Transcript Slide 0 - American Accounting Association
Professional Judgment in Auditing:
Professional Judgment Frameworks as Teaching Tools
John D. Keyser National Director of Assurance Services McGladrey LLP Douglas F. Prawitt Glen Ardis Professor of Accountancy Brigham Young University Jason L. Smith (Moderator) Associate Professor of Accounting University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Agenda
Topic
Introduction to two Frameworks: KPMG, McGladrey What is happening in the Profession Integrating Professional Judgment into the Classroom Q&A
Time
20 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 10 minutes
Why focus on Professional Judgment?
Increased emphasis on judgment in accounting & auditing Principles-based accounting and auditing standards Movement toward fair value accounting Etc.
Increased importance of ability to exercise effective professional judgment, professional skepticism
Professional Judgment: What it looks like, and common threats
The KPMG Professional Judgment Framework
The KPMG Professional Judgment Framework
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Steps in the judgment process
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Polling Question 1
(CPE Credit)
Within an auditing context, what is professional judgment?
a) Professional judgment is the process of using relevant training, knowledge, and experience to reach a decision or draw a conclusion in evaluating evidence, estimating probabilities, or selecting between options.
b) Professional judgment is professional skepticism, which is an attitude that includes a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence.
c) Professional judgment is the application of one’s experience to make a judgment in the absence of supporting evidence, based on the facts and circumstances of the audit engagement.
d) Professional judgment is the construction of a logical justification to support an outcome or conclusion that is otherwise not supported by the available evidence.
The McGladrey Professional Judgment Framework
McGladrey Professional Judgment Framework
Steps in McGladrey Judgment Process
Step 1 - Frame the Issue
Consider other perspectives and the implications of those views: Regulator, manager, user Error vs. fraud Owner, lender, investor, legal, insurer, customer, audit committee How might a judgment look in the future with the benefit of hindsight, assuming various outcomes?
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Steps in McGladrey Judgment Process
Step 2 - Determine Objectives
Determine Objectives: What is wanted or needed?
Ask how you would justify a judgment or decision Are you comfortable at a gut level moving ahead with a judgment process?
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Step 2 - Identify Alternatives
A decision or judgment can only be as good as the best alternative considered Common Pitfalls: Consider only typical or first alternative that comes to mind Do the same thing as prior year Decision “triggers”—an alternative masquerading as a problem or “issue” to be solved
Steps in McGladrey Judgment Process
Steps in McGladrey Judgment Process
Steps in McGladrey Judgment Process
Fundamental Elements of Professional Judgment Framework Apply Relevant Knowledge and Learn from Experience Professional knowledge is brought to bear and reflection on experiences allows for enhanced professional judgment going forward Professional Skepticism As depicted the judgment process is performed with a mindset characterized by professional skepticism Potential Frames Judgments are informed through explicit consideration of different perspectives or “frames”
Polling Question 2
(CPE Credit)
Which of the following statements about judgment frames is correct?
a) A situation cannot have more than one appropriate frame.
b) There is often no single best frame for a given situation.
c) Frames are not used by risk averse individuals.
d) Professionals should eliminate the use of frames from their judgment processes.
Judgment Biases
Factors Affecting Judgment
• Time pressure • Limited resources • Client, regulatory, industry • Limitations due to judgment “frames” • Judgment short-cuts • Bias caused by self interest • Judgment traps • Rush to “solve”
Reality - Descriptive
Bounded Rationality Lack important information Time and cost constraints Limited memory capacity Limitations on intelligence and perceptions
What we do: Systematic shortcuts
System 1 (quick) and Satisfice Heuristics We use simplifying judgment strategies. Rules of thumb developed over time because of our bounded rationality.
Example crossing the street in New York…
Paradox
Our minds routinely solve problems too difficult for the mightiest computers, but we also make errors in the simplest of judgments about everyday events
Judgment Tendencies
Overconfidence: Tendency to be overconfident in our judgment abilities Availability: Tendency to judge likelihood of events by how readily available specific examples are in our memory Anchoring: Tendency to insufficiently adjust away from an initial anchor Confirmation: Tendency to seek and overweight confirming evidence 26
A Pervasive Judgment Tendency…
Overconfidence Bias
Most of us are overconfident in our judgment abilities and do not acknowledge the actual level of uncertainty that exists.
Overconfident Experts
“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible” “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…”
What’s So Bad About Overconfidence? Overconfidence Can Lead To: Taking on too many projects Over promising on deadlines Considering only one alternative Truncating information search or even skipping evidence gathering Snap judgments Avoidance or poor execution of judgment model 29
Confirmation Tendency
We tend to have preferences We tend to seek confirming evidence We give confirming evidence greater weight than disconfirming evidence We often cannot know something to be true without checking to see how it might be false
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What is Happening in the Profession with Respect to Enhancement of Professional Judgment?
Goals of McGladrey Professional Judgment Initiative Shared frame of reference, common vocabulary Enhance the ability of audit professionals to consistently exercise quality judgment Enhance on-the-job training/coaching during engagements Build confidence to exercise professional judgment effectively and efficiently
McGladrey Training
Timing
Summer 2012 Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Summer 2013 Summer 2014 Ongoing
Course Name
Introduction to the Framework Professional Judgment in the Trenches Professional Judgment Self-study Fraud and the McGladrey PJF Analytical Procedures Auditing Accounting Estimates under the McGladrey PJF Infuse into all courses
Audience
Partners, Managers, In charges All New hires and those needing refresher Partners, Managers, In charges In-charges Partners, managers, in charges Various
McGladrey – Other Efforts
Consultation forms Practice aids Interoffice inspection
CAQ
Working Group Member firms participate Professional Judgment Thought Leadership Description of a judgment process Discussion of common traps and biases
Polling Question 3
(CPE Credit)
The confirmation bias is a subconscious tendency to do which of the following?
a) Seek evidence that confirms a biased judgment b) Seek evidence that confirms a previously held view c) Underutilize confirmations in the testing of accounts receivable d) Seek evidence that disconfirms a previously held view
Integrating Professional Judgment into the Classroom:
Can Accounting Students Learn Professional Judgment in the Classroom?
Can You Really Teach Good Judgment?
Is it a natural ability or a skill that can be developed?
True or False: Either you have it or you do not… Good News!
It is a skill that can be learned and developed It helps to know what “good judgment” looks like and the common threats to good judgment The sooner you start learning how to make good professional judgments, the better!
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Factors in Developing the Ability to Exercise Good Professional Judgment Do you agree the following factors contribute to the development of good judgment?
Natural ability Personal experience Observing others including mentors Self-studies/books
AND…
Formal training
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How does a visual illusion relate to judgment?
Source: h ttp://www.michaelbach.de/ot/sze_shepardTables/index.html
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GRAPHIC OF GOLF SWING
The KPMG Professional Judgment Framework
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Practice makes permanent
Phil Mickelson Golf Swing 43
Threats to good judgment
Not following a good process Judgment “traps” and “biases” Mental shortcuts Help simplify a complex situation Can facilitate more efficient judgments USUALLY effective
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The purpose and benefits of the topic Mindset, skills, and techniques behind good judgment begin to form at a young age Training, deliberate practice, and experience can improve judgment It is important for students to have a solid foundation in good judgment
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How does awareness help with this illusion?
Source: http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/mot_mib/index.html
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KPMG Professional Judgment Framework Monograph audit
Elevating Professional Judgment in Auditing and Accounting: The KPMG Professional Judgment Framework kpmg.com
McGladrey Monograph
Polling Question 4
(CPE Credit)
You just cannot teach professional judgment; either you have it or you do not.
a) True b) False