance of current issues facing the profession, including theoretical and conceptual issues, as well as external developments;
2. appreciate and relate research outcomes to resolving auditing practice, and organisational and operational problems;
3. critically evaluate the usefulness of extant empirical literature in enhancing the operations and effectiveness of auditing practice.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

In addition to the textbook above and the Books of Selected Readings, students are expected to refer to relevant professional and academic journals to enhance their knowledge. For completion of the assignments, students are to refer to materials beyond the Books of Selected Readings. Some of the journals in various university libraries that would be of interest are:

Abacus; Accountancy; Accountants' Digest; Accounting and Finance; Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal; Accounting Horizons; Accounting Organisations and Society; Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory; Behavioural Research in Accounting; Charter; CPA Journal; Internal Auditor; International Journal of Auditing; Journal of Accounting and Economics; Journal of Accounting and Public Policy; Journal of Accounting Research; Journal of Business Finance and Accounting; Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation; Managerial Auditing Journal; Pacific Accounting Review; The Accounting Review; In the Black; Australian Accounting Review; Accounting Forum; Corporate Governance; British Accounting Review; Accounting and Business Research.

Students are expected to compile their own dossier (or resource) of additional relevant and current journal articles for each of the 12 topic areas.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   If you are an international student in Australia, you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. For all other students, there are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete the assignments satisfactorily, students must attempt all assignment questions. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination and at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   This will be an open examination. Candidates may have access to any material during the examination except the following: electronic communication devices (eg mobile telephones, pagers), bulky materials, devices requiring mains power, and material likely to disturb other students. Computers are not allowed in the examination venue. Candidates are expected to bring along and refer to additional relevant journal articles in the examination (that is, their own dossier compiled over the semester), and cite these where applicable when answering the questions.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/buspolproc.html.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Learning Resources: Prescribed text and materials (see above); prescribed reference materials (see above); printed Introductory Book, Study Book and Selected Reading/s; and course Website accessible via USQConnect.