Principles of Auditing & Other Assurance Services (Irwin Accounting)
Principles of Auditing & Other Assurance Services (Irwin Accounting)
20th Edition
ISBN: 9780077729141
Author: Ray Whittington, Kurt Pany
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 4, Problem 1RQ
To determine

Explain the reason for the potential liability of auditors for professional malpractice exceeding physicians or other professionals.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The Certified Public Accountant’s liability:

The accountants have both common law and statutory law liability. Common law liability emerges through court decisions for negligence, breach of contract, and fraud. Statutory liability is developed when the governmental units enforce laws and regulations either explicitly or implicitly imposed the liability on the accountants.

The reason for the potential liability of auditors for professional malpractice exceeding physicians or other professionals:

The important reason is the area of liability based on the users of the financial statements as prepared and audited by the auditors. When there are small misstatements in the financial statements its impact results in heavy loss incurred by the users and the potential users of those financial statements. The auditor’s liability is not restricted to the parties to the contract but includes third-party users also. Malpractice suits usually turn to be a small dollar recovery suits with huge litigation cost in any profession.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Describe some civil and criminal consequences if CPAS/auditors fail to follow professional standards. I Summarize some things that CPAS can do to limit their liability and prevent lawsuits. Determine whether the liability risk to CPAS/auditors is appropriate, too high, or too low.
What is meant by a “colorable claim”? Do you believe auditors should be liable for investor losses even if they follow generally accepted auditing standards?
Explain professional skepticism and why it is important for all auditors.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Auditing: A Risk Based-Approach to Conducting a Q...
Accounting
ISBN:9781305080577
Author:Karla M Johnstone, Audrey A. Gramling, Larry E. Rittenberg
Publisher:South-Western College Pub
Text book image
Auditing: A Risk Based-Approach (MindTap Course L...
Accounting
ISBN:9781337619455
Author:Karla M Johnstone, Audrey A. Gramling, Larry E. Rittenberg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Contemporary Auditing
Accounting
ISBN:9781337650380
Author:KNAPP
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Business/Professional Ethics Directors/Executives...
Accounting
ISBN:9781337485913
Author:BROOKS
Publisher:Cengage