Chapter 1.1, Problem 3Q

What are the objectives of an audit risk assessment? Explain why a risk assessment performed during audit planning sets the tone for the entire audit engagement. Also comment on how the concept of ‘risk assessment’ might be useful for any accountant at the outset of any assignment, including non-audit work.

Lawsuits against CPA firms are most likely to allege that the auditors were negligent in not detecting which of the following? (a) overstatement of liabilities and earnings, (b) understatement of assets and earnings, or overstatement of owners' equity. Explain the reasoning underlying your choice. Please also respond to one of your peers. Discussion Board Requirements: Discussion boards for the relevant auditing topics covered will be created online on Blackboard. (the undi ing inquoc: furthermore each student must respond to the professional analyses of at

1. What is auditor independence, and what is its significance to the audit profes- sion? Based on the case information, do you believe that Andersen violated the second general standard? Why or why not? 2. Refer to the responsibilities principle of Generally Accepted Auditing Stan- dards (GAAS). Given the reluctance of WorldCom’s management team to communicate with Andersen, do you believe that Andersen exercised due care and professional skepticism in completing the audit? Why or why not? 3. In terms of audit effectiveness and efficiency, briefly explain the difference between substantive analytical procedures and substantive tests of details. Do you believe it was appropriate for Andersen to rely primarily on sub- stantive analytical procedures? Why or why not? 4. Consult Paragraphs 14 and A8 (in Appendix A) of PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 5. Provide an example of both a preventive control and a detective control that could address the risk that a fraudulent top-side adjusting journal…

Do you believe that the SEC should prohibit auditors from providing all nonaudit services for audit clients? Use ethical reasoning to support your answer.

Which of the following expressions best describes a situation under which the issuance of a report that concludes on the condition of the internal controls of an organization that provides technological services to one of our audit clients (SOC report) is required? It is that situation in which a CPA has been hired to evaluate   a. the projected financial statements prepared by the client, to see if the expected results comply with hypothetical assumptions or not.   b. the information systems and technologies subcontracted by the client, specifically in what corresponds to criteria of security, availability, integrity, confidentiality and privacy.   c. any assertion or area that the client has asked to intervene (subject matter), and do so in accordance with compliance or not, with criteria or principles (against criteria).   d. services that help the client maintain their financial independence.

The primary purpose of accumulating sufficient and appropriate audit evidence is to Group of answer choices a. Support the auditor’s opinion on the financial statements. b. Detect fraud in the financial statements. c. Defend the auditor in case of legal dispute. d. Evaluate the performance of the management of an entity.

In applying a top-down, risk-based approach to an audit, should the auditor start with the ending account balances or does the auditor start with the significant processes that lead to a material account balances? Is one approach preferred over the other? Explain. In what ways does the practice of internal auditing differ from the practice of public accounting? To whom is the internal auditing function responsible?

Which of the following statements is not a correct statement regarding audit evidence? Select one: a. External evidence, such as communications from banks, is generally regarded as more reliable than answers obtained from inquiries of the client b. Documents that originate outside the company are considered more reliable than those that originate within the client's organization. c. Evidence obtained from an independent source outside the client organization is more reliable than that obtained from within. d. Documentary evidence is more reliable when it is received by the auditor indirectly rather than directly.

The auditor has a responsibility to the various users of financial statements including shareholders, debtors, creditors etc. for ensuring the fairness of these statements. In this regard, the auditor is governed by an audit framework as well as a regulatory environment that includes standards. Also, the auditor performs a risk assessment so that the audit strategy is adapted for detecting fraud or error that can contribute to a material misstatement of these financial statements.   Please evaluate the impact information technology can have on the audit process focusing on the risks associated with internal controls?