Chapter 13, Problem 37C

Randall, Inc. is a private company that manufactures heavy machinery. The company has an active audit committee and board of directors. The audit committee consists of two outside directors and Howard Kress, the company chief financial officer. The audit committee meets quarterly to provide oversight of financial reporting, including reviewing new accounting policies and unusual transactions. Howard Kress personally  reviews and approves any related party transactions. Internal audit of operating units are performed by the internal auditor, who reports directly to Laura Howe, the chief operating officer. The company has written code of conduct and employees agree to adhere to the code when they are hired. The company also has a hotline for confidential reporting of unethical behavior that is staffed by the corporate controller. The audit committee reviews summaries of all incidents and investigations performed. Required: Identify the weaknesses in Randall’s system of corporate…

You are in your second year as an auditor with Dantly and Regis, a regional CPA firm. One of the firm's long-time clients is Mayberry- Cleaver Industries, a national company involved in the manufacturing, marketing, and sales of hydraulic devices used in specialized manufacturing applications. Early in this year's audit, you discover that Mayberry-Cleaver has changed its method of determining inventory from LIFO to FIFO. Your client's explanation is that FIFO is consistent with the method used by some other companies in the industry. Upon further investigation, you discover an executive stock option plan whose terms call for a significant increase in the shares available to executives if net income this year exceeds $44 million. Some quick calculations convince you that without the change in inventory methods, the target will not be reached; with the change, it will. Do you perceive an ethical dilemma? What would be the likely impact of following the controller's suggestions? Who would…

You are in your second year as an auditor with Dantly and Regis, a regional CPA firm. One of the firm’s long-time clients is Mayberry-Cleaver Industries, a national company involved in the manufacturing, marketing, and sales of hydraulic devices used in specialized manufacturing applications. Early in this year’s audit you discover that Mayberry- Cleaver has changed its method of determining inventory from LIFO to FIFO. Your client’s explanation is that FIFO is consistent with the method used by some other companies in the industry. Upon further investigation, you discover an executive stock option plan whose terms call for a significant increase in the shares available to executives if net income this year exceeds $44 million. Some quick calculations convince you that without the change in inventory methods, the target will not be reached; with the change, it will. Required: Do you perceive an ethical dilemma? What would be the likely impact of following the controller’s suggestions?…