ACC-ACF3600 Auditing and Assurance – S2-2022
Individual Assignment (20%) – Transparency reports

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to get students to utilise research skills to
undertake an analysis of audit firms’ transparency report. Students can choose 2021
transparency reports from any audit firms in Australia that they wish.

You must find and analyse two transparency reports from different audit firms.

1) Focusing on the issue of audit quality, compare and contrast the two reports that
you have chosen.
a. Discuss the main similarities and differences between these reports
b. Link your analysis to academic research
c. Provide a conclusion to your report.

2) Focusing on the issue of independence, compare and contrast the two reports that
you have chosen.
a. Discuss the main similarities and differences between these reports
b. Link your analysis to academic research
Provide a conclusion to your report.

Report Length: 1,100 words

Due date: Friday, 19 August 2022 at 11.55pm

Weight: 20 marks (20% of final grade)

INSTRUCTIONS (IMPORTANT):
(1) Please answer the specific questions denoted above and ensure your report is within the specified total word
limit.
(2) The assignment submission has to be in an appropriate format and written well (i.e. logical as well as
minimal grammar and syntax issues). References should be consistent with the APA or Harvard referencing
style.
(3) Academic references are to be used to support / illustrate some of your analysis. Academic references are
published in academic journals. Professional references might be used in your conclusion. Professional
references are published in professional journals. These include publications by the professional bodies (e.g. CA
ANZ, CPAA), publications from the audit standard setters/regulatory websites (e.g., Australian Auditing and
Assurance Standard Board, U.S. PCAOB, IAASB).
(4) Do not cut and paste from the academic and professional references. Your answers must be in your own
words. Remember that your marker would have read all the reports and references prior to marking your
assignment. Plagiarism is dealt with very seriously and consequences could include mark penalisation. Where
direct quotes are used to support your answer, please provide in-text references to the report or reference being
discussed. We will use Turnitin to check the plagiarism percentage.
(5) Please submit a softcopy (pdf file) of your individual assignment via Moodle by 19 August (Friday),
11:55pm (Week 4).
(6) When submitting online, you will be asked to accept the cover sheet so there is no need to include a signed
cover sheet in your submission file. A soft copy of the feedback sheet is not required as part of the assignment
submission.
2

Audit Quality 0 pt 1pt 2pts 3pts 4pts
Discussion of the main
similarities and
differences between the
reports

Responses do not discuss
differences or similarities.






The importance of the
similarities and
differences is not
discussed.

Responses vaguely discuss
some unimportant
differences or similarities.

Either qualitative or
quantitative aspects are
considered.

The importance of the
similarities and differences
is not really discussed.

Responses discuss some
differences and
similarities.

Both qualitative and
quantitative aspects are
considered.

The importance of the
similarities and differences
is discussed but not really
convincing.

Responses clearly
discuss some
important differences
and similarities.

Both qualitative and
quantitative aspects
are considered.

The importance of the
similarities and
differences is fairly well
discussed.

Responses discuss clearly
and precisely important
differences and
similarities.

Both qualitative and
quantitative aspects are
considered.

The importance of the
similarities and
differences is very well
discussed.

Link your analysis to
academic research

Most points in the
response lack credible,
relevant or reliable
evidence to support the
discussion.

The majority of the
references cited lack
credibility, reliability or
relevance.

Citations are mostly
absent.
Some key points in the
response are supported by
relevant, credible sources,
but most do not have
appropriate citations.

A large amount of
references are from
outdated or low-quality
sources.

Citations are mostly placed
at the end of paragraphs
or inappropriately placed
from the information to
which they refer to.
Most key points are
supported by relevant,
credible sources, but some
do not have appropriate
citations.

A fair number of sources
cited have limited
credibility or relevance.

Some citations are well
placed, but others are
placed at the end of
paragraphs or
inappropriately placed
from the information to
which they refer to.
Most key points in the
argument are informed
by relevant, credible
and reliable literature.

A few sources lack
credibility or
relevance.

Citations are mostly
appropriately placed to
help the reader learn
more about key ideas.
Response makes effective
use of a wide range of
relevant, credible and
reliable sources to inform
the argument
throughout.

Citations are
appropriately placed to
help the reader learn
more about key ideas.
Conclusion

Conclusion is generic and
does not flow from the
previous analysis.

Conclusion is more or less
aligned with the previous
analysis.

Conclusion/personal
assessment is insightful
and flows very well from
the previous analysis.

3

Audit independence 0 pt 1pt 2pt 3pt 4pt
Discussion of the main
similarities and
differences between the
reports

Responses do not discuss
differences or similarities.






The importance of the
similarities and
differences is not
discussed.

Responses vaguely discuss
some unimportant
differences or similarities.

Either qualitative or
quantitative aspects are
considered.

The importance of the
similarities and differences
is not really discussed.

Responses discuss some
differences and
similarities.

Both qualitative and
quantitative aspects are
considered.

The importance of the
similarities and differences
is discussed but not really
convincing.

Responses clearly
discuss some
important differences
and similarities.

Both qualitative and
quantitative aspects
are considered.

The importance of the
similarities and
differences is fairly well
discussed.

Responses discuss clearly
and precisely important
differences and
similarities.

Both qualitative and
quantitative aspects are
considered.

The importance of the
similarities and
differences is very well
discussed.

Link your analysis to
academic research

Most points in the
response lack credible,
relevant or reliable
evidence to support the
discussion.

The majority of the
references cited lack
credibility, reliability or
relevance.

Citations are mostly
absent.
Some key points in the
response are supported by
relevant, credible sources,
but most do not have
appropriate citations.

A large amount of
references are from
outdated or low-quality
sources.

Citations are mostly placed
at the end of paragraphs
or inappropriately placed
from the information to
which they refer to.
Most key points are
supported by relevant,
credible sources, but some
do not have appropriate
citations.

A fair number of sources
cited have limited
credibility or relevance.

Some citations are well
placed, but others are
placed at the end of
paragraphs or
inappropriately placed
from the information to
which they refer to.
Most key points in the
argument are informed
by relevant, credible
and reliable literature.

A few sources lack
credibility or
relevance.

Citations are mostly
appropriately placed to
help the reader learn
more about key ideas.
Response makes effective
use of a wide range of
relevant, credible and
reliable sources to inform
the argument
throughout.

Citations are
appropriately placed to
help the reader learn
more about key ideas.
Conclusion

Conclusion is generic and
does not flow from the
previous analysis.

Conclusion is more or less
aligned with the previous
analysis.

Conclusion/personal
assessment is insightful
and flows very well from
the previous analysis.