Write answers to each of the five (5) situations described below addressing the required criteria (i.e. 1 & 2) in each independent case. You may use a tabulated format if helpful having Threats, Safeguards and Objective Assessment as column headings.

Liam Neeson has been appointed as a junior auditor of Brilliant Accounting Limited (BAL). One of his first tasks is to review the firms audit clients to ensure that independence requirements of APES 110 (Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants) are being met. His review has revealed the following:

(c) Bluecrest Mining Limited (BML) has been a long standing audit client of BAL. BML was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) twenty years ago. Since the previous two years BML has accounted towards 30% of total fees received by BAL. Prior to this the total fees from BML only comprised of around 11% of BALs total fee revenue from all clients. The increase in fee from BML in the recent period is attributable to its expansion and diversification. BML has not paid BAL any of its fees for the previous period. BML audit for the current year is now due.

d) Rey Steel Limited (RSL) has been a long standing audit client of BAL and is one of the oldest companies listed on the ASX. RSL audit has just been completed for the current year. The engagement partner on the audit, Shawn Michaels CPA, has been the key audit partner on the RSL audit engagement for previous four years. David Lont FCPA is one of the three managing partners at BAL. Directors at RSL have always admired Davids skill and expertise. David is planning to retire from BAL. On hearing this, the directors at RSL approach David with a very lucrative compensation package to join the RSL team as a financial controller.

(e) BAL has performed the audit of Vegas Metals Pty Limited (VM), a large proprietary company (NOT public interest entity) for the last two years. BAL has also been preparing VMs tax calculations and providing services related to the preparation of accounting records and financial statements to VM.

Required:

For each of the independent situations above, and using the conceptual framework in APES 110 (Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants), answer the following questions:

1. Identify potential threat(s) to independence & recommend safeguards (if any) to reduce the independence threat(s) identified.

2. Provide an objective assessment of whether audit independence can be achieved