What is a situation in which independence is not required?

Independence is not required in situations where the services provided do not involve an assurance engagement, which includes compilation services. In a compilation engagement, the accountant assists in preparing financial statements based on information provided by the client without expressing any assurance or opinion on those statements. Since the accountant merely presents the financial information without verifying or auditing it, independence is not a concern in this context.

For the other types of services mentioned, independence is crucial. In investment advisory services, external audits, and forensic accounting, professionals must remain impartial and unbiased to maintain the credibility of their work and the trust of stakeholders. This necessity for independence in those situations aims to uphold the integrity of the findings and recommendations made by the professionals involved.