(c) Define ‘market risk’ for Mr Allejandra and explain why Gluck and Goodman’s market risk exposure isincreased by failing to have an effective audit committee. (5 marks)
题目
(c) Define ‘market risk’ for Mr Allejandra and explain why Gluck and Goodman’s market risk exposure is
increased by failing to have an effective audit committee. (5 marks)
相似考题
更多“(c) Define ‘market risk’ for Mr Allejandra and explain why Gluck and Goodman’s market risk exposure isincreased by failing to have an effective audit committee. (5 marks)”相关问题
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第1题：
(b) Explain the meaning of Stephanie’s comment: ‘I would like to get risk awareness embedded in the culture
at the Southland factory.’ (5 marks)
正确答案：
Embedded risk
Risk awareness is the knowledge of the nature, hazards and probabilities of risk in given situations. Whilst management will
typically be more aware than others in the organisation of many risks, it is important to embed awareness at all levels so as
to reduce the costs of risk to an organisation and its members (which might be measured in financial or non-financial terms).
In practical terms, embedding means introducing a taken-for-grantedness of risk awareness into the culture of an organisation
and its internal systems. Culture, defined in Handy’s terms as ‘the way we do things round here’ underpins all risk
management activity as it defines attitudes, actions and beliefs.
The embedding of risk awareness into culture and systems involves introducing risk controls into the process of work and the
environment in which it takes place. Risk awareness and risk mitigation become as much a part of a process as the process
itself so that people assume such measures to be non-negotiable components of their work experience. In such organisational
cultures, risk management is unquestioned, taken for granted, built into the corporate mission and culture and may be used
as part of the reward system.
Tutorial note: other meaningful definitions of culture in an organisational context are equally acceptable. -
第2题：
2 Chen Products produces four manufactured products: Products 1, 2, 3 and 4. The company’s risk committee recently
met to discuss how the company might respond to a number of problems that have arisen with Product 2. After a
number of incidents in which Product 2 had failed whilst being used by customers, Chen Products had been presented
with compensation claims from customers injured and inconvenienced by the product failure. It was decided that the
risk committee should meet to discuss the options.
When the discussion of Product 2 began, committee chairman Anne Ricardo reminded her colleagues that, apart from
the compensation claims, Product 2 was a highly profitable product.
Chen’s risk management committee comprised four non-executive directors who each had different backgrounds and
areas of expertise. None of them had direct experience of Chen’s industry or products. It was noted that it was
common for them to disagree among themselves as to how risks should be managed and that in some situations,
each member proposed a quite different strategy to manage a given risk. This was the case when they discussed
which risk management strategy to adopt with regard to Product 2.
Required:
(a) Describe the typical roles of a risk management committee. (6 marks)
正确答案：
(a) Typical roles of a risk management committee
The typical roles of a risk management committee are as follows:
To agree and approve the risk management strategy and policies. The design of risk policy will take into account the
environment, the strategic posture towards risk, the product type and a range of other relevant factors.
Receiving and reviewing risk reports from affected departments. Some departments will file regular reports on key risks (such
as liquidity assessments from the accounting department, legal risks from the company secretariat or product risks from the
sales manager).
Monitoring overall exposure and specific risks. If the risk policy places limits on the total risk exposure for a given risk then
this role ensures that limits are adhered to. In the case of certain strategic risks, monitoring could occur on a very frequent
basis whereas for more operational risks, monitoring will more typically occur to coincide with risk management committee
meetings.
Assessing the effectiveness of risk management systems. This involves getting feedback from departments and the internal
audit function on the workings of current management and risk mitigation systems.
Providing general and explicit guidance to the main board on emerging risks and to report on existing risks. This will involve
preparing reports on apparent risks and assessing their probability of being realised and their potential impact if they do.
To work with the audit committee on designing and monitoring internal controls for the management and mitigation of risks.
If the risk committee is part of the executive structure, it will likely have an advisory role in respect of its input into the audit
committee. If it is non-executive, its input may be more directly influential.
[Tutorial note: other roles may be suggested that, if relevant, will be rewarded] -
第3题：
3 Susan Paullaos was recently appointed as a non-executive member of the internal audit committee of Gluck and
Goodman, a public listed company producing complex engineering products. Barney Chester, the executive finance
director who chairs the committee, has always viewed the purpose of internal audit as primarily financial in nature
and as long as financial controls are seen to be fully in place, he is less concerned with other aspects of internal
control. When Susan asked about operational controls in the production facility Barney said that these were not the
concern of the internal audit committee. This, he said, was because as long as the accounting systems and financial
controls were fully functional, all other systems may be assumed to be working correctly.
Susan, however, was concerned with the operational and quality controls in the production facility. She spoke to
production director Aaron Hardanger, and asked if he would be prepared to produce regular reports for the internal
audit committee on levels of specification compliance and other control issues. Mr Hardanger said that the internal
audit committee had always trusted him because his reputation as a manager was very good. He said that he had
never been asked to provide compliance evidence to the internal audit committee and saw no reason as to why he
should start doing so now.
At board level, the non-executive chairman, George Allejandra, said that he only instituted the internal audit committee
in the first place in order to be seen to be in compliance with the stock market’s requirement that Gluck and Goodman
should have one. He believed that internal audit committees didn’t add materially to the company. They were, he
believed, one of those ‘outrageous demands’ that regulatory authorities made without considering the consequences
in smaller companies nor the individual needs of different companies. He also complained about the need to have an
internal auditor. He said that Gluck and Goodman used to have a full time internal auditor but when he left a year
ago, he wasn’t replaced. The audit committee didn’t feel it needed an internal auditor because Barney Chester believed
that only financial control information was important and he could get that information from his management
accountant.
