Professional negligence
Professional negligence is a failure to meet the applicable standard of professional care where the other legal elements needed for liability are established. A claim commonly involves duty, breach, causation and loss, though the exact tests and defences depend on jurisdiction. A poor outcome alone does not prove negligence.
Worked example
A court examines whether an auditor failed to perform required work and whether that breach caused a claimant’s loss under applicable law.
Common mistake
Missing a fraud or a company’s failure does not automatically establish that the auditor was negligent.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | AAA (INT) | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |