FAR Masterclass: Opening the black box of auditors’ going concern decisions

How do auditors approach going concern issues? And how does that compare to the way you and your firm tackle them? Join us for an interactive masterclass with Marshall Geiger (University of Richmond) and Dominic Detzen, Anna Gold, and Philip Wallage (all at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). 

The team will present and discuss findings from their interview study ‘Auditors’ Going Concern Decisions: Insights from Practice’. The research provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how auditors navigate one of their most challenging judgments.

What to expect:

• Presentation of key research findings on how going concern decisions are made in practice.

• Interactive discussion connecting academic insights with your day-to-day audit work.
• A chance to share experiences and perspectives with your peers.

Topics include (but are not limited to):

• Spotting red flags early: how engagement teams identify going concern issues on a timely basis and how an in-depth understanding of the client helps in detecting such triggers.

• Teamwork and coordination: how engagement partners draw on national offices, panels, specialists, and colleagues in shaping their going concern decisions, and how they explain their decisions to clients.

• Formal versus informal firm support: balancing proactive signals from national office or a going concern panel, with informal conversations and low-barrier exchanges that help bring potential going concern issues to the surface.

• The role of experience and judgment: how auditors develop an intuition (or ‘gut feeling’) that complements analytical tools and models.

This masterclass offers both cutting-edge research insights and a chance to reflect on your own practice. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, exchange experiences, and join a lively debate on one of auditing’s most critical topics!

The masterclass starts 17 October at 2 pm and to wrap up, we invite you to join us for drinks and snacks from 15:30 to 16:30.

This informal gathering offers a great opportunity to continue conversations and network with fellow participants.