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ACC 638 Information Systems Auditing
COURSE SYLLABUS
Spring 2015
Please note that this is an online course.
Course Description:
Theory and practice of information systems auditing; role of information systems auditor in systems development; computer based system controls.
Instructor: Dr. Venkat Iyer, Ph.D., CPA
Office: Bryan 337
Phone: 256-0187; E-mail: vmiyer@uncg.edu
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better (a C- is not sufficient) in ACC 440.
Learning Objectives : At the end of this semester, you should be able to
# Describe the general framework for IT risks and control.
# Identify the unique elements of computer environment and discuss how they affect the audit process.
# Describe the controls and audit issues related to computer operations.
# Understand the audit objectives and procedures used to test data management controls.
# Discuss the stages in the SDLC and describe the change management controls.
# Identify and describe the nature of electronic commerce systems and associated controls and audit techniques.
# Describe the key features of CAATTs.
# Use some of the most commonly used GAS for data extraction and analysis.
# Describe the tests of controls and substantive tests of revenue and expenditure cycles.
# Discuss the issues related to computer ethics.
# Use ACL (audit software) to analyze data.
Office Hours: By appointment.
Any time I am in my office you may call or stop by to ask any questions pertaining to the class.
Please call 256-0187 (you can leave a message if I am not there) or e-mail me if you wish to set a specific appointment.
I plan to use Elluminate which facilitates live online discussions for the class as a group. More information will be provided later.
Required Materials:
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Information Systems Auditing and Assurance. 3 rd
Ed. Hall and Singleton. Thompson -
South-Western Publishing.
2.
Reading List (links provided in course web site)
Strongly Recommended:
1.
Auditing. Latest Edition. Arens, Elder, and Beasley. Pearson. or any introductory auditing text book.

Additional Topics and Emphasis of ACC 638
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As part of providing an integrative learning experience with other courses you will take in the Bryan
School we will intentionally emphasize certain general business concepts, perspectives and skills.
Please review the following to see what you can expect:
1. Heavy coverage of technology issues, developments, and applications.
2. Moderate coverage of ethical issues.
3. Little or light coverage of political, diversity, and environmental issues.
4. Moderate to heavy coverage of written communication and analytical skills.
5. Moderate to medium coverage of group skills..
6. Light coverage of international issues.
Performance Evaluation:
All students are required to follow the provisions of the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy in completing course work. Tentatively, it is planned that course grades will be based upon:
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
- 25%
- 30%
ACL assignments
Student Profile / Online Contribution/
- 15%
Articles/ Quizzes/Other Assignments
Cases (group)
- 10%
- 20%
The grade scale is based upon percent of points earned on each item. Appropriate cutoffs for letter grades will be determined at the end of the course. It is possible that I may have to make minor changes in the weights and nature of assignments. You should also note that all assignments are individual in nature unless otherwise stated. Each student is expected to do his/her own work.
Assignments: Due dates and format guidelines
Due dates will be specified for all the assignments. These will have to be turned in online. Please use software features to check spelling and grammar. However, DO NOT assume that the software will catch all errors. Please proofread your work carefully. Spelling, sentence structure and grammar errors will reduce your grade. Be sure to cover all assignment parts. Use headings for each part.
Late assignments: No credit will be given for late assignments except in rare cases.
Communication: Important announcements about the class will be posted on the course website. I may also send e-mail to your uncg e-mail account. It is your responsibility to keep abreast of these announcements by checking the course site at least once every day.
CLASS FORMAT: This is an on-line class that depends in large part on your participation and interaction for success. Your input and questions will make this a better class. The more you put into the class, the more you will take from it. The class was designed with the thought that you have been exposed to auditing and systems, but are not experts. It is also based on the premise that you will be involved in the business world and that a thorough understanding of the audit process and technology will be important assets. The intent of the assignments is to provide you with a background that you can take into the workplace and be successful. Since the class is designed to be very interactive, participation is necessary. With the expectation that you are pursuing a career in business, you should be prepared to act and to submit assignments in a professional manner.

