Shows
Audit SmarterTurning Audit Lessons Into Firm-Wide ImprovementsSam 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...
2025-11-1328 minAudit SmarterManaging Difficult Clients During the AuditSam 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...
2025-10-3042 minAudit SmarterAudit Review Bottlenecks: Why Partners Are Stuck Reviewing ForeverSam 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...
2025-10-1641 minAudit SmarterFieldwork Fumbles: Where Most Engagements DerailSam 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...
2025-10-0240 minAudit SmarterTime Budget Blowouts and How to Prevent ThemBudget 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...
2025-09-1843 minAudit SmarterThe Art of Audit Inquiries: Asking Better QuestionsMost 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...
2025-09-0441 minAudit SmarterBad Documentation = Bad AuditEven 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...
2025-08-2141 minAudit SmarterThe Checklist Trap – Why Auditors Stop ThinkingAudit 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...
2025-08-0742 minAudit SmarterRisk Assessment Mistakes That Blow Up Your AuditRisk assessment drives every aspect of an audit, yet many firms treat it as a mere compliance checkbox rather than the strategic foundation it should be. Sam reveals why rushed planning and copy-paste approaches from prior years lead to deficient audits and missed material misstatements. This episode explores how top-performing firms approach risk assessment as a mindset, emphasizing collaboration, customization, and the critical connection between identified risks and targeted audit procedures.(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:26) - The Importance of Risk Assessment
(04:37) - Common Mistakes in Risk Assessment
(13:37) - The Role of Junior Auditors
(18:04) - Collaborative Efforts...
2025-07-2444 minAudit SmarterCommon Audit Pitfalls and How to Avoid ThemRisk assessments treated as checklists, poor documentation habits, and shallow client walkthroughs are among the most common pitfalls that derail audit engagements. Join hosts Abdullah, and Sam Monsour as they explore real-world examples of how these mistakes lead to uncomfortable client callbacks and missed fraud, while explaining why thinking like a reviewer and slowing down the planning phase can transform your audit quality. The discussion covers everything from asking the right challenging questions to establishing good organizational habits that prevent costly errors down the road.(00:00) - Welcome to Audit Smarter
(01:17) - Common Audit Pitfalls: Risk Assessments
(03:58...
2025-07-1041 min
Entrepreneur Fellowship PodcastEpisode 10: Sam MansourSend us a textIn the latest episode of The Entrepreneur Fellowship podcast, we had the pleasure of delving deep into the entrepreneurial journey of the remarkable Sam Mansour. 🔍 Armed with a solid finance degree and a thirst for success, Sam's trajectory took an unexpected turn as he discovered the power of business acquisition over traditional startup routes.Tune in as Sam shares invaluable insights gleaned from his journey, from navigating partnerships to scaling businesses with precision. 🚀 Learn how he harnessed the art of public speaking and cultivated mental toughness through his Iron Man endeavors, provin...
2024-03-0556 min