Question: Gloria and Deloria, CPAs, have recently started
Gloria and Deloria, CPAs, have recently started their public accounting firm and intend to provide attestation and a variety of consulting services for their clients, which are all nonpublic. Both Ms. Gloria and Mr. Deloria have particular expertise in designing payroll and other disbursement systems. Ms. Gloria is concerned about whether any of the following services would impair their audit independence.
a. For each of the services in the accompanying table, provide a judgment as to whether providing the service would impair attest independence. In all 12 situations, assume that management has designated a management-level individual to be responsible for overseeing the CPA’s services and has established appropriate internal control. Also assume that the client is privately held and does not report to the SEC.
b. Now assume that the 12 services are being contemplated for non-attest clients. Which of the services does the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct prohibit under this assumption?
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Additional Information Independence Impalred (Yos, No, Indeterminate) Situation Needed for Number Service Description "Indeterminate" Replles 1 Customize and implement a prepackaged payroll system. Manage the portion of a client's local area network system related to payroll. Using payroll time records approved by manage- ment, generate unsigned payroll checks on a continuing basis for the client; the client signs the checks. 4 Prepare the payroll tax return form and sign it on behalf of management. 5 Approve employee time cards. Accept responsibility to sign checks, but only in emergency situations. 7 Monitor employee time cards and make changes when errors are detected. 8 Post client-approved entries to client's trial balance. Provide all the initial training and instruction to client employees on a newly implemented payroll information and control system. 10 Screen candidates and recommend the most highly qualified candidate to serve as treasurer for the client. 11 Supervise client personnel in the daily operation of the payroll system. 12 Present payroll business risk considerations to the board of directors on behalf of management.
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