Students

ACCG340 – Auditing and Assurance Services

2019 – S1 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Dominic Soh
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
4ER, 324
See consultation schedule on iLearn
Teaching administrator
Claudia Chau
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
4ER, 350B
N/A
Tutor
Fiona Foster
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
See consultation schedule on iLearn
Tutor
May Vargas
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
See consultation schedule on iLearn
Tutor
Peter Clark
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
See consultation schedule on iLearn
Tutor
Marija Vidovic
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
See consultation schedule on iLearn
Tutor
Medhat Endrawes
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
4ER, 214
See consultation schedule on iLearn
Tutor
Peter Clark
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
See consultation schedule on iLearn
Unit Moderator
Nonna Martinov-Bennie
Contact via Email via accg340@mq.edu.au
4ER, 337
N/A
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(39cp at 100 level or above) including [(ACCG308 or ACCG310) and (ACCG250 or ACCG251)]
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines the theory and practice of auditing and assurance services. The unit focuses on the external audit of corporate financial reports while also considering a broader range of financial and non-financial assurance services. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the audit process and the professional auditing environment. Students will also be exposed to ethical requirements, corporate governance and other current issues in auditing and assurance, including data analytics. The unit is applied in nature and will require students to work through learning resources and assessment tasks based on contemporary Auditing Standards and real world auditing case studies. The unit develops graduate capabilities centred upon discipline specific knowledge and its application to problem solving and critical thinking.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate and contrast between external and internal audit/assurance, and between various types of audit and assurance services within the current Australian and international regulatory, professional and ethical frameworks and environment
  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios
  • Apply professional judgement and decision making in evaluating audit evidence, the treatment of subsequent events, and in formulating audit opinions
  • Develop knowledge and skills in data analytics and capacity for effective collaboration and communication

General Assessment Information

  Expectations and Workload  
  Activities Hours
1 Weekly Tutorials 24
2 Assessment Task 1 (Assessed Coursework) 15
3 Assessment Task 2 (Class Tests) 20
4 Assessment Task 3 (Case Study) 25
5 Assessment Task 4 (Final Examination) 30
6 Readings/self-study 36
  TOTAL 150

 

Turnitin

All applicable text based assessments must be submitted through Turnitin. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that work is submitted correctly prior to the due date. No hard copies of assessments will be accepted and only Turnitin records will be taken as records of submission.

Multiple submissions may be possible in some units via Turnitin prior to the final due date and time of an assessment task and originality reports may be made available to students to view and check their work. All identified matching text will be reconsidered carefully. Students should note that the system will not immediately produce the similarity score on a second or subsequent submission - it takes approximately 24 hours for the report to be generated. This may be after the due date so students should plan any resubmissions carefully. Please refer to instructions on how to submit your assignment through Turnitin and access similarity reports and feedback provided by teaching staff and available here. Should you have questions about Turnitin or experience issues submitting through the system, you must inform unit staff by emailing us at accg340@mq.edu.au. If the issue is technical in nature may also lodge OneHelp Ticket, refer to the IT help page.

It is the responsibility of the student to retain a copy of any work submitted. Students must produce these documents upon request. Copies should be retained until the end of the grade appeal period each term. In the event that a student is asked to produce another copy of work submitted and is unable to do so, they may be awarded zero (0) for that particular assessment task.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assessed coursework 10% No Weeks 1-13
Class tests 20% No Week 4 and 9 April 2019
Case study 20% No 5pm Monday Week 10
Final Examination 50% No University Examination Period

Assessed coursework

Due: Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 10%

Students are required to complete regular assessed coursework activities consisting of: 1) homework submissions (5%), and 2) online quizzes (5%).

Details on homework questions and quiz coverage will be provided in the Unit Weekly Guide available on iLearn. Homework submissions activities are designed to encourage students to actively engage with the Unit material and to provide students with timely feedback on their performance throughout the session. Online quizzes are designed to develop students' data analytics knowledge and skills, particularly in using data analytic tools required for the case study assessment task.

