* Risk Assessment: Before developing audit engagement objectives, a thorough risk assessment should be conducted. This step helps identify and prioritize the areas of highest risk, ensuring that the audit focuses on the most critical issues.
* Establishing Objectives: The results of the risk assessment guide the development of specific, relevant, and focused audit objectives. This ensures that the engagement addresses key risk areas and adds value to the organization.
* Sequential Steps: Identification of controls, scope establishment, and review of resources are important steps but typically follow the initial risk assessment to ensure the audit is aligned with the organization's risk profile.

* Benchmarking Research:Utilizing benchmarking research to support the preparation of a report demonstrates the auditor's ability to analyze data, compare performance, and identify control deficiencies.
* Critical Thinking:This skill involves evaluating and interpreting data to make informed judgments and recommendations, which is essential for identifying significant findings and control deficiencies.
* Application in Auditing:Critical thinking helps auditors assess the effectiveness of controls and develop recommendations based on evidence and comparative analysis.
References:
* The role of critical thinking in internal auditing as emphasized by the IIA .

Role of Internal Audit Charter: The internal audit charter is a formal document that defines the purpose, authority, and responsibility of the internal audit activity. It establishes the internal audit activity's position within the organization, including the nature of the chief audit executive's functional reporting relationship with the board.
CEO's Decision Justification: According to IIA guidance, the internal audit activity can take on responsibilities related to risk management and investigation if it is defined within the internal audit charter.
The charter must outline the scope of the internal audit activity, which can include risk management functions if approved by the board and senior management.
Authority and Proficiency: While the CEO has the authority to assign responsibilities, the decision must align with the provisions of the internal audit charter. The level of proficiency of the CAE and the recommendation of external auditors can support the decision but are not primary justifications.
IIA Standards: Standard 1000 - Purpose, Authority, and Responsibility - requires that the internal audit activity's purpose, authority, and responsibility be formally defined in an internal audit charter, consistent with the Mission of Internal Audit and the mandatory elements of the International Professional Practices Framework.
References:
* The internal audit charter is the primary document that justifies the scope and responsibilities of the internal audit activity, including risk management and investigation roles. It ensures that such roles are formally acknowledged and authorized by the board and senior management.

* Introduction:
* The engagement scope outlines the boundaries of the audit activities, specifying the methods and techniques to be employed during the engagement.
* Scope Definition:
* The scope includes the areas to be reviewed, the nature and extent of testing, and the specific objectives and criteria to be used.
* Options Analysis:
* Option A: Specifying compliance targets is part of planning but too specific for the overall engagement scope.
* Option B: Detailing the use of both random and judgmental samplings defines the methodology clearly, which is appropriate for the engagement scope.
* Option C: Considering the probability of significant errors is part of the risk assessment process, not the scope itself.
* Option D: Analyzing wire transfers is a specific audit test rather than a definition of the engagement scope.
* Conclusion:
* Specifying both random and judgmental samplings as part of the engagement scope provides a clear and comprehensive methodology for the audit, making it the most appropriate choice.

Assigning a junior auditor to complete a complex part of an audit engagement can be a strategic decision aimed at providing the junior auditor with valuable experience. This exposure to complex tasks helps in their professional development, building their skills and knowledge for future responsibilities. Although tight deadlines or the unavailability of senior auditors might be factors, the primary reason is often to enhance the junior auditor's competence and career growth.