In the context of the Carbones Pizzeria audit, what is the auditor's responsibility regarding ethical requirements?

According to the 2025 FDD, the auditor, when conducting an audit for Carbones Pizzeria, must adhere to specific ethical responsibilities. The auditor is required to be independent of M&T Pizza Incorporated and Subsidiaries. Additionally, they must meet other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements pertaining to the audit.

This means the auditor must maintain objectivity and impartiality to ensure the integrity of the financial statements. Independence ensures that the auditor's judgment is not influenced by any relationship with the company, its management, or its stakeholders.

By adhering to these ethical requirements, the auditor enhances the credibility of the audit and provides assurance to potential Carbones Pizzeria franchisees that the financial information presented is reliable and unbiased. This is a standard practice in financial auditing, ensuring that the audit process is conducted with integrity and in accordance with established professional standards.