Susan asked Mr Allejandra if he recognised that the company was exposing itself to increased market risks by failing
to have an effective audit committee. Mr Allejandra said he didn’t know what a market risk was.
Required:
(a) Internal control and audit are considered to be important parts of sound corporate governance.
(i) Describe FIVE general objectives of internal control. (5 marks)
正确答案：
3 (a) (i) FIVE general objectives of internal control
An internal control system comprises the whole network of systems established in an organisation to provide reasonable
assurance that organisational objectives will be achieved.
Specifically, the general objectives of internal control are as follows:
To ensure the orderly and efficient conduct of business in respect of systems being in place and fully implemented.
Controls mean that business processes and transactions take place without disruption with less risk or disturbance and
this, in turn, adds value and creates shareholder value.
To safeguard the assets of the business. Assets include tangibles and intangibles, and controls are necessary to ensure
they are optimally utilised and protected from misuse, fraud, misappropriation or theft.
To prevent and detect fraud. Controls are necessary to show up any operational or financial disagreements that might
be the result of theft or fraud. This might include off-balance sheet financing or the use of unauthorised accounting
policies, inventory controls, use of company property and similar.
To ensure the completeness and accuracy of accounting records. Ensuring that all accounting transactions are fully and
accurately recorded, that assets and liabilities are correctly identified and valued, and that all costs and revenues can be
fully accounted for.
To ensure the timely preparation of financial information which applies to statutory reporting (of year end accounts, for
example) and also management accounts, if appropriate, for the facilitation of effective management decision-making.
[Tutorial note: candidates may address these general objectives using different wordings based on analyses of different
study manuals. Allow latitude] -
第4题：
(b) Criticise the internal control and internal audit arrangements at Gluck and Goodman as described in the case
scenario. (10 marks)
正确答案：
(b) Criticisms
The audit committee is chaired by an executive director. One of the most important roles of an audit committee is to review
and monitor internal controls. An executive director is not an independent person and so having Mr Chester as chairman
undermines the purpose of the committee as far as its role in governance is concerned.
Mr Chester, the audit committee chairman, considers only financial controls to be important and undermines the purpose of
the committee as far as its role in governance is concerned. There is no recognition of other risks and there is a belief that
management accounting can provide all necessary information. This viewpoint fails to recognise the importance of other
control mechanisms such as technical and operational controls.
Mr Hardanger’s performance was trusted without supporting evidence because of his reputation as a good manager. An audit
committee must be blind to reputation and treat all parts of the business equally. All functions can be subject to monitor and
review without ‘fear or favour’ and the complexity of the production facility makes it an obvious subject of frequent attention.
The audit committee does not enjoy the full support of the non-executive chairman, Mr Allejandra. On the contrary in fact,
he is sceptical about its value. In most situations, the audit committee reports to the chairman and so it is very important
that the chairman protects the audit committee from criticism from executive colleagues, which is unlikely given the situation
at Gluck and Goodman.
There is no internal auditor to report to the committee and hence no flow of information upon which to make control decisions.
Internal auditors are the operational ‘arms’ of an audit committee and without them, the audit committee will have little or no
relevant data upon which to monitor and review control systems in the company.
The ineffectiveness of the internal audit could increase the cost of the external audit. If external auditors view internal controls
as weak they would be likely to require increased attention to audit trails, etc. that would, in turn, increase cost. -
第5题：
(b) (i) Explain how the use of Ansoff’s product-market matrix might assist the management of Vision plc to
reduce the profit-gap that is forecast to exist at 30 November 2009. (3 marks)
正确答案：
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第6题：
(b) (i) Advise Benny of the income tax implications of the grant and exercise of the share options in Summer
Glow plc on the assumption that the share price on 1 September 2007 and on the day he exercises the
options is ￡3·35 per share. Explain why the share option scheme is not free from risk by reference to
the rules of the scheme and the circumstances surrounding the company. (4 marks)
正确答案：
(b) (i) The share options
There are no income tax implications on the grant of the share options.
In the tax year in which Benny exercises the options and acquires the shares, the excess of the market value of the
shares over the price paid, i.e. ￡11,500 ((￡3·35 – ￡2·20) x 10,000) will be subject to income tax.
Benny’s financial exposure is caused by the rule within the share option scheme obliging him to hold the shares for a
year before he can sell them. If the company’s expansion into Eastern Europe fails, such that its share price
subsequently falls to less than ￡2·20 before Benny has the chance to sell the shares, Benny’s financial position may be
summarised as follows:
– Benny will have paid ￡22,000 (￡2·20 x 10,000) for shares which are now worth less than that.
– He will also have paid income tax of ￡4,600 (￡11,500 x 40%). -
第7题：
John Pentanol was appointed as risk manager at H&Z Company a year ago and he decided that his first task was to examine the risks that faced the company. He concluded that the company faced three major risks, which he assessed by examining the impact that would occur if the risk were to materialise. He assessed Risk 1 as being of low potential impact as even if it materialised it would have little effect on the company’s strategy. Risk 2 was assessed as being of medium potential impact whilst a third risk, Risk 3, was assessed as being of very high potential impact.
When John realised the potential impact of Risk 3 materialising, he issued urgent advice to the board to withdraw from the activity that gave rise to Risk 3 being incurred. In the advice he said that the impact of Risk 3 was potentially enormous and it would be irresponsible for H&Z to continue to bear that risk.