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Attendance :
This is an online course but we will have scheduled Elluminate sessions . If you are unable to attend any of the sessions , you may be required to complete a make-up assignment.
Make-up exams and assignments will not be given except in very rare circumstances. You should contact me immediately if you cannot attend on the exam date.
Doing internship is not a valid excuse
Backup Copies of Assignments: Please keep a backup copy of any material (hard or soft copies) submitted to me.
Specific Assignments
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ACL: This is a PC based file interrogation package and generalized audit software that allows accountants, auditors and financial managers to view, sample and analyze data from any other computerized systems. You will complete a set of exercises using ACL.
2.
Article/Case Presentation: The typical work environment in professional organizations, including public accounting firms, requires people to work as team members, to critically analyze difficult issues and arrive at a common resolution. Many of your experiences in this class will follow this same model. Each group will be assigned a few cases to complete.
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Regardless of the method used to present material (team presentations, group work, lecture, etc.), you are encouraged to actively participate. If you have questions, ask them. If the discussion is related to your job experience or you can add to the discussion, please contribute. The class will be much more rewarding and interesting if you take an active role in it!
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Exams: Exams are cumulative. Exams will contain some objective type questions and short answer questions. Exams may contain questions from any of the materials discussed in class including journal articles and video presentations.
Please note that the final exam is an in-class proctored exam . Please let me know in advance if you can’t come to UNCG to take the final exam so that we can make alternate arrangements.
Note: Auditing requires mastery of the standards and techniques as well as good judgment, communication, and listening skills. In this class, we will attempt to learn these skills. You will have to put in sufficient time and effort to prepare for each class meeting as well as for the exams.
Important Dates: Please refer to http://www.uncg.edu/reg/Calendar/acaCal/sp15.html
for important dates.
Netiquette: The same guidelines that apply to traditional classes should be observed in the virtual classroom environment. Please use proper netiquette when interacting with class members and the professor.
Policy on Server Unavailability or Other Technical Difficulties: The university is committed to providing a reliable online course system to all users. If you are not able to access a working computer with a consistent and reliable internet connection you will not be able to complete this class. However, in the event of any unexpected server outage or any unusual technical difficulty which prevents students

4 from completing a time sensitive assessment activity, the instructor will extend the time windows and provide an appropriate accommodation based on the situation. Students should immediately report any problems to the instructor and also contact 6-tech@uncg.edu to report the problem. Provide as much details about the situation in your communication to help resolve it soon.
Adverse Weather: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro will remain open during adverse weather conditions unless an administrative decision on changing work and class schedules is made by the Chancellor. Students can receive details on the UNCG home page (www.uncg.edu), or by dialing three campus telephone numbers: Adverse Weather Line (336-334-4400); Campus Switchboard (336-
334-5000); and University Police (336-334-5963).
Academic Honor Policy:
The Academic Honor Policy, administered by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, is described in detail in the Policies for Students handbook (Please refer to http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/ ) . Students are responsible for becoming familiar with the
Honor Policy in all its aspects and for indicating their knowledge and acceptance of the Honor Policy by signing the honor pledge for all major work submitted. Students should recognize their responsibility to uphold the Honor Policy and to report apparent violations to the appropriate persons.
It is my policy to collect and retain all examination materials. This means that students are to return all test materials (test documents, scrap paper, etc.) to the instructor immediately after completion of the examination. Notes, textbooks, and other reference materials may not be used unless specifically authorized by the instructor for the particular exam. Students should feel free, however, to request a review of examination results during regular office hours.
Cooperative Learning and Academic Dishonesty:
You are encouraged to study with other students outside of class – cooperative studying can be an aid to learning. However, all materials turned in and all exams are to be your own work. This means that you may share ideas and solicit suggestions for improving your solution, but the final written product turned in must be your own work. I suggest that you work together on the conceptual and planning phases of your assignments, and then separate and do the actual product (the work you turned in) on your own. A pattern of similar wording among papers or with solutions from prior semesters will be considered prima-facie evidence of plagiarism.
Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom :
Please familiarize with the disruptive behavior policy which is available on
‐ line at http://deanofstudents.uncg.edu/policy/. It states that
“The instructor may withdraw a student from a course for behavior that is deemed by the instructor to be disruptive to the class. The grade assigned will be “W” if the behavior occurs before the deadline for dropping a course without academic penalty, and the instructor has the option of giving a
“W” or a “WF” if the behavior occurs after the deadline.”

Feb 16
Feb 23
Mar 2
Mar 16
Mar 23
Mar 30
April 6
5
ACC 638 Spring 2015 Tentative Class Schedule
I expect the following schedule will be close to what we follow. However, it may be necessary to spend more/less time on some topics that could change our plans. If changes are needed, I will tell you of changed due dates during class.
Week Topics Readings (Posted in Canvas)
Jan 12 Introduction
Ch 1 (Arens)The Demand for Audit and Assurance Services
Ch 2 (Arens) Auditing Standards
Jan 19
Jan 26
Feb 2
Feb 9
MLK Holiday
Ch 10 (Arens): Internal Controls
Introduction to IT Audit (Ch 1 – Hall)
Ch 9 (Arens): Audit Risk
Ch 6 (Arens): Financial Statement Cycles
Ch 7 (Arens): Audit Evidence
CoBIT
ACL
ACL
Ch 7 CAAT (Hall)
ACL
Ch 12 (Arens)
ACL
ACL
Hall Ch 9: Revenue Cycle
Review
Mid-Term Exam
Hall Ch 10 Expenditure Cycle
Hall Ch 2: IT Governance
Hall Ch 3 – Auditing Operating Systems
Hall Ch 5 – Systems Development and Program Change
Controls
Hall Ch 4 – Auditing Databases
Review
Final Exam
April 13
April 20
TBD