San Jose City College Independence and Objectivity Brief Response

Write a brief response, 30-90-words, for each question below.

In your own words, define “Auditing.”

Discuss the importance of “Evidence” in auditing.

Define “Independence” and “Objectivity” as they relate to auditing.

Audits typically consist of three phases: Planning; Fieldwork; Reporting. Describe activities that accompany each phase.

Distinguish between Assurance and Attestation Services.

Describe the following types of Audits:Operational AuditsCompliance AuditsFinancial Statement AuditsInformational Technology Audits (may need to go outside the text to address this)Discuss the following types of Auditors:Auditors Working for CPA FirmsGovernmental Auditors (e.g. GAO, IRS, health inspectors)Internal Auditors 

Identify the roles CPA firms play in society.

Briefly explain Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and the role the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plays in regulating audits.

What is the role of the AICPA? The PCAOB? The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)?

Summarize the 10 components of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)

What are SAS, and for what are they used?

True or False – CPA firms are required to engage in quality control efforts of its audits? Why or Why not?

What is a Peer Review and how and when are they performed?

Why does government often have different auditing and accounting standards?

The questions below generally follow the order of the topics as presented in the text in Chapters 1 and 2.
However, you will need to read all chapters (1, 2, 25, 26) in order to get the complete picture of most of
these topics as Chapters 25 and 26 and additional insight to topics found in Chapters 1 and 2 and contain
original material addressed in later questions.

Write a brief response, 30-90-words, for each question below.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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7.
8.
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12.
13.
14.
15.
In your own words, define “Auditing.”
Discuss the importance of “Evidence” in auditing.
Define “Independence” and “Objectivity” as they relate to auditing.
Audits typically consist of three phases: Planning; Fieldwork; Reporting. Describe activities that
accompany each phase.
Distinguish between Assurance and Attestation Services.
Describe the following types of Audits:
a. Operational Audits
b. Compliance Audits
c. Financial Statement Audits
d. Informational Technology Audits (may need to go outside the text to address this)
Discuss the following types of Auditors:
a. Auditors Working for CPA Firms
b. Governmental Auditors (e.g. GAO, IRS, health inspectors)
c. Internal Auditors
Identify the roles CPA firms play in society.
Briefly explain Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and the role the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
plays in regulating audits.
What is the role of the AICPA? The PCAOB? The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)?
Summarize the 10 components of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)
What are SAS, and for what are they used?
True or False – CPA firms are required to engage in quality control efforts of its audits? Why or
Why not?
What is a Peer Review and how and when are they performed?
Why does government often have different auditing and accounting standards?
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