San Jose State University
College of Business
Department of Accounting and Finance
Operational Auditing--BA129B
Spring 2012
(updated 5/2/12)-notes updated...note that the final is an in-class final at 6pm on 5/17
 


Section: Th. 6pm - 8:45pm; BC 326                            
Office: BT 852
Office Hrs.:T,TH 4:30-5:30 pm; 8:45-9:45 pm or by appointment

Phone: 408.924.3468
Fax: 408.924.3463
E-mail: wfocpa@aol.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
I believe this course will enhance your career through an understanding of operational auditing and by creating a network of professional internal auditors. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of operational auditing concepts. While this course follows the general flow of the textbook, individual exercises, team cases, guest speakers and a semester group project will provide  you with a first-hand experience of the operational auditing process.

In addition, the ethical and human relations aspects of operational auditing will be discussed during the semester.

COURSE MATERIAL:
Required:    
Internal Auditing: Assurance & Consulting Services, 2nd Ed., Reding, et. al. (Institute of Internal Auditors, 2009). ISBN                      978-0-89413-643-6
               O'Brien 129B Course Reader, (Available at Copy Craft, 341 Lafayette Street, #103, Santa Clara; Tel: 247-4692). Call prior to picking                                      up.Please note that the reader will not be available until after the first class session.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:
Before you come to each class, read the material as outlined in the syllabus. Homework problems are to be completed before each class. Students will be expected to present solutions to selected homework assignments in class. While homework will not be routinely collected, it is absolutely necessary that you do your homework. Each chapter uses concepts and techniques learned in previous chapters. If you wish to understand the material better, you cannot afford to ignore the homework.

EXAMINATIONS:
There will be two (2) examinations and/or quizzes including a semi-comprehensive final examination. Generally speaking, there will be NO make-up examinations. In the event of a rare emergency on the day of the examination, you should notify me as soon as possible. Use all available methods of communication. The final examination and presentation must be completed as scheduled. On each examination, an adjustment to each student’s raw score will be given based upon the average score of the top 10% of the class.

CLASS SESSION:
In class, we stress analysis and application of the concepts that you are expected to learn on your own. While we follow the general flow of the textbooks, we do not simply repeat the text. We emphasize important points, add new information, review homework problems and apply the concepts to real-world situations. Ample opportunities will be given to you in class for asking questions and answering questions raised by others. I expect each of you to be prepared for class.

GRADING AND GRADE CATEGORIES:
Grading will be based on the following scores:                       The following grading distribution
                                                                                                will be approximated:
            Exams (2)-150 points each               300                               A range 40%          90%-100%
            SJSU Case                                     300                               B range 40%          80%-89%
            Participation                                    50                                C range 15%          70%-79%
                                                                                                       D range 5%            60%-69%
            Total points                                    650                               F                            Below 60%

SJSU OPERATIONS CASE:
An on-going case featuring the operations of a San Jose State University department will be introduced at the first class meeting.   Three milestone reports and related presentations will be delivered during the course of the semester.  The reports should be in professional business format.   The presentations should be concise yet formal.  Detailed instructions are available on the course website.  The grade for this case will be based upon content, presentation and workpaper format. This grade will be weighted based upon participation and the evaluation of your teammates.

Good presentation skills are essential for success as a business professional. Each team will be required to give a 10 minute presentation of each phase of this project. The presentations will be graded by your fellow students and me. As a result, you should emphasize audience attentiveness and interest.

Presentations are scheduled for:
-Mar. 1, 2012
-Apr. 12, 2012
-May. 10, 2012

Here are some workpaper samples which I encourage you to use and/or improve:
-Workpaper index
-Audit program
-Findings workpaper
-Basic workpaper
-Flowchart

Any violation of academic integrity in any of the exams or assignments (including unauthorized use of internet resources) will lead to a course grade of "F".

