Courses Master Display 2013-2014

Course Description To PDF
Course title Assurance Services
Course code EBC4037
ECTS credits 6,5
Assessment Whole/Half Grades
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
1 2-9-2013 25-10-2013 X X
Level Advanced
Coordinator Ann Vanstraelen
For more information: a.vanstraelen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
The objectives of this course are twofold. First, students will gain insight into the essential elements of the process of assurance services. Second, students will obtain a solid knowledge of the academic literature on assurance services. To that end, the process of assurance services will be put into perspective by the results of academic research.
Students who successfully complete this course will have sufficient knowledge of the process of assurance services to effectively perform entry-level assurance work in professional accounting firms. Furthermore, students will be able to read and critically evaluate auditing research, and report the results of research on current and fundamental issues in the accounting profession.
Description
The broad area of assurance services concerns the relevance and reliability of financial and non-financial information. This course more specifically focuses on those assurance services that improve the reliability of information as perceived by decision makers such shareholders. In particular, this course on assurance services will focus on audits of financial statements performed by public accounting firms. The course will cover the essential elements of the process of assurance services (audit process) as well as academic literature on assurance services. Essential elements of the audit process are for example business risk assessment, internal control evaluation, planning of the audit approach including audit risk assessment, performance of analytical and detailed procedures, and audit reporting. Academic research that will be discussed relates to current issues such as professional skepticism, auditor independence, audit firm governance, quality control, public oversight, audit market structure, concentration, competition, and audit pricing.
Literature
Textbook and articles
Prerequisites
Courses and workload are very demanding for all IB Master courses. Exchange students need to have obtained a bachelor degree with a major in Business. Exchange students need to major in accounting in their Master.
An advanced level of English
Teaching methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) PBL / Lecture / Assignment
Assessment methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Participation / Written Exam
Evaluation in previous academic year For the complete evaluation of this course please click "here"
This course belongs to the following programmes / specialisations
Master Business Research IB Electives
Master Business Research Track OR IB Electives
Master Fiscale Economie Economics Electives
Master International Business Track Accountancy Accountancy
Master International Business Track Accountancy Electives
Master International Business Track Accounting & Control Accounting & Control
Master International Business Track Controlling Electives
Master International Business Track Entrepreneurship Electives
Master International Business Track Finance Electives
Master International Business Track Organisation Electives
Master International Business Track Strategy and Innovation Electives
SBE Exchange Master Master Courses
SBE Non Degree Courses Master Courses