(b) Explain the need for a first time group auditor to analyse the group structure. (5 marks)

(b) Explain how the process of developing scenarios might help John better understand the macro-environmental

factors influencing Airtite’s future strategy. (8 marks)

In 2014 Mr Yuan inherited an estate of RMB2 million from his uncle who had died two months earlier.

What is the correct treatment of the estate income for individual income tax purposes?

A.The estate income is not taxable

B.The estate income will be taxed as occasional (ad hoc) income

C.The estate income will be taxed as other income

D.The estate income will be taxed as service income

(c) In the context of a standard unmodified audit report, describe the content of a liability disclaimer paragraph,

and discuss the main arguments for and against the use of a liability disclaimer paragraph. (5 marks)

(b) A summary of the information needed to satisfy our obligations under the money laundering legislation and

any action that should be taken before agreeing to become tax advisers to the Saturn Ltd group. (5 marks)

(b) Discuss how the operating statement you have produced can assist managers in:

(i) controlling variable costs;

(ii) controlling fixed production overhead costs. (8 marks)

Susan is aware of benchmarking as a useful input into performance measurement and strategic change.

(b) Assess the contribution benchmarking could make to improving the position of the Marlow Fashion Group

and any limitations to its usefulness. (8 marks)

(d) The managing partner of HLP stated at a recent partners’ meeting that ‘every advisor should aim to ensure that

95% of all hours he/she works are billed to clients. This will ensure that we remain both profitable and

competitive’.

Required:

Discuss the statement of the managing partner, drawing attention to any concerns that you may have

regarding the statement. (6 marks)

(e) Internal controls are very important in a complex civil engineering project such as the Giant Dam Project.

Required:

Describe the difficulties of maintaining sound internal controls in the Giant Dam Project created by working

through sub-contractors. (4 marks)

2 The risk committee at Southern Continents Company (SCC) met to discuss a report by its risk manager, Stephanie

Field. The report focused on a number of risks that applied to a chemicals factory recently acquired by SCC in another

country, Southland. She explained that the new risks related to the security of the factory in Southland in respect of

burglary, to the supply of one of the key raw materials that experienced fluctuations in world supply and also an

environmental risk. The environmental risk, Stephanie explained, was to do with the possibility of poisonous

emissions from the Southland factory.

The SCC chief executive, Choo Wang, who chaired the risk committee, said that the Southland factory was important

to him for two reasons. First, he said it was strategically important to the company. Second, it was important because

his own bonuses depended upon it. He said that because he had personally negotiated the purchase of the Southland

factory, the remunerations committee had included a performance bonus on his salary based on the success of the

Southland investment. He told Stephanie that a performance-related bonus was payable when and if the factory

achieved a certain level of output that Choo considered to be ambitious. ‘I don’t get any bonus at all until we reach

a high level of output from the factory,’ he said. ‘So I don’t care what the risks are, we will have to manage them.’

Stephanie explained that one of her main concerns arose because the employees at the factory in Southland were not

aware of the importance of risk management to SCC. She said that the former owner of the factory paid less attention

to risk issues and so the staff were not as aware of risk as Stephanie would like them to be. ‘I would like to get risk

awareness embedded in the culture at the Southland factory,’ she said.

Choo Wang said that he knew from Stephanie’s report what the risks were, but that he wanted somebody to explain

to him what strategies SCC could use to manage the risks.

Required:

(a) Describe four strategies that can be used to manage risk and identify, with reasons, an appropriate strategy

for each of the three risks mentioned in the case. (12 marks)