Hot audit topics – Are auditors too trusting?

An appropriate level of professional scepticism is essential for auditors. Balancing trust and distrust of management has a significant impact on audit quality, and regulators have expressed concerns about insufficient levels of professional scepticism in the conduct of an audit.

CPA Australia has released a synthesis of research findings on the topic that considers these elements as a distinct dimensions, rather than extremes on a single continuum.

This short, useful paper is essential reading for all good auditors so they can better understand the nature of professional scepticism in their work: Auditor Professional Scepticism.