Keys to Maintaining Objectivity and Professional Skepticism
2.00 Credits
Member Price $85
Non-Member Price $105
Overview
Every professional faces situations and scenarios where they feel their independence and objectivity related to an issue is impaired. They may feel pressured by management to minimize their report findings or, in some cases, look the other way. When these situations occur, professionals are faced with the dilemma of "what do I do?" or "how do I handle this situation?". These are the types of scenarios for which our university programs and business schools do not adequately prepare us. Experience can often be a good teacher. However, all individuals should be armed with some basic concepts that will prepare them to choose the right path when such difficult situations occur.
This course is designed to prepare professionals for those difficult situations by sharing key concepts to maintaining objectivity. After completing this course, you should understand how to ensure your work can be represented as independent and objective, and ultimately provide the greatest risk mitigation to your company.
Highlights
- Introduction to maintaining objectivity and professional skepticism
- Objectivity vs. independence
- Techniques to ensure independence
- How objective are you?
- Objectivity actions
Prerequisites
None
Designed For
All CPAs
Objectives
- Explore the requirements of professional skepticism
- Explore the rules defining independent roles
- Identify the difference between legality and ethics
- Explore the top five techniques to execute independence
- Explore the top five techniques to assist when employing objectivity
- Recognize what to do when management challenges you
Preparation
None
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
Lynn Fountain, Sole Proprietor
Lynn Fountain, CGMA, CRMA, MBA, has over 30 years of experience in the business profession, which includes public and industry accounting and over 20 years within internal and external auditing combined. She is a nationally recognized trainer and speaker and also a published author. She is a subject matter expert and specializes in Internal Audit, Sarbanes-Oxley, Enterprise Risk Management, Fraud, Governance and Compliance. Ms. Fountain has held two Chief Audit Executive positions for international companies. She has also been instrumental in the establishment of ERM, Sarbanes-Oxley and Governance frameworks.
Ms. Fountain has developed and delivered leading edge training sessions on the new COSO framework and has assisted companies in identifying risk gap analysis in their individual processes. She currently executes two highly recognized e-workshops for the Institute of Internal Auditors, one on Fraud and the second on Ethics. Both workshops have incorporate aspects of COSO 2013.
Ms. Fountain is in the process of authoring a publication for the IIA Research Foundation on aspects of fraud auditing. The publication is due out in 2015. In addition, she has performed as an adjunct instructor for the School of Business for Grantham University and the School of Business at the University of Kansas. Ms. Fountain obtained her BSBA from Pittsburg State University and her MBA from Washburn University in Kansas.
Non-Member Price $105
Member Price $85