Sky Scientific, Inc.: An Auditing Minefield

ABSTRACT: In 1994, Sky Scientific, Inc. dramatically overstated assets and understated expenses in its financial statements. A Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into those financial statements led to charges being filed against both the company and its auditors. This case takes a detailed look into the independent audit of Sky's financial statements for the purpose of understanding how the auditors failed to see the extent to which Sky's financial reporting was misleading and to adequately challenge the assertions presented in the financial statements before Sky filed them with the SEC. This case provides an opportunity to examine numerous issues related to the audit engagement process, including audit planning, the evaluation of management representations, the audit evidence process, and auditors' going‐concern judgments. The roles and responsibilities of the concurring auditor and an outside specialist are also discussed.