Criteria and standards

Homework submissions will be marked on the basis of original effort. The marking criteria to be applied to homework submissions is provided in the Unit Assessment Guide available on iLearn. Each homework submission is equally weighted and the best 8 of 10 homework submissions will count towards your homework submission marks. 

Each online quiz is equally weighted. Quizzes will be marked on the basis of correct responses.

Submission

Homework submissions are to be made using Turnitin on iLearn via links available in the folder for each week that a homework submission is due. Resubmission of homework questions is allowed until the due date and time. This will overwrite any prior submission, and only the final submission will be marked. The best 8 submissions will be used to calculate the marks awarded for the homework submission component of assessed coursework at the end of the session.

Online quizzes are to be completed on iLearn through links provided in iLearn and must be completed within timeframes specified in the Unit Assessment Guide and on the iLearn site. Quizzes may be reattempted during the time that they are open, and the highest grade will be captured at the closing of the quiz.

Extensions and Penalties

No extensions will be granted.

Students who do not make a homework submission or complete a quiz by the due date and time will receive a mark of zero (0), except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Hardware or Internet connection issues are not acceptable as reasons for Special Consideration.

Homework submissions: Note that as only 8 of 10 possible submissions are counted towards your mark for this assessment task, there is no need to apply for Special Consideration for missed submissions, unless there are serious, unexpected unavoidable circumstances outside of your control that prevent you from making at least 8 homework submissions. Students should also note, in particular, that zero (0) marks will be awarded for late submission or submission of an incorrect file for homework submissions. Penalties apply to submission of non-original work (including a student's own submission from a prior session) or work that bears close resemblance to response guides from prior sessions or from the textbook publisher/s.

Online quizzes: Note that the quizzes are available to be taken for a week, and have no time limit for an attempt during the period that the quiz is available to be taken. As such, Special Consideration may only be considered where there are serious, unexpected unavoidable circumstances outside of your control that prevents you from completing the quiz during the entire period that the quiz is available. It is strongly recommended that students attempt the quiz early in each week that an online quiz is made available.

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily

It is expected that students spend approximately 15 hours of study for this assessment task.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate and contrast between external and internal audit/assurance, and between various types of audit and assurance services within the current Australian and international regulatory, professional and ethical frameworks and environment
  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios
  • Apply professional judgement and decision making in evaluating audit evidence, the treatment of subsequent events, and in formulating audit opinions

Class tests

Due: Week 4 and 9 April 2019
Weighting: 20%

This assessment task consists of 2 class tests:

  • 15 minute diagnostic test in Week 4 tutorial (worth 5%)

The purpose of the diagnostic test is to provide students with feedback on their knowledge and application of the material using a formative assessment task early in the session. No calculators, dictionaries, books, or other materials or aids are permitted in the diagnostic test.

  • 50 minute mid-semester test on Tuesday 9 April in Week 7 (worth 15%) 

The purpose of the mid-semester test is to provide students with practice on a summative assessment task and provide feedback on their progress midway through the session. No calculators, dictionaries, books, or other materials or aids are permitted in the mid-semester test.

Criteria and standards

The tests will be marked based on the appropriate application of knowledge and skills to short answer and case based questions. Refer to the Unit Assessment Guide for standards applicable to the tests.

Submission

The diagnostic test will be held in tutorials in Week 4.

The mid-semester test will be held on Tuesday 9 April in Week 7. Please note that there are no tutorials scheduled in Week 7. Students MUST make themselves available on 9 April between 5:00 - 7:00pm to take the mid-semester test. The mid-semester test venue will be confirmed by Week 4. These details together with seating instructions will be provided to students on iLearn closer to the date.

Extensions and Penalties

No extensions will be granted. Students who do not sit the diagnostic test or mid-semester test will be awarded a mark of zero (0) for the task, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. A supplementary mid-semester test will be held in Week 8. Students are advised that once a determination is made on their Special Consideration application, they may not withdraw their notification and must submit themselves to partake in the supplementary test.

