Question

Smith, CPA, is a partner of Johnson Accounting Firm. Johnson audited the books of Hometown Bank. Smith's independence would be impaired under which of the following circumstances?

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Smith is a Director of Hometown Bank

Explanation:

First, the multiple Options

a. Smith is a director of Hometown Bank.

b. Smith has a collateralized automobile loan with Hometown Bank.

c. Smith had an account with Hometown Bank 2 years ago.

d. Smith and a Hometown Bank board member belong to the same church.

Basically, there are 5 characteristics of an auditor whose responsibility is access the financial statement of an organisation and give a true and fair report on the state of the business. One of these characteristics is Independence and Objectivity.

When there are potential risks to the ability of the auditor to give a true and fair view of the audited books, the we say the auditor's independence is impaired.

An auditor's independence is impaired as a result of business relationship with clients. This includes any form of business association with client as manager, employee, director among others.

Based on these definitions, Smith as a director of Hometown Bank and a partner of Johnson Accounting firm risks the impairment of his independence because of the business relationship of being a Director with the client.