Which best describes the independent auditor's responsibility for required supplementary information (RSI)?

The responsibility of the independent auditor regarding required supplementary information (RSI) involves performing certain limited procedures. This means that while the auditor does not conduct an audit of the RSI in the same manner as they would for the financial statements, they are required to engage in specific procedures to assess that the RSI is presented in accordance with the applicable framework and relate it to the financial statements.

Through these limited procedures, the auditor ensures that the RSI is consistent with the information contained in the financial statements and does not contain any material inconsistencies. This level of assurance provides stakeholders with confidence that the RSI is accurate and relevant to the financial reporting. However, it does not extend to giving a formal opinion as would be the case with the financial statements themselves, which distinguishes this responsibility from what is required for the primary financial statements.

This nuanced role of the auditor highlights the importance of RSI in providing additional context or information to users of financial statements without subjecting it to the same rigorous audit standards.