Paper, Order, or Assignment Requirements

You are required to write an essay that explains and critically discusses the issue of audit quality and appraises the various initiatives to improve it. As a minimum your answer should encompass the following aspects:
• Explanation of what is meant by, and the importance of, audit quality (10 – 20%)*
• Discussion of the factors that have contributed to the criticisms of audit quality. (10 – 20%)*
• Critical appraisal of the responses to these criticisms put forward by the profession and regulators and the likely effectiveness of any proposed measures to improve audit quality, including your own views and possible future developments (50 – 70%)*
• Justified conclusions and final observations. (10 – 20%)*
* Indicative guideline % content range for each aspect of the assignment

TERMINOLOGY used in the ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS
• Explain – give a reason/reasons for something that happens or conditions that exist (denotes knowledge and comprehension)
• Critically appraise – to form an opinion based on reasoned argument as to how successful/ effective something is (denotes critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation).
• Critical discussion – careful and detailed consideration of the good/bad aspects of something (denotes application of critical analysis, effective debate and rationale).
• Comment – make observations, give opinions
• Introduction – summarise the content, objectives and approach of your work.
• Conclusions – final statements/observations/opinions to summarise  your overall position
• Justified – with good reason, ie. based on the findings from within the body of your work. (eg. Rational explained, demonstrating appreciation of possible boundaries and limitations).

Note that:
1. Your answer should be written in essay style (although you are encouraged to use headings/sub-headings to ‘label-up’ the various issues discussed), in the third person.
2. Your answer should be referenced to any academic journal, professional journal, textbooks and internet resources.
3. Word count: 1500 (5% tolerance). The contents page and title, paragraph headings, references and appendices do not count for this purpose.