AUASB Research Centre
The AUASB Research Centre is part of the AUASB Evidence-Informed Standard Setting Strategy to inform and support the AUASB in its standard-setting decision-making and to facilitate thought leadership on auditing and assurance issues. This is outlined in detail in the AUASB Evidence-Informed Standard-Setting (EISS) Strategy.
To serve the public interest, the AUASB must develop, issue and maintain high-quality Australian auditing and assurance standards and guidance that:
- meet the needs of external report users for confidence in the quality of reporting, and the usefulness and reliability of information reported;
- respond appropriately to emerging issues, including changing technologies; and
- promote audit quality and are equal to or exceed international standards.
AUASB Research Opportunities
To assist the AUASB in achieving the above objectives, we call for research on topics relevant to our Corporate Plan and Work Plan and matters directly related to the Work Plan of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).
- Assurance over Sustainability Information
- What are the current assurance practices, including voluntary reporting and assurance?
- What are the assurance practices under the mandatory climate-related reporting under the Corporations Act 2001?
- What impact does assurance have on the quality of sustainability reporting?
- What are the differences in the interpretation and application of ‘limited’ and ‘reasonable’ assurance?
- What is the understanding of users of ‘limited’ and ‘reasonable’ assurance and what are their expectations from assurance?
- What is the demand for assurance, the preparedness of entities for assurance, and the ability of auditors and experts to meet the demand?
- What approach are taken to information and assurance through value chains and how do they differ?
- In what circumstances are modified opinions given (e.g. on value chain information and forward-looking information)?
- What are the populations of entities in reporting Groups 1, 2 and 3, and what are their characteristics (e.g. industry, locations, ownership, users, value chains)?
- Are climate-related risks and opportunities consistent across industries and do they sufficiently allow for entity specific differences?
- Audit Quality
- What is the effectiveness of audit firms in establishing and maintaining cultures and behaviours focussed on audit quality and professional scepticism?
- How effective are directors and audit committees in supporting audit quality?
- To what extent are auditors responsible for material changes to reports before they are issued?
- What is the level of material changes to reports following a change in audit firm or audit partner?
- Going Concern
- What are the audit considerations specific to an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern?
- What are user perceptions and the impact of auditor reporting on going concern matters under the proposed new standard?
- Fraud
- How effective are internal control frameworks in mitigating fraud risk?
- What are user perceptions and the impact of auditor reporting on the risk of fraud under the proposed new fraud standard?
- Group Audits
- What are the challenges faced by auditors in implementing the new standard?
- Technology
- Are tools that use new technologies being used more in audits and how effective are those tools?
- What are the cost and benefit considerations of using new tools?
- Are auditors having problems with the use of technology by audited entities (e.g. loss of audit trail, inability to access models used)?
- How can technology be used to conduct more effective audits?
- How effectively are the risks associated with the use of AI and other tools being managed by auditors?
- How are auditors addressing ‘black boxes’?
- Audit Sampling
- How do sampling methodologies differ between firms?
- How consistent are sample sizes across firms in similar circumstances?
- Auditor’s Report
- What are the needs of users and how useful is the information presented in auditor’s reports?
- How do investors use key audit matter disclosures and do these disclosures affect their decision making?
- Does the disclosure of key audit matters change auditor behaviour?
The AUASB is interested in research that may inform our work plan and standard-setting process. If you have relevant research, please contact us at [email protected]. Research relevant to the AUASB may be considered for publication in an AUASB Research Report. See below for further information.
Collaboration Opportunity - ARC Linkage Program
The AUASB also welcomes appropriate opportunities to act as a Partner Organisation in the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Program. The Linkage Program promotes collaboration between researchers and external partners, such as industry and government. It aims to build research capacity and ensure that research outcomes have practical applications that benefit society and the economy.
While the AUASB cannot guarantee the success of an application, we will carefully assess collaboration/partnership requests and select projects that are closely aligned with our strategy and work plan and are likely to inform our work. The AUASB will consider how to support relevant projects, such as through financial contributions and/or in-kind resources, which may strengthen your ARC Linkage application.
Researchers interested in collaborating or partnering with the AUASB on an ARC Linkage Program application are encouraged to visit the Australian Research Council website for more information and to contact us at [email protected]
Research Reports
The AUASB Research Report series is designed to promote thought leadership in auditing and assurance standard-setting and audit quality through in-depth analysis of audit and assurance issues and related empirical research. The following Research Reports have been issued:
