Case Number: 3.1
Date: 09/02/2013

Case Requirements:
[1] Brent’s alternatives include following the audit plan and reporting the time accurately, even if the time needed exceeds 35 hours. The positives to following the plan and reporting time spent accurately include doing his duty by adhering to the audit plan and ensuring that this years and future audits are conducted with realistic expectations as to the time and budget needed. A negative to this alternative is the damage that will ensue with his supervisor, the damage to his reputation within the firm and possible damage with the client when the audit comes in over budget.
Brent could do as John says and only report 35 hours to complete payables even if the actual hours exceed 35 hours. He will enhance his relationship with his supervisor and within the firm while doing a good job for the client by following the audit plan. Unfortunately, he will likely cause further damage with his wife and increase his stress level. Furthermore, he’ll also be dooming audit teams in subsequent years to unrealistic expectations.
Finally, he could deviate from the audit plan and reduce the number of invoices he examines so he is assured to finish within the 35 hours allotted. By deviating from the plan he will enhance his reputation with his supervisor and within the firm. The client will end up happy; however, if the audit of payables does not catch a material misstatement there good be negative consequences for the firm and the client down the road. He’ll also be starting down a path wherein deviations from the audit plan are acceptable, a practice that could eventually lead to dire consequences for his employer, a future client or even Brent himself.

[2] The obvious consequences from eating time include putting future audit teams in a difficult position as they will face ever increasingly unrealistic