Question Tag: Conflict of Interest

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AAA – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q1a – Ethical Issues in Audit Engagements

Ethical issues and professional conduct in an audit engagement involving conflict of interest.

You are the Audit Partner of a mid-sized audit firm, Amoah Sonko and Associates. One of your major clients, Kudi LTD (Kudi), has approached you for a significant audit engagement. Kudi has been experiencing rapid growth and plans to get listed on the Ghana Alternative Market within the next year. During preliminary discussions, the Managing Director of Kudi, a friend, promised you a bonus if the audit report is completed quickly and is favourable, highlighting the company’s strengths.

In the course of the audit of Kudi, you came across a series of unusual financial transactions. These included large intercompany loans with its sister companies, other significant related-party transactions with the directors, and an unusually high volume of sales recorded a few days before the end of the financial year. Upon further investigation, your team found discrepancies in inventory records and evidence of potential non-compliance with revenue recognition standards. The Finance Manager insists these transactions are legitimate and necessary for the company’s rapid growth.

Additionally, you noticed that Kudi was involved in a high-profile legal battle with a major competitor, which was not fully disclosed in the financial statements. The lawyer for Kudi insists that you omit this information from the audit report, arguing it would damage the company’s reputation and its plans to get listed on the Ghana Alternative Market.

Required:
i) Identify TWO potential ethical issues in the scenario and explain the potential impact on your professional conduct.                      ii) Identify the steps you should take to address the conflict of interest presented by the Managing Director’s offer. 
iii) Discuss the potential sanctions for accepting the Managing Director’s offer and providing a favourable audit report without proper verification. 
iv) Evaluate the impact of the undisclosed legal battle on Kudi LTD’s financial statements and the upcoming initial public offer.

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q2b – Related Party Transactions and Disclosures

Explains related party transactions and their implications under IPSAS 20.

You are the Director of Finance at the Ghana Water Development Authority, an entity under the Ministry of Forestry and Water. The Authority has a five-member Board chaired by the daughter of the Sector Minister. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority has just been appointed by Government for an initial term of four years.

The Chairperson of the board runs boutique services. The Authority buys a lot of presents from this boutique whenever they are confronted with the need to give out presents to any high-profile person. The Chairperson has made a request to the Authority to finance her boutique services with an amount of GH¢546,000 to enable her business to pay some urgent bills. No terms or conditions were provided in the request. Such an assistance from a financial institution would attract the current prevailing bank interest on loans at a rate of 35% per annum. Recently, another member of the Board contracted a loan from the Bank for her child’s university entrance fees at that rate.

Management of the Authority indicated that the amount was not significant to the Authority and has been approved by the Head of the entity and the Chief Director. The approved document has been handed over to you for payment. Considering the PFM Laws and IPSAS, you engaged the Chief Director about the request, but you were directed to go ahead and pay and use the appropriate accounting treatment in such circumstances. You accordingly raised the necessary documentation and effected the payment.

Required:

In relation to IPSAS 20: Related Party Disclosures:

i) Explain the implications of this transaction on the Authority and state how you would account for this transaction in the financial statements of the entity.

ii) State SIX situations where related party transactions may lead to disclosures by a reporting entity.

iii) Explain TWO reasons for disclosing related party transactions/relations.

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FM – Nov 2014 – L3 – SC – Q6b – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Examine reasons for conflict of interest between shareholders and bondholders.

Discuss any FIVE reasons why conflict of interest may exist between shareholders and bondholders. (5 Marks)

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AAA – Nov 2013 – L3 – SB – Q1 – Ethical Issues in Auditing

Evaluate whether to comply with a former executive’s request for audit services while addressing confidentiality in auditor-client relationships.

Your firm acts as the auditors and advisers to Naija Seven Limited, and to its four directors. The company is owned 50% by Praise Caro, 25% by his wife Madame, and 10% by James Patrick. Braima is the Chief Executive, and Julius is the Finance Director. Julius’ sister, Mabel Mama, recently resigned from the executive board following a disagreement with Praise. Mabel Mama formed her own company, Nigeri Heaven, in competition with Naija Seven.

