1. Explain the legal basis for a cause of action against an auditor. What are the defenses available to the auditor to rebut such charges? How does adherence to the ethical standards of the accounting profession relate to these defenses?

2. Assume a third party such as a successor audit firm quickly discovers a fraud that the predecessor external auditor has overlooked for years. Do you think this provides evidence supporting scienter?

3. Assume a U.S. company operates overseas and is approached by foreign governments officials with a request to provide family members with student internships with the company. The company does business in the country with foreign customers and is negotiating for a contract with one such customer to provide services. Under what circumstances might such a request violate the FCPA?