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

Which scenario would most likely result in an auditor modifying their opinion?

1. Material misstatements are discovered after the report.

2. Management is unable to provide a management representation letter.

3. The auditor determines financial statements are consistent.

4. All disclosures are included in the financial statements.

The correct answer is: Management is unable to provide a management representation letter.

The scenario where management is unable to provide a management representation letter is likely to result in an auditor modifying their opinion. A management representation letter is an important tool for auditors, as it contains formal assertions from management about the financial statements and the completeness of information provided. This letter corroborates the auditor's understanding of the financial reporting process and is a key source of evidence to support the auditor's conclusions. If management is unable or unwilling to provide this letter, it raises concerns about the reliability of management's statements and could indicate potential issues such as misrepresentation or inadequate disclosure. The absence of this letter limits the auditor's ability to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence, which is critical for rendering an opinion on the financial statements. Consequently, the auditor may conclude that the financial statements may be unreliable or incomplete, necessitating a modification of the opinion to reflect these concerns. In contrast, discovering material misstatements after the report would affect the reliability of the report but is typically addressed through restatement rather than immediate modification of the original opinion. A determination that financial statements are consistent or that all disclosures are included would not lead to a modification, as these scenarios do not present issues that undermine the integrity or reliability of the financial statements.