In this study, I examine the effects of audit guidance and estimation uncertainty on auditors’ confirmation bias and professional skepticism when evaluating fair value estimates. Fair value estimation is becoming more prevalent in financial reporting frameworks, and regulators warn that fair value estimation presents higher risk of material misstatement when greater judgment in estimation is involved. In addition recent evidence from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) indicates that some auditors may not be exercising sufficient professional skepticism when performing audit procedures in higher risk areas of the audit. Martin et al. (2006) suggest that it may be the audit standards themselves that orient auditors toward biased evaluation of management’s estimates, suggesting that such directional audit guidance leads to confirmation bias. Further, it is possible that because of auditors’ intolerance for ambiguity, that a greater degree of estimation uncertainty exacerbates the bias. Thus, I examine whether directional audit guidance (e.g., support management’s estimate, and oppose management’s estimate) versus non-directional audit guidance (e.g., develop own estimate) affects auditors’ confirmation bias differentially under varying degrees of uncertainty (e.g., low vs. high), and the extent to which this bias increases or decreases professional skepticism. The results show that auditors exhibit the greatest confirmation bias when they are directed to oppose versus support management’s estimate or generate their own estimate, and that this bias increases the degree of professional skepticism exercised by auditors. Further, the greatest extent of confirmation bias resulted when auditors were directed to oppose management’s estimate and estimation uncertainty was high. This study sheds light on the effects of directional versus non-directional audit guidance in the presence of uncertainty and should be informative to standard setters and practitioners as they press forward in issuing new audit guidance related to the evaluation of fair value estimates.

Thesis is focused on comparison of two very successful professions - external and internal audit. It brings shortly view on both professions. It discusses especially review of standards, ethics rules, audit tasks and conditions for admission to profession. Primarily is thesis concentrated on conditions in Czech Republic and on ISA, because audit in Czech Republic starts abide by the International auditor's standards. Fractional part of thesis is even focused on USA standards.

This master thesis aims to characterise the role and importance of audit in business. After closer look at the definition of audit itself, the international standards and laws are examined, followed by description of each specific step of audit work. At the end of the theoretical part, the clarification of differences between external and internal audit is made, together with suggestions of possible effects of their cooperation. The main part comes after the theoretical introduction and concludes the execution of audit work in cooperation with the real auditor in the chosen company XZ, a.s. In this practical part of the thesis all the theoretical and methodological knowledge from the previous part are implemented.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T18:40:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAOSERGIOPAULOSTAHN.pdf: 847741 bytes, checksum: d6677f46cbf84b501df8cb088993831a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-06-24 / nenhum / ABSTRACT Having the objective to analyze the reasons for the lack of quality in the independent audit work, the conceptual aspects and related norms are shown as well as the quality of its practical application in the independent audit. The credibility of the independent audit depends on the making of quality work observing the norms of auditing and the professional ethic, being that, in several cases shown it was observed the lack of the independent auditor s credibility in Brazil and abroad. In Brazil, the independent auditors, in the real state market ambiance, are registered and observed by the Securities Commission (CVM) that, fulfilling its function, holding inquests into verifying irregularities in the execution of the jobs and issue of the opinion. These inquests, obtained in the site of the CVM, served as source of research to verify the reasons for the lack of quality in the auditing work made in Brazil. This analysis concluded that the lack of planning and the application of the mandatory procedures, the incomplete documentation on the jobs done and the absence of an accountancy system and internal control were in the demonstration the less kept norms. The professional auditing norms were broken, especially in relation to the fees, characterizing also the violation of the Professional Ethics Code. In this sense the lack of quality can also be explained by the agency theory, which deals with the conflict of interests of the stockholders and administrators, when the administrators subordinate the independent audit. On the other hand from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was searched in the, United States and other countries, strengthen the control over the auditor s job as well as rescue the credibility lost in several widely broadcasted cases. In Brazil, the conjoint work of the CVM, the Federal Accounting Council, the Brazilian Central Bank and the Independent Audit Institute of Brazil (IBRACON), for the improvement of quality on the audit jobs and technical enhancement of the professionals is appointed as form of rescue of the credibility of the same. In this context are included on the continued education program, the external review of quality by the pairs, the technical qualification program, and