CPA Advanced Auditing study plan
CPA Advanced Auditing · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Map the full Advanced Auditing blueprint into a one-page outline, listing every assurance area you must cover and weighting each by your current confidence
Define the audit risk model components (inherent, control, detection risk) in writing and explain how each drives the nature, timing, and extent of procedures
Distinguish professional skepticism, professional judgment, and due care with exam-style examples of each
List the core ethical requirements and independence rules that frame every assurance engagement
Your checkpoint
A one-page blueprint map plus a written 300-word summary of the audit risk model with worked examples of how risk changes procedure design
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Walk through the stages of an audit engagement from acceptance and continuance through planning, fieldwork, and reporting
Compare risk assessment procedures, tests of controls, and substantive procedures and state when each is used
Explain materiality determination at the planning and evaluation stages and how performance materiality relates to it
Draft the key elements of an engagement letter and a planning memo
Your checkpoint
A completed planning memo for a hypothetical client covering risk assessment, materiality, and planned responses, with a self-graded checklist
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Analyze internal control over financial reporting using the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring components
Evaluate control deficiencies and classify them as deficiencies, significant deficiencies, or material weaknesses
Design tests of controls for a revenue cycle and justify sample selection
Explain how reliance on controls affects substantive testing
Your checkpoint
A control evaluation worksheet for a revenue cycle with at least five identified controls, test procedures, and deficiency classifications
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Apply substantive analytics and detail testing to revenue, receivables, inventory, and payables
Explain audit sampling concepts including sampling risk, non-sampling risk, and attribute versus variables sampling
Interpret confirmations, cut-off tests, and subsequent receipts as evidence
Evaluate sufficiency and appropriateness of audit evidence for a given scenario
Your checkpoint
A 20-question self-authored evidence and sampling quiz with answer rationales, scoring at least 80 percent
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Identify and evaluate going concern indicators and describe the auditor's responsibilities across the assessment period
Analyze subsequent events and distinguish adjusting from non-adjusting events
Evaluate related party transactions, estimates, and fraud risk factors including management override
Describe required communications with those charged with governance
Your checkpoint
A written case analysis of a going concern and fraud scenario with the audit response, reporting implications, and governance communications
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Compare audit report types and the conditions that trigger each modification
Draft key audit matters, emphasis of matter, and other matter paragraphs and distinguish their use
Explain the auditor's responsibilities for other information and for supplementary information
Analyze group audit considerations including component auditors and consolidation
Your checkpoint
Three drafted audit report excerpts (unmodified with key audit matters, qualified, and adverse) with a justification note for each modification
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Distinguish attestation, review, compilation, and agreed-upon procedures engagements from audits
Apply review engagement procedures and the limited assurance conclusion framework
Explain quality management at the firm and engagement level, including engagement quality review
Analyze documentation, retention, and assembly requirements
Your checkpoint
A comparison matrix of five engagement types across objective, assurance level, procedures, and report wording, plus a review engagement report draft
Advanced auditing and assurance (segment content domains not enumerated in source)
Complete a timed full-length practice set under exam conditions and score it
Diagnose the three weakest assurance subtopics from practice results and re-drill them
Consolidate a one-page formula and terminology sheet for rapid recall
Simulate a written communication task under time pressure
Your checkpoint
A timed practice exam score report with a ranked remediation list, plus a finalized one-page recall sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain the audit risk model and planning sequence from memory in under ten minutes without notes
Week 4: Scores at least 80 percent on the self-authored evidence and sampling quiz
Week 6: Correctly selects the audit report modification for at least four of five unseen scenarios
Week 8: Achieves at least 75 percent on the timed practice set with no domain below 65 percent