The issuance of SAS 145 has significantly changed the approach to risk assessment during audit planning, with a greater emphasis on evaluating Information Technology systems. This course provides a detailed overview of the new requirements and explains how IT considerations intersect with audit effectiveness. Participants will gain practical insight into evaluating IT environments, identifying potential weaknesses, and ensuring compliance with updated standards.

In addition to covering technical requirements, the course highlights real-world issues auditors encounter when assessing IT systems, including common challenges, risk factors, and areas demanding heightened professional skepticism. Instructor Jeff Sailor incorporates his well-known video parodies to reinforce concepts, keeping the session engaging and memorable while still focused on strengthening professional practice.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
• Apply the requirements of SAS 145 to audit planning.
• Perform effective risk assessments of IT systems.
• Identify areas of concern within IT environments that affect audit outcomes.
• Evaluate IT controls for adequacy and reliability.
• Assess how IT risks impact financial reporting processes.
• Distinguish between high-risk and low-risk IT system components.
• Integrate IT risk considerations into overall audit risk assessment.
• Develop appropriate responses to identified IT-related risks.

Major Topics:
• Requirements of SAS 145 regarding IT risk assessment
• IT risk factors in audit planning
• Evaluating the reliability of IT systems and controls
• Common problem areas in IT risk assessment
• Linking IT risks to financial reporting risks
• Professional skepticism in IT environments
• Practical steps for integrating IT risk into audit procedures

To complete this course participants need to: Answer polling questions to meet NASBA / IRS / State Board of Accountancies requirements for attendance verification.

Upon course completion a course evaluation form is provided for your feedback.

Participants have 1 year from the date of purchase/enrollment to complete this course

CPE Prime is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org

Our Refund Policy can be found at: https://cpeprime.com/cancellation-and-refund/

Basic knowledge of auditing standards

2026 Risk Assessment of IT Systems