Skills and Objectivity of Expert

The skills and competence of the expert

Whether planning to require the work of an expert, so the auditor should assess the professional competence of the specialist expert.

An auditor should satisfy himself such as to the expert's skills, competence and experience through considering the professional qualifications, and the membership or license of an suitable professional body, reputation and experience in the field whether the auditor is seeking evidence.

Objectivity of the expert

The auditor should assess the objectivity of the specialist. Just like in his own case, whereby his objectivity has to be jealously guarded the auditor must believe the objectivity of the specialist.  The expert's objectivity can be impaired where the expert is employed by the client or is related in some other manner to the client for example being financially dependent upon or having an investment in the client.  The auditor should perform much more extensive process than would otherwise have been planned, or he should realize engaging another expert.