As per the Special Consideration Policy, students are also advised that the time and date, deadline or format of the supplementary mid-semester test as a result of Special Consideration is not negotiable, and students must make themselves available to take the supplementary test. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a zero (0) mark being awarded. No further supplementary test will be provided. 

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily

Students will be expected to undertake self-study study activities in preparation for the class tests. It is expected that students spend approximately 20 hours of study for the tests. We will endeavour to mark and return tests for review and provide feedback to students in the tutorial following each test. The tests are confidential documents, and test scripts may not be retained by students.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios

Case study

Due: 5pm Monday Week 10
Weighting: 20%

Students are required to complete a case study assignment worth 20% consisting of individual and group components. Details regarding the nature of the assignment and its requirements will be made available on iLearn early in the session.

Criteria and standards

The properties on which the assessment task is will be assessed are as follows:

  1. Application of knowledge and skills to questions relating to case study company
  2. Quality of reasoning and appropriate application of data analytic techniques to case study company
  3. Quality of communication and presentation of assignment

The Unit Assessment Guide provides standards and a grading rubric for this assessment task.

Submission

Submission of the case study assignment must be made to Turnitin on iLearn by 5pm on Monday Week 10 (13 May 2019). Self and peer assessment forms for the group component are to be completed individually and submitted in person in the Week 10 tutorial.

Detailed submission instructions will be provided in the case study assignment brief that will be made available on iLearn early in the session. Guidance on how to submit a Turnitin assignment may be accessed from http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm#turnitin.

Extensions and Penalties

No extensions will be granted.

There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. No submissions will be accepted after feedback for the assessment task has been provided.

There will be a deduction of 25% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for the group component of the case study assignment for students who fail to form a group. It is the individual student’s responsibility to ensure that they are in a group early in the session. Further instructions on group formation will be provided in a tutorial early in the session.

Parts of any submission that exceed the page/word limit will not be marked. The word limits include all templates, tables, images and diagrams, but do not include appendices and references. Whilst appendices may be provided to support particular facets of the assignment, the information provided within appendices is not assessed and does not contribute towards the mark for the assignment.

Without exception, any evidence of plagiarism discovered in submitted assignments will result in a detailed investigation and may result in a fail grade in the unit and exclusion from the University.

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily

Students are expected to undertake independent and collaborative research, study and discussion for the case study. It is expected that students spend approximately 25 hours in completing this assessment task. The case study assignment will be marked and returned to students within approximately 3 weeks after submission.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios
  • Develop knowledge and skills in data analytics and capacity for effective collaboration and communication

Final Examination

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%

A final examination is included as an assessment task for this unit to provide assurance that:

(i) learning in the unit belongs to the student; and

(ii) the student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam.

The examination will cover topics across the entire course. Further information on the final exam will be provided in a tutorial closer to the exam date.

Criteria and Standards

The final examination will be marked based on the appropriate application of knowledge and skills to short answer and case based questions. Refer to the Unit Assessment Guide for standards applicable to the final examination.

Final Examination conditions

A 2 hour closed-book final examination will be held during the University Examination period.

No calculators, dictionaries, books, or other materials or aids are permitted in the final examination.

Extensions and Penalties

Students who do not sit the final examination on the scheduled date and time specified in the University examination timetable will be awarded a mark of zero (0) for the final examination, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved.

If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process the examination will be scheduled as per the Supplementary Examination timetable of the Faculty. The Supplementary Examination will be of the similar format as the final examination. 

Once a student has submitted a Special Consideration application, the student may not withdraw the application, and must submit themselves to partake in the Supplementary Examination without exception. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with the University’s Special Consideration policy.

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily

Students are required to achieve an overall pass for the unit to receive a passing grade in this unit. Students are expected to spend approximately 30 hours of study for the final exam.

