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.

Ben Jonson has been appointed as a junior auditor of Perth Accounting Limited (PAL). 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:

(a) PAL has recently been approached by Zimmerman Electrical Limited (ZML) to conduct its audit. The accountant at ZML, Sarah Hicks is the wife of Michael Hicks who is an audit partner at PAL. Michael has shown interest to lead the ZML audit.

(b) PAL has also been recently approached by Freemantle Mining Limited (FML) to conduct its audit. The accountant at FML, Jessica Parker is the daughter of one of PALs audit partner Stephen Taylor. Stephen will not be involved with the FML audit.

(c) James Stead is an assurance manager with PAL and it has just been decided to allocate him to the audit of Bluechip Tech Limited (BTL). His wife Anna Stead has recently received some inheritance from her grandfather with which she plans to buy a small parcel of shares in BTL.

(d) PAL has performed the audit of Aussie Metals Pty Limited (AM), a large proprietary company for the last two years. PAL has also been providing services related to the preparation of accounting records and financial statements to AM.

(e) Brian Meyerkort CPA is a partner in PAL who provides audit services to Local Farmers Limited (LFL). Jess Clus CA is another partner in PAL who provides substantial non-audit services to LFL. Jesss husband Mark is planning on purchasing significant shares in LFL.

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

Please include Sections from APES 110 in the answer, if it's possible.