Final answer:
The least likely appropriate response relating to risks the auditors identify at the financial statement level is to emphasize the need to remain neutral, rather than to exercise professional skepticism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The least likely appropriate response relating to risks the auditors identify at the financial statement level is 4) Emphasize the need to remain neutral, rather than to exercise professional skepticism. While auditors should remain neutral and objective, exercising professional skepticism is crucial to identifying and addressing potential risks.Assigning more experienced staff, incorporating additional elements of unpredictability in the selection of audit procedures, and increasing the scope of auditor procedures are all appropriate responses to ensure thorough risk identification and assessment.
The most appropriate methods for addressing identified risks in an audit generally include assigning more experienced staff, incorporating elements of unpredictability, and increasing the scope of auditor procedures. Emphasizing the need to remain neutral is not typically seen as an appropriate response because auditors are encouraged to exercise professional skepticism when assessing risks. Professional skepticism involves a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence. Remaining neutral might lead to disregarding potential issues that could be important to the integrity of the financial statements.