Currently, Mabel is negotiating with her former co-executives on the profit-related remuneration due to her and the sale of her 15% holding of shares in Naija Seven to one or all of them.

Mabel Mama has contacted you to find out Praise Caro’s current remuneration package since he refused to disclose it to her. She has also requested that your firm should continue to act as her personal adviser, financial adviser, and auditor to Nigeri Heaven.

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CR – May 2023 – L3 – Q6b – Ethical Issues in Corporate Reporting

Discuss the ethical implications and possible actions for alleged unethical behavior in a corporate takeover.

On your first day at Omoge Nigeria Plc as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company, you were sitting in the staff canteen where you overheard a conversation between two Admin Officers. They were gossiping about Mr. Adamu Salisu, the Finance Director.

According to their conversation, Mr. Adamu Salisu may have been involved in unethical activities related to Omoge Nigeria Plc’s takeover of Bobo Limited.

Key details include:

  • Mr. Salisu’s wife, Mrs. Salisu, was a director at Bobo Limited prior to the takeover and owned 30% of its shares.
  • It is alleged that Mr. Salisu substantially overpaid for Bobo Limited and facilitated the overpayment to benefit his wife.
  • The alleged unethical act involved colluding with his wife to falsify records submitted to the accountant conducting due diligence for the takeover.
  • Mr. Salisu is reportedly not well-liked by staff, who consider him intimidating and appear pleased at the prospect of him losing his job.

Required:

Discuss the ethical implications of the above and the possible actions that may arise from the incident. (5 Marks)

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AAA – Nov 2016 – L3 – Q2 – Ethical Issues in Auditing

Discuss ethical and legal obligations of auditors regarding independence, confidentiality, money laundering, and client competition safeguards.

As an Audit Manager in a big audit firm in Nigeria, you were opportuned to attend a conference on Professional Ethics and Anti-Money Laundering in New York. On your return, one of the audit seniors went through the presentations and asked questions on some of the statements she noted in the presentations.

You are required to explain the following statements to her:

a. A good Auditor is an independent auditor. (5 Marks)
b. The Accountant’s normal professional duty of confidentiality to clients is not an adequate defence where money laundering is involved. (5 Marks)
c. Specific obligations for detecting and reporting suspicions of money laundering are placed on professional firms. (5 Marks)
d. A firm might act for two clients that are in direct competition with each other where there are acceptable safeguards. (5 Marks)

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AAA – Nov 2020 – L3 – Q6 – Ethical Issues in Auditing

Preparation of briefing notes on audit tendering, ICAN requirements for advertising, fees, and assessment of client suitability.

Nash Investigations Limited specializes in conducting investigations for corporate clients. It employs ex-police officers, security consultants, IT, and fraud specialists. Nash Investigations recently dropped its firm of auditors and has approached your firm to participate in a tender process for selecting the new auditor. You are a manager in the audit firm and will be working with a senior auditor on this assignment. The senior auditor has never been involved in a tender process or appointment of a new auditor. You have been provided with the following information:

  1. Nash Investigations is a major service provider to your firm, particularly in the provision of IT and fraud consultancy.
  2. Nash Investigations has acrimoniously dropped their previous auditors and is withholding fees, pending the resolution of a number of issues, particularly accusations concerning the auditors’ competence.
  3. Nash Investigations is currently facing a hostile takeover bid from Technical Investigations Group, a company also audited by your firm.
  4. Media reports of a fraud allegation have been leveled against one of the directors of Nash Investigations.
  5. One of the partners in the audit firm is also a director of Nash Investigations.

