Professional skepticism is closely linked to due professional care.For an auditor to gather evidence with due professional care,he or she must perform the audit with an attitude of professional skepticism.Which of the following best describes professional skepticism?
A)an attitude of professional skepticism is present when the auditor maintains a questioning mind and makes a critical assessment of the evidence gathered
B)professional skepticism is used in the planning stage determine the evidence to be gathered and the interpretation of the evidence
C)if the auditor applies the concept of professional skepticism,he should be able to obtain assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatements
D)professional skepticism assumes that the client is dishonest

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Professional skepticism is an attitude that includes questioning, critical assessment, and a mindset of being cautious and not easily accepting presented information. It does not assume dishonesty, but rather a willingness to look for evidence and indications that support or contradict the presented information. The auditor should maintain the mindset of professional skepticism throughout the entire audit process, from planning to testing to final reporting. Thus, option A best describes professional skepticism. Option B is incorrect because professional skepticism is not limited to the planning stage, but rather applies throughout the audit process. Option C is incorrect because professional skepticism does not guarantee that the auditor will detect all material misstatements, but it does increase the likelihood of detecting them. Option D is incorrect because professional skepticism does not assume that the client is dishonest, rather it encourages the auditor to seek out evidence to support the accuracy of the financial statements.

Professional Skepticism Is Closely Linked to Due Professional Care