The company commercial director, Jane Xylene, said that John Pentanol and his job at H&Z were unnecessary and that risk management was ‘very expensive for the benefits achieved’. She said that all risk managers do is to tell people what can’t be done and that they are pessimists by nature. She said she wanted to see entrepreneurial risk takers in H&Z and not risk managers who, she believed, tended to discourage enterprise.
John replied that it was his job to eliminate all of the highest risks at H&Z Company. He said that all risk was bad and needed to be eliminated if possible. If it couldn’t be eliminated, he said that it should be minimised.
(a) The risk manager has an important role to play in an organisation’s risk management.
Required:
(i) Describe the roles of a risk manager. (4 marks)
(ii) Assess John Pentanol’s understanding of his role. (4 marks)
(b) With reference to a risk assessment framework as appropriate, criticise John’s advice that H&Z should
withdraw from the activity that incurs Risk 3. (6 marks)
(c) Jane Xylene expressed a particular view about the value of risk management in H&Z Company. She also said that she wanted to see ‘entrepreneurial risk takers’.
Required:
(i) Define ‘entrepreneurial risk’ and explain why it is important to accept entrepreneurial risk in business
organisations; (4 marks)
(ii) Critically evaluate Jane Xylene’s view of risk management. (7 marks)
正确答案：(a) (i) Roles of a risk manager
Providing overall leadership, vision and direction, involving the establishment of risk management (RM) policies,
establishing RM systems etc. Seeking opportunities for improvement or tightening of systems.
Developing and promoting RM competences, systems, culture, procedures, protocols and patterns of behaviour. It is
important to understand that risk management is as much about instituting and embedding risk systems as much as
issuing written procedure. The systems must be capable of accurate risk assessment which seem not to be the case at
H&Z as he didn’t account for variables other than impact/hazard.
Reporting on the above to management and risk committee as appropriate. Reporting information should be in a form
able to be used for the generation of external reporting as necessary. John’s issuing of ‘advice’ will usually be less useful
than full reporting information containing all of the information necessary for management to decide on risk policy.Ensuring compliance with relevant codes, regulations, statutes, etc. This may be at national level (e.g. Sarbanes Oxley)
or it may be industry specific. Banks, oil, mining and some parts of the tourism industry, for example, all have internal
risk rules that risk managers are required to comply with.
[Tutorial note: do not reward bullet lists. Study texts both use lists but question says ‘describe’.]
(ii) John Pentanol’s understanding of his role
John appears to misunderstand the role of a risk manager in four ways.
Whereas the establishment of RM policies is usually the most important first step in risk management, John launched
straight into detailed risk assessments (as he saw it). It is much more important, initially, to gain an understanding of
the business, its strategies, controls and risk exposures. The assessment comes once the policy has been put in place.
It is important for the risk manager to report fully on the risks in the organisation and John’s issuing of ‘advice’ will usually
be less useful than full reporting information. Full reporting would contain all of the information necessary for
management to decide on risk policy.
He told Jane Xylene that his role as risk manager involved eliminating ‘all of the highest risks at H&Z Company’ which
is an incorrect view. Jane Xylene was correct to say that entrepreneurial risk was important, for example.
The risk manager is an operational role in a company such as H&Z Company and it will usually be up to senior
management to decide on important matters such as withdrawal from risky activities. John was being presumptuous
and overstepping his role in issuing advice on withdrawal from Risk 3. It is his job to report on risks to senior
management and for them to make such decisions based on the information he provides.(b) Criticise John’s advice
The advice is based on an incomplete and flawed risk assessment. Most simple risk assessment frameworks comprise at least
two variables of which impact or hazard is only one. The other key variable is probability. Risk impact has to be weighed
against probability and the fact that a risk has a high potential impact does not mean the risk should be avoided as long as
the probability is within acceptable limits. It is the weighted combination of hazard/impact and probability that forms the basis
for meaningful risk assessment.
John appears to be very certain of his impact assessments but the case does not tell us on what information the assessment
is made. It is important to recognise that ‘hard’ data is very difficult to obtain on both impact and probability. Both measures
are often made with a degree of assumption and absolute measures such as John’s ranking of Risks 1, 2 and 3 are not as
straightforward as he suggests.
John also overlooks a key strategic reason for H&Z bearing the risks in the first place, which is the return achievable by the
bearing of risk. Every investment and business strategy carries a degree of risk and this must be weighed against the financial
return that can be expected by the bearing of the risk.
(c) (i) Define ‘entrepreneurial risk’
Entrepreneurial risk is the necessary risk associated with any new business venture or opportunity. It is most clearly seen
in entrepreneurial business activity, hence its name. In ‘Ansoff’ terms, entrepreneurial risk is expressed in terms of the
unknowns of the market/customer reception of a new venture or of product uncertainties, for example product design,
construction, etc. There is also entrepreneurial risk in uncertainties concerning the competences and skills of the
entrepreneurs themselves.
Entrepreneurial risk is necessary, as Jane Xylene suggested, because it is from taking these risks that business
opportunities arise. The fact that the opportunity may not be as hoped does not mean it should not be pursued. Any
new product, new market development or new activity is a potential source of entrepreneurial risk but these are also the
sources of future revenue streams and hence growth in company value.(ii) Critically evaluate Jane Xylene’s view of risk management
There are a number of arguments against risk management in general. These arguments apply against the totality of risk
management and also of the employment of inappropriate risk measures.
There is a cost associated with all elements of risk management which must obviously be borne by the company.