 

COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS (other problems will be periodically assigned):

    Date                  Topic                                   Assignment (W) written; (D) discuss
Jan. 26 Introduction to Internal Auditing
The Profession
Institute of Internal Auditors
Internal Audit Careers
For Session 1: Read Chp. 1; Skim Chp. 2; Case 1(D)
For Session 2: Read Chps. 4, 5, 6 & 9; Skim Chps. 3 & 8
Select Team Name and Logo
Complete Student Profile and Name Tent
Read SJSU On-campus Project Instr.
Feb. 2 Ethics & Managing the Internal Audit Function
Business Risk 
Internal Control and Fraud 
Identify SJSU "BPO"
Feb. 9 Overview of Engagement Process 
Identify SJSU "BPO" via e-mail to Prof. O'Brien...BPO's assigned tonight
Discuss Workpapers and Project Files
Contact BPO
Prepare On-Campus Proj. Planner
ACUA article; RCSA article
CSA sample agenda; CSA sample Q's
Make your on-campus contacts
Feb. 16 Risk and Control Self Assessment 
On-campus project planner DUE; use for your own planning purposes
Read Chp. 10;
Check out sample workpapers in syllabus
Prepare Indiv. Code of Ethics (W) (due 3/1)
Prepare Team Flow Charting Assignment (due 3/1)(W)
Read Chps. 12 & 13 (pps. 13-1 to 13-38)
Feb. 23 Speaker #1;
Mar. 1 Code of Ethics Presentations
Conducting the Assurance Engagement-I (BPO Selection and Planning)
Working paper session--Mission & Structure
Team Flow Charting Assignment
Get Risk Assessment Example HERE

Prepare SJSU Report #1
Mar. 8 SJSU Rept. #1-Mission & Structure Read Chp. 13 (pps. 13-38 to 13-47)
Mar. 15-(7:00-9:00 pm) Discuss Risk Assessment
Review of Phase I
Go HERE for the Take-home Exam.  Due 4/5/12.
Mar. 22--NO CLASS Complete Take Home Exam #1; (Material thru 3/15); due 4/5 Complete Exam #1;
Read Chp. 14 (pps. 14-1 to 14-25)
Apr. 5 Continuation of Conducting the Assurance Engagement-II
Audit Evidence & Expanded Testing
Locate "S.V. Auditor" Article (W)
Prepare SJSU Report #2
Apr. 12 "S.V. Auditor" Article due
SJSU Rept. #2-Prelim. Survey
Apr. 19 Speaker #2: San Jose City Auditor-Sharon Erickson Read Chp. 14 (pps. 14-25 to 14-28)
Apr. 26 Communicating Outcomes
Monitoring and Follow-up
Read Chps. 15 & 3;
May 3 Conducting the Consulting Engagement Prepare SJSU Report #3
Complete BPO Survey  & Team Survey
Get Team Evaluation HERE
May 10 SJSU Rept. #3-Findings & Recs.
Team Evaluation due
Prepare for Final Exam
May 17-6:00 pm Final Exam

   

COURSE NOTES:

1/26

2/2 2/9 2/16-no notes 3/1
3/15 4/26 5/3

IMPORTANT MESSAGES:
-Welcome back!  Please note that our first class starts at 6:00 pm.  Come PREPARED to discuss the material in Chapter One.
-Notes will be updated as we go along;
-Be thinking about your on-campus project selections.
-PURCHASE YOUR TEXT BOOK AND READ CHP. 1 BEFORE COMING TO CLASS ON 1/26
-DOWN LOAD THE SYLLABUS & NOTES FOR OUR FIRST CLASS!!!!!!!

-Day with an Auditor to be scheduled, most likely May 2nd...please keep this day open for lunch.


-BPO Opportunities:
    -Spring 2012 potential BPOs will be identified by 2/9--BSAC, DRC, Bookstore-computer sales

    -Each team should contact their BPO and introduce themselves. You might also want to tentatively schedule your first meeting which should occur AFTER our class on 2/9.  Please review the instructions in this syllabus.  We will discuss them in detail on the 9th.