Sam explains how audit firms can break the cycle of repeated mistakes by systematically capturing lessons learned and turning them into actionable improvements. The conversation covers everything from individual preparers documenting their own review comments to firm-wide post-engagement debriefs that identify patterns and drive changes to templates, checklists, and procedures. By building a culture where every audit strengthens the firm, teams can reduce wasted hours, improve quality, and create a less stressful work environment.

• (00:07) - Turning Audit Pain Points into Progress
• (00:29) - Learning from Review Comments
• (03:16) - Documenting Lessons Learned
• (04:02) - Post-Engagement Debriefs
• (06:34) - Creating a Lessons Learned Log
• (07:59) - Using OneNote for Better Organization
• (09:15) - Implementing Changes and Improvements
• (16:43) - Training and Team Buy-In
• (24:04) - Building a Learning Culture

This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Sam breaks down why audit clients become difficult, distinguishing between inherent personality challenges and stress-induced resistance that auditors can actually influence. He shares specific tactics for staying proactive rather than reactive, from setting crystal-clear expectations and over-communicating to documenting every interaction and knowing when to escalate internally. The conversation covers everything from recognizing early warning signs to maintaining professionalism under pressure, and even when it might be time to walk away from a client relationship.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Audit Smarter
• (03:13) - Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Clients
• (06:04) - Identifying Red Flags Early On
• (14:17) - Proactive Communication and Setting Expectations
• (22:42) - The Importance of Overcommunication
• (23:18) - Effective Communication Strategies
• (25:17) - Handling Difficult Clients
• (27:30) - Maintaining Professionalism Under Pressure
• (33:33) - Empathy vs. Sympathy in Auditing
• (35:21) - Dealing with High-Risk Clients
• (39:37) - Exiting Client Relationships Professionally
• (42:14) - Conclusion and Next Steps

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

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

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This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media

Sam and Abdullah tackle the audit review bottleneck crisis that leaves partners reviewing work papers late into the night. Sam explains how the problem starts at the preparer level with incomplete work papers, continues through rushed senior reviews, and ultimately creates massive stress when everything piles up at the partner level right before deadlines. From implementing internal milestone deadlines to creating common review comment libraries, this conversation reveals why treating the external deadline as your actual deadline is setting your firm up for failure, and what to do about it

• (00:00) - Welcome to Audit Smarter
• (00:23) - Identifying the Root Problem
• (01:00) - The Importance of Proper Preparation
• (02:54) - Self-Review and Documentation
• (04:15) - Challenges with Senior Review
• (04:46) - The Partner's Perspective
• (07:02) - Signs of a Bottleneck
• (12:17) - Managerial Challenges
• (20:21) - The Need for Internal Deadlines
• (21:00) - Establishing Internal Deadlines
• (21:40) - Avoiding Last-Minute Bottlenecks
• (24:03) - Effective Self-Review Techniques
• (25:43) - Pre-Review Checklists
• (27:45) - Turning Reviews into Learning Opportunities
• (33:22) - Documenting Common Errors for Training
• (36:18) - The Importance of Internal Deadlines
• (38:32) - Long-Term Benefits of Fixing Bottlenecks
• (40:44) - Conclusion and Next Topic Preview

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

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