What is the role of a management expert in the audit process?

In the audit process, a management expert plays a significant role by assisting an entity in preparing financial statements. This involves providing insights and expertise related to the operational and financial aspects of the organization, ensuring that the financial statements are accurate and in line with applicable accounting standards.

Management experts typically contribute by advising on accounting policies, financial reporting practices, and can help interpret complex transactions that may impact the statements. Their deep understanding of the entity’s business operations and financial management practices enables them to support the preparation of reliable financial information, which is essential for auditors to evaluate.

In contrast, legal advice is typically sought from legal experts rather than management experts, ensuring that the guidance provided during the audit aligns with legal requirements. Additionally, external audits are customarily performed by independent auditors who evaluate the financial statements without external assistance from management experts, maintaining objectivity. Finally, while management experts can provide valuable insights, they do not replace the internal audit function, which serves a distinct purpose in evaluating risk and improving operational efficiency.

Thus, the role of a management expert fundamentally aligns with assisting in the preparation of financial statements, making this the correct answer.