While conducting an audit, Larson Associates, CPAs, failed to detect material misstatements included in its client's financial statements. Larson's unqualified opinion was included with the financial statements in a registration statement and prospectus for a public offering of securities made by the client. Larson knew that its opinion and the financial statements would be used for this purpose. In suit by a purchaser against Larson for common-law fraud, Larson's best defense would be that.

Larson did not have actual or constructive knowledge of the misstatements.

Explanation:

When a CPA conducts an audit of a firm's statements, they do not give a guarantee that all the firm's statements are accurate. Larson CPA is only giving an opinion that the books of its clients follows the generally accepted accounting practices.

They should however not knowing give opinion on statements that they know is untrue.

So the best defense for Larson Associates is that they did not have actual or constructive knowledge of the misstatements. Since they do not guarantee that all statements of the client is accurate.

answer; ///(d); determining who competes most closely   with whom evaluating whether industry driving forces and competitive pressure favor some strategic groups and hurt others, and ascertaining whether the profit potential of different strategic groups varies due to the strengths and weaknesses in each groups respective market positions;