Outline the relationship between audit risk, materiality limits and audit planning
The audit of your client Sprightly plc revealed a major control weakness in the
management of investments. The company recently recruited a financial analyst, as an
employee, to manage the investment of surplus funds. Company policy is to invest in
the shares of large quoted companies. The audit discovered a number of situations
where the financial analyst had made substantial profits for the company by speculating
in risky investments such as derivatives. Such investments could result in massive
losses. The matter was reported in writing to the chief financial officer four months ago
but no action has yet been taken.
What action should the auditors take in respect of this discovery?