1) What are the Safeguards that Ahmed & Associates LLP should put in place to reduce potential threats to independence. I would like a few points on this question to help me write a report. Thank you in Advance

You are an audit manager at Ahmed & Associates LLP. Your firm has been approached by Tele Ltd, a telecommunications company, for their statutory audit under the Companies Act. Your firm has been the external auditor for Inotel Ltd, a rival telecommunications company, for the last eight years; Hassan Ali has been the engagement partner for the engagement throughout the period. Your firm has learnt that the external auditor for the company has resigned just two weeks into the current audit cycle. Mohamed Hassan, Mr. Hassan's eldest son has recently been appointed as the finance director of Tele Ltd. The company is looking to set up an internal audit function and has sought your firm's advice on the role of internal audit and the difference between external audit and internal audit. In addition, as Tele Ltd is in the process of issuing a publicly-traded bond, the company's board of directors have also asked your firm to carry out an assessment of its compliance with corporate governance code as required by the country's securities market regulator; non-assurance services sought from your firm include accounting and taxation services You have been asked to take on the role of audit manager for the external audit of Tele Ltd, should your firm accept the engagement