QUESTION
My client sees me (his auditor) as his trusted advisor, and wants to appoint me as a trustee of his trust, as well as the auditor of it. Can I accept the appointment?

ANSWER
Because of the need to be seen to be independent in any reporting assignment, in fact and in appearance, a member should avoid the appointment as a trustee in any situation where the absence of a conflict of interest cannot be clearly demonstrated. A trustee should therefore not be personally involved in the audit of the trust. The member should also not be personally involved in the audit of a company in which the trust has a material shareholding. Where the member is requested to be a trustee, the member should be a minority trustee.