You are an audit manager at Blenkin & Co and are approaching the end of the audit of Sampson Co, which is a large listed retailer. The draft financial statements currently show a profit before tax of $6·5m and revenue of $66m for the financial year ended 30 June 20X6. You have been informed that the finance director left Sampson Co on 31 May 20X6.

As part of the subsequent events audit procedures, you reviewed post year-end board meeting minutes and discovered that a legal case for unfair dismissal has been brought against Sampson Co by the finance director. During a discussion with the Human Resources (HR) director of Sampson Co, you established that the company received notice of the proposed legal claim on 10 July 20X6.

The HR director told you that Sampson Co’s lawyers believe that the finance director’s claim is likely to be successful, but estimate that $150,000 is the maximum amount of compensation which would be paid. However, management does not intend to make any adjustments or disclosures in the financial statements.

Which of the following audit opinions will be issued if the unfair dismissal case is NOT adjusted for or disclosed within the financial statements?

A. A qualified audit opinion as the financial statements are materially misstated
B. A qualified audit opinion as the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence
C. An unmodified opinion with an emphasis of matter paragraph
D. An unmodified audit opinion