Disruption to normal organisational practices and procedures as risk systems are complied with.
Slowing (introducing friction to) the seizing of new business opportunities or the development of internal systems as they
are scrutinised for risk.
‘STOP’ errors can occur as a result of risk management systems where a practice or opportunity has been stopped on
the grounds of its risk when it should have been allowed to proceed. This may be the case with Risk 3 in the case.
(Contrast with ‘GO’ errors which are the opposite of STOP errors.)
There are also arguments for risk management people and systems in H&Z. The most obvious benefit is that an effective
risk system identifies those risks that could detract from the achievements of the company’s strategic objectives. In this
respect, it can prevent costly mistakes by advising against those actions that may lose the company value. It also has
the effect of reassuring investors and capital markets that the company is aware of and is in the process of managing
its risks. Where relevant, risk management is necessary for compliance with codes, listing rules or statutory instruments. -
第8题：
(ii) Briefly explain the implications of Parr & Co’s audit opinion for your audit opinion on the consolidated
financial statements of Cleeves Co for the year ended 30 September 2006. (3 marks)
正确答案：
(ii) Implications for audit opinion on consolidated financial statements of Cleeves
■ If the potential adjustments to non-current asset carrying amounts and loss are not material to the consolidated
financial statements there will be no implication. However, as Howard is material to Cleeves and the modification
appears to be ‘so material’ (giving rise to adverse opinion) this seems unlikely.
Tutorial note: The question clearly states that Howard is material to Cleeves, thus there is no call for speculation
on this.
■ As Howard is wholly-owned the management of Cleeves must be able to request that Howard’s financial statements
are adjusted to reflect the impairment of the assets. The auditor’s report on Cleeves will then be unmodified
(assuming that any impairment of the investment in Howard is properly accounted for in the separate financial
statements of Cleeves).
■ If the impairment losses are not recognised in Howard’s financial statements they can nevertheless be adjusted on
consolidation of Cleeves and its subsidiaries (by writing down assets to recoverable amounts). The audit opinion
on Cleeves should then be unmodified in this respect.
■ If there is no adjustment of Howard’s asset values (either in Howard’s financial statements or on consolidation) it
is most likely that the audit opinion on Cleeves’s consolidated financial statements would be ‘except for’. (It should
not be adverse as it is doubtful whether even the opinion on Howard’s financial statements should be adverse.)
Tutorial note: There is currently no requirement in ISA 600 to disclose that components have been audited by another
auditor unless the principal auditor is permitted to base their opinion solely upon the report of another auditor. -
第9题：
(b) Explain the principal audit procedures to be performed during the final audit in respect of the estimated
warranty provision in the balance sheet of Island Co as at 30 November 2007. (5 marks)
正确答案：
(b) ISA 540 Audit of Accounting Estimates requires that auditors should obtain sufficient audit evidence as to whether an
accounting estimate, such as a warranty provision, is reasonable given the entity’s circumstances, and that disclosure is
appropriate. One, or a combination of the following approaches should be used:
Review and test the process used by management to develop the estimate
– Review contracts or orders for the terms of the warranty to gain an understanding of the obligation of Island Co
– Review correspondence with customers during the year to gain an understanding of claims already in progress at the
year end
– Perform. analytical procedures to compare the level of warranty provision year on year, and compare actual to budgeted
provisions. If possible disaggregate the data, for example, compare provision for specific types of machinery or customer
by customer
– Re-calculate the warranty provision
– Agree the percentage applied in the calculation to the stated accounting policy of Island Co
– Review board minutes for discussion of on-going warranty claims, and for approval of the amount provided
– Use management accounts to ascertain normal level of warranty rectification costs during the year
– Discuss with Kate Shannon the assumptions she used to determine the percentage used in her calculations
– Consider whether assumptions used are consistent with the auditors’ understanding of the business
– Compare prior year provision with actual expenditure on warranty claims in the accounting period
– Compare the current year provision with prior year and discuss any fluctuation with Kate Shannon.
Review subsequent events which confirm the estimate made
– Review any work carried out post year end on specific faults that have been provided for. Agree that all costs are included
in the year end provision.
– Agree cash expended on rectification work in the post balance sheet period to the cash book
– Agree cash expended on rectification work post year end to suppliers’ invoices, or to internal cost ledgers if work carried
out by employees of Island Co
– Read customer correspondence received post year end for any claims received since the year end. -
第10题：
CUSTOMER REFERRAL From: Bob Smith< bobsmith@3>To: Tompson Harris 10:12 AM, Monday, Dec. 21, 2015 Dear Mr. Harris, Thank you for your cooperation for our business in the recent years. With your great help and support, we have tripled our products in the last three years. And the profits of our company increases steadily. Now, we have enlarged and consolidated our domestic market and European market. Next step we intend to explore the North American market, especially Canada’s and USA’s. However, we do not have good connections in this region. Therefore, we shall be very obliged if you could kindly introduce us to some of your reliable partners in North America who are interested in our products. We look forward to your early reply. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Yours sincerely, Bob Smith Project manager
1. How does Bob begin with his email()
A. With a self-introduction.
B. With his company’s current situation.
C. With presenting thanks for help and support.
2. What’s the current situation of Bob’s company()
A. Very good.
B. Not so good.
C. Just so so.
3. What are the market areas of Bob’s company()
A. Domestic and Asian market.
B. Domestic and North American market.
C. Domestic and European market.
4. What is the recent plan of Bob’s company()
A. To enlarge the domestic and European market.
B. To explore the North American market.
C. To withdraw from European market and strengthen the North American market.
5. What is the purpose of the email()
A. To give best wishes for the coming Christmas and New Year.
B. To ask for the introduction of some business partners in North America.
C. To consolidate the business relationship.
参考答案：子问题 1:C; 子问题 2:A; 子问题 3:C; 子问题 4:B; 子问题 5:B
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第11题：
单句理解
听力原文：Interest rate risk refers to the exposure of a bank's financial condition to adverse movements in interest rates.
