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

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

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