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Financial Reporting and Ethics - The Institute of Chartered ...

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FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ETHICSAccording to <strong>The</strong> Code (IFAC, 2009), it is the threat that apr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant will not appropriately evaluate theresults <strong>of</strong> a previous judgment made or service performed bythe pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant, or by another individual within thepr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant’s firm or employing organisation, onwhich the accountant will rely when forming a judgment as part<strong>of</strong> providing current services.(c)(d)(e)<strong>The</strong> advocacy threatThis is an apparent threat to the auditor’s objectivity, if hebecomes an advocate on behalf <strong>of</strong> an assurance client inlitigation or disputes with third parties.<strong>The</strong> familiarity or trust threatA threat that the auditor may become over-influenced by thepersonality <strong>and</strong> qualities <strong>of</strong> the directors <strong>and</strong> management, <strong>and</strong>consequently too sympathetic to their interest. It could also arisewhere a member <strong>of</strong> the engagement team has a close orimmediate family relationship with a director or <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> theclient.<strong>The</strong> intimidation threatIt is the possibility that the auditor is being threatened withdismissal or replacement in relation to a client engagement. Itcould come from a dominating personality, or by other pressures,actual or feared, by a director or manager <strong>of</strong> the client or bysome other party.It is a threat that a pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant will be deterred fromacting objectively because <strong>of</strong> actual or perceived pressure.10.5.2 Safeguards to Independence / Introduction <strong>of</strong> Safeguards atPr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>and</strong> Firm Levels<strong>The</strong>re are many safeguards <strong>and</strong> procedures to <strong>of</strong>fset the different types<strong>of</strong> threats highlighted above. Auditors are admonished to alwaysconsider the utilization <strong>of</strong> safeguards <strong>and</strong> measures which may reduceor negate threats. <strong>The</strong>y should be prepared to demonstrate that inrelation to each specified threat, they have exhausted the availability<strong>and</strong> effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the safeguards <strong>and</strong> procedures, <strong>and</strong> are satisfiedthat their objectivity in carrying out the assignment will be properlypreserved. <strong>The</strong> following may, therefore, be discussed:198

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