On June 1, 2003, a CPA obtained a $100,000 personal loan from a financial institution client for whom the CPA provided compilation services. The loan was fully secured and considered material to the CPA’s net worth. The CPA paid the loan in full on December 31, 2004. On April 3, 2004, the client asked the CPA to audit the client’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. Is the CPA considered independent with respect to the audit of the client’s December 31, 2004 financial statements?

1. Yes, because the loan was fully secured.
2. Yes, because the CPA was not required to be independent at the time the loan was granted.
3. No, because the CPA had a loan with the client during the period of a professional engagement.
4. No, because the CPA had a loan with the client during the period covered by the financial statements.