备考ACCA，时间少、备考不充分该怎么办？

正确答案：
(a) The primary focus of the research and development director
There is a need to measure the ability of CSG to offer up to date services that are sought after by existing and potential
customers. In this regard it would be relatively easy to determine the number of new products/services introduced in previous
periods. The performance of individual innovations should also be assessed. Also the aggregate expenditure on the
development of new services may indicate how CSG has performed with regard to offering up to date, customer focused
services.
The primary focus of the finance director
CSG could use return on capital employed (ROCE), economic value added (EVA) or residual income (RI) as measures of
financial performance. EVA and RI are both superior to return on capital employed (ROCE) in that each method is more likely
to develop goal congruence in terms of acquisition and disposal decisions. It is vital that any performance measure chosen
is consistent with the NPV rule. The use of RI could prove problematic when managers adopt a short term outlook and use
short term performance measures as decisions may not be consistent with the NPV rule. EVA attempts to avoid the problems
associated with understated asset values that arise in the use of ROCE and RI. Current values should be used as opposed to
historical costs.
The primary focus of the human resources director
CSG could use measures such as the rate of staff turnover, the level of absenteeism, training costs per employee and the
number of applications received for each job vacancy. These measures may provide an indication of the extent to which CSG
can be regarded as a socially responsible employer.
These measures should be compared with those of prior periods and targets. Employee attitude surveys may also be
undertaken on a systematic basis in order to assess matters such as the degree of satisfaction with the payment systems that
are in operation, management style. and working conditions.
The primary focus of the corporate affairs director
CSG could use measures such as the amounts spent on the disposal of waste chemicals, the number of complaints received
from clients and members of the public and the total of contributions made to organisations which seek to meet social
objectives, e.g. charities, schools and hospitals.

正确答案：
3 MULLIGAN CO
(a) Matters to be discussed would include the following:
The exact content of the business plan which could include:
– Description of past business performance and key products
– Discussion of the new product
– Evidence of the marketability of the new product
– Cash flow projections
– Capital expenditure forecasts
– Key business assumptions.
The form. of the assurance report that is required – in an assurance engagement the nature and wording of the expected
opinion should be discussed. Webb & Co should clarify that an opinion of ‘negative assurance’ will be required, and whether
this will meet the bank’s lending criteria.
The intended recipient of the report – Webb & Co need to clarify the name and address of the recipient at LCT Bank. For the
limitation of professional liability, it should be clarified that LCT Bank will be the only recipient, and that the assurance opinion
is being used only as part of the bank’s overall lending decision.
Limiting liability – Webb & Co may want to receive in writing a statement that the report is for information purposes only, and
does not give rise to any responsibility, liability, duty or obligation from the firm to the lender.
Deadlines – it should be discussed when the bank need the report. This in turn will be influenced by when Mulligan Co needs
the requested $3 million finance. The bank may need a considerable period of time to assess the request, review the report,
and ensure that their lending criteria have been fully met prior to advancing the finance.
Availability of evidence – Mulligan Co should be made aware that in order to express an opinion on the finance request, they
must be prepared to provide all the necessary paperwork to assist the assurance provider. Evidence is likely to include
discussions with key management, and written representations of discussions may be required.
Professional regulation – Webb & Co should discuss the kind of procedures that will be undertaken, and confirm that they
will be complying with relevant professional guidance, for example:
– ISAE 3000 Assurance Engagements other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information
– ISAE 3400 The Examination of Prospective Financial Information
Engagement administration – any points not yet discussed in detail when deciding to take the assurance engagement should
be finalised at the meeting. These points could include the following:
– Fees – the total fee and billing arrangements must be agreed before any work is carried out
– Personnel – Webb & Co should identify the key personnel who will be involved in the assignment
– Complaints procedures – should be briefly outlined (the complaints procedures in an assurance engagement may differ
from an audit assignment)
– Engagement letter – if not already signed by both Webb & Co and Mulligan Co, the engagement letter should be
discussed and signed at the meeting before any assignment work is conducted.
Tutorial note: the scenario states that Webb & Co have already decided to take the assurance assignment for their existing
client, therefore the answer to this requirement should not focus on client or engagement acceptance procedures.

正确答案：