the switching of the independent auditors, the separation of the auditing and consulting services and the internal quality control. / Com o objetivo de analisar os motivos da falta de qualidade nos trabalhos nos trabalhos de auditoria independente, apresentam-se os aspectos conceituais de auditoria e normas relacionadas, bem como de qualidade e sua aplicação prática na auditoria independente. A credibilidade dos auditores independentes depende da realização de trabalhos com qualidade, com observância das normas de auditoria e da ética profissional, sendo que, em diversos casos apresentados observou-se a perda de credibilidade de auditores independentes no Brasil e exterior. No Brasil, os auditores independentes, no âmbito do mercado de valores mobiliários, são registrados e fiscalizados pela Comissão de Valores Mobiliários - CVM que, cumprindo sua função, instaura inquéritos para apurar irregularidades na execução dos trabalhos e emissão de pareceres. Estes inquéritos, obtidos no site da CVM, serviram de fonte de pesquisa para apurar os motivos da falta de qualidade nos trabalhos de auditoria realizados no Brasil. Nesta análise concluiu-se que a falta de planejamento e de aplicação de procedimentos obrigatórios, a documentação incompleta dos trabalhos realizados e ausência de avaliação do sistema contábil e de controles internos foram as normas de auditoria das demonstrações contábeis mais infringidas. As normas profissionais de auditoria foram infringidas, principalmente em relação aos honorários, configurando também infração ao Código de Ética Profissional. Neste sentido, a falta de qualidade pode ser explicada também através da Teoria da Agência, que trata dos conflitos de interesses dos acionistas e administradores, quando a auditoria independente subordina-se aos administradores. Por outro lado, a partir da Lei Sarbanes-Oxley buscou-se, nos Estados Unidos e outros países, fortalecer o controle sobre o trabalho dos auditores, bem como resgatar a credibilidade perdida em diversos casos amplamente divulgados. No Brasil, o trabalho conjunto da Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, do Conselho Federal de Contabilidade, do Banco Central do Brasil e do Instituto dos Auditores Independentes do Brasil IBRACON, para melhoria da qualidade dos trabalhos de auditoria e aprimoramento técnico dos profissionais, é apontado como forma de resgate da credibilidade dos mesmos. Neste contexto incluem-se o programa de educação continuada, a revisão externa de qualidade pelos pares, o exame de qualificação técnica, o rodízio dos auditores independentes, a separação dos serviços de auditoria e consultoria e o controle interno de qualidade.

O risco de emitir uma opinião tecnicamente incorreta sobre demonstrações contábeis é a preocupação fundamental dos auditores independentes no Brasil e no mundo. Para cercar-se de condições que lhes assegurem um julgamento confiável e adequado sobre o objeto de seus trabalhos, os auditores independentes aplicam diversos procedimentos técnicos, em busca de evidências claras, precisas e suficientes. Dentre tais procedimentos, destaca-se, pela relevância, o estudo, conhecimento e avaliação dos procedimentos de controle interno da empresa auditada. Os procedimentos empregados pelos auditores para avaliação dos sistemas de controles internos e dos riscos de auditoria das demonstrações contábeis assumem papel preponderante, uma vez que determinam a natureza, extensão e a oportunidade da realização de todos os demais exames de auditoria. Esta tecnologia de auditoria, para permitir análise e julgamento quanto à consecução dos seus objetivos, deve ser aplicada de forma ordenada e sistematizada, através de uma metodologia de trabalho. Quais são as normas brasileiras e internacionais que orientam ou regulam esta matéria? Quem são os organismos normatizadores? Qual a profundidade e eficácia destas normas brasileiras, em comparação com as internacionais? O que os auditores independentes brasileiros têm disponível como guia em seus trabalhos, para avaliação de risco e controles internos? Este trabalho pesquisa as possíveis respostas a tais questões, acrescentando elementos que podem contribuir para um melhor entendimento, tais como: as definições e conceitos dos termos empregados, os motivos que definem a necessidade de avaliação do risco e quais controles internos são relevantes neste processo. Apresenta, ainda, de forma resumida, a metodologia de trabalho utilizada por duas empresas de auditoria atuantes nos mercados profissionais internacional e brasileiro para o assunto em tela, finalizando com a tentativa de mostrar um aparente conflito entre a teoria (normas) e a prática de auditoria (métodos de trabalho), em três casos recentes de insucessos empresariais no setor bancário ocorridos no Brasil e que guardam alguma relação com questões de controle interno e da auditoria dos mesmos. / The risk to render a technically incorrect opinion on financial statements is the main concern of independent auditors in Brazil and in the world. In order to ensure that they have managed to control all conditions necessary to forming a reliable and adequate judgement on the object of their work, independent auditors apply several technical procedures looking for clear, precise and sufficient evidence. Among such procedures it must be noted, due to its relevance, the study, knowledge and evaluation of the internal control procedures of the audited entity. The audit procedures carried out by the independent auditors in their evaluation of the internal control systems and of the audit risks underlying the financial statements play a key role in determining the nature, scope and opportunity of all other audit procedures. This audit technology, in order to permit proper analysis and judgement of the results it produces, must be