(c) Identify TWO QUALITATIVE benefits that might arise as a consequence of the investment in a new IT system

and explain how you would attempt to assess them. (4 marks)

3 Moffat Ltd, which commenced trading on 1 December 2002, supplies and fits tyres and exhaust pipes and services

motor vehicles at thirty locations. The directors and middle management are based at the Head Office of Moffat Ltd.

Each location has a manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations and is supported by an administrative

assistant. All other staff at each location are involved in fitting and servicing operations.

The directors of Moffat Ltd are currently preparing a financial evaluation of an investment of ￡2 million in a new IT

system for submission to its bank. They are concerned that sub-optimal decisions are being made because the current

system does not provide appropriate information throughout the organisation. They are also aware that not all of the

benefits from the proposed investment will be quantitative in nature.

Required:

(a) Explain the characteristics of THREE types of information required to assist in decision-making at different

levels of management and on differing timescales within Moffat Ltd, providing TWO examples of information

that would be appropriate to each level. (10 marks)

4 At an academic conference, a debate took place on the implementation of corporate governance practices in

developing countries. Professor James West from North America argued that one of the key needs for developing

countries was to implement rigorous systems of corporate governance to underpin investor confidence in businesses

in those countries. If they did not, he warned, there would be no lasting economic growth as potential foreign inward

investors would be discouraged from investing.

In reply, Professor Amy Leroi, herself from a developing country, reported that many developing countries are

discussing these issues at governmental level. One issue, she said, was about whether to adopt a rules-based or a

principles-based approach. She pointed to evidence highlighting a reduced number of small and medium sized initial

public offerings in New York compared to significant growth in London. She suggested that this change could be

attributed to the costs of complying with Sarbanes-Oxley in the United States and that over-regulation would be the

last thing that a developing country would need. She concluded that a principles-based approach, such as in the

United Kingdom, was preferable for developing countries.

Professor Leroi drew attention to an important section of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to illustrate her point. The key

requirement of that section was to externally report on – and have attested (verified) – internal controls. This was, she

argued, far too ambitious for small and medium companies that tended to dominate the economies of developing

countries.

Professor West countered by saying that whilst Sarbanes-Oxley may have had some problems, it remained the case

that it regulated corporate governance in the ‘largest and most successful economy in the world’. He said that rules

will sometimes be hard to follow but that is no reason to abandon them in favour of what he referred to as ‘softer’

approaches.

(a) There are arguments for both rules and principles-based approaches to corporate governance.

Required:

(i) Describe the essential features of a rules-based approach to corporate governance; (3 marks)

(c) Briefly describe the principal audit work to be performed in respect of the carrying amount of the following

items in the balance sheet:

(i) development expenditure on the Fox model; (3 marks)

(c) In April 2006, Keffler was banned by the local government from emptying waste water into a river because the

water did not meet minimum standards of cleanliness. Keffler has made a provision of $0·9 million for the

technological upgrading of its water purifying process and included $45,000 for the penalties imposed in ‘other

provisions’. (5 marks)

Required:

For each of the above issues:

(i) comment on the matters that you should consider; and

(ii) state the audit evidence that you should expect to find,

in undertaking your review of the audit working papers and financial statements of Keffler Co for the year ended

31 March 2006.

NOTE: The mark allocation is shown against each of the three issues.

(b) As a newly-qualified Chartered Certified Accountant in Boleyn & Co, you have been assigned to assist the ethics

partner in developing ethical guidance for the firm. In particular, you have been asked to draft guidance on the

following frequently asked questions (‘FAQs’) that will be circulated to all staff through Boleyn & Co’s intranet:

(i) What Information Technology services can we offer to audit clients? (5 marks)

Required:

For EACH of the three FAQs, explain the threats to objectivity that may arise and the safeguards that should

be available to manage them to an acceptable level.

NOTE: The mark allocation is shown against each of the three questions.

(iii) the warranty provision. (3 marks)

4 (a) The purpose of ISA 510 ‘Initial Engagements – Opening Balances’ is to establish standards and provide guidance

regarding opening balances when the financial statements are audited for the first time or when the financial

statements for the prior period were audited by another auditor.

Required:

Explain the auditor’s reporting responsibilities that are specific to initial engagements. (5 marks)

(ii) Can we entertain our clients as a gesture of goodwill or is corporate hospitality ruled out? (3 marks)

Required:

For EACH of the three FAQs, explain the threats to objectivity that may arise and the safeguards that should

be available to manage them to an acceptable level.

NOTE: The mark allocation is shown against each of the three questions.

(b) Describe the principal matters that should be included in your firm’s submission to provide internal audit

services to RBG. (10 marks)