An overstatement of ending inventory directly affects assets and income, not liabilities. If ending inventory is overstated, total assets are overstated, cost of goods sold is understated, and net income is overstated.
Retained earnings may also be overstated through the income effect. However, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, debt, and other liabilities are not directly changed by the inventory valuation error. Option D is incorrect because inventory errors affect both the balance sheet and income statement, not only the income statement. Internal auditors reviewing inventory should understand how count errors, valuation errors, and cutoff errors affect financial statements. Since liabilities are not directly affected by overstated ending inventory, Option A is correct.