Required:

Prepare briefing notes to explain the following matters to the audit senior:

a. The audit tendering process in terms of the stages that the audit firm will go through should it decide to participate in the tender.
(5 Marks)

b. The requirements of the ICAN Code of Conduct on advertising and publicity.
(5 Marks)

c. The requirements of the ICAN Code of Conduct on fees.
(5 Marks)

d. The impact of each additional piece of information provided above and how this information would influence your decision to participate in the audit tender for Nash Investigations.
(5 Marks)

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AAA – Nov 2011 – L3 – SA – Q6 – Ethical Issues in Auditing

Identifies a service inappropriate for an audit firm to provide due to independence and ethical concerns.

Which ONE of these services may not be appropriate for an audit firm?

  • A. Advising clients on corporate structures, recruitment, and other human capital needs
  • B. Giving necessary legal advice on tax returns including negotiation with the tax authorities
  • C. Acting as a receiver of the company’s operations on behalf of debenture holders and creditors of the company
  • D. Making detailed enquiries and gathering all necessary information to meet the clients’ specific needs
  • E. Advising clients on how best the business can be run and controlled including issues of accountability and management

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FM – May 2024 – L3 – SC – Q7 – Mergers and Acquisitions

Discuss manager-shareholder conflicts with examples and reasons for synergy in mergers and acquisitions.

(a) Discuss conflict of interest that may exist between managers and shareholders and give examples. (8 Marks)

(b) Explain why synergy might exist when one company merges with or takes over another company. (7 Marks)

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AA – Nov 2023 – L2 – Q3 – Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct for Auditors (IESBA Code)

Evaluate ethical threats due to auditor relationships and actions, and recommend mitigations for compliance.

The following scenarios may threaten compliance with fundamental principles in auditing:

i. The audit supervisor is married to the daughter of the Managing Director of the client company;

ii. The audit firm’s Senior Partner holds shares in the client company;

iii. The assurance firm also provides valuation services, internal audit services, and taxation services to an assurance client;

iv. The assurance firm earns more than 50% of its annual revenue from one assurance client; and

v. The firm obtained motor vehicle financing from a client bank for its staff.

Required:

a. Explain why compliance with fundamental principles in auditing may be threatened in each of the above FIVE circumstances. (10 Marks)

b. Explain FIVE ethical requirements that would reduce or mitigate the threats to compliance with the fundamental principles in the above FIVE circumstances. (10 Marks)

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CSEG – Nov 2017 – L2 – Q2b – Business ethics

Discuss specific threats to independence for professional accountants and suggest measures to minimize these threats.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Code of Ethics discusses the need for professional accountants to be aware of and avoid conflict of interest situations as well as maintain independence in carrying out their professional duties. The professional accountant is exposed to several threats to independence, which are likely to lead to conflict of interest. A threat may arise where an assurance firm provides services other than assurance services to an assurance client.

Required:

i) Identify the specific threat a professional accountant or assurance firm faces by providing the following services:

  • Preparing accounting records and financial statements
  • Valuation services (8 marks)

ii) Suggest TWO measures each a professional accountant can take to minimize the threats identified in (i). (4 marks)

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BCL – Nov 2023 – L1 – Q5c – Legal Implications Relating to Companies in Difficulty or in Crisis

Discuss the eligibility and restrictions related to the appointment of a receiver, particularly in cases of conflict of interest.

c) Manu is the Finance Director of Womengold Ltd, an insolvent company whose creditors have applied to the court to appoint a receiver. Manu wants to be appointed as a receiver since he is very much versed with the details of the company and feels better placed to deal with the creditors than any other person. Alternatively, he proposes that his consultancy company, Adom Consult, should be appointed as a receiver.

Required: i) Explain whether or not Manu or Adom Consult can be appointed as a receiver. (6 marks)

ii) State FOUR (4) reasons that prohibit a person from being appointed as a receiver. (4 marks)

Answer: i) Manu, as a director or former director, along with all other directors, cannot be appointed receiver for the company. The same applies to an auditor of the company. Their previous detailed knowledge of the company is immaterial here, and they must hand over the books, documents, etc., to any court-appointed receiver.

