Descriptive Evidence from Audit Practice on SAS No. 99 Brainstorming Activities

Authors

Karla M. Johnstone, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Jodi L. Gissel, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2007

Source Publication

Current Issues in Auditing

Source ISSN

1936-1270

Abstract

This paper describes how auditors conduct brainstorming sessions to comply with the requirements of SAS No. 99. We gather evidence by interviewing 22 auditors at all personnel levels across seven audit firms (including all of the Big 4 firms) and by observing actual brainstorming sessions. The results reveal how auditors prepare for brainstorming sessions and allow us to describe a typical four-step brainstorming session process. We describe brainstorming group interactions and provide evidence on brainstorming session outcomes in terms of fraud risk assessments, audit plan modifications, and budget modifications. Finally, we report how audit firms encourage professional skepticism during brainstorming.

Comments

Current Issues in Auditing, Vol. 1, No. 1 (December 2007): A1-A11. DOI.

The author of this document, Jodi L. Gissel, published under the name Jodi L. Bellovary at the time of publication.

Recommended Citation

Johnstone, Karla M. and Gissel, Jodi L., "Descriptive Evidence from Audit Practice on SAS No. 99 Brainstorming Activities" (2007). Accounting Faculty Research and Publications. 76.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/account_fac/76