Who is responsible for paying the audit fee?

The correct answer is that the funeral establishment is responsible for paying the audit fee. In Tennessee, funeral establishments are governed by regulations that require them to maintain compliance with various laws and standards. Audits are conducted to ensure that these establishments adhere to financial and operational regulations within the funeral industry. As part of the regulatory framework, the funeral establishment is typically held accountable for any associated costs, including audit fees, to ensure transparency and accountability in their financial practices. This responsibility helps maintain the integrity of the industry and protects the interests of consumers.

The other options do not align with the established practices and regulations. For instance, the contract seller does not have direct financial responsibility for audit costs associated with the funeral establishment's licensing and compliance. Similarly, clients are typically not responsible for these fees, as they are paying for funeral services rather than regulatory costs. The Board of Funeral Directors oversees the industry but is not liable for fees incurred by individual funeral establishments in the course of compliance audits.