Discussion 3-4

"Audit Risks" Please respond to the following:

• ·         From the e-Activity, analyze whether or not investors who were misled by relying on financial statements could hold the audit firm liable for audit failure either by common or securities laws. Provide a rationale for your response.
• ·         According to an article in the CPA Journal, the accounting profession has long contended that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) provides reasonable assurance that there are no material misstatements contained within financial statements. Suggest at least two (2) alternative methods that auditors can use to provide a more concrete level of assurance to investors. Provide support for your responses with examples of such methods in use.

"Evidence Collection Procedures" Please respond to the following:

• ·         According to an article in the CPA Journal, the auditor considers reliability of audit evidence collected and the reliability of that evidence to reduce the risk of financial statements containing undetected material errors. Compare and contrast at least two (2) types of evidence, and make a recommendation as to which you believe is the most reliable in reducing risk. Support your position.
• ·         From the e-Activity, analyze the primary ways in which auditors would use the information from downgrades to assess business risk or evaluate the likelihood that the downgrades would impact the auditor's assessment of the client's business environment. Ascertain the major ways in which this information would impact the audit risk model equation. Support your position.