Ivy Brown is preparing a report for the engagement partner of an existing client, Scooter Inc., an importer of scooters and other low-powered motorcycles. Ivy has been investigating certain aspects of Scooter’s business given the change in economic conditions over the past 12 months. She has found that Scooter’s business, which experienced rapid growth over its first five years in operation, has slowed significantly during the last year. Initially, sales of scooters were boosted by good economic conditions and solid employment growth, coupled with rising gas prices. Consumers needed transportation to get to work and the high gas prices made the relatively cheap running costs of scooters seem very attractive. In addition, the low purchase price of a small motorcycle or scooter, at between $3,000 and $8,000, meant that almost anyone who had a job could obtain a loan to buy one.

However, Ivy has found that the sales of small motorcycles and scooters have slowed significantly, and all importers of these products, not just Scooter, are being adversely affected. The onset of an economic recession has restricted employment growth and those people who still have jobs are less certain of continued employment. In addition, the slowdown in the world economy has made gas prices fall, further reducing demand for this type of economical transportation. Ivy has also discovered that, due to the global financial crisis, the finance company used by Scooter’s customers to finance the purchase of scooters and motorcycles has announced that it will not be continuing to provide loans for any type of vehicle with a purchase price of less than $10,000.

Required

a. Identify industry and business environment issues that potentially impact the audit of Scooter Inc.

b. Evaluate how industry and business environment issues can impact risk assessment by identifying specific financial statement risks and related accounts that would require closer examination.