Question 3 - Set up

In this lesson

1. 0:00 Question overview and requirements breakdown
2. 5:49 Client setup and key distinctions
3. 8:02 Part A: Internal control matters assessment
4. 10:00 Part A2: File notes and governance reporting
5. 11:51 Part B: Appraising key audit matters
6. 15:12 Time management and mark allocation
7. 17:34 Common candidate mistakes and exam strategy

About this lesson

This 25-mark question covers three distinct requirements: evaluating whether internal control matters should be communicated to those charged with governance, recommending matters for inclusion in the auditor's report with clear reasoning, and critically appraising key audit matters from an audit report extract. You'll discover why many candidates score poorly on this question—not because they lack knowledge, but because they fail to answer what's actually being asked, instead rewriting scenarios or discussing generic audit report content. The key to success here is understanding that the examiners want you to apply professional judgement and demonstrate commercial acumen, not just regurgitate information. Each requirement demands a specific skill: discussing and justifying (5 marks), recommending and explaining (7 marks), and critically appraising (8 marks), plus 5 professional marks for depth of thinking. You'll learn how to manage your time effectively across these requirements, how to structure answers that earn marks for explanation rather than mere description, and how to stay focused on what's being asked even when you feel uncertain. This lesson walks through the question setup, client context, and the common pitfalls that prevent candidates from accessing full marks, preparing you to tackle similar completion questions with confidence.

Duration: 21m