OVERVIEW

The course aims at providing an overiview of all the auditing activities for both listed and non listed companies, and the financial auditing techniques used to issue the auditor’s opinion accompanying the annual report. To provide a comprehensive picture of corporate controls, it also covers internal auditing and fraud auditing, as well as the primary tools to detect earnings management.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course has the following primary goals: - Understanding the pervasive role of auditing activities in modern firms and the auditing regulatory framework in Italy and in the European Union; - Understanding the principles and techniques for full audits of annual reports and applying to specific areas of financial statements - Understanding the tools used for purposes of earnings management and corporate fraud in order to be able to prevent and identify them.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes

• Comprehension of the main activities of external and internal auditing and of their regulatory framework;
• Ability to apply the course contents and to solve problems related to the annual report auditing with reference to specific items based on corporate documents;
• Ability to assess the relevance of information for auditing purposes in different corporate contexts;
• Ability to use the auditing technical language to communicate clearly with experts and other professionals;
• Learning capacity and ability to analyse auditing issues more in depth autonomously in a professional context.

Through the participatory teaching methods used in the course, students will also acquire the following skills:
- Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form, adapting their communication to the context, using sources and aids of various kinds, critical thinking, ability to use, process, and evaluate information, argumentative skills.
- Ability to manage their social interactions, collaborative attitude, constructive communication in different environments, ability to respect others and their needs, willingness to overcome prejudices, express and understand different points of view, conflict management, ability to build trust, empathy.

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisites include knowledge of financial accounting, with particular reference to the regulatory framework on financial reporting, annual reports, and accounting standards.

TEACHING METHODS

Lecture-based classes, case analysis, company testimonials, group work, self-assessment tests.

The following activities are planned during the lectures:

• Group work related to the different stages of the review process.
• Audit game involving a simulation of an audit assignment within an audit team.
• Critical analysis and oral presentation of international scientific articles (in groups during the lectures or individually for the exam).

Students with disabilities, SLD or SEN

Students with disabilities, with SLD or with SEN are reminded that, to request exam accommodations, they must first upload their certification to the University website at servizionline.unige.it, in the “Students” section. The documentation will be checked by the University’s Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with SLD.

At the beginning of the course, students are advised to contact the lecturer to agree on exam arrangements which, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account.

To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.

Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Elena Lagomarsino (inclusione.economia@unige.it), and the Inclusion Office (inclusione.economia@unige.it).

Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course covers the following areas:

• The evolution of auditing activities and their regulatory framework
• Main features of the auditing system
• Financial auditing
• Internal auditing
• Earnings management and fraud auditing
• Auditing cases

The program of the 6 CFU course is published on the aulaweb page of the course at the beginning of the academic year.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lessons and teaching materials are available on the course webpage on the Aulaweb platform .
Since they are mainly in Italian, foreign students are suggested to contact the Professor for further material in English.
The following textbook can be used:

Title: Auditing and Assurance Services, Global Edition, 16/E (2017)
Authors: Alvin A. Arens, Randal J. Elder, Mark S. Beasley, Chris E. Hogan
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN-10: 1292147873 • ISBN-13: 9781292147871

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists in a written assessment followed by an oral examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims to verify that students have a good knowledge base regarding the rules (regulations and principles) that govern auditing and that they can apply them to business cases.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information is available at the course webpage on the Aulaweb platform.