Inquiry is an important procedure for gathering audit evidence. In addition, accountants need to know how to effectively and efficiently research technical accounting and financial reporting issues for the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with an applicable financial reporting framework. This module will provide tips for improving the critical audit skills of inquiry and research.

Major Topics:

  • Overview of common uses of inquiry to satisfy various professional and regulatory standards and requirements
  • Potential traps and downfalls when relying on inquiry to support objectives, including options for increasing the persuasiveness of information gathered through inquiry
  • Sources for researching and understanding the accounting and financial reporting requirements
  • Practice exercises researching technical issues

 

Learning Objectives
  • Discover and describe best practices for effectively gathering information needed from client management, employees, and others in the audit process.
  • Identify and explain how to evaluate whether information obtained through inquiry is sufficient to satisfy objectives.
  • Explore and explain how to effectively and efficiently approach performing research on technical accounting and financial reporting issues.
Last updated/reviewed: August 17, 2023

Included In Certifications

This course is included in the following Certification Programs:

13 CoursesAudit Training Certification - Level 2 - Experienced Staff

  1. Fraud Risk - Complying with Minimum Audit Requirements
  2. Best Practices for Identifying and Evaluating Audit Risk - Linking Risk to the Detailed Audit Plan
  3. Testing Internal Controls - Exploring Strategies for Verifying Operating Effectiveness
  4. Inquiry and Research - Improving Critical Audit Skills
  5. Auditing Investments - Understanding Risks and Procedures for the Most Common Investments
  6. Auditing Accounts Receivable - Focusing Procedures for Testing Existence and Valuation
  7. Auditing Liabilities, Including Long-Term Debt - Addressing the Risks of Completeness, Classification, and Disclosure
  8. Substantive Analytic Procedures - Strengthening Evidence to Satisfy Audit Objectives
  9. Sampling - Avoiding Common Mistakes on Financial Statement and Compliance Audits
  10. Desired Traits of a Star Performer - Visualizing How to Become an Exceptional Staff Auditor
  11. Professional Requirements for Assurance Providers, Including Independence - Understanding Critical Code of Professional Conduct Concepts
  12. Accounting Update - Hot Topics for Preparing Current Period Financial Statements
  13. Auditing & Attest Update - Hot Topics for Current Period Audits and Other Attest Services
1 Review (12 ratings)

Reviews

5
Anonymous Author
I liked the differentiation between the Topic, Sub-topic, and Section areas. I thought the first part was a bit long and redundant. But overall, a useful tool for inquiry tips.
Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Intermediate

Prerequisite: Experience on basic audit engagements.
Designed For: Accountants who need to research technical accounting and financial reporting issues or perform inquiry to gather evidence.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
  Course Overview CPE
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Learning Objectives for Inquiry and Research - Improving Critical Audit Skills0:50
  Inquiry Introduction10:01
  Remote Auditing5:21
  Structuring the Audit Interview-Stage 111:08
  Structuring the Audit Interview-Stage 2 and Stage 315:08
  Structuring the Audit Interview-Stage 4 and Stage 514:38
  Research Introduction13:32
  Structure8:27
  Reserach Model and Referencing Research5:32
  Important Research Features14:34
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  Inquiry and Research - Improving Critical Audit Skills1:39:11
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
  Slides: Inquiry and Research - Improving Critical Audit SkillsPDF
  Inquiry and Research - Improving Critical Audit Skills Glossary/ IndexPDF
REVIEW AND TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam