Audit Quality & Professional Judgment | London | 5-Day Comprehensive Program | GID 27053

International Auditing Landscape and Global Quality Frameworks

• IAASB, IFAC, and FRC: How global audit regulation is evolving.
• Overview of ISA, IFRS, and US GAAP interlinkages.
• Key principles of audit quality under IFAC’s Framework.
• Leadership responsibility for firm-level quality (ISQM 1).
• Case Study: Global regulatory failures (Wirecard, Luckin Coffee) and what they teach about system quality.

Audit Principles, Risk Assessment, and ISQM Systems

• ISA 200–330 deep dive: materiality, audit risk, evidence, and internal control testing.
• Implementing ISQM 1 & 2 within firm governance structures.
• Understanding ISA 315 (Revised) and ISA 220 (Revised).
• Integrating continuous monitoring and root cause analysis.
• Workshop: Designing a Quality Management Framework aligned with FRC and IAASB standards.

Auditing High-Risk and Complex Areas

• Applying ISA 540 (Revised) to estimates and valuation testing.
• Auditing going concern (ISA 570), fraud (ISA 240), and contingencies (IAS 37).
• Group audits and component management under ISA 600 (Revised).
• Handling management bias and professional skepticism.
• Case Study: Carillion – management override, impairment, and governance breakdown.

Financial Analysis, Ethics, and Reporting Excellence

• Analytical procedures (ISA 520) and ratio/trend analysis for audit corroboration.
• Ethical standards (IESBA, FRC Ethical Standard 2024).
• Independence, rotation, and communication with those charged with governance (ISA 260).
• Audit report structure under ISA 700–720, including key audit matters (KAMs).
• Case Study: Steinhoff – failures in fair value, fraud, and ethics oversight.

Emerging Trends and Sustainability Assurance

• The rise of ISSA 5000 – sustainability and ESG assurance.
• Technology, data analytics, and AI in audit quality management.
• Aligning internal and external assurance functions.
• Regulatory inspection readiness and responding to AQR findings.
• Capstone Discussion: Building your firm’s Audit Quality Action Plan – integrating technical, ethical, and cultural reform.

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Audit Quality and Professional Skepticism Workshop

Audit quality defines credibility. In a world of heightened regulatory scrutiny and fast-evolving risks, every firm must demonstrate consistent excellence in assurance. This programme empowers audit leaders to move beyond routine compliance and cultivate a culture where quality, ethics, and professional judgment drive every engagement.

You should attend if you aim to strengthen your firm’s reputation, meet regulatory expectations, and inspire trust among clients and investors. The course translates complex auditing standards into practical leadership actions. Participants learn how to enhance audit execution, sharpen professional scepticism, and design systems that embed accountability across teams.

Moreover, the sessions bridge technical depth with strategic foresight. Participants explore how IAASB’s ISQM standards, FRC inspection priorities, and emerging sustainability assurance frameworks are reshaping the audit profession. Through these insights, they gain the confidence to lead change, challenge bias, and make evidence-based decisions that stand up to inspection.

Unlike short compliance workshops, this five-day executive programme delivers a holistic, international perspective. It helps partners and directors understand how audit quality links directly to firm growth, regulatory success, and public trust. Above all, it equips participants to become catalysts for continuous improvement, ensuring their audits meet the highest global standards of integrity and excellence.

Learning Methodology

The Audit Quality and Professional Skepticism Workshop adopts an interactive, case-driven approach designed for maximum learning impact and long-term retention. This executive programme blends technical rigour with real-world application, creating an engaging and practical experience for every participant.

Our methodology integrates discussion, collaboration, and problem-solving to ensure immediate relevance and measurable outcomes:

• Focused materials: Concepts and international standards are presented in a clear, structured, and accessible format.
• Case studies and simulations: Explore how global firms address complex audit risks, professional judgment challenges, and regulatory inspections.
• Scenario-based learning: Evaluate audit evidence, apply scepticism, and strengthen decision-making under pressure.
• Collaborative discussion: Peer learning and benchmarking of firm-level quality practices through guided group activities.
• Digital resources: Post-session reference materials support continuous professional development beyond the classroom.
• Open dialogue: Encourages reflection, exchange of perspectives, and solution-driven analysis among audit leaders and reviewers.

Together, these elements create a transformative learning experience that empowers auditors to apply sound professional judgment, challenge assumptions, and deliver consistent, high-quality assurance across engagements.

Who Should Attend?

The Audit Quality and Professional Skepticism Workshop is designed for senior audit professionals who lead, supervise, or review assurance engagements. It brings together forward-thinking practitioners committed to strengthening governance, independence, and audit quality across their firms.

This executive training programme is ideal for:

• Audit Partners and Engagement Leaders responsible for firm-wide audit quality, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder confidence.
• Directors, Senior Managers, and Engagement Quality Reviewers overseeing complex audits and quality-management systems.
• Technical and Methodology Heads implementing ISQM 1 and 2, enhancing documentation, and aligning with FRC expectations.
• Risk, Ethics, and Independence Leaders reinforcing professional scepticism and ethical standards within their teams.
• Internal Quality Review and Inspection Teams focused on audit-evidence evaluation and root-cause analysis.
• Consultants and Advisors supporting firms in audit-quality improvement, training, and inspection readiness.

The programme is equally valuable for emerging leaders preparing for partner or director roles who seek to master audit governance and professional judgment. Whether you are refining your firm’s quality-management framework or enhancing scepticism and documentation standards, this executive workshop will equip you with the tools, frameworks, and confidence to deliver consistent, high-quality assurance and uphold public trust.

Feedback

At the end of the programme, each participant completes a structured evaluation to provide feedback on content, facilitation, and impact. This input is central to Shasat’s commitment to continuous improvement. By analysing participant responses, Shasat enhances course design, materials, and delivery — ensuring our learning experiences remain relevant, practical, and world-class.