What must internal auditors consider when exercising due professional care during an assurance engagement?

When internal auditors are exercising due professional care during an assurance engagement, they must consider technology-based auditing and other data analysis techniques. This is crucial because the use of advanced technology can significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the audit process.

Incorporating technology, such as data analytics and automated tools, allows auditors to analyze large sets of data quickly and identify trends, anomalies, or risk areas that may not be evident through traditional audit methods. By leveraging these tools, auditors can provide a more comprehensive assessment of the organization's risks and controls. Additionally, technology can help in documenting audit findings more effectively, ultimately supporting robust reporting.

The other considerations, while they may play a role in an auditor's approach, do not specifically address the enhanced capabilities that technology brings to the auditing process. Personal intuition and experience are valuable, but they must be grounded in data-driven insights to ensure objective conclusions. Relying solely on previous audit findings can lead to a narrow perspective, potentially overlooking new risks or changes in the organization. Likewise, standard industry practices are essential but often evolve alongside technological advancements, making it important for auditors to remain current with emerging technologies and techniques.