Legal Aspects of Working Papers. Cisse and Kamotho, Kenya Certified Public Accountants (CPA(K)), were employed for several years by the Masama Balira Company of Kenya to make annual audits. As a result of a change in management, the corporation discontinued the engagement of Cisse and Kamotho and retained another firm of accountants. The Masama Balira Company thereupon demanded Cisse and Kamotho surrender all working papers prepared by the accounting firm in making audits for the corporation. Cisse and Kamotho refused on the grounds that the working papers were their property. Masama Balira Company brought legal action to recover the working papers. Should the legal action succeed? State briefly the standards, in general, as to ownership of accountants’ working papers.

[Adapted and reprinted with permission from AICPA. Copyright © 2000 & 1985 by American Institute of Ceritified Accountants.]