Sam and Abdullah examine why the field work phase causes so many audit delays, even when planning looks solid. From missing documentation and vague responsibilities to last-minute client scrambles, Sam explains how weak leadership and poor communication turn a one-week engagement into a multi-month ordeal, and walks through the daily tracking systems and checkpoint meetings that prevent it.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Audit Smarter
• (01:16) - Importance of Structure and Leadership
• (03:16) - Planning for the Unexpected
• (06:48) - Effective Field Work Strategies
• (09:27) - The Role of Clear Communication
• (12:31) - Using Audit Trackers
• (17:45) - Maintaining Accountability
• (20:38) - The Importance of Efficiency in Field Work
• (21:27) - Client Communication Strategies
• (24:38) - Organizing the Audit Process
• (28:08) - Daily Updates and Open Communication
• (32:32) - Role of Managers in Field Work
• (36:27) - Avoiding Scope Drift
• (38:12) - Concluding Thoughts on Field Work

Connect with Sam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mansour-cpa-2a755b271

Connect with Abdullah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-mansour-454959108

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Budget overruns plague audit engagements, often stemming from poor planning, unclear scope definition, and inadequate client management. Sam breaks down the financial and reputational damage of underbidding jobs and explains how firms can protect their margins through strategic scoping, proactive client communication, and realistic time allocation. The discussion covers everything from setting appropriate hourly rates to managing client expectations and avoiding the quality compromises that come with unrealistic budgets.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Audit Smarter
• (00:15) - Understanding Budget Blowouts
• (01:27) - Impact of Poor Planning
• (05:12) - Client Preparedness and Its Effects
• (07:40) - Financial and Reputational Costs
• (19:31) - Effective Team Management
• (24:35) - Handling Client Expectations & Effective Communication Strategies
• (30:33) - Organizing Client Documentation
• (36:50) - Role of Auditors in Budget Management
• (38:41) - Tips for New Auditors
• (42:08) - Final Thoughts on Budgeting

Connect with Sam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mansour-cpa-2a755b271

Connect with Abdullah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-mansour-454959108

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Most auditors know they need to ask questions, but few understand how to ask the right questions effectively. On this episode Sam breaks down why yes-or-no questions are dangerous, how to create an environment where clients feel comfortable sharing critical information, and the specific techniques that can turn a surface-level conversation into a revealing audit insight. From body language to the strategic use of silence, this episode covers the often-overlooked skill that can make or break an audit engagement.

• (00:00) - Introduction to Audit Inquiries
• (01:19) - Importance of Asking the Right Questions
• (04:43) - Common Mistakes in Audit Inquiries
• (06:48) - Characteristics of Good Audit Questions
• (14:51) - Improving Inquiry Skills Through Practice
• (21:24) - The Power of Silence in Client Interactions
• (21:58) - Three Key Tips to Improve Inquiry Skills
• (22:45) - The Importance of Body Language and Tone
• (24:51) - Avoiding an Accusatory Tone
• (27:56) - The Role of Curiosity in Effective Auditing
• (32:13) - Handling Different Client Personalities
• (34:48) - The Impact of Strategic Questions
• (35:35) - The Role of Partners and Managers in Inquiry Techniques
• (40:09) - Final Tips for Effective Inquiries

Connect with Sam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mansour-cpa-2a755b271

Connect with Abdullah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-mansour-454959108

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Even the most thorough audit work can fail if it's not properly documented. This episode breaks down why documentation is consistently the weakest link in audit files and how poor documentation can turn an excellent audit into a regulatory nightmare. Learn the essential elements of effective documentation, common pitfalls that waste reviewer time and increase firm risk, plus actionable tips for creating work papers that tell a clear story from start to finish.