Manu’s consultancy company, Adom Consult, or any corporate body is also barred from being appointed as a receiver. (6 marks)

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BCL – Nov 2023 – L1 – Q1c – Company Directors and Other Officers

Explain Kwayo Mansa’s conduct within the rules of natural justice.

Kwayo Mansa is the Managing Director of Tikitaka Plc. He was linked to a private company called Daakye Ltd of which he had been a major shareholder. Tikitaka Plc decided to undertake procurement for the supply of ICT goods. Daakye Ltd bid for the supply of the goods among other bidders. Kwayo Mansa sat in the evaluation of the bids as the entity head. Kwayo Mansa ensured that the contract for the supply of the ICT goods was awarded to Daakye Ltd.

Required: Explain the conduct of Kwayo Mansa within the maxims/rules of natural justice.               (5 marks)

 

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AAA – May 2017 – L3 – Q4c – Internal audit and outsourcing | Public sector audit

Discuss the need for an Internal Audit Charter in public sector organizations and analyze the conflict of interest issues related to the composition of an Audit Report Implementation Committee (ARIC).

A public sector organization has an Internal Audit function and an Audit Report Implementation Committee (ARIC) of the Board of Directors. The Internal Audit function does not have an Internal Audit Charter. Before the PFM Act, 2016 (Act 921) was enacted, the ARIC had three members: the Managing Director of the organization and two other directors, a legal practitioner, and a retired career diplomat.

Required:

i) Identify the need for and state TWO of the major issues the Internal Audit Charter must cover in a public sector organization. (4 marks)

ii) Discuss the conflict of interest and other issues raised by the composition of the organization’s ARIC in relation to the recommendations of the IIA. (2 marks)

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AAA – Nov 2023 – L3 – Q1b – Professional Responsibility and Liability

Discuss measures to avoid disclosing confidential matters between two competing clients.

Kankam and Partners is an audit firm providing audit services to two competing beer producers: “Pashew” and “Agyimu” breweries. The two companies run neck to neck in terms of market share, with “Pashew” holding 45% and “Agyimu” holding 40%. Advertisements run by the companies give the impression of stiff competition between the two and public perception is that they are enemies.

Required: As an Audit Manager of Kankam and Partners, discuss TWO (2) measures your firm should put in place to avoid disclosing confidential matters of the companies to each other.

 

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AAA – March 2023 – L3 – Q1a – Professional responsibility and liability

Discuss four strategies to mitigate or prevent conflict of interest in the workplace.

A conflict of interest is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial or otherwise, and serving one interest could involve working against another. However, due to the difficulty involved in identifying a conflict of interest situation, you could engage in a conflict without realizing it.

Required:
Discuss FOUR (4) strategies you would recommend to Management to help mitigate or prevent a conflict-of-interest situation at the workplace. (10 marks)

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PSAF – May 2017 – L2 – Q5a – The context of public financial management

This question identifies symptoms of defective corporate governance in a public sector organization and discusses the responsibilities of the Board of Directors in promoting good governance.

Ghana Approval Authority (GAA) is a public sub-vented organization established in 1995 as a standard approving authority for industrial, medical, and food substances in Ghana. Dr. Kamkam was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) four years ago and he reports to a seven-member Board of Directors. GAA derives its powers from an Act of Parliament that was passed over two decades ago. The CEO upon resumption of office found that the enabling enactment of the Authority is out of date and could not regulate the activities of the board effectively. He therefore introduced a lot of innovations and initiatives to run the Authority effectively and efficiently, however, some of his initiatives were inconsistent with the provisions of the enabling enactment. His initiatives, despite their inconsistency with the law, produce great results for the Authority.

Dr. Kamkam has a very good relationship with the Board of Directors over the period resulting from fat allowances and kingly treatment he offers them, especially the board chairman who is a personal friend to him. This empowers him to make unilateral decisions knowing that the board is under his full control and dominance. The board meets fewer times than required by the enabling Act of the GAA. Furthermore, internal audit is not given the required attention by management and the audit committee has not been constituted in the last four years.

