Practitioner - Self Review

Note: This Live Virtual course is presented in collaboration with CPA Western Provinces. The content is applicable to all participants. If you have questions regarding this course, please contact pdregistration@cpaalberta.ca

Overview: 

Participants will examine how self‑review threats arise in practice, how they impair independence and objectivity, and how to evaluate their significance using a risk‑based approach. You will learn to apply effective safeguards, document judgments, and embed ethical decision‑making into daily workflows.

Special Notes/Requirements

Ethical Compliance Focus:

Participants must approach scenarios professionally and apply judgment consistent with the CPA profession's core values.

Not a Regulatory Interpretation:

The course provides education and guidance but does not replace formal legal or regulatory advice. Participants are responsible for consulting the CPA Canada Handbook for rules and provincial regulations, as applicable.

Documentation Exercise:

Participants may be asked to complete exercises based on case scenarios. These exercises are designed to reinforce the practical application of ethical standards.

Course Content:

In this course, you will gain knowledge about the following topics:

• Ethical foundations: principles, threats to independence, and the conceptual framework.
  
• Self‑review threats in practice: typical scenarios, amplifying factors for small firms, and early‑warning checklists.
  
• Risk assessment and documentation: evaluating significance, materiality considerations, and recording decisions.
  
• Safeguards in action: structural and procedural safeguards, declining/withdrawing, and communication.
  
• Practice management considerations: quality management, training, templates, and ongoing monitoring.
  
• Case studies and application exercises.
   

Learning Objectives:

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:

• Define self‑review threats and distinguish them from other independence threats.
  
• Identify common self‑review scenarios in practice and assess their significance using a risk‑based approach.
  
• Apply appropriate safeguards or determine when to decline or withdraw from engagements.
  
• Document ethical judgments and independence conclusions in line with professional expectations.
  

Who Will Benefit:

• Staff accountants and senior associates.
• Managers, sole practitioners, and small‑firm partners.
• Professionals seeking practical tools to identify and mitigate self‑review threats.