Your firm landed a great audit client, an up-and-coming tech company with inventions they think will change the world while making a lot of money for the owners. When they return your engagement letter, they enclose a "nondisclosure agreement" that contains, among other things, these three clauses:

1. An "as is" clause that prohibits your firm from relying on client information.
2. A return/destruction of information clause requiring you to promptly return all client confidential information or, on completion of the audit and upon their request, destroy it.
3. A clause prohibiting disclosure to third parties. 

How would you respond to each of these items, balancing professional standards with the client's need to ensure the safety of their intellectual property?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

When presented with the three clauses in the nondisclosure agreement from the tech company as their auditor it is essential to balance professional standards with the clients need for intellectual pro... View the full answer