Auditing question

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After completing and discussing this case you should be able to ['l] Appreciate and articulate the complexities [3] Identify factors that encourage objective audi- involved in assessing the going-concern tor judgments despite the presence offriendly assumption for a client client-auditor relationships [2] Describe the \"selffulfilling prophecy" aspect of an auditor's report that includes a going-concern paragraph BACKGROUND Mark glanced up at the clock on his office wall. It read 2:30 RM. He had scheduled a 3:00 RM. meeting with George "Hangten\" Baldwin, chief executive officer of Surfer Dude Duds, Inc. Surfer Dude specialized in selling clothing and accessories popularized by the California \"surfer" culture. Mark had served as audit partner on the Surfer Dude Duds audit for the past six years and was about ready to wrap up this year's engagement. He enjoyed a strong client relationship with George Baldwin, who was ordinarily a relaxed and easygoing man. now going on 50 years of age. For several years running, Mark had received a personal invitation frmri George to attend a special Christmas party held only.r for George's employs-es and close associates. Mark considered George a good friend. in his six years on the audit, Mark had never had any reason to give anything but a clean audit opinion for Surfer Dude Duds, Inc. But this year was different. The economy was in a mild recession. and given the faddishness ofclothing trends, Surfer Dude's retail chain was hurting. As sales decreased, Surfer Dude was struggling to meet all its financial obligations. Retail analysts foresaw continuing hard times for clothing retailers in general, and current fashion trends did not seem to be moving in Surfer [Jude's direction. As a result, Mark was beginning to doubt Surfer Dude's ability to stay in business through the next year. In fact. after conferring with the concurring partner on the audit, Mark was reluctantly considering the addition ofa going-concern explanatory paragraph to the audit report. W'hen Mark broached this possibility with George several weeks ago, George brushed him off. The purpose ofthe scheduled 3:0(3' RM. meeting was to inform George of the decision to issue a going-concern report and to discuss the footnote disclosure of the issue. Mark went over in his mind several times what he was going to say. but remained uneasy about the task before him. W hen Mark arrived at George Baldwin's office. a secretary greeted him and told Mr. Baldwin of Mark's arrival. 1v'lfhen Mark heard George say. "Send him in,\" he took a deep breath and headed into George's office with a smile on his face. George was sprawled out in a large executive chairJ with his everpresent smile. Mark always marveled at how a person could invariably seem so relaxed and happy. "Hey Mark, what's up? You know I don't like meetings on Friday afternoons," George yawned. "Well George. ['1] get right to the point. As you well know, the retail clothing market has really gone south the past few months. 1 know I don't need to tell you that Surfer Dude is struggling right now." _ ' "I know. but we'll pull out ofit," lGeorge said. "When you wipe out, you've got to climb right back on to ride the next bomb, right? We always manage to come out on top. \"'1 just need to ride this one out. just like the other tough times we've been through." \"George, I know you're optimistic that things will get better soon. but this time things are a little different," Mark sighed. \"I know you well enough to know that you might inst be able to pull the company out ofthis. But given the circumstances. 1 think we're going to have to look at including a goingconcern explanatory paragraph in the audit report. There is a non-trivial possibility that Surfer Dude will not be able to continue as a going concern for the next year. I also recommend that you include a footnote in your financial statements to the same effect." "What? Mark, you can't go slapping a going-concern report on me! Surfer Dude will go belly-up for sure. No one will be willing to loan us any money. Shoot, nobody will even be willing to sell us anything on accountall our inventory purchases and everything else will be C.O.D. it'll be cashaand-carry only. And what about our customers? Will they buy if they're not sure we'll be there to stand behind our return policy? It'll be your report that puts us under, not the ripples we're hitting now. I've got a feeling things are going to get better soon. We iust need a little more time.\" "George, you've got to consider the consequences if... "Mark, ifyou slap me with a going-concern report, there is no way we'll be able to pull out of this. Think ofall the people who will lose their jobs ifSurfer Dude shuts down. Please, I'm asking you to think hard about this." George's ever-present smile was gone. Mark was silent for what seemed even to him like an eternity. "Okay George, let's both think about it over the weekend. I'll drop by on Monday morning so we can figure out where to go from here. Thanks for your time." Mark walked slowly out of the building and to his car. This was not going to be a relaxing weekend. _R E0 U I H ED [1] 1What are Mark's options? [2] How might a going-concern explanatory paragraph become a "self-fulfilling prophecy" for Surfer Dude? [3] What potential implications arise For the accounting firm if they issue an unqualied report without the going-concern explanatory paragraph? [4] Discuss the importance offull and accurate auditor reporting to the public, and describe possible consequences for both parties if the goingrconcern explanatory paragraph and Footnote are excluded. How might Mark convince George that a going-concern report is in the best interests of all parties involved? [5] Is it appropriate for an audit partner to have a friendly personal relationship with a client? At what point could a personal relationship become an independence issue? [3] What Factors might motivate Mark to be objective in his decision. despite his personal concern for his friend? [7] In your opinion, what should Marl: do? Briefly justify your position and explain how you would approach George on Monday