You are an audit manager in Rose & Co, responsible for the audit of Cooper Co. You are reviewing the audit working papers relating to the financial year ended 31 January 2014. Cooper Co is a manufacturer of chemicals used in the agricultural industry. The draft financial statements recognise profit for the year to 31 January 2014 of $15 million (2013 – $20 million) and total assets of $240 million (2013 – $230 million).

The audit senior, Max Turner, has brought several matters to your attention:

Cooper Co’s factories are recognised within property, plant and equipment at a carrying value of $60 million. Half of the factories produce a chemical which is used in farm animal feed. Recently the government has introduced a regulation stipulating that the chemical is phased out over the next three years. Sales of the chemical are still buoyant, however, and are projected to account for 45% of Cooper Co’s revenue for the year ending 31 January 2015. Cooper Co has started to research a replacement chemical which is allowed under the new regulation, and has spent $1 million on a feasibility study into the development of this chemical.

Required:
Comment on the matters to be considered and explain the audit evidence you should expect to find during your review of the audit working papers in respect of each of the issues described above. (8 marks)