(1)
A．Bank's financial condition is the cause of interest rate risk.
B．Bank's financial condition has impact on interest rate risk.
C．Interest rate risk occurs when interest rate moves against the bank's financial condition.
D．Interest rate risk occurs when interest rate favours the bank's financial condition.
正确答案：C
解析：单句意思为“利率风险是指银行在不利的利率变动中暴露出的财务风险”。A项因果关 系颠倒，B项没有提及，D项“favour”一词与原句“adverse”相矛盾。 -
第12题：
风险的优先级通常是根据（ ）设定。A.风险影响（Risk Impact）
B.风险概率（Risk Probability）
C.风险暴露（Risk Exposure）
D.风险控制（Risk Control）答案：C解析： -
第13题：
(b) Distinguish between strategic and operational risks, and explain why the secrecy option would be a source
of strategic risk. (10 marks)
正确答案：
(b) Strategic and operational risks
Strategic risks
These arise from the overall strategic positioning of the company in its environment. Some strategic positions give rise to
greater risk exposures than others. Because strategic issues typically affect the whole of an organisation and not just one or
more of its parts, strategic risks can potentially concern very high stakes – they can have very high hazards and high returns.
Because of this, they are managed at board level in an organisation and form. a key part of strategic management.
Operational risks
Operational risks refer to potential losses arising from the normal business operations. Accordingly, they affect the day-to-day
running of operations and business systems in contrast to strategic risks that arise from the organisation’s strategic positioning.
Operational risks are managed at risk management level (not necessarily board level) and can be managed and mitigated by
internal control systems.
The secrecy option would be a strategic risk for the following reasons.
It would radically change the environment that SHC is in by reducing competition. This would radically change SHC’s strategic
fit with its competitive environment. In particular, it would change its ‘five forces’ positioning which would change its risk
profile.
It would involve the largest investment programme in the company’s history with new debt substantially changing the
company’s financial structure and making it more vulnerable to short term liquidity problems and monetary pressure (interest
rates).
It would change the way that stakeholders view SHC, for better or worse. It is a ‘crisis issue’, certain to polarise opinion either
way.
It will change the economics of the industry thereby radically affecting future cost, revenue and profit forecasts.
There may be retaliatory behaviour by SHC’s close competitor on 25% of the market.
[Tutorial note: similar reasons if relevant and well argued will attract marks] -
第14题：
(b) Using the TARA framework, construct four possible strategies for managing the risk presented by Product 2.
Your answer should describe each strategy and explain how each might be applied in the case.
(10 marks)
正确答案：
(b) Risk management strategies and Chen Products
Risk transference strategy
This would involve the company accepting a portion of the risk and seeking to transfer a part to a third party. Although an
unlikely possibility given the state of existing claims, insurance against future claims would serve to limit Chen’s potential
losses and place a limit on its losses. Outsourcing manufacture may be a way of transferring risk if the ourtsourcee can be
persuaded to accept some of the product liability.
Risk avoidance strategy
An avoidance strategy involves discontinuing the activity that is exposing the company to risk. In the case of Chen this would
involve ceasing production of Product 2. This would be pursued if the impact (hazard) and probability of incurring an
acceptable level of liability were both considered to be unacceptably high and there were no options for transference or
reduction.
Risk reduction strategy
A risk reduction strategy involves seeking to retain a component of the risk (in order to enjoy the return assumed to be
associated with that risk) but to reduce it and thereby limit its ability to create liability. Chen produces four products and it
could reconfigure its production capacity to produce proportionately more of Products 1, 3 and 4 and proportionately less of
Product 2. This would reduce Product 2 in the overall portfolio and therefore Chen’s exposure to its risks. This would need
to be associated with instructions to other departments (e.g. sales and marketing) to similarly reconfigure activities to sell
more of the other products and less of Product 2.
Risk acceptance strategy
A risk acceptance strategy involves taking limited or no action to reduce the exposure to risk and would be taken if the returns
expected from bearing the risk were expected to be greater than the potential liabilities. The case mentions that Product 2 is
highly profitable and it may be that the returns attainable by maintaining and even increasing Product 2’s sales are worth the
liabilities incurred by compensation claims. This is a risk acceptance strategy. -
第15题：
(ii) Explain the organisational factors that determine the need for internal audit in public listed companies.
(5 marks)
正确答案：
(ii) Factors affecting the need for internal audit and controls
(Based partly on Turnbull guidance)
The nature of operations within the organisation arising from its sector, strategic positioning and main activities.
The scale and size of operations including factors such as the number of employees. It is generally assumed that larger
and more complex organisations have a greater need for internal controls and audit than smaller ones owing to the
number of activities occurring that give rise to potential problems.
Cost/benefit considerations. Management must weigh the benefits of instituting internal control and audit systems
against the costs of doing so. This is likely to be an issue for medium-sized companies or companies experiencing
growth.
Internal or external changes affecting activities, structures or risks. Changes arising from new products or internal
activities can change the need for internal audit and so can external changes such as PESTEL factors.
