AF5044 - Assurance

You will be supported by a teaching and learning plan which outlines the formal sessions, together with the tutor-directed study and independent reading. An interactive approach to lecture sessions will draw upon the directed learning undertaken and participants’ own experiences. Throughout, the emphasis will be on high levels of participation, by both you individually, and within small groups or teams. You can therefore expect the reflective-practitioner approach to learning to be embedded in all workshop/seminar sessions through undertaking activities which facilitate you to apply theory to ‘real-life’ situations.
Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and a range of additional practice questions for outside of seminars.

You will learn through tutor led activities in the form of lecturers and seminars (24 hours lectures and 12 hours of seminars across the module), alongside independent completion of directed study. Directed study is highlighted on the teaching and learning plans, alongside updates to recommended electronic reading list.

During lectures and seminars, you will be supported by the tutors, and key reading from both the academic and practice led literature bases will be highlighted to you (including reference to the relevant International Auditing Standards). Tutors will be available both during sessions, and over email to answer student queries about the module. Formative feedback will be provided by tutors, both verbally during teaching sessions, and through additional guidance documentation following seminars.

The e learning portal site of the module will be populated with lecture material and seminar activities in advance of all sessions. You will have access to an electronic reading list will provide you with information in respect of the supporting texts. Your lectures will be recorded and uploaded to the e-learning portal which you will be able to access to consolidate your knowledge and develop understanding. Examples of prior assessment questions will also be available for you to access, to enable you to prepare accordingly for assessment.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

• At the end of the modules you are expected to have critically analysed the role of the auditing business in the corporate world (MLO1).

• Identify audit risk and select, with justification, appropriate audit techniques to obtain audit evidence to support the formulation of the audit opinion appropriate to professional practice (MLO2).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

• Critique the development of your auditing practice in the context of progression to professional settings (MLO3).

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

• At the end of the modules you are expected to have critically analysed the role ethics within the auditing profession (MLO4).

Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment will be provided to you through a range of seminar activities which will enable you to prepare for summative assessment during, and at end of the module. You will be given the opportunity to develop your assessment skills through exemplar assessment questions. Formative assessment will be provided by tutors during sessions, and through guidance notes to seminar activities.

Summative Assessment:
The module will be assessed by an individual assignment of 3000 words in order to meet the learning objectives (MLO1, MLO2, MLO3 & MLO4).

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This module allows you to explore the nature of assurance and the role of the professional auditor. The module gives an insight into the practical aspects of how and why assurance engagements are performed, paying note of audit and its role in corporate reporting. You will explore the theory supporting current audit practice and be able to critical appraisal theory. The module discusses the nature and influence of audit risk on the modern audit and the key issues of audit independence and liability. It also focuses on the contemporary and contentious issues surrounding the effectiveness of audit (audit quality) due to the limitations in the modern audit process and the ethical conflicts arising from the nature of audit as a business.

You will participate in ‘audit simulation’ and client ‘case studies’ activities, alongside engagement with practice-based auditors to embed a knowledge of documentation, analytical skills and processes undertaken during modern audits. Technology enabled learning is utilised in this module and use of ‘audit simulation’ both within class, and as directed study. The practical assessed task will be submitted through ESAF, with feedback provided electronically.