Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module ECOS2261: AUDIT AND ASSURANCE

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

ECOS2261: AUDIT AND ASSURANCE

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2015/16 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to N400

Prerequisites

  • Assurance

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To develop students’ understanding of the critical aspects of managing an assurance engagement (including audit engagements): acceptance, planning, managing, concluding and reporting.

Content

  • Legal and other professional regulations, ethics and current issues
  • Accepting and managing engagements
  • Planning engagements
  • Concluding and reporting on engagements

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • have an understanding of the processes involved in accepting and managing assurance engagements
  • have an understanding of how quality assurance processes mitigate risks
  • have an awareness of different methods of client assessment including relevant analytical procedures
  • have an understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of the auditor
  • have an understanding of the processes involved in accepting, planning and managing assurance engagements
Subject-specific Skills:
  • be able to understand and advise on the regulatory, professional and ethical issues relevant to those carrying out an assurance engagement
  • be able to plan assurance engagements in accordance with the terms of the engagements and appropriate standards
  • be able to conclude and report on assurance engagements in accordance with the terms of the engagements and appropriate standards.
Key Skills:
  • planning and organisational skills.
  • critical analysis and judgement skills.
  • Communication and reporting skills.

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 lectures, seminars and personal study; investigation of cases and real world organisations which will underpin the seminars 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.
  • Seminar activities and discussions will provide the 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.
  • The summative assignment will test students' knowledge of different audit practices.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 4 Per Week 2 Hours 20
Seminars 4 Weekly 2 Hours 8
Case Study 1 Annual 2 Hours 2
Preparation and Reading 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignnment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual assignment based on a case study 2500 words 100% Same
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 30 minutes 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Case studies, group presentations, mock exam


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