• (00:00) - Introduction to Audit Smarter
• (00:23) - The Importance of Documentation in Audits
• (01:25) - Common Pitfalls in Audit Documentation
• (01:59) - Pro Tips for Effective Documentation
• (05:11) - The Consequences of Poor Documentation
• (10:24) - Characteristics of Good Audit Documentation
• (20:37) - Improving Documentation Practices
• (20:58) - The Importance of Documentation
• (21:16) - Using Templates for Efficiency
• (21:55) - Customizing Communication
• (23:30) - Adding Context for Reviewers
• (25:14) - Reinforcing Good Habits
• (28:25) - Self-Review Techniques
• (32:55) - Managerial Coaching
• (37:41) - Final Thoughts on Documentation

Connect with Sam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mansour-cpa-2a755b271

Connect with Abdullah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-mansour-454959108

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Audit checklists are essential tools, but they can quickly transform from helpful guides into dangerous crutches that stifle critical thinking and mask serious deficiencies. Sam reveals how time pressures, inadequate budgets, and firm culture create environments where auditors blindly check boxes without truly understanding what they're testing, sometimes allowing fraud to go undetected for years. This conversation explores the balance between efficiency and thoroughness, offering insights on how firms can foster genuine analytical thinking while still maintaining audit quality and meeting client expectations.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Audit Smarter
• (00:54) - The Double-Edged Sword of Checklists
• (03:29) - Real-World Examples of Checklist Dependency
• (05:58) - Real-World Examples of Checklist Traps
• (08:05) - Breaking Free from Checklist Dependence
• (10:44) - The Importance of Training and Culture
• (19:17) - Red Flags of Checklist Dependence
• (22:07) - Common Audit Documentation Pitfalls
• (26:40) - Breaking Free from the Checklist Trap
• (29:04) - Training and Budgeting for Effective Audits
• (40:55) - Final Thoughts on Checklist Culture

Connect with Sam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mansour-cpa-2a755b271

Connect with Abdullah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-mansour-454959108

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Risk assessment drives every aspect of an audit, yet many firms treat it as a mere compliance checkbox rather than the strategic foundation it should be. Sam reveals why rushed planning and copy-paste approaches from prior years lead to deficient audits and missed material misstatements. This episode explores how top-performing firms approach risk assessment as a mindset, emphasizing collaboration, customization, and the critical connection between identified risks and targeted audit procedures.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
• (00:26) - The Importance of Risk Assessment
• (04:37) - Common Mistakes in Risk Assessment
• (13:37) - The Role of Junior Auditors
• (18:04) - Collaborative Efforts in Auditing
• (20:57) - Assessing Control Environments
• (25:26) - The Importance of Digging Deeper
• (27:17) - Practical Tools for Risk Assessment
• (28:31) - The Role of Brainstorming Sessions
• (32:18) - Leveraging Data Analytics in Audits
• (37:15) - Top Changes to Improve Risk Assessment
• (40:17) - Characteristics of Top Performing Firms
• (42:12) - Ensuring Effective Risk Assessment

Connect with Sam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mansour-cpa-2a755b271

Connect with Abdullah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-mansour-454959108

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Risk assessments treated as checklists, poor documentation habits, and shallow client walkthroughs are among the most common pitfalls that derail audit engagements. Join hosts Abdullah, and Sam Monsour as they explore real-world examples of how these mistakes lead to uncomfortable client callbacks and missed fraud, while explaining why thinking like a reviewer and slowing down the planning phase can transform your audit quality. The discussion covers everything from asking the right challenging questions to establishing good organizational habits that prevent costly errors down the road.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Audit Smarter
• (01:17) - Common Audit Pitfalls: Risk Assessments
• (03:58) - The Importance of Meaningful Walkthroughs
• (05:07) - The Importance of Documentation
• (08:28) - The Role of Checklists in Audits
• (12:07) - Understanding the Client's Business
• (19:53) - Advice for Senior Auditors and Managers
• (21:44) - The Importance of the Planning Phase
• (23:59) - Document as You Go
• (26:03) - Establishing Good Habits Early
• (29:55) - The Importance of Organization
• (35:51) - Real-Life Examples and Lessons Learned
• (41:02) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media