Which action helps increase objectivity and independence in auditing?

Engagement quality control review plays a critical role in enhancing objectivity and independence during the auditing process. This process involves a thorough assessment of the audit work by another qualified review partner or team to ensure that the audit was conducted in accordance with the relevant auditing standards and ethical guidelines. By having an independent review, it serves as a safeguard against any potential biases or conflicts of interest that could arise from the audit team.

This review acts as an additional layer of oversight, ensuring that audit judgments are reasonable and based on objective evidence, thereby promoting transparency and increasing the overall credibility of the audit. Such measures ultimately reinforce the integrity of the audit process, making it less susceptible to subjective interpretations that might favor management or other stakeholders.

In contrast, increased reliance on management representations, lowering partner rotation frequency, and reducing training in objectivity could potentially undermine the independence and objectivity necessary for a robust audit. Relying too heavily on management representations may lead to accepting information that has not been independently verified, while lowering partner rotation could foster familiarity that may impair objective judgment. Reducing training in the principles of objectivity would diminish the auditors' ability to maintain independence in thought and practice. Thus, the engagement quality control review stands out as the action most directly associated with bol