The Authority outsourced most of its supporting services to the private sector. The CEO has ensured that all of these services are outsourced to companies owned by his close friends and relatives. In some cases, the services are outsourced to companies in which the board chairman has significant interest. Past records support the action of the CEO that outsourcing to close associates produces better services than an “arm’s length” sourcing. The Authority is also not able to meet information disclosure requirements due to the policy of the CEO to operate on the blind side of the public in order to reduce visibility and nose-poking behaviors of the media.

Required:

i) Explain FOUR symptoms of defective corporate governance that can be identified in GAA. (6 marks)

ii) Identify FOUR responsibilities expected of the Board of Directors of GAA to promote good corporate governance. (4 marks)

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AAA – May 2019 – L3 – Q2a Professional Responsibility and Liability

Evaluate ethical threats affecting audit independence and recommend safeguards to eliminate or mitigate them.

Your audit firm, Adjaye-Gyamfi & Co. has just taken on a new client, Ablordey Ltd (Ablordey), a very successful health club that provides gym and fitness services. The company operates a chain of fitness centers with a wide range of workout equipment, solarium rooms, fitness sessions, nutritional planning, changing rooms, and locker facilities.

You have just been informed that your firm has received an invitation to tender for the audit of the company that owns Gyms Ltd., a major competitor of Ablordey. The Managing Director of Ablordey, Kusiwaa, is an old college friend of your audit manager, and it was through his connection that your firm was able to tender for its audit. You have been assigned as senior auditor for Ablordey.

On a recent visit to your office, Kusiwaa stated that she would like to extend an offer that all staff of Adjaye-Gyamfi & Co. would be eligible for a special membership rate, which is 50% of standard membership rates and entitles the member to 75% off special classes.

She proposed that you sit on the board of directors at Ablordey as a non-executive director. Additionally, she proposed that your firm confirm, as part of the audit, the figures on an insurance claim to be submitted in respect of damage caused by a burst water pipe. The pipe burst during a spell of cold weather in the main gym area prior to the year-end.

Required:

In the context of the above scenario: i) Evaluate FOUR (4) ethical threats (real or perceived) which may affect the independence of your firm’s audit of Ablordey; and (4 marks) ii) For each threat, recommend how it might be eliminated or mitigated to a satisfactory level. (6 marks)

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AAA – May 2018 – L3 – Q2a – Rules of professional conduct, Professional responsibility and liability

Comment on the ethical and professional issues in two cases related to audit client engagements.

Dzinpa & Associate, a firm of Chartered Accountants, in which you are a partner, has the following issues emerged in relation to two of its clients:

i) Good Life Insurance Company Limited is a major client and is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The audit of this client has just started with an audit team of six members, of which Sally is the most junior. Sally has invested in a personal pension plan in a company whose investment portfolio is in all the listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

ii) You are the head of a team carrying out due diligence on Dumsor Ltd., a limited liability company which your client, Solar Electricals, is considering taking over. David, your second in command on the team, has confided in you that in the course of his work he has met the daughter of the Finance Director of Dumsor Ltd., and he intends to invite her on a date.

Required:
Comment on the ethical and other professional issues raised in the above matters.
(Note: Your answer should outline the threat arising, the significance of the threat, any factors you have taken into account, and if relevant, any safeguards you could apply to eliminate or mitigate the threat.) (10 marks)

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AAA – April 2022 – L3 – Q5a – Professional responsibility and liability

Discuss non-audit services that could lead to a conflict of interest or impair the independence of an auditor.

Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) section 143 (2) states among others that a company, person, or firm that carries out duties of an auditor should ensure that the personal judgment of the auditor is not impaired by reason of any relationship with a client that will result in a conflict of interest.

Some governance experts consider the provision of non-audit services to audit clients as an example of conflict of interest and could impair the firm’s independence.

Required: In reference to the above concern, discuss FOUR (4) non-audit services that could lead to conflict of interest or impair the independence of an Auditor. (10 marks)

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