(Intro) When Skepticism Lies: The Paradox of Skepticism in Auditing and Forensics

Join forensics expert Tiffany Couch and Dr. Toby Groves in an exploration of  the Paradox of Skepticism. Skepticism is a core principle in auditing and forensic investigations—essential for uncovering deception, evaluating evidence, and making sound decisions. But what if the way we apply skepticism is actually leading us astray? Traditional approaches to skepticism often give a false sense of confidence, reinforcing biases rather than challenging them, and sometimes causing professionals to overlook critical information.

This session explores the Paradox of skepticism—how skepticism, when misapplied, can create blind spots, distort judgment, and undermine the very decisions it is meant to improve. Participants will uncover the hidden flaws in conventional skeptical thinking, learn how cognitive biases shape skepticism, and discover strategies to apply a more effective and disciplined form of critical thinking in forensic and audit environments.

Through real-world examples, psychological insights, and interactive discussions, this session will equip attendees with a deeper understanding of skepticism—one that moves beyond surface-level doubt toward more accurate, insightful, and reliable professional judgment.

Major Subjects:

• The Skepticism Illusion: Why traditional skepticism often fails in real-world decision-making
• The Overconfidence Trap: How professionals mistake doubt for critical thinking
• Cognitive Bias and Skepticism: Why our brains filter information in ways that distort judgment
• The Limits of Inquiry: When questioning everything leads to worse, not better, decisions
• A New Approach to Skepticism: How to apply structured, strategic skepticism for better forensic and audit outcomes

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common misconceptions about skepticism and their impact on judgment
• Recognize how cognitive biases shape and sometimes undermine skeptical thinking
• Apply strategies to refine skepticism into a structured, disciplined process
• Distinguish between productive skepticism and destructive doubt in forensic and audit settings
• Develop a more effective approach to critical thinking that strengthens professional decision-making

Program Details:

• Program Level: Intermediate
• Prerequisites: 2 years of professional experience in auditing, forensic accounting, investigations, or related fields
• Advanced Preparation: None
• Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live / Group Internet-Based
• CPE Hours: 1
• Who Should Attend: Auditors, forensic accountants, fraud investigators, compliance professionals, attorneys, expert witnesses, and anyone involved in high-stakes decision-making who wants to refine their judgment and skeptical reasoning skills
• Field of Study: Auditing / Specialized Knowledge