The confirmation process is defined as the process of obtaining and evalu- ating a direct communication from a third party in response to a request for information about a particular item affecting financial statement assertions. Required:

a. List and describe the factors that affect the reliability of confirmations.

b. Refer back to EarthWear Clothiers' financial statements included after Chapter 1. Identify any information on EarthWear's financial state- ments that might be verified through the use of confirmations.. p-968