Audits & Assurance
1. WHAT IS A 'STATUTORY AUDIT'
A statutory audit is a legally required review of the accuracy of a company's or government's financial records. The purpose of a statutory audit is the same as the purpose of any other type of audit: to determine whether an organization is providing a fair and accurate representation of its financial position by examining information such as bank balances, bookkeeping records and financial transactions.
2. UNDERSTANDING STATUTES
The term statutory is used to denote the audit is required by statute. A statute is a law or regulation enacted by the legislative branch of the organization's associated government. Statutes can be enacted at multiple levels, including federal, state or other municipality. In business, statute can also refer to any rule set forth by the organization's leadership team.
3. UNDERSTANDING AN AUDIT
An audit is an examination of records held by an organization, business, government entity or individual. Generally, this involves the analysis of various financial records but can also be applied to other areas. During a financial audit, an organization's records regarding income or profit, investment returns, expenses and other items may all be included as part of the audit process.
The purpose of a financial audit is often to determine if funds were handled properly and that all required records and filings are accurate. At the beginning of an audit, the auditing entity makes known what records will be required as part of the examination. The information is gathered and supplied as requested, allowing the auditing entity to perform its analysis. If inaccuracies are found, appropriate consequences may be levied.
4. STATUTORY AUDIT UNDER COMPANIES ACT, 2013
In simple terms statutory audit in India is equated with Audit under the Companies Act. Every company incorporated under the companies act is required to get its accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant in Practice to ensure true and fair view of the accounts. Further, the auditor has to ensure compliance with various provisions of the Companies Act. Statutory Audit ensures reliability of annual accounts of the company for various stake holders of Accounts of the Company like government, shareholders, debtors, creditors, bankers etc.
TAX AUDIT
Anyone is liable to get his Tax Audit done by a Chartered Accountant mandatorily, if in the previous year
1. The Person is carrying on business and his Total Sales/Turnover exceeds Rs. 1 Crore (Limit increased w.e.f 1 st April 2012)
2. The Person is carrying on Profession, and his Gross Receipts exceed Rs. 25 Lakhs (Limit increased wef 1st April 2012)
3. The Person is carrying on business or profession and is covered under the provisions of section 44AD, 44AE, 44AF, 44BB or 44BBB and claims that his income from the said business is lower than the deemed profits and gains computed under the relevant section
The Due Date of filing the Tax Audit Report under Section 44AB is 30th September of the Assessment Year.
INTERNAL AUDIT
Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.[1] Internal auditing is a catalyst for improving an organization's governance, risk management and management controls by providing insight and recommendations based on analyses and assessments of data and business processes.[2] With commitment to integrity and accountability, internal auditing provides value to governing bodies and senior management as an objective source of independent advice. Professionals called internal auditors are employed by organizations to perform the internal auditing activity.
The scope of internal auditing within an organization is broad and may involve topics such as an organization's governance, risk management and management controls over: efficiency/effectiveness of operations (including safeguarding of assets), the reliability of financial and management reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations. Internal auditing may also involve conducting proactive fraud audits to identify potentially fraudulent acts; participating in fraud investigations under the direction of fraud investigation professionals, and conducting post investigation fraud audits to identify control breakdowns and establish financial loss.
Internal auditors are not responsible for the execution of company activities; they advise management and the Board of Directors (or similar oversight body) regarding how to better execute their responsibilities. As a result of their broad scope of involvement, internal auditors may have a variety of higher educational and professional backgrounds.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is the recognized international standard setting body for the internal audit profession and awards the Certified Internal Auditor designation internationally through rigorous written examination. Other designations are available in certain countries. In the United States the professional standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors have been codified in several states' statutes pertaining to the practice of internal auditing in government (New York State, Texas, and Florida being three examples). There are also a number of other international standard setting bodies. ……………………………….CA. Rajiv Bansal (Partner at Garg Bansal & Co.)