Question Tag: Auditor Engagement

Nigeria Water Resources Limited (NWR) is a limited liability company floated by the
Federal Government to control water related activities and resources. Its operations
cover surface and under water activities. The company is about three years old. As is the practice with entities having government interest, NWR wanted to change the company‟s auditors. It therefore, invited tenders for the audit assignment through a national newspaper. In order to score an advantage over other bidders, the firm of John Ibrahim and Co. (Chartered Accountants) decided to quote a seemingly unrealistic fee level in order to get the job. The Managing Director (MD) of the company did not see anything wrong with the low professional fee level since it will save costs for the company, especially that despite the clean audit report of the previous years, fraud and financial misdemeanour went undetected. The MD believed the annual statutory audit is just to “fulfil all righteousness”. John Ibrahim and Co. has been rated high since this firm
has as its client, another company in the same line of trade.

If the firm, John Ibrahim & Co., wins the bid to audit Nigeria Water Resources Limited (NWR):

a. Explain the ethical matters the firm should consider before client acceptance, at the point of engagement acceptance, and after accepting the appointment. (12 Marks)

b. Assess the remarks of the MD of NWR from the point of the expectation of the public as regards audit assignments. (8 Marks)

c. Explain the procedures the audit firm should undertake to avoid conflict of interests that could affect the judgment of the firm since John Ibrahim & Co. audits another client that is in direct competition with NWR. (6 Marks)

d. Explain the guidelines of the Institute’s Code with respect to advertisement by members. (4 Marks)