Ahmad & Partners is a public accounting firm in eastern Canada. Last year it audited Chan Corporation, a publicly traded company that manufactures automobile component parts. Although the company has been profitable for many years, Ahmad & Partners was hired by Canada Bank, which was considering extending a large loan to Chan. The bank wanted the audit because Chans expansion plans would change the companys financial structure significantly from the previous year. Ahmad & Partners conducted the audit and gave an unmodified opinion. Xing Investments Inc. purchased $750,000 of the common stock of Chan, intending to hold the stock as a long-term investment. Unfortunately, Chan went bankrupt shortly after the share purchase and Xing Investments lost all of its investment. Canada Bank was unable to recover any of its loan to the company. Xing Investments and Canada Bank subsequently sued Ahmad & Partners to recover their losses.

Which of the following are possible defences for Ahmad & Partners? (Several choices may be correct.)

There was no breach of the duty of care as the audit was done in accordance with professional standards.

Ahmad & Partners did not owe Xing Investments a duty of care as it was not a known user.

The loss was caused by an economic downturn and not as a result of the issued opinion.

The investors did not rely on the financial statements to make their investment decision.

The work performed was done to the level of the reasonable auditor.