Audit Staff Essentials - New Staff Core Concepts: Introduction to Professional Skepticism

A skeptical mindset

Professional skepticism is paramount to a proper audit.

As a member of your firm's audit team, you play a vital role in applying a skeptical mindset to the work you perform. You will learn how to:

• Identify a mindset of professional skepticism in yourself and others
• Exercise professional skepticism appropriately
• Strike a balance between providing objective and independent service and maintaining a good relationship with the client

Apply your new knowledge

You'll also explore professional skepticism through an illustrative case study that allows you to apply the concepts you learn.

Your audit learning journey

This CPE course can be purchased individually or as a part of the Audit Staff Essentials – New Staff: Core Concepts staff training bundle.

Who Will Benefit

• Recently onboarded staff
• First-year staff
• Firms that want consistent training and level setting

Topics

• The link between professional skepticism and professional judgment
• Impediments to professional skepticism
• Promoting professional skepticism in firm quality control systems

Learning Outcomes

• Recall what professional skepticism is and why it is important, and review the requirements in U.S. auditing standards for professional skepticism.
• Recall the connection between professional skepticism and professional judgment.
• Identify situations that impede or foster your exercise of professional skepticism, including unconscious biases, and how to minimize any impediments encountered.