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During the audit of CleanCorp, the CPA received an indication from CleanCorp's management that they will dismiss the firm if they do not agree with CleanCorp's aggressive position on revenue recognition. Which threat does this relate to?

1) Undue influence
2) Adverse interest
3) Self-interest
4) Advocacy

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The threat in question is undue influence, which arises when an auditor is pressured into compromising their objectivity by a client's threats, such as potential dismissal for not agreeing with the client's accounting policies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The threat related to the situation described, where Clean Corp's management indicates a potential dismissal of a CPA firm if they do not agree with Clean Corp's aggressive position on revenue recognition, is related to undue influence.

Undue influence occurs when an auditor may be coerced into taking a position or making a decision that is not based on objective judgment due to threats or pressure from a client or other parties. If Clean Corp's management is attempting to use the threat of dismissal to sway the CPA's judgment on an aggressive revenue recognition stance, this would compromise the auditor's objectivity and professional skepticism, thus presenting an undue influence threat.

Other types of threats that can affect an auditor's independence include adverse interest, self-interest, and advocacy, but in this context, undue influence is the correct identification of the threat type.