1 Auditors must avail themselves of professional
judgment in planning and conducting the engagement and
in reporting the results.
4 Professional judgment entails exercising reasonable
care and professional skepticism. The former comprises acting
diligently in compliance with applicable professional standards
7 and ethical principles. The latter requires a questioning mind,
awareness of conditions that may indicate possible
misstatement owing to error or fraud, and a critical assessment
10 of evidence. Professional skepticism includes being alert to, for
example, evidence that contradicts other evidence obtained
or information that brings into question the reliability of
13 documents or responses to inquiries to be used as evidence.
Further, it includes a mindset in which auditors assume that
management is neither dishonest nor of unquestioned honesty.
16 Auditors may accept records and documents as genuine unless
they have reason to believe otherwise. Auditors may consider
documenting procedures undertaken to support their
19 application of professional skepticism in highly judgmental or
subjective areas under audit.
Government auditing standards. 2018 (Revision).
Comptroller General of the USA (adapted).