Course Information
Professional Skepticism
Course Description
The course provides an understanding of what professional skepticism is and how important it is to maintain this skepticism throughout the completion of an audit engagement. Organizations such as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) have consistently stated that one of the main reasons for ineffective audits is the failure of auditors to apply an adequate level of professional skepticism when evaluating the performance of an organization. In this course, we will examine various psychological biases that have the potential to impair auditor’s professional skepticism. The course will also address techniques that can be utilized to minimize the potential impairment of these biases.
Course Objectives
Objectives:
• Describe the various cognitive biases that may impair professional skepticism.
• Understand the techniques that can be used to minimize the potential impact of biases on professional skepticism.
Outline:
What is professional skepticism?
Professional skepticism measurement scale.
Applying professional skepticism during an audit engagement.
Audit failures that resulted from the lack of auditors’ professional skepticism.
Introduction of various cognitive biases
Examining how these cognitive biases can impair an auditor’s professional skepticism.
Minimizing the impact of cognitive biases on professional skepticism.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite not required.
Instructors
Dr. Oscar Harvin is an associate professor of accounting at Sam Houston State University. His academic research examines the various factors that impair the ability of auditors to detect occupational fraud. Another objective of his research is to inform both academicians and practitioners of the various fraudulent schemes that are being conducted by criminals and techniques that can be utilized to protect organizations from such unethical behavior. Dr. Harvin’s primary teaching interest is in fraud examination and auditing but is also experienced in teaching income tax related courses.
He holds a PhD in accounting from Florida Atlantic University, M.B.A. from the University of North Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bethune-Cookman University. Dr. Harvin is a licensed certified public accountant, certified fraud examiner as well as a licensed private investigator. He received specialized fraud related training during his employment with the federal government.
Dr. Harvin has over three decades of auditing and fraud related professional experience. His expertise in conducting investigations from a financial perspective was developed during his years as a Special Agent with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service. During his years as a special agent, he investigated crimes that involve tax fraud, Ponzi schemes, child pornography, domestic terrorism, money laundering, occupational fraud, and other criminal activities. Professor Harvin leverages his vast professional experiences to prepare students for careers that involve fraud examination such as auditors, investigators, cyber security, law enforcement and other fraud related careers.
His current professional organization affiliations include the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Texas Society of CPAs, and American Accounting Association. He is a board member of the Houston Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Dr. Harvin also serves as the faculty adviser to the Sam Houston State University Student Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner.
Additional Information
§ TAC Rule 523.142(g) requires the CPE Sponsor to monitor individual attendance and assign the correct number of CPE credits. Participants will be asked to document their time of arrival and departure in compliance with this Rule. Additionally, attendance will be monitored throughout the day and CPE certificates will reflect actual attendance of each participant.
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