Module: Assurance Services:Theory & Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Assurance Services:Theory & Practice
Module Code	ACC1019 (ITS: AC515)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

To develop further students' understanding of modern auditing procedures. To develop students understanding of audit completion, ability to evaluate audit findings, form a conclusion of the audit report.

Learning Outcomes

1. Complete substantive audit testing on individual audit components, including non-current assets, inventories, receivables, bank, payables and reserves.
2. Identify and evaluate the appropriateness and sufficiency of audit evidence.
3. Assess audit concerns with regard to post-balance sheet events, contingencies and going concern.
4. Perform a review of audit work documentation and audit conclusions.
5. Identify and evaluate the appropriateness of unqualified, modified and qualified audit reports.
6. Discuss the future of auditing and challenges facing the audit profession.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	48	Weekly lectures
Independent Study	55	Independent study, lecture material review and preparation for formal examination
Independent Study	22	Independent study for assignment
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20032	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	50PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Caroline McGroary	Module Teacher	Brid Murphy, Julie Bertz(Nee Griffin), Niamh Penrose

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	In-class test, based on practical auditing scenario	20%	Week 8
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Audit Testing, Procedures and Techniques
Design and execution of audit testing for Balance Sheet components, including non-current assets, inventory, revenue and receivables, bank and cash, purchases and payables, share capital and reserves; Audit of group financial statements.

Audit Review and Reporting
Going concern considerations and subsequent events review; Related parties; Contingencies and commitments; Analytical Review; Final review of audit work; Representations by management; Communication with those charged with governance

Audit Reporting
Consideration of true and fair view. Conclusion of an audit. Formation of an audit opinion; Audit reports including qualified audit reports.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Nangle, C.: 0, External Auditing and Assurance (4th Edition), 2022, CAI,
Gray, Manson and Crawford: 0, The Audit Process: Principles, Practice and Cases, Cengage Learning,
Cosserat and Rodda: 0, Modern Auditing, Wiley,
Porter, Hatherly and Simon: 0, Principles of External Auditing, Wiley,
Kelly, L.: 0, Advanced Auditing and Assurance, CAI,
ICAI: 0, Auditing and Assurance Toolkit (CAP 2), ICAI,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None