Module ECOS1191: ASSURANCE

Department: Business School (Economics and Finance) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

ECOS1191: ASSURANCE

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To ensure that students understand the assurance process and fundamental principles of ethics, and are able to contribute to the assessment of internal controls and gathering of evidence on an assurance engagement.

Content

• The concept, process and need for assurance
• Internal controls
• Gathering evidence on an assurance engagement
• Professional ethics

Learning Outcomes

• Have an understanding of the concept of assurance, why assurance is required and the reasons for assurance engagements being carried out by appropriately qualified professionals
• Have an understanding of the processes of internal control assessment and sample identification
• Be familiar with methods of assessing the quality of assurance evidence and their persuasiveness
• Have an understanding of issues of professional ethics and code of conduct

• Be able to document an organisation’s internal controls and identify weaknesses in internal control systems
• Be able to select sufficient and appropriate methods of obtaining assurance evidence and recognise when conclusions can be drawn from evidence obtained or where issues need to be referred to a senior colleague

• Be able to understand the importance of ethical behaviour to a professional practice.
• Be able to explain issues relating to integrity, objectivity, conflicts of interest, conflicts of loyalty, confidentiality and independence.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Learning will be based on knowledge transfer from taught classes and independent study; investigation of cases and real world organisations will encourage students to develop awareness of cultural differences and apply these to the development of their skills in managing themselves and others in such contexts.
• Classroom activities and independent study will help students acquire technical awareness of topics in a comprehensive form.
• The examination will test students’ understanding of the main concepts and technical treatments through problem solving and reflection on learning.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Online tests

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University