Auditing and Attestation- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Practice Exam -

Under which circumstance is an auditor obliged to perform further inquiries after issuing a report?

1. If an event occurs after the report that changes management's strategy.

2. If information resurfacing from the report date could affect the report.

3. If a bankruptcy is filed by the client a week after the audit.

4. If a new shareholder is added to the company post-report.

The correct answer is: If information resurfacing from the report date could affect the report.

The obligation for an auditor to perform further inquiries after issuing a report is primarily linked to new information that may affect the reliability of the report. When information surfaces that postdates the auditor's report yet has the potential to influence the conclusions or assessments made in that report, the auditor must re-evaluate the implications of this information. This situation acknowledges the dynamic nature of financial reporting and auditing, recognizing that events or information that come to light after the report may not have been considered during the audit process but could have significant implications for the users of the report. Thus, if additional relevant information arises that alters the understanding of the conditions reported on, the auditor is expected to investigate further to maintain the integrity of the audit and ensure that stakeholders have accurate and timely information. The other scenarios presented, while they may involve significant changes, do not necessarily create the same obligation to inquire further. Changes in management strategy, the filing of bankruptcy, or the addition of a new shareholder do not specifically indicate that new information directly affecting the report has emerged.