Final answer:
The correct option is A). William Gregory, CPA, may refer to the work of another auditor in his report on consolidated financial statements if he chooses but is not required to unless sharing responsibility. Corporate governance, including the board of directors, auditing firms, and investors, ensures the reliability of financial reporting.
Step-by-step explanation:
When William Gregory, CPA, is the principal auditor for an international corporation and is satisfied with the work of another CPA on a significant subsidiary, regarding his report on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, Gregory may refer to the examination of the other auditor. This is typically done to acknowledge the scope of the audit and the work performed by the other auditor. Even though he is satisfied with the independence, reputation, and examination quality of the other CPA, making a reference to another auditor's work is not mandatory unless the principal auditor is sharing responsibility in which explicit details such as the percentage of consolidated assets and revenues must be disclosed.
Corporate governance plays a crucial role in the integrity of financial reporting, which involves the board of directors, the auditing firm, and outside investors. For instance, the collapse of Lehman Brothers highlighted significant failures in corporate governance, which resulted in the provision of inaccurate financial information to investors. Appropriate corporate governance structures ensure that financial information is reliable and that those who use such information can confidently make investments and other business decisions.