Which of the following factors most likely would cause a CPA to decide not to accept a new audit engagement?

　　a.Management's disregard of its responsibility to maintain an adequate internal control environment.

　　b.The CPA's lack of understanding of the prospective client's internal auditor's computer-assisted audit techniques.

　　c.The CPA's inability to determine whether related party transactions were consummated on terms equivalent to arm's-length transactions.

　　d.Management's refusal to permit the CPA to perform substantive tests before the year-end.

　　Explanation

　　Choice "a" is correct. The control environment is the foundation for all other components of internal control. Management's disregard of its responsibility to maintain an adequate internal control environment therefore compromises its ability to provide reasonable assurance regarding reliable financial reporting. The auditor may conclude that the risk that the financial framework used by the client may be unacceptable is great enough that an audit should not be conducted.

　　Choice "b" is incorrect. The CPA does not need to understand the internal auditor's techniques in order to accept a new audit engagement.

　　Choice "c" is incorrect. Related party transactions (by definition) are not considered to be arm's-length transactions, and evaluation of such transactions does not affect the CPA's decision regarding acceptance of new clients.

　　Choice "d" is incorrect. Substantive tests are generally performed after year-end, since prior to that time the financial statements have not been finalized.

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