On March 6–7, 2025, Suá ma Pauga Chartered Accountants had the privilege of attending the Audit Assistant Conference in Auckland, represented by Sua and Nonu Willima.

As long-time users of Audit Assistant since 2015, our firm remains committed to staying ahead of industry developments and contributing to the evolution of auditing standards. This year’s conference featured high-level discussions and presentations from industry leaders covering key topics, including:

•  Scaling Your Practice – Strategies for expanding an audit firm while maintaining efficiency and high-quality standards. (Cameron)
•  Running an Efficient Micro-Practice – Best practices for managing a small audit firm while balancing workload, compliance, and profitability. (Laura A.)

•  Quality Management in Audits – Practical insights on implementing effective quality control measures. (Justin)
•  Risk Assessment Fundamentals – Understanding risk identification in audits and addressing key risks in financial reporting. (Bill)
•  Materiality in Audits – Practical applications of materiality thresholds and real-world case studies. (Cameron)
•  Systems Testing in Small Audits – Integrating IT systems and technology to improve audit processes. (Laura A.)
•  Enhancing Small Audit Quality – Practical steps to improve audit quality and address common challenges in smaller engagements. (Paul)
•  Common Weaknesses in SME Audit Files – Identifying frequent deficiencies and strengthening audit documentation and compliance. (Dawn)
•  Avoiding Common Audit Mistakes – A deep dive into frequent audit errors and strategies to enhance effectiveness. (Bill)
•  Understanding Your Role in Fraud Prevention – A discussion on fraud detection, red flags, and maintaining professional skepticism in audits. (Justin Reid)
•  Empowering Your Audit Team – Strategies for mentoring and developing audit professionals to enhance efficiency and leadership within firms. (Dawn)
•  LCE Standard & Other New Standards – Updates on the ISA for Less Complex Entities (LCE) and key revisions in international auditing standards. (Misha & Bruce)
•  Building a Healthy Culture & Wellbeing in the Workplace – The importance of workplace culture and wellbeing for employee retention, efficiency, and leadership development. (Reuben)
•  ISSAI Template 2024 & Our Contributions to Audit Standards 

A significant highlight of the conference was the ISSAI Template 2024, aligning with international public sector auditing standards. While many participants are yet to adopt it, in Samoa, it plays a crucial role in public sector audits.

 Suá ma Pauga was heavily involved in the consultation and development of the ISSAI Template 2024, working closely with Clive and Audit Assistant (AA).
 We acknowledge Business Link Pacific for their partial sponsorship of this initiative, which has been instrumental in advancing public sector auditing practices.
 Our firm has also contributed to the development of:

• The Audit Template for Trust Accounts in Samoa, ensuring compliance and transparency in trust accounting.
• The AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Template tailored to Samoa legislation, strengthening financial compliance and risk management.

Our participation in these initiatives reflects our commitment to upholding the highest audit standards and driving improvements in the Pacific auditing landscape. 

 Stay tuned as we integrate these latest insights and frameworks into our audit methodologies to better serve your business needs!

#AuditAssistant #AuditStandards #LCEAudit #ISSAI2024 #SuáMaPauga #AccountingInnovation #AMLCompliance #TrustAccountAudits #ContinuousLearning #BusinessLinkPacific

Event Photos: March 2025 New Zealand