Today, a very high percentage of publicly traded companies are audited by only four very large public accounting firms. These firms also do a high percentage of the consulting work that is done for publicly traded companies. How does this fact complicate the decision regarding whether CPAs should be allowed to invest in companies audited by their firm?

Today, a very high percentage of publicly traded companies are audited by only four very large public accounting firms. These firms also do a high percentage of the consulting work that is done for publicly traded companies. How does this fact complicate the decision regarding whether CPAs should be allowed to invest in companies audited by their firm?

Auditing: A Risk Based-Approach (MindTap Course List)

11th Edition

ISBN:9781337619455

Author:Karla M Johnstone, Audrey A. Gramling, Larry E. Rittenberg

Publisher:Karla M Johnstone, Audrey A. Gramling, Larry E. Rittenberg

Chapter1: Quality Auditing: Why It Matters

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 10RQSC

See similar textbooks

Similar questions

You are an Audit Manager for a CPA firm that is assigned to audit the ABC company. Near the middle of the audit, you are offered a job with the company you are auditing. As the Chief Financial Officer. What are the implications of this offer assuming ABC is a nonpublic corporation? What are the implications of this offer if ABC is a public company?
In June 2001, in Oman, the Capital Market Authority issued the Corporate Governance Code, applicable to companies whose securities are listed on the Muscat Securities Market.The Code, drawn from codes of best practices from around the world but adapted to the local market, seeks to promote a "culture of compliance, transparency and accountability without limiting business initiative. Comparing the Internal Auditors and External Auditors , which of the following is not true about Internal Audit a.The scope of the internal audit is decided by the Board of Directors b.The auditor is appointed by the Management c.It is performed by a separate internal auditing department d.It is conducted by the employees of the company
In June 2001, in Oman, the Capital Market Authority issued the Corporate Governance Code, applicable to companies whose securities are listed on the Muscat Securities Market. The Code, drawn from codes of best practices from around the world but adapted to the local market, seeks to promote a "culture of compliance, transparency and accountability without limiting business initiative. Answer the following three questions . Comparing the Internal Auditors and External Auditors , which of the following is not true about Internal Audit The scope of the internal audit is decided by the Board of Directors The auditor is appointed by the Management It is conducted by the employees of the company It is performed by a separate internal auditing department
The following factors describe a potential audit client. For each factor, indicate whether it is indicative of poor corporate governance. Explain the reasoning for your assessment. Finally, determine the risks to reliable financial reporting that are associated with each factor. a.The company is in the financial services sector and has a large number of consumer loans, including mortgages, outstanding. b.The CEO’s and CFO’s compensation is based on three components: (a) base salary, (b) bonus based on growth in assets and profits, and (c) significant stock options. c.The company has an internal auditor who reports directly to the CFO and makes an annual report to the audit committee.
The American Competitiveness and Corporate Accountability Act of 2002 is otherwise known as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Provisions of this law significantly affected capital markets, corporate governance and the Accountancy Profession especially the area on auditing. true or false?
In June 2001, in Oman, the Capital Market Authority issued the Corporate Governance Code, applicable to companies whose securities are listed on the Muscat Securities Market.The Code, drawn from codes of best practices from around the world but adapted to the local market, seeks to promote a "culture of compliance, transparency and accountability without limiting business initiative. Answer the following three questions . 29. Comparing the Internal Auditors and External Auditors , which of the following is not true about Internal Audit a. The auditor is appointed by the Management b. It is conducted by the employees of the company c. The scope of the internal audit is decided by the Board of Directors d. It is performed by a separate internal auditing department
Section 301 of the Corporations Act requires companies to have their financial reports audited. Academic research suggests that Big-4 auditors charge higher fees than other auditors and their audit reports are more credible than those issued by other auditors. Required: In times of economic recession would you expect: the demand for audits to increase or decrease? clients to shift from large (Big-4) auditors to smaller auditors, or from smaller auditors to Big- 4 auditors? Why or why not?
In 2005, Tony Menendez , a former ernst and young LLP auditor and director of technical accounting and research training for Hallibution, blew the whistle on Halliburtions accounting practices, the ................ Question: Describe the inadequacies in the corporate governance system at Hallibution ( This Is the case, for subject Accounting Ethics and Regulation )
The senior partner of Wojtysiak & Co., CPAs, has been approached by a small, publicly traded corporation wishing to change auditors. The Wojtysiak firm does not audit any other public companies. Because of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Mike Wojtysiak, the senior partner, needs to know the regulatory issues facing his firm if it accepts the new engagement.RequiredDraft a report that outlines the Sarbanes–Oxley considerations for a firm such as the Wojtysiak firm. Locate the actual act (Public Law 107-204) or perform a thorough summary and review it prior to preparing the report.
From the article below, 1) What caused the SEC to question EY's independence? 2). Explain the findings in the history for EY's other instances where its independence was called into question. Accounting reform occurred after significant corporate misconduct was discovered in the early 1980s. Some of the reform sought to require public companies to put the hiring and pay of their auditors in the hands of an independent audit board committee. There has been concern that management still has significant influence on the evaluation and final decisions. Phillip Lamoreaux, an accounting professor at Arizona State University, conducted a study of more than 2,000 auditor changes in publicly traded companies. He found that companies whose top executives had worked with a Big Four accounting firm were twice as likely to select that firm. Many executives make their way into corporate America through the largest accounting firms in the world. A chief accountant in the Securities and Exchange…
Which of the following statements is true of the Sarbanes−Oxley Act? A. All private and foreign companies must issue an internal control report evaluated by an outside auditor. B. Accounting firms are allowed to provide both auditing services and a full range of consulting services to their public company clients. C. Those who commit securities fraud must be sentenced to 10 years in prison. D. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board oversees the work of auditors of public companies.
Your long-time client, Central Office Supply, has been rapidly expanding, and the board of directors is considering taking the company public.CEO Terry Puckett has heard that costs of operating a public company have increased significantly as a result of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act. Puckett is particularly concerned with reports that audit fees have doubled because of internal control provisions of the act and PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2201. Puckett has asked you to explain the possible effects on the audit of complying with the requirements of Sarbanes–Oxley.Required:Draft a letter to Puckett outlining the changes in the company’s responsibilities for internal control and changes in the audit due to Sarbanes–Oxley and PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2201.