5.15 MEDIUM Quality Paper Ltd (QPL) operates a pulp and paper mill that makes high-grade paper, using wood from surrounding forests. Highly toxic chemicals are used to manufacture this paper and are discharged into the nearby river. QPL is currently the subject of an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a signicant spill of toxic chemicals into the river. There have also been media reports that senior employees of QPL were allegedly responsible for this spill. In addition, the Green Earth Society is threatening to sue QPL for excess logging of oldgrowth forests in the vicinity of its mill. Despite reappointing its current auditors only two months ago for the audit of the current nancial year ended 30 June 2018, QPL has now approached you to do the audit, claiming that the current auditor cannot provide the management advisory services that you can oer, and which are required for implementing a necessary major restructure of the companys internal control system.

(a) Outline briey what information you should obtain from the previous auditor. (b) Before deciding whether to accept an engagement, what ethical matters regarding the prospective client and its management should you consider? LO 5.1