Management's emphasis on meeting projected profit goals most likely would significantly influence an entity's control environment when:

a. Internal auditors have direct access to the entity's board of directors.

b. Those charged with governance are active in overseeing the entity's financial reporting policies.

c. External policies established by parties outside the entity affect accounting policies.

d. A significant portion of management compensation is represented by stock options.

答案解析：D

Explanation

Choice "d" is correct. Management's emphasis on meeting projected profit goals would significantly influence an entity's control environment when a significant portion of management compensation is represented by stock options, because management would then have a personal interest that might be at odds with accurate financial reporting.

Choice "a" is incorrect. An effective internal audit function would tend to moderate management's emphasis on meeting projected profit goals, and would therefore tend to dampen the effect on the control environment.

Choice "c" is incorrect. External policies established by outside parties would tend to moderate management's emphasis on meeting projected profit goals, and would therefore tend to dampen the effect on the control environment.

Choice "b" is incorrect. Active participation of those charged with governance would tend to moderate management's emphasis on meeting projected profit goals, and would therefore tend to dampen the effect on the control environment.