Problems with existing systems, products and/or procedures including any increase in unexplained events. Repeated or
persistent problems can signify the need for internal control and audit.
The need to comply with external requirements from relevant stock market regulations or laws. This appears to be a
relevant factor at Gluck & Goodman. -
第16题：
(c) Define ‘retirement by rotation’ and explain its importance in the context of Rosh and Company.
(5 marks)
正确答案：
(c) Retirement by rotation.
Definition
Retirement by rotation is an arrangement in a director’s contract that specifies his or her contract to be limited to a specific
period (typically three years) after which he or she must retire from the board or offer himself (being eligible) for re-election.
The director must be actively re-elected back onto the board to serve another term. The default is that the director retires
unless re-elected.
Importance of
Retirement by rotation reduces the cost of contract termination for underperforming directors. They can simply not be
re-elected after their term of office expires and they will be required to leave the service of the board as a retiree (depending
on contract terms).
It encourages directors’ performance (they know they are assessed by shareholders and reconsidered every three years) and
focuses their minds upon the importance of meeting objectives in line with shareholders’ aims.
It is an opportunity, over time, to replace the board membership whilst maintaining medium term stability of membership
(one or two at a time).
Applied to Rosh
Retirement by rotation would enable the board of Rosh to be changed over time. There is evidence that some directors may
have stayed longer than is ideal because of links with other board members going back many years. -
第17题：
(ii) Explain how the existing product range and the actions per Note (3) would feature in Ansoff’s
product-market matrix. (7 marks)
正确答案：
(ii) Market Penetration
With regard to existing products it would appear that a strategy of market penetration is being followed, whereby attempts
are made to sell existing products into existing markets. This is a low risk strategy which is most unlikely to lead to high
rates of growth, reflected in the forecast increase of 2% per annum in the years ending 30 November 2008 and 2009.
Management seeks here to increase its market share with the current product range. In pursuing a penetration strategy
the management of Vision plc may to some extent be able to exploit opportunities including the following:
– Encouraging existing customers to buy more of their brand
– Encouraging customers who are buying a competitor’s brand to switch to their brand
– Encouraging non-users within the segment to buy their brand
‘Strengths’ within the current portfolio will need to be consolidated and any areas of weakness addressed with remedial
action.
Market Development
The purchase of the retail outlets will enable management to sell existing products via new channels of distribution. The
products of both the Astronomy and Outdoor Pursuits divisions could be sold via the retail outlets. Very often new
markets can be established in geographical terms. Management could, for example, look to promote the sale of
microscopes and associated equipment to overseas hospitals.
Product Development
The launch of the Birdcam-V is an example of a product development strategy whereby new products are targeted at
existing markets. Very often, existing products can be improved, or if an organisation possesses adequate resources,
completely new products can be developed to meet existing market needs. Some of the main risks here lie in the ‘time
to market’ and product development costs which frequently go well beyond initial estimates.
Diversification
The purchase of Racquets Ltd is an example of diversification on the part of Vision plc since the products and markets
of Racquets Ltd bear no relationship to the existing products and markets of the company. In this regard the
diversification is said to be unrelated.
The establishment of the Oceanic division could be regarded as a related diversification since existing technology will be
used to develop new products for new markets. The success of this strategy will very much depend on the strength of
the Vision brand. -
第18题：
(c) Explain the possible impact of RBG outsourcing its internal audit services on the audit of the financial
statements by Grey & Co. (4 marks)
正确答案：
(c) Impact on the audit of the financial statements
Tutorial note: The answer to this part should reflect that it is not the external auditor who is providing the internal audit
services. Thus comments regarding objectivity impairment are not relevant.
■ As Grey & Co is likely to be placing some reliance on RBG’s internal audit department in accordance with ISA 610
Considering the Work of Internal Auditing the degree of reliance should be reassessed.
■ The appointment will include an evaluation of organisational risk. The results of this will provide Grey with evidence,
for example:
– supporting the appropriateness of the going concern assumption;
– of indicators of obsolescence of goods or impairment of other assets.
■ As the quality of internal audit services should be higher than previously, providing a stronger control environment, the
extent to which Grey may rely on internal audit work could be increased. This would increase the efficiency of the
external audit of the financial statements as the need for substantive procedures should be reduced.
■ However, if internal audit services are performed on a part-time basis (e.g. fitting into the provider’s less busy months)
Grey must evaluate the impact of this on the prevention, detection and control of fraud and error.
■ The internal auditors will provide a body of expertise within RBG with whom Grey can consult on contentious matters.
Tutorial note: Appropriate credit will be given for arguing that less reliance may be placed on internal audit in this year of
change of provider. -
第19题：
4 (a) The purpose of ISA 250 Consideration of Laws and Regulations in an Audit of Financial Statements is to
establish standards and provide guidance on the auditor’s responsibility to consider laws and regulations in an
audit of financial statements.
Explain the auditor’s responsibilities for reporting non-compliance that comes to the auditor’s attention
during the conduct of an audit. (5 marks)
正确答案：
4 CLEEVES CO
(a) Reporting non-compliance
Non-compliance refers to acts of omission or commission by the entity being audited, either intentional or unintentional, that
are contrary to the prevailing laws or regulations.
To management
Regarding non-compliance that comes to the auditor’s attention the auditor should, as soon as practicable, either:
■ communicate with those charged with governance; or
■ obtain audit evidence that they are appropriately informed.
However, the auditor need not do so for matters that are clearly inconsequential or trivial and may reach agreement1 in
advance on the nature of such matters to be communicated.