Students who wish to obtain feedback on the final exam should refer to guidelines relating to the Grade Review process available on the web page of the Faculty of Business and Economics.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate and contrast between external and internal audit/assurance, and between various types of audit and assurance services within the current Australian and international regulatory, professional and ethical frameworks and environment
  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios
  • Apply professional judgement and decision making in evaluating audit evidence, the treatment of subsequent events, and in formulating audit opinions

Delivery and Resources

Unit delivery and learning resources

This unit is delivered in a flipped classroom format. The learning resources delivered via the unit iLearn site largely replace the delivery of content via traditional lectures. 

Students are required to attend face-to-face tutorials each week (commencing from Week 1). Tutorials will provide a general overview of the topics and highlight key concepts and techniques for specific topics. Tutorials will be interactive in nature and are designed to facilitate further investigation and discussion of the concepts covered in the online learning resources and their application to practical cases.

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/ 

Changes to student timetables may only be made through eStudent. Students wishing to change their allocated tutorial should log onto to eStudent and enrol in a tutorial where there is a vacancy. Any question of an administrative nature in relation to tutorial allocations should be addressed to accg340@mq.edu.au. Student enrolments must be finalised by the end of Week 1. No further changes may be made after Week 1.

Prizes

Details of prizes awarded by the Faculty of Business and Economics are available at: http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/undergraduate_degrees/prizes_scholarships

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

The required texts for the unit, which are available from the Co-op Bookshop are as follows: 

Martinov-Bennie, N., Soh, D. and Frohbus, K. (2017) Auditing and Assurance: A Case Studies Approach, 7th Edition, LexisNexis Butterworths, Sydney, Australia.

Gay, G. and Simnett, R. (2018) Auditing and Assurance Services in Australia + Connect, 7th edition, McGraw-Hill, Sydney, Australia.

Additional required readings will also be made available on iLearn.

Students are also expected to read relevant standards and guidance which are available online at http://www.auasb.gov.au (ASAs, ASQC, ASRS, and AGS) and http//www.apesb.org.au (APES). These are also contained in the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Auditing Handbook that is available for purchase as follows:

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (2017) Auditing, Assurance and Ethics Handbook 2017, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd, Brisbane, Australia.

The following texts/resources are recommended as useful references:

Leung, P., Coram, P., Cooper, B. and Richardson, P. (2018) Auditing And Assurance, 1st Edition, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd, Brisbane, Australia.

Moroney, R., Campbell, F. and Hamilton, J. (2017) Auditing: A practical approach, 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd, Brisbane, Australia.

Arens, A., Best, P., Shailer, G., Fielder, B., Elder, R. and Beasley, M. (2017) Auditing, Assurance Services and Ethics in Australia, 10th Edition, Pearson, Sydney, Australia.

CPA Australia (2013) Small Entities Audit Manual (SEAM), Available from: https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/documents/seam-manual.pdf  [Accessed 20 January 2019]

Technology Used and Required

Students will need access to a personal computer and the internet to review and complete online learning activities, including videos, slide decks, podcasts, additional readings, assessment details and notices from the ACCG340 iLearn site, as well as to complete and make submissions for the assessment tasks in this Unit.

Students will need to be able to access Qlik (Qlik Sense Desktop or Qlik Sense Cloud) and Qlik Continuous Classroom in order to complete assessment tasks for the unit. Qlik is available to students for free under the Qlik Academic Program. Further information will be made available on iLearn.

The iLearn site this unit can be found at: http://iLearn.mq.edu.au.

You are strongly encouraged to regularly visit the website to check for important announcements and use it as a resource to enhance your learning experience.

