Introduction
| 291.121 | Family and personal relationships between a member of the assurance team and a director or officer or certain employees (depending on their role) of the assurance client, may create self-interest, familiarity or intimidation threats. The existence and significance of any threats will depend on a number of factors, including the individual's responsibilities on the assurance team, the role of the family member or other individual within the client, and the closeness of the relationship. |
Immediate family is a director or in a position to exert significant influence
| 291.122 | When an immediate family member of a member of the assurance team is: |
| (a) | A director or officer of the assurance client, or |
| (b) | An employee in a position to exert significant influence over the subject matter information of the assurance engagement, |
or was in such a position during any period covered by the engagement or the subject matter information, the threats to independence can only be reduced to an acceptable level by removing the individual from the assurance team. The closeness of the relationship is such that no other safeguards could reduce the threat to an acceptable level. Accordingly, no individual who has such a relationship shall be a member of the assurance team.
| 291.123 | Threats to independence are created when an immediate family member of a member of the assurance team is an employee in a position to exert significant influence over the subject matter of the engagement. The significance of the threats will depend on factors such as: |
| • | The position held by the immediate family member; and |
| • | The role of the professional on the assurance team. |
The significance of the threat shall be evaluated and safeguards applied when necessary to eliminate the threat or reduce it to an acceptable level. Examples of such safeguards include:
| • | Removing the individual from the assurance team; or |
| • | Structuring the responsibilities of the assurance team so that the professional does not deal with matters that are within the responsibility of the immediate family member. |
Close family is a director or in a position to exert significant influence
| 291.124 | Threats to independence are created when a close family member of a member of the assurance team is: |
| • | A director or officer of the assurance client; or |
| • | An employee in a position to exert significant influence over the subject matter information of the assurance engagement. |
The significance of the threats will depend on factors such as:
| • | The nature of the relationship between the member of the assurance team and the close family member; |
| • | The position held by the close family member; and |
| • | The role of the professional on the assurance team. |
The significance of the threat shall be evaluated and safeguards applied when necessary to eliminate the threat or reduce it to an acceptable level. Examples of such safeguards include:
| • | Removing the individual from the assurance team; or |
| • | Structuring the responsibilities of the assurance team so that the professional does not deal with matters that are within the responsibility of the close family member. |
Close relationship with a director or employee in a position to exert significant influence
| 291.125 | Threats to independence are created when a member of the assurance team has a close relationship with a person who is not an immediate or close family member, but who is a director or officer or an employee in a position to exert significant influence over the subject matter information of the assurance engagement. A member of the assurance team who has such a relationship shall consult in accordance with firm policies and procedures. The significance of the threats will depend on factors such as: |
| • | The nature of the relationship between the individual and the member of the assurance team; |
| • | The position the individual holds with the client; and |
| • | The role of the professional on the assurance team. |
The significance of the threats shall be evaluated and safeguards applied when necessary to eliminate the threats or reduce them to an acceptable level. Examples of such safeguards include:
| • | Removing the professional from the assurance team; or |
| • | Structuring the responsibilities of the assurance team so that the professional does not deal with matters that are within the responsibility of the individual with whom the professional has a close relationship. |
Other personal or family relationships with a director or employee in a position to exert significant influence
| 291.126 | Self-interest, familiarity or intimidation threats may be created by a personal or family relationship between |
| (a) | a partner or employee of the firm who is not a member of the assurance team, and |
| (b) | a director or officer of the assurance client or an employee in a position to exert significant influence over the subject matter information of the assurance engagement. |
The existence and significance of any threat will depend on factors such as:
| • | The nature of the relationship between the partner or employee of the firm and the director or officer or employee of the client; |
| • | The interaction of the partner or employee of the firm with the assurance team; |
| • | The position of the partner or employee within the firm; and |
| • | The role of the individual within the client. |
The significance of any threat shall be evaluated and safeguards applied when necessary to eliminate the threat or reduce it to an acceptable level. Examples of such safeguards include:
| • | Structuring the partner's or employee's responsibilities to reduce any potential influence over the assurance engagement; or |
| • | Having a registered auditor review the relevant assurance work performed. |
Inadvertent violation
| 291.127 | When an inadvertent violation of this section as it relates to family and personal relationships occurs, it is deemed not to compromise independence if: |
| (a) | The firm has established policies and procedures that require prompt notification to the firm of any breaches resulting from changes in the employment status of their immediate or close family members or other personal relationships that create threats to independence; |
| (b) | The inadvertent violation relates to an immediate family member of a member of the assurance team becoming a director or officer of the assurance client or being in a position to exert significant influence over the subject matter information of the assurance engagement, and the relevant professional is removed from the assurance team; and |
| (c) | The firm applies other safeguards when necessary to reduce any remaining threat to an acceptable level. Examples of such safeguards include: |
| • | Having a registered auditor review the work of the member of the assurance team; or |
| • | Excluding the relevant professional from any significant decision making concerning the engagement. |
The firm shall determine whether to discuss the matter with those charged with governance.