If in the auditor’s judgment the non-compliance is believed to be intentional and material, the auditor should communicate
the finding without delay.
If the auditor suspects that members of senior management are involved in non-compliance, the auditor should report the
matter to the next higher level of authority at the entity, if it exists (e.g. an audit committee or a supervisory board). Where
no higher authority exists, or if the auditor believes that the report may not be acted upon or is unsure as to the person to
whom to report, the auditor would consider seeking legal advice.
To the users of the auditor’s report on the financial statements
If the auditor concludes that the non-compliance has a material effect on the financial statements, and has not been properly
reflected in the financial statements, the auditor expresses a qualified (i.e. ‘except for disagreement’) or an adverse opinion.
If the auditor is precluded by the entity from obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence to evaluate whether or not noncompliance
that may be material to the financial statements has (or is likely to have) occurred, the auditor should express a
qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion on the financial statements on the basis of a limitation on the scope of the audit.
Tutorial note: For example, if management denies the auditor access to information from which he would be able to assess
whether or not illegal dumping had taken place (and, if so, the extent of it).
If the auditor is unable to determine whether non-compliance has occurred because of limitations imposed by circumstances
rather than by the entity, the auditor should consider the effect on the auditor’s report.
Tutorial note: For example, if new legal requirements have been announced as effective but the detailed regulations are not
yet published.
To regulatory and enforcement authorities
The auditor’s duty of confidentiality ordinarily precludes reporting non-compliance to a third party. However, in certain
circumstances, that duty of confidentiality is overridden by statute, law or by courts of law (e.g. in some countries the auditor
is required to report non-compliance by financial institutions to the supervisory authorities). The auditor may need to seek
legal advice in such circumstances, giving due consideration to the auditor’s responsibility to the public interest. -
第20题：
(b) Explain what effect the acquisition of Di Rollo Co will have on the planning of your audit of the consolidated
financial statements of Murray Co for the year ending 31 March 2008. (10 marks)
正确答案：
(b) Effect of acquisition on planning the audit of Murray’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 March
2008
Group structure
The new group structure must be ascertained to identify all entities that should be consolidated into the Murray group’s
financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2008.
Materiality assessment
Preliminary materiality for the group will be much higher, in monetary terms, than in the prior year. For example, if a % of
total assets is a determinant of the preliminary materiality, it may be increased by 10% (as the fair value of assets acquired,
including goodwill, is $2,373,000 compared with $21·5m in Murray’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended
31 March 2007).
The materiality of each subsidiary should be re-assessed, in terms of the enlarged group as at the planning stage. For
example, any subsidiary that was just material for the year ended 31 March 2007 may no longer be material to the group.
This assessment will identify, for example:
– those entities requiring an audit visit; and
– those entities for which substantive analytical procedures may suffice.
As Di Rollo’s assets are material to the group Ross should plan to inspect the South American operations. The visit may
include a meeting with Di Rollo’s previous auditors to discuss any problems that might affect the balances at acquisition and
a review of the prior year audit working papers, with their permission.
Di Rollo was acquired two months into the financial year therefore its post-acquisition results should be expected to be
material to the consolidated income statement.
Goodwill acquired
The assets and liabilities of Di Rollo at 31 March 2008 will be combined on a line-by-line basis into the consolidated financial
statements of Murray and goodwill arising on acquisition recognised.
Audit work on the fair value of the Di Rollo brand name at acquisition, $600,000, may include a review of a brand valuation
specialist’s working papers and an assessment of the reasonableness of assumptions made.
Significant items of plant are likely to have been independently valued prior to the acquisition. It may be appropriate to plan
to place reliance on the work of expert valuers. The fair value adjustment on plant and equipment is very high (441% of
carrying amount at the date of acquisition). This may suggest that Di Rollo’s depreciation policies are over-prudent (e.g. if
accelerated depreciation allowed for tax purposes is accounted for under local GAAP).
As the amount of goodwill is very material (approximately 50% of the cash consideration) it may be overstated if Murray has
failed to recognise any assets acquired in the purchase of Di Rollo in accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations. For
example, Murray may have acquired intangible assets such as customer lists or franchises that should be recognised
separately from goodwill and amortised (rather than tested for impairment).
Subsequent impairment
The audit plan should draw attention to the need to consider whether the Di Rollo brand name and goodwill arising have
suffered impairment as a result of the allegations against Di Rollo’s former chief executive.
Liabilities
Proceedings in the legal claim made by Di Rollo’s former chief executive will need to be reviewed. If the case is not resolved
at 31 March 2008, a contingent liability may require disclosure in the consolidated financial statements, depending on the
materiality of amounts involved. Legal opinion on the likelihood of Di Rollo successfully defending the claim may be sought.
Provision should be made for any actual liabilities, such as legal fees.
Group (related party) transactions and balances
A list of all the companies in the group (including any associates) should be included in group audit instructions to ensure
that intra-group transactions and balances (and any unrealised profits and losses on transactions with associates) are
identified for elimination on consolidation. Any transfer pricing policies (e.g. for clothes manufactured by Di Rollo for Murray
and sales of Di Rollo’s accessories to Murray’s retail stores) must be ascertained and any provisions for unrealised profit
eliminated on consolidation.
It should be confirmed at the planning stage that inter-company transactions are identified as such in the accounting systems
of all companies and that inter-company balances are regularly reconciled. (Problems are likely to arise if new inter-company
balances are not identified/reconciled. In particular, exchange differences are to be expected.)