What is required to complete this unit satisfactorily

In addition to the requirements outlined in the Assessment tasks section above, students are required to achieve an overall pass for the unit to achieve a passing grade in this unit, students are expected to be independent learners who assume personal responsibility for their learning and take a pro‐active approach to addressing any deficiencies in their understanding of the course material through independent research and inquiry and consultations with peers and instructors as appropriate. A detailed learning approach is provided in the Unit Weekly Guide available on iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Wk

Topics

Week Commencing

1

Course overview

Introduction to auditing and assurance services

25 Feb

2

Planning the audit

Audit documentation

Materiality

4 Mar

3

Understanding the entity and risk assessment

Considering the risk of fraud

Other risk considerations

11 Mar

4

Financial report assertions

Internal controls

Tests of controls

DIAGNOSTIC TEST

18 Mar

5

Audit evidence

Substantive tests

Audit procedures in response to assessed risks

Audit strategy

25 Mar
6

Analytical procedures

Audit sampling

Using the work of others

Governance and the auditor

Audit committees

Internal auditing

1 Apr
7

MID-SEMESTER TEST (9 Apr)*

 
  MID-SESSION BREAK  

8

IT systems and audit analytics (I)

29 Apr

9

IT systems and audit analytics (II)

6 May

10

Auditors' legal liability

Professional ethics and auditor independence

Audit quality

CASE STUDY SUBMISSION

13 May
11

Completing the audit

Subsequent events

Going concern

Audit reporting

20 May

12

Other assurance services

Public sector auditing and assurance

Current issues

27 May

13

Course review and revision

3 Jun

* There are no tutorials in Week 7. Students MUST make themselves available between 5 - 7pm on Tuesday 9 April to take the mid-semester test. Details on the mid-semester test and test venue registration will be available on iLearn by Week 4.

Learning and Teaching Activities

Online learning material and resources

Online learning material and resources (lecture videos, slides, etc.) are assigned in each week's folder on iLearn. It is expected that students will watch the assigned lecture videos and engage with assigned resources prior to attending tutorials each week. There is a strong emphasis on learning by doing in this unit. Using the concepts and techniques covered in online learning resources or references, students are required to prepare and submit full responses to weekly assigned tutorial questions before attending their allocated tutorial. A separate Unit Weekly Guide detailing tutorial questions and activities will be made available on iLearn at the start of the session. Suggested response guides to selected tutorial questions will be placed on the unit iLearn site at the end of each week. Students are also expected to attempt self-study questions assigned for each week and check their responses with the suggested solutions provided in the case studies (Martinov-Bennie et al.) text.

Tutorials

Students are expected to participate in discussions in tutorials as it allows them to review and/or clarify the learning material, benefit from the experience and thinking of other students, tests whether their understanding is sound, assists in developing critical thinking skills and their confidence in communicating.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios
  • Apply professional judgement and decision making in evaluating audit evidence, the treatment of subsequent events, and in formulating audit opinions
  • Develop knowledge and skills in data analytics and capacity for effective collaboration and communication

Assessment tasks

  • Case study
  • Final Examination

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate and contrast between external and internal audit/assurance, and between various types of audit and assurance services within the current Australian and international regulatory, professional and ethical frameworks and environment
  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios
  • Apply professional judgement and decision making in evaluating audit evidence, the treatment of subsequent events, and in formulating audit opinions

Assessment tasks

  • Assessed coursework
  • Class tests
  • Final Examination

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse case-based scenarios including identification and evaluation of risk factors and their implications for audit planning and evidence gathering activities
  • Design audit strategies within the context of appropriate, sufficient and relevant evidence, and design appropriate audit procedures (including tests of controls and substantive tests) in responding to specific risks in case-based scenarios
  • Apply professional judgement and decision making in evaluating audit evidence, the treatment of subsequent events, and in formulating audit opinions
  • Develop knowledge and skills in data analytics and capacity for effective collaboration and communication

Assessment tasks

  • Assessed coursework
  • Class tests
  • Case study
  • Final Examination

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • Case study
  • Final Examination

Changes from Previous Offering

The following changes have been introduced since the last offering of this unit:

  • Change from weekly seminars to tutorials
  • Updated assessment tasks
  • Content has been updated where there have been developments in research and practice in Australia and internationally

Program Learning Outcomes

This unit supports the development of program learning outcomes (PLO) for degree(s) delivered by the Faculty of Business and Economics. PLOs describe the educational outcomes of a degree and what you should be able to know, understand and do by the end of your degree.

