Auditing Research

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment of 144 hours per semester.

Acceptance into the Master of Commerce (Accounting) or the PhD program, ACCT30004 Auditing and Assurance Services or equivalent and permission of the Head of Department.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Auditing is a crucial part of our system of corporate governance. This course will give students a much greater understanding of auditing and assurance and in particular how research into auditing and assurance informs auditing principles, practice and theory. It is a readings and discussion based seminar course.

Auditing research employs a range of empirical methods and the selection of papers in this course is designed to reflect that diversity. However, auditing research can be broadly categorised into two main groups: research about auditing and research into the process of auditing. The first group is predominantly archival research and draws from economics. The second group is mainly behavioural research and draws from psychology as well as from topics of interest to the auditing profession. We will cover both of these streams of research.

Relying on theoretical and empirical discussions of the current research in auditing prescribed for this subject students completing this subject should be able to:

• Critically evaluate articles from the auditing literature;
• Analyse and critically review auditing research designs;
• Evaluate the value of auditing research to the auditing profession and business community;
• Identify interesting and relevant research projects in auditing and assurance;
• Develop an auditing research proposal.

Written assignments totalling not more than 4000 words due at regular intervals during the semester (30%), seminar presentations regularly throughout the semester and class participation (30%) and a take-home end-of-semester examination not exceeding 4000 words (40%).

Selected readings, Department of Accounting.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

While undertaking Auditing Research students will have ongoing opportunities to enhance their communication, problem-solving and analytical skills as follows:

• Critical evaluation of research and policy literature;
• Oral communication and presentation skills;
• Written communication skills; and
• Listening to others, evaluation of arguments and defending a position.