oriented and supported by standards. On the other hand, in order to make it effective, it must be applied in an orderly and systematic manner, which may be achieved through an adequate methodology. Which are the Brazilian and international audit standards that orient or rule this matter? Who are the standard setters? How deep and effective are the Brazilian standards when compared to the international ones? What guidance is available to the Brazilian independent auditors in terms of risk and internal control evaluation? The present study researches the possible answers to such questions, adding elements that may contribute to a better understanding of the related issues, such as: definitions and concepts of key terms employed, the reasons that define the need to evaluate risk and which internal controls are relevant in this process. The study goes further and presents, in a summarized form, the audit methodologies used by two audit firms that are active in the professional Brazilian and international markets, as they relate to the subject under discussion. This work finalizes with the attempt to show an apparent conflict between theory (standards) and practice (method of work) in three recent cases of business failures in the Brazilian banking sector, which keep close relation with questions of internal control and its audit.

O risco de emitir uma opinião tecnicamente incorreta sobre demonstrações contábeis é a preocupação fundamental dos auditores independentes no Brasil e no mundo. Para cercar-se de condições que lhes assegurem um julgamento confiável e adequado sobre o objeto de seus trabalhos, os auditores independentes aplicam diversos procedimentos técnicos, em busca de evidências claras, precisas e suficientes. Dentre tais procedimentos, destaca-se, pela relevância, o estudo, conhecimento e avaliação dos procedimentos de controle interno da empresa auditada. Os procedimentos empregados pelos auditores para avaliação dos sistemas de controles internos e dos riscos de auditoria das demonstrações contábeis assumem papel preponderante, uma vez que determinam a natureza, extensão e a oportunidade da realização de todos os demais exames de auditoria. Esta tecnologia de auditoria, para permitir análise e julgamento quanto à consecução dos seus objetivos, deve ser aplicada de forma ordenada e sistematizada, através de uma metodologia de trabalho. Quais são as normas brasileiras e internacionais que orientam ou regulam esta matéria? Quem são os organismos normatizadores? Qual a profundidade e eficácia destas normas brasileiras, em comparação com as internacionais? O que os auditores independentes brasileiros têm disponível como guia em seus trabalhos, para avaliação de risco e controles internos? Este trabalho pesquisa as possíveis respostas a tais questões, acrescentando elementos que podem contribuir para um melhor entendimento, tais como: as definições e conceitos dos termos empregados, os motivos que definem a necessidade de avaliação do risco e quais controles internos são relevantes neste processo. Apresenta, ainda, de forma resumida, a metodologia de trabalho utilizada por duas empresas de auditoria atuantes nos mercados profissionais internacional e brasileiro para o assunto em tela, finalizando com a tentativa de mostrar um aparente conflito entre a teoria (normas) e a prática de auditoria (métodos de trabalho), em três casos recentes de insucessos empresariais no setor bancário ocorridos no Brasil e que guardam alguma relação com questões de controle interno e da auditoria dos mesmos. / The risk to render a technically incorrect opinion on financial statements is the main concern of independent auditors in Brazil and in the world. In order to ensure that they have managed to control all conditions necessary to forming a reliable and adequate judgement on the object of their work, independent auditors apply several technical procedures looking for clear, precise and sufficient evidence. Among such procedures it must be noted, due to its relevance, the study, knowledge and evaluation of the internal control procedures of the audited entity. The audit procedures carried out by the independent auditors in their evaluation of the internal control systems and of the audit risks underlying the financial statements play a key role in determining the nature, scope and opportunity of all other audit procedures. This audit technology, in order to permit proper analysis and judgement of the results it produces, must be oriented and supported by standards. On the other hand, in order to make it effective, it must be applied in an orderly and systematic manner, which may be achieved through an adequate methodology. Which are the Brazilian and international audit standards that orient or rule this matter? Who are the standard setters? How deep and effective are the Brazilian standards when compared to the international ones? What guidance is available to the Brazilian independent auditors in terms of risk and internal control evaluation? The present study researches the possible answers to such questions, adding elements that may contribute to a better understanding of the related issues, such as: definitions and concepts of key terms employed, the reasons that define the need to evaluate risk and which internal controls are relevant in this process. The study goes further and presents, in a summarized form, the audit methodologies used by two audit firms that are active in the professional Brazilian and international markets, as they relate to the subject under discussion. This work finalizes with the attempt to show an apparent conflict between theory (standards) and practice (method of work) in three recent cases of business failures in the Brazilian banking sector, which keep close relation with questions of internal control and its audit.

