In: Accounting
Explain the four sources of auditor liability.
The four sources of auditor liability are ;
1. Liability to client
2. Third Party Liability
3. Liability to government
4. Criminal Liability
Let us go through the liabilities is some details.
1. Liability to client : As the auditor has legal engagement with the client , it may face liability for breach of engagement. The client may initiate legal action for any negligence or misstatement against the auditor.
2. Third Party liability : The users of audited financial statements like creditors, shareholders and investors may sue auditor for failure to use due care , for material misstatement , or misrepresentation of facts which may have negatively impacted the decision making of the user.
3. Liability to Govt : Got may sue the auditor for knowingly issuing incorrect audit report . The auditors liability has increased with SEC reports and Form 10 K reports .SEC can put sanctions on auditors for negligence and wrong reporting.
4. Criminal Liability : Auditors cab be liable for criminal liability for accountants . Auditors can become liable to criminal offenses under various federal and state laws. Under Sarbanes Oxley Act , destroying or creating documents to obstruct or impede federal investigation is treated as felony.