What ethical responsibilities are the auditors required to meet in relation to the audit of Carbones Pizzeria?

According to the 2025 FDD, the independent auditor for M&T Pizza Incorporated and Subsidiaries, which includes Carbones Pizzeria, is required to adhere to specific ethical responsibilities. DNJ & Associates, the auditing firm, states that they are required to be independent of the company, M&T Pizza Incorporated. They must also meet other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements pertaining to their audit. This declaration ensures that the audit is conducted with integrity and objectivity.

This requirement means that the auditors must not have any financial, personal, or professional relationships with M&T Pizza Incorporated that could compromise their impartiality or create a conflict of interest. Independence is a cornerstone of auditing, as it assures stakeholders, including potential Carbones Pizzeria franchisees, that the financial statements are reviewed without bias. The auditors' adherence to ethical standards enhances the credibility of the financial information presented in the FDD.

For a prospective Carbones Pizzeria franchisee, this information is reassuring because it indicates that the financial statements have been examined by an independent party who is ethically bound to provide an unbiased opinion. This helps in making informed decisions about investing in a Carbones Pizzeria franchise, as the franchisee can have more confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the financial data presented. The ethical responsibilities also extend to ensuring that the audit evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to support the auditor's opinion, further bolstering the trustworthiness of the audit.