Winder Controls Ltd (Winder) is a large mining engineering company that repairs heavy mining machinery. A-one, R-two and D-two (ARD) are the auditors of Winder. ARDs Information Technology (IT) consulting division has undertaken a number of internal control implementation projects and is actively looking for opportunities to perform more of this type of work. As a result, ARDs consulting division is planning to submit a proposal to implement an inventory internal control system at Winder.

Required

a. Identify and explain two primary threats to independence for ARD. Reference appropriate professional ethical standards.

b. Outline an appropriate safeguard to address each of the threats identified. Reference appropriate ethical standards.