Select one bolded section that interests you and read through it. Summarize what the rules cover. Is there anything missing that you feel should be added? Are there any guidelines that you would eliminate? What would be the biggest challenge an auditor might face following your chosen section? Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates’ posts with new information about the topic, a clarifying example, and so on.
The correct answer and explanation is :
bolded section chosen is “Independence”, a key principle in auditing standards.
Summary of the Section – “Independence”
The “Independence” section covers the auditor’s responsibility to maintain both independence in fact and independence in appearance. This means auditors must not only act objectively and free from conflicts of interest, but also avoid any situations that might lead an outside party to perceive a lack of independence. The rules prohibit auditors from having direct financial interests in the audit client, close personal relationships with management, or any other situations that could compromise their objectivity.
Missing Elements
One area that could be strengthened is guidance on emerging conflicts of interest, such as those arising from social media connections, indirect investments (like mutual funds with audit client holdings), or revolving door employment (where former auditors take jobs at their client companies). The rules could better reflect modern risks in a digital and interconnected world.
Guidelines to Eliminate?
Most of the guidelines are essential, but some overly technical restrictions (like minor financial holdings under strict thresholds) may not significantly impair independence and could be relaxed or simplified to reduce unnecessary complexity.
Biggest Challenge for Auditors
The biggest challenge is ensuring independence in appearance, because it’s subjective. An auditor might follow all the rules and still be perceived as biased if they previously worked for the company or maintain friendships with its staff. This perception issue can damage credibility even when actual independence is intact.
Response to Classmate Example
If a classmate chooses “Due Professional Care,” you could reply:
“Great points! To add, professional care also includes exercising skepticism throughout the audit. For example, if a client’s numbers look too good to be true, the auditor should dig deeper rather than assume honesty. This mindset helps detect fraud or misstatements that may otherwise go unnoticed.”
