Contemporary Auditing 10th Edition by Michael Knapp

Exercise 14

Observers of the accounting profession suggest that many courts attempt to "socialize" investment losses by extending auditors' liability to third-party financial statement users. Discuss the benefits and costs of such a policy to public accounting firms, audit clients, and third-party financial statement users, such as investors and creditors. In your view, should the courts have the authority to socialize investment losses If not, who should determine how investment losses are distributed in our society