Towards a conceptual framework for auditing

Abstract

‘Towards a conceptual framework for auditing’ suggest a conceptual framework, which it is hoped may help in the teaching and understanding of external attest auditing. Briloff's (1986) view that ‘as concern for ecology and the wellbeing of consumers in posterity intensifies, this responsibility (accountability) will extend to the total society and environment’ is taken as the philosophical departure point for the conceptual framework. The paucity of attempts to develop a unifying theory of auditing is noted and a brief history of developments is traced commencing with Mautz and Sharaf in 1961. Flint's 1988 work (The Philosophy and Principles of Auditing) is adopted and developed. Each of Flint's concepts is examined in some detail to consider its significance in the conceptual framework and its implications for audit practice. Reasons for changes from earlier frameworks are offered. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of the framework as an holistic tool of analysis, the concepts identified are then related to the Auditing Standards and Guidelines of our national professional accounting association, the New Zealand Society of Accountants (NZSA). Whilst considerable correlation is noted, some inconsistencies are also identified. It is suggested that the standards and guidelines may not have derived from any philosophical analysis and that the inconsistencies between the concepts and the standards appear to have resulted from a lack of a clear theory as to what constitutes a standard and what constitutes a guideline; higher and lower order ideas would appear to fall somewhat indiscriminately in both. It is noted that this analysis may be repeated in respect of the auditing standards of any professional organization. It is concluded that the application of these concepts can lead to more informed discussion of some of the controversial issues that face the auditing profession at this time, and to an holistic understanding of the discipline of auditing as well as of professional audit promulgations. It is recommended that standard setters should give thought to the adoption of a more holistic approach to standard setting, grounded in a conceptual framework, and that auditing educators should adopt such a framework in order to assist students towards an understanding of the role and process of auditing and away from the memorizing of techniques.

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