a) DISCUSS the reason for a rising demand for auditing services in a free-market economy. What evidence suggests that auditing would be demanded even if it were not required by government regulation? (15 marks) b) Syarikat Pakaian Mewah (SPM) is a closely held company that has existed since 1920. The company manufactures high-quality woollen cloth for men's and women's outwear. Your firm has audited SPM for the last 15 years. Five years ago, SPM signed a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency. The company had been convicted of dumping pollutants (such as bleaching and dyeing chemicals) into the local river. The consent decree provided that SPM construct a water treatment facility with in eight years. You are conducting the current year audit, and you notice that there has been virtually no activity in the water treatment facility construction account. Your discussion with the controller produces the following comment: 'Because of increased competition and lower sales volume, our cash flow has decreased below normal levels. You had better talk to the president about the treatment facility.' The president (and majority shareholder) tells you the following: 'Given the current cash flow levels, we had two choices: lay off people or stop work on the facility. This is a rural area with few other job opportunities for our people. I decided to stop work on the water treatment facility. I don't think that the state will fine us or close us down.' When you ask the president if the company will be able to comply with the consent decree, he informs you that he is uncertain. Based on the above scenario, you are required to: i. DISCUSS the implications of this situation for the audit and audit report. (10 marks) ii. Would you answer change of these events occurred in the seventh year after the signing of the consent decree? (15 marks)