Planning for Substantive Testing at the Assertion Level: A Training Activity and Mini Case

Abstract

This two-part educational resource was developed to enhance students' understanding of a key aspect of the audit guidance concerning financial statement audit planning for substantive testing at the assertion level. Assuming the role of audit associates at a CPA firm, students first engage in a training activity in which they deconstruct substantive audit tasks into significant financial statement accounts, management assertions, and types of audit procedures related to each task. Then, students consider inherent risk factors for a client engagement in a mini case and apply relevant accounts, management assertions, and detailed substantive audit procedures. These resources are easy to implement and require little advanced preparation, yet they provide a rich instructional resource for either new or experienced auditing faculty. Assessment results and student survey responses reveal the effectiveness of these resources in promoting students' comprehension of the critical role of management assertions in the audit planning process.