CA Ashish Gupta PH. 97292-61988 Chapter-1: Introduction to Auditing 1. General Purpose Financial Statements: - Financial Statements consist the following:- a) Balance Sheet: Shows position of assets and liabilities at a particular date. b) Profit and Loss A/c: Indicates profit earned or loss incurred during a particular financial year. c) Cash Flow and Fund Flow Statement: Shows movement of cash/funds during a particular financial year. d) Notes to accounts: i.e. Disclosures or explanatory notes. 2. Users of Financial Statement:Users Owner Management Lenders Suppliers Govt. Employees Research analysts etc. Purpose For evaluating performance of business For evaluating profitability of business. For making decisions and performance evaluation. For determining the financial position and strength of the company. For judging recoverability of their dues. For calculation of direct tax and indirect tax. For determining reasonableness of wages and salaries etc. For creating demand for extra bonus. For evaluating trends. For judging investment opportunities in the business. 3. Definition of Auditing: Audit is an independent examination, Of financial information, Of any entity whether profit making or not, irrespective of its size & legal structure, When such an examination is conducted with a view to express an opinion thereon. S.R.G. COMMERCE INSTITUTE A fine art of education for CA-CPT, IPCC; B.COM-M.COM Page 1 CA Ashish Gupta PH. 97292-61988 4. Features / Characteristics of Audit:- 1. Independent Examination 2. Financial Statements 3. Entity 4. Opinion Auditor should be unbiased in his approach He should not be influenced by the client. Auditor’s opinion is on the financial statements The preparation of the financial statement is the responsibility of management of the entity. His client can be any entity irrespective of its size and legal structure i.e. it may be proprietorship, partnership, trust or company etc. The entity may be profit oriented or charitable one. His opinion is on ‘true & fair view’ of the financial statements of the entity. For this, it is necessary that a) Financial statement have been prepared using acceptable policies which are consistently applied; b) Financial statement have been prepared as per relevant regulations; and c) There is appropriate disclosure of all material items. 5. Independent Audit:- Meaning of Independence Auditor’s Independence Why Independence Independent means that the judgement of a person is not subordinate to wishes of another person. Auditor should be unbiased in his approach. He should not be influenced by the client. The need for auditor’s independence is provided in Standards on Auditing. The Companies Act 1956 also contains specific provision to ensure auditor’s independence. Moreover, as per The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 as amended by The Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Act, 2006, independence of auditor is required. If auditor maintains high degree of independence, credibility of financial statements is enhanced. Independent audit report will be accepted & respected by all the stakeholders. S.R.G. COMMERCE INSTITUTE A fine art of education for CA-CPT, IPCC; B.COM-M.COM Page 2 CA Ashish Gupta PH. 97292-61988 6. Advantage of Independent Audit: - the following are the main advantage of independent audit: (May 08, 12, RTP Nov13) To Owners To Management To Lenders To Insurer To Govt. To Employees To Prospective Investor They get real picture of profit or loss earned. They can easily judge reasons for losses and try to control it. Audited Statement enhances the reliability for determining the financial position and strength of the company. In case of loss or damage to property by fire, theft etc., it helps the insurer to settle the claim. Audited Statement enhances the reliability for calculation of direct tax and indirect tax. For determining reasonableness of wages and salaries etc. For creating demand for extra bonus. On the basis of past year’s audited financial statements, they can devise expected profit trends for deciding whether to invest in the entity or not. Note: - Audit of accounts of a Sole Proprietor is not compulsory under any statue. However, the above benefits would accrue to the Sole Proprietor when he gets his accounts audited voluntarily. 7. Advantage of Independent Audit to the Partnership Firms: - In addition to above the followings also the advantage of independent audit to the partnership firms: (May 07(5m)) To Settle Accounts On Retirement or Death of a Partner On admission of a new partner Audited accounts provide a reliable means of settling accounts between the partners and thus the possibility of occurrence of dispute among them is mitigated. Audited accounts provide a reliable means for computing the amounts due to retiring partner or to the representative of the deceased partner in respect of his share of capital, profits and capital. Audited accounts provide a reliable means for negotiations with the new partner. S.R.G. COMMERCE INSTITUTE A fine art of education for CA-CPT, IPCC; B.COM-M.COM Page 3 CA Ashish Gupta PH. 97292-61988 8. Qualities of Auditor: i) Integrity: Auditor should be honest, sincere & straightforward while performing his professional duties. ii) Objectivity: He should be unbiased in his approach. iii) Independence: The judgement of a auditor should not subordinate to wishes of another person. iv) Knowledge: He should have the knowledge of client’s business, various laws like Taxation Law, Partnership Act etc. He must continuously update his knowledge to conduct audit efficiently. v) Communication Skills: During conduct of audit , he has to interact with various officers & staff of organisation & third parties, thus he has to require goods oral & written communication skills. vi) Tact: He must be able to deal with different person in different situation. vii) Logical Skills: He must be able to analyse & interpret problems so that he can accordingly deal with the same. viii) Technical skills: He must have good hand on accounting & auditing etc. Moreover he should be aware latest development in auditing standards so that he can perform audit in effective manner. ix) Confidentiality:-He should not disclose the confidential information acquired during the conduct of audit unless required by the law or permitted by the client. S.R.G. COMMERCE INSTITUTE A fine art of education for CA-CPT, IPCC; B.COM-M.COM Page 4 CA Ashish Gupta PH. 97292-61988 9. Basic Aspects to be covered by the Auditor/Auditor’s Functions/Matters which the auditor should look into before framing an opinion on accounts under audit : - the following are the principal aspects to be covered in an audit are: Internal Control System Arithmetical Accuracy Evidence Assets Liabilities Statutory Compliance Accounting Principles True & Fair View Examination of the system of accounting and internal control to ascertain whether it is appropriate for the business and helps in proper recording of all transactions. Check books of accounts to ensure their arithmetical accuracy Examining documentary evidence to support the books of accounts. Verification of the title, existence and value of assets appearing in the Balance Sheet. Verification of liabilities in the Balance Sheet. In case of audit of Banks, General Insurance Companies etc., ensure compliance of financial statement with relevant statute. Ascertain that a proper distinction has been made between items of capital and revenue nature. Check whether financial statements as a whole represent true & fair view of profit/loss and of assets & liabilities in the required form. S.R.G. COMMERCE INSTITUTE A fine art of education for CA-CPT, IPCC; B.COM-M.COM Page 5