Assume an e-commerce company that sells various products over the Internet to consumers (e.g., Amazon.com, E-Toys, or eBay) wants certification from an auditor that states the company has

(a) Effective policies to ensure the following objectives and

(b) Those policies are implemented in a manner to achieve those objectives:

a. All goods are shipped in a timely fashion.

b. The goods are exactly as advertised.

c. The company stands behind any goods that are damaged in transit.

d. The company fulfills promises made in its credit policies.

e. Credit card and billing information is kept safe and is not sold to other e-tailers or retailers.

Required

a. For each of the assurances (a-e), indicate the evidence the auditor would gather in order to provide the assurance desired.

b. How often would the assurances have to be provided in order to meet the objectives sought by both the merchant and consumers?

c. What would be the best way to present the assurance, i.e., how would a potential user become aware of the assurances provided?

d. Why would a CPA be a good provider of such assurances?

e. What are the major attributes of companies that might not need such assurances?

f. Who are alternative providers of the above assurances?