Auditing (MRR220)

This is an introductory course in audit and audit theory at master's level. The course covers the audit process, international audit standards (the ISAs), and the fundamental role that auditors have as the public’s person of trust in the capital markets.


Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

MRR220

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English, Norwegian

Content

The subject provides a thorough introduction to the regulatory environment within which external auditors operate, and establishes a solid foundation for the development of the necessary skills required in the role of an auditor. After taking the course, students should be able to apply knowledge to develop technical skills in related fields. They should also be able to analyze relevant professional, research, and ethical issues, and demonstrate the ability to think critically and reflect on such issues.

An auditor is expected to understand how industry issues, processes, choices, and ethical dilemmas are influenced by various stakeholders' interests, legislators at both national and international levels, and social values, and to review evidence, evaluate the relevance of the evidence, and make decisions that are in line with the regulatory requirements of the profession. Such issues are discussed throughout the course. An auditor must also possess problem-solving skills that can be applied to resolve business-economic related issues. Such skills are emphasized during the course.

The course will review the auditor's legal obligations related to sustainability reporting.

The language of instruction is Norwegian. The examination can be answered in either Norwegian or English.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Upon completion of this course, students will have knowledge of:

  • Key audit concepts, the international auditing standards, the Norwegian audit regulations including the Auditor Act, the Money Laundering Act, and sustainability reporting
  • Collection, evaluation, and application of audit evidence to determine whether a financial statement has been prepared in accordance with the applicable financial framework
  • The importance of good corporate governance in companies to ensure that they operate with integrity and compliance with laws and regulations
  • The audit process used by an auditor to perform a statutory audit, including, among others, risk assessment, internal control, and audit evidence
  • The auditor's role in the capital markets, including insight into society’s and other stakeholders' expectations of the auditor

Skills

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the external reporting of companies
  • Argue for improvements to the external reporting of companies
  • Reflect on the auditor’s role in society in maintaining openness and trust in the capital markets
  • Understand and convey the legal requirements and frameworks that an auditor must comply with and how these affect an auditor’s work
  • Understand how an auditor practicing in Norway is influenced by the international framework, and what advantages this can have for the auditor’s role as the public's person of trust
  • Describe the audit process for a statutory audit from start to finish, understand various issues that the auditor encounters during the process, and also be capable of arguing for the various choices made Critically reflect on the standardization of audit assignments
  • Reflect on the auditor’s role in relation to sustainability reporting, and that they are an important contributor to the green transition

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written exam 1/1 4 Hours Letter grades Approved calculator, English-Norwegian dictionary,

Coursework requirements

Passed 3 out of 4 compulsory assignments, Compulsory attendance at selected seminars, Compulsary assessments

Passed 3 out of 4 compulsory assignments. All 4 assignments must be delivered. In addition, a mandatory group presentation follows.

Compulsory attendance at selected seminars.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Kathrine Hagalid Wold

Course teacher:

Kathrine Hagalid Wold

Study Program Director:

William Gilje Gjedrem

Method of work

The course has lectures with integrated problem solutions and discussions. Students must participate actively in these activities in order to get the full benefit from the lectures. Students are expected to spend approximately 280 hours completing this course.

Open for

Admission to Single Courses at UiS Business School
Master of Science in Accounting and Auditing Business Administration - Master of Science

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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