Other auditors
If Ross plans to use the work of other auditors in South America (rather than send its own staff to undertake the audit of Di
Rollo), group instructions will need to be sent containing:
– proforma statements;
– a list of group and associated companies;
– a statement of group accounting policies (see below);
– the timetable for the preparation of the group accounts (see below);
– a request for copies of management letters;
– an audit work summary questionnaire or checklist;
– contact details (of senior members of Ross’s audit team).
Accounting policies
Di Rollo may have material accounting policies which do not comply with the rest of the Murray group. As auditor to Di Rollo,
Ross will be able to recalculate the effect of any non-compliance with a group accounting policy (that Murray’s management
would be adjusting on consolidation).
Timetable
The timetable for the preparation of Murray’s consolidated financial statements should be agreed with management as soon
as possible. Key dates should be planned for:
– agreement of inter-company balances and transactions;
– submission of proforma statements;
– completion of the consolidation package;
– tax review of group accounts;
– completion of audit fieldwork by other auditors;
– subsequent events review;
– final clearance on accounts of subsidiaries;
– Ross’s final clearance of consolidated financial statements.
Tutorial note: The order of dates is illustrative rather than prescriptive. -
第21题：
(b) (i) Discuss the relationship between the concepts of ‘business risk’ and ‘financial statement risk’; and
(4 marks)
正确答案：
(b) (i) Business risk is defined as a threat which could mean that a business fails to meet an ongoing business objective.
Business risks represent problems which are faced by the management of a business, and these problems should be
identified and assessed for their possible impact on the business.
Financial statement risk is the risk that components of the financial statements could be misstated, through inaccurate
or incomplete recording of transactions or disclosure. Financial statement risks therefore represent potential errors or
deliberate misstatements in the published accounts of a business.
There is usually a direct relationship between business risk and financial statement risk. Generally a business risk, if not
addressed by management, will have an impact on specific components of the financial statements. For example, for
Medix Co, declining demand for metal surgical equipment has been identified as a business risk. An associated financial
statement risk is the potential over-valuation of obsolete inventory.
Sometimes business risks have a more general effect on the financial statements. Weak internal systems and controls
are often identified as a business risk. Inadequacies in systems and controls could lead to errors or misstatements in
any area of the financial statements so auditors would perceive this as a general audit risk factor.
Business risks are often linked to going concern issues, because if a business is failing to meet objectives such as cash
generation, or revenue maximisation, then it may struggle to continue in operational existence. In terms of financial
statement risk, going concern is a very specific issue, and the risk is normally the inadequate disclosure of going concern
problems. In the extreme situation where a business is definitely not a going concern, then the risk is that the financial
statements have been prepared on the wrong basis, as in this case the ‘break up basis’ should be used.
Business risk and financial statement risk concepts can both be used by auditors in order to identify areas of the financial
statements likely to be misstated at the year end. The business risk approach places the auditor ‘in the shoes’ of
management, and therefore provides deeper insight into the operations of the business and generates extensive business
understanding. -
第22题：
The reasons for the popularity of Treasury bills are the following except that ______.
A．they are the only money market instruments affordable to individual investors
B．they are highly liquid
C．they are risk-free
D．they give higher return than other money market instruments
正确答案：D
解析：国库券(Treasury bill)具有流动性强、风险极小的特点，是个人投资者能购买的惟一货币市场产品，尽管投资回报不高，国库券仍是受欢迎的投资工具。 -
第23题：
(a) List and explain FOUR methods of selecting a sample of items to test from a population in accordance with ISA 530 (Redrafted) Audit Sampling and Other Means of Testing. (4 marks)
(b) List and explain FOUR assertions from ISA 500 Audit Evidence that relate to the recording of classes of
transactions. (4 marks)
(c) In terms of audit reports, explain the term ‘modified’. (2 marks)
正确答案：
(a)SamplingmethodsMethodsofsamplinginaccordancewithISA530AuditSamplingandOtherMeansofTesting:Randomselection.Ensureseachiteminapopulationhasanequalchanceofselection,forexamplebyusingrandomnumbertables.Systematicselection.Inwhichanumberofsamplingunitsinthepopulationisdividedbythesamplesizetogiveasamplinginterval.Haphazardselection.Theauditorselectsthesamplewithoutfollowingastructuredtechnique–theauditorwouldavoidanyconsciousbiasorpredictability.Sequenceorblock.Involvesselectingablock(s)ofcontinguousitemsfromwithinapopulation.Tutorialnote:Othermethodsofsamplingareasfollows:MonetaryUnitSampling.Thisselectionmethodensuresthateachindividual$1inthepopulationhasanequalchanceofbeingselected.Judgementalsampling.Selectingitemsbasedontheskillandjudgementoftheauditor.(b)Assertions–classesoftransactionsOccurrence.Thetransactionsandeventsthathavebeenrecordedhaveactuallyoccurredandpertaintotheentity.Completeness.Alltransactionsandeventsthatshouldhavebeenrecordedhavebeenrecorded.Accuracy.Theamountsandotherdatarelatingtorecordedtransactionsandeventshavebeenrecordedappropriately.Cut-off.Transactionsandeventshavebeenrecordedinthecorrectaccountingperiod.Classification.Transactionsandeventshavebeenrecordedintheproperaccounts.(c)AuditreporttermModified.Anauditormodifiesanauditreportinanysituationwhereitisinappropriatetoprovideanunmodifiedreport.Forexample,theauditormayprovideadditionalinformationinanemphasisofmatter(whichdoesnotaffecttheauditor’sopinion)orqualifytheauditreportforlimitationofscopeordisagreement.