Submitted by Melisssa Tuxen Wisnik (melissa.wisnik@br.pwc.com) on 2018-06-26T22:46:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PrincipaisAssuntosAuditoria_SegmentoPaises(FINAL).pdf: 3490450 bytes, checksum: 2f2181d0c5802eb6d15f6b983013bf63 (MD5) / Rejected by Simone de Andrade Lopes Pires (simone.lopes@fgv.br), reason: Boa Tarde Melissa, Falta apenas arrumar o nome da escola: FUNDAÇÃO GETULIO VARGAS , não tem acento no "U". Por favor, faço o acerto e submeta novamente na biblioteca digital. Atenciosamente, Simone on 2018-06-28T16:04:04Z (GMT) / Submitted by Melisssa Tuxen Wisnik (melissa.wisnik@br.pwc.com) on 2018-06-29T18:01:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PrincipaisAssuntosAuditoria_SegmentoPaises(FINAL).pdf: 3490359 bytes, checksum: bb703007c1cb4ef3cd92e8e2b2ebc3c4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Simone de Andrade Lopes Pires (simone.lopes@fgv.br) on 2018-06-29T19:30:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PrincipaisAssuntosAuditoria_SegmentoPaises(FINAL).pdf: 3490359 bytes, checksum: bb703007c1cb4ef3cd92e8e2b2ebc3c4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Isabele Garcia (isabele.garcia@fgv.br) on 2018-06-29T19:45:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PrincipaisAssuntosAuditoria_SegmentoPaises(FINAL).pdf: 3490359 bytes, checksum: bb703007c1cb4ef3cd92e8e2b2ebc3c4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-29T19:45:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PrincipaisAssuntosAuditoria_SegmentoPaises(FINAL).pdf: 3490359 bytes, checksum: bb703007c1cb4ef3cd92e8e2b2ebc3c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06 / Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo principal verificar se há relação entre a natureza dos Principais Assuntos de Auditoria apresentados nos relatórios dos auditores independentes e os respectivos setores de atuação das companhias. Justifica-se este trabalho com a proposta de avaliar a natureza dos Principais Assuntos de Auditoria definidos pelos auditores independentes como os assuntos mais significativos no contexto da emissão de sua opinião frente às novas normas internacionais de auditoria, para empresas que atuem em um mesmo segmento. Esta pesquisa é realizada exclusivamente de forma documental, pela leitura dos relatórios de auditoria de 2016 das dez maiores empresas, segundo sua posição no market capitalization, dos setores bancário, de seguros e de varejo do Brasil, Reino Unido e Hong Kong. Além da pesquisa documental, este trabalho também é composto por revisão da literatura e normativos que regulamentam a emissão do relatório de auditoria, os quais fundamentam e contextualizam o papel do auditor independente e o conteúdo do relatório de auditoria. Os resultados obtidos indicam que os Principais Assuntos de Auditoria incluídos nos relatórios de auditoria externa de empresas do mesmo segmento de atuação tendem a ser semelhantes entre si, embora também sejam influenciados pelo mercado em que a empresa atua e por fatores específicos à empresa. / This research has as main objective to verify the existence of a relationship between the nature of the Key Audit Matters presented in the independent auditors' reports and the respective segments of the companies. This objective of this project is to evaluate if the nature of the Key Audit Matters defined by the independent auditors as the most significant matters in the context of issuance of their opinion, regarding the new international auditing standards, applies for companies operating in the same segment. This research is prepared exclusively in a documentary way, by reviewing the 2016 audit reports of the ten largest companies, according to its market capitalization, of banking, insurance and retail sectors in Brazil, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. In addition to documentary research, this work is also composed of a review of the literature and standards that regulate the issuance of the audit report, which form the basis and context for the independent auditor's role and the content of the audit report. The results indicate that the main audit subjects included in external audit reports of companies in the same segment tend to be similar, although they are also influenced by the environment in which they operate and by factors specific to each company.