Unit learning outcomes 2, 3, 4 & 5 and the Assignment and Final Exam assessments contribute to the following PLOs:

PLO1 Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

PLO2 Critical Thinking

PLO4.1c Communication

PLO4.3 Teamwork

Research and Practice, Global and Sustainability

This unit exposes students to research by Macquarie University researchers:

  • Soh, D. S. B. and Martinov-Bennie, N. (2018). "Factors associated with internal audit's involvement in environmental and social assurance and consulting', International Journal of Auditing, 22(3): 404-421. Available at" https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijau.12125 [Accessed 20 February 2019]. 

  • Martinov-Bennie, N., Soh, D. S. B. and Tweedie, D. (2015). "An investigation into the roles, characteristics, expectations and evaluation practices of audit committees." Managerial Auditing Journal, 30(8/9): 727-755. Available at: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/MAJ-05-2015-1186.  [Accessed 20 February 2019]

  • Soh, D. S. B. and Martinov-Bennie, N. (2015). "Internal auditors' perceptions of their role in environmental, social and governance assurance and consulting." Managerial Auditing Journal 30(1): 80-111. Available at: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/MAJ-08-2014-1075.  [Accessed 20 February 2019]

  • Martinov-Bennie, N.,  Frost, G. and Soh,  D. (2012). "Assurance on sustainability reporting: State of play and future directions" in Contemporary Issues in Sustainability Reporting and Assurance, S. Jones and J. Ratnatunga (eds.), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, UK. 

This unit exposes students to research from external sources:

  • Bédard, J., Coram, P., Espahbodi, R. and Mock, T. J. (2016), 'Does Recent Academic Research Support Changes to Audit Reporting Standards?', Accounting Horizons, 30 (2): 255-275.

  • Eilifsen, A. and Messier Jr., W. F. (2015). "Materiality Guidance of the Major Auditing Firms." Auditing: A Journal or Practice & Theory, 34(2): 3-26. Available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2274845.  [Accessed 20 February 2019]

  • Bowlin, K. O., Hobson, J. L. and Piercey, D. M. (2015). "The Effects of Auditor Rotation, Professional Skepticism, and Interactions with Managers on Audit Quality." The Accounting Review 90(4): 1363-1393. Available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1914557   [Accessed 20 February 2019]

  • Glover, S. M., Prawitt, D. F. and Drake, M. S. (2015). "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A Path Forward for Using Substantive Analytical Procedures in Auditing Large P&L Accounts: Commentary & Analysis." Auditing: A Journal or Practice & Theory, 34(3): 161-179, available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2408765.  [Accessed 20 February 2019]

  • Cohen, J. R. and Simnett. R. (2014). "CSR and Assurance Services: A Research Agenda." Auditing: A Journal or Practice & Theory, 34(1): 59-74.  Available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2463837.  [Accessed 20 February 2019]

  • Cohen, J., Krishnamoorthy, G. and Wright, A. (2004). "The Corporate Governance Mosaic and Financial Reporting Quality." Journal of Accounting Literature 23: 87-152. Available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1086743   [Accessed 20 February 2019]

  • Gramling, A. A., Maletta, M. J., Schneider, A. and Church, B. K. (2004), 'The Role of the Internal Audit Function in Corporate Governance: A Synthesis of the Extant Internal Auditing Literature and Directions for Future Research', Journal of Accounting Literature, 23: 194-244.

This unit introduces students to topical issues and developments in the auditing profession in Australia and internationally, including through exposure to the following resources:

This unit addresses global and sustainability issues as direct areas of study and as necessary implications arising from the materials, assessment and academic discussion and debate in classes. We promote sustainability by developing ability in students to research and locate information within accounting discipline. We aim to provide students with an opportunity to obtain skills which will benefit them throughout their career. The unit materials have a reference list at the end of each chapter/module/text containing all references cited by the author. These provide some guidance to references that could be used to research particular issues.