Asher Farms Inc.
Instructor Resource Manual — Do Not Copy or Redistribute
Asher Farms Inc.
C a s e 2.4
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Relevant professional standards for this assignment are AU Section 310, “Appointment of the
Independent Auditor,” AU Section 311, “Planning and Supervision,” AU Section 312, “Audit Risk and
Materiality in Conducting an Audit,” AU Section 314, “Understand the Entity and Its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatements” and AU Section 316, “Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit.”
QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED SOLUTION
A useful approach for understanding a client’s business environment and [1] associated business risks is to perform a PESTLE analysis. PESTLE is an acronym for Political, Economic, Social,
Technological, Legal and Environmental factors that are used to asses the client’s business environment. A PESTLE analysis focuses on factors that may affect an entity’s business model but are beyond the control or influence of the client. While beyond management’s direct influence, such factors may significantly impact an entity’s business risk. Read the background information about the poultry industry and conduct additional research on the internet to obtain the latest news and information on the industry. Brainstorm political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that could affect Asher Farms’ business risk.
Unless your instructor indicates otherwise, identify at least one business risk factor for each component of the PESTLE acronym.
Political
Political instability in customer markets from the effects of war and terrorist activities could adversely affect ability to obtain production supplies or sell chicken products.
Financial Statement Accounts/Disclosures that could be affected: Going concern disclosure, cost of sales, revenue, inventory
The company may not be able to continue as a going concern or may have to pay more to produce poultry or not be able to obtain supplies
Asher Farms Inc.
C a s e 2.4
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Relevant professional standards for this assignment are AU Section 310, “Appointment of the
Independent Auditor,” AU Section 311, “Planning and Supervision,” AU Section 312, “Audit Risk and
Materiality in Conducting an Audit,” AU Section 314, “Understand the Entity and Its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatements” and AU Section 316, “Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit.”
QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED SOLUTION
A useful approach for understanding a client’s business environment and [1] associated business risks is to perform a PESTLE analysis. PESTLE is an acronym for Political, Economic, Social,
Technological, Legal and Environmental factors that are used to asses the client’s business environment. A PESTLE analysis focuses on factors that may affect an entity’s business model but are beyond the control or influence of the client. While beyond management’s direct influence, such factors may significantly impact an entity’s business risk. Read the background information about the poultry industry and conduct additional research on the internet to obtain the latest news and information on the industry. Brainstorm political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that could affect Asher Farms’ business risk.
Unless your instructor indicates otherwise, identify at least one business risk factor for each component of the PESTLE acronym.
Political
Political instability in customer markets from the effects of war and terrorist activities could adversely affect ability to obtain production supplies or sell chicken products.
Financial Statement Accounts/Disclosures that could be affected: Going concern disclosure, cost of sales, revenue, inventory
The company may not be able to continue as a going concern or may have to pay more to produce poultry or not be able to obtain supplies