31
If an auditor does something wrongfully in the performance of his duties, resulting in a financial loss to the company, he will be held guilty of :
Answer & Solution
Answer: Option
B
Solution:
Misfeasance is the wrongful or improper performance of a lawful act that causes loss or damage. In an audit context, if an auditor performs duties incorrectly and that wrongful performance results in a financial loss to the company, the auditor is guilty of misfeasance.
Negligence means failing to exercise reasonable care or skill. It can be the underlying cause of misfeasance but describes careless omission or lack of due care rather than the improper execution of a duty that directly causes loss.
Criminal act implies deliberate, illegal conduct with criminal intent (for example, fraud or embezzlement). A wrongful audit error without such intent is normally a civil/professional wrong, not a criminal offence.
Therefore, the most accurate legal characterization when an auditor wrongfully performs duties resulting in financial loss (without criminal intent) is Misfeasance, so the correct option is Option B.
Negligence means failing to exercise reasonable care or skill. It can be the underlying cause of misfeasance but describes careless omission or lack of due care rather than the improper execution of a duty that directly causes loss.
Criminal act implies deliberate, illegal conduct with criminal intent (for example, fraud or embezzlement). A wrongful audit error without such intent is normally a civil/professional wrong, not a criminal offence.
Therefore, the most accurate legal characterization when an auditor wrongfully performs duties resulting in financial loss (without criminal intent) is Misfeasance, so the correct option is Option B.