Class 1

Introduction to Advanced Cases in Assurance Services

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Class Overview

Why is this important?

This class is important as it will set the expectations and the framework used in ACCTG 521. Specifically, by introducing students to the Analytical Mindset and Skillset we will use to build students' Analytical abilities.

What will we do?

This class will serve as an introduction to ACCTG 521, Data Analytics for Professional Accountants. Advanced Cases in Assurance Services (ACCTG 521) is a required course in the MPAcc and concentrates on the study of the analytical mindset through data-driven case studies in audit and assurance practices. Students will also enhance their adaptability and resilience mindset by examining different assurance settings and questions, using multiple software packages, and incorporating multiple data types and quality. Students will work in teams and communicate questions and conclusions drawn from data analytics, using verbal communication, written communication, and data visualization. Students will use the questioning and innovation mindsets when identifying the underlying purpose of assurance related services, areas for judgment, and areas of opportunity for integrating data analytics and other emerging technology. The skills and tools from Data Analytics for Professional Accountants (ACCTG 522) will provide a foundation for data exercises in this class.

How this relates to other classes:

Building on the material covered in other MPAcc courses, this class will be part theoretical and part practical, the practical component making use of the Foster Remote Labs.

Materials and Preparation

Class Materials
  • Case: EconomicsOfAudit
  • Slides: PowerPoint or PDF
  • Analytics Tools: Git and GitHub, Tableau
  • Suggested in-class seating: discussion teams
  • Suggested Pre-Class Preparation
    1. There is no required preparation for this class.
    2. Students should consider reading through the syllabus prior to class.
    3. The material in this case and in Class 2 are based on the Economics of Audit Case students can read this material either before this class or class 2.
  • Class Plan
    1. We will have a walk through of this website with Q&As We will start with the syllabus to familiarize everyone with the course content and requirements.
    2. We will use the data delivery system to update our remote labs datasets.io folder using the cmd/terminal command git pull
    3. We will work on examining why firms get audits, that is we will start exploring what is the demand for an audit.
    4. In this class we will undertake a qualitative analysis to understand voluntary demand for audits using the companies in the Private Firm Data folder and using a search of pitchbook ( UW Library Link, requires log in).

Required Deliverables

Deliverable Due Date Canvas Submission Portal
Professionalism (individual): Private Company Audit Demand Discussion September 25th, 2025 Upload to Canvas