A Detailed Analysis of Statutory Audit

A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF STATUTORY AUDIT

Overview:

A statutory audit is an independent examination of an organization’s financial records and statements by an external auditor. The purpose of a statutory audit is to ensure that the organization’s financial records are accurate and reliable and to provide assurance to stakeholders that the organization is complying with relevant laws and regulations.

What is the Importance of Statutory Audits?

According to the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules of 2014 and Companies Act of 2013, every private and public limited company is compulsorily made by statute or law to conduct a statutory audit of the financial filings and documents.

The nature of the company and the company turnover of private and public limited companies don’t matter about the statutory audit.

Benefits Of statutory audit:

There are several advantages to a statutory audit checklist:

a.Increased confidence in financial statements: A statutory audit provides assurance to stakeholders that the organization’s financial statements are accurate and reliable. This can increase confidence in the organization and its financial performance.

b.Improved financial reporting: The process of preparing for a statutory audit can help an organization identify and address any weaknesses in its financial reporting processes. This can improve the overall quality and reliability of the organization’s financial statements.

c.Compliance with laws and regulations: A statutory audit helps ensure that the organization is complying with relevant laws and regulations, which can help protect the organization from legal and regulatory risks.

d.Improved risk management: The audit process can help identify risks that the organization may not be aware of, and can provide recommendations for addressing those risks. This can improve the organization’s overall risk management processes.

Types of Statutory Audits

According to the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, there are numerous types of statutory audits that exists. The following types of statutory audits are the most common, however, there are many more available.

Cost audit

This was prescribed under Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Financial audit

This was prescribed under Section 139 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Tax Audit

This type of statutory audit is prescribed under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Secretarial Audit

This type of audit is prescribed under Section 208 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Concurrent Audit, Stock audit, branch audit

These types of statutory audits are prescribed under the Banking Act.

GST Audit

It is prescribed under 35(5) of the GST Act, 2017.

NHM (National Health Mission)

This has made Concurrent audits or internal audits compulsory.

Metering and Billing Audit

This audit is recommended by the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India).

Performance Audit

This type of statutory audit is made of cooperative societies prescribed under the Cooperative Societies Act.

Financial audits of various institutions

These institutions are banks, cooperative societies, insurance companies, proprietorships, trusts, HUFs, partnership firms, societies, LLPs, etc.

What is the process Of Statutory Audit?

The process of a statutory audit generally follows the following steps:

Planning: The auditor will plan the audit by reviewing the organization’s financial statements and other relevant information, and determining the scope and nature of the audit.

Internal controls: The auditor will assess the organization’s internal controls to determine whether they are effective and reliable.

Testing of transactions: The auditor will select a sample of transactions and test them to ensure that they are accurately reflected in the financial statements.

Subsidiaries and affiliates: The auditor will review the financial statements of any subsidiaries or affiliates of the organization to ensure that they are included in the consolidated financial statements.

Going concern assessment: The auditor will assess whether the organization is a going concern, meaning that it is financially stable and able to continue operating in the future.

Opinion on the financial statements: Based on the results of the audit, the auditor will issue an opinion on the fairness and reliability of the organization’s financial statements.

Reporting: The auditor will prepare a report detailing the results of the audit, including any findings or recommendations. The report will be shared with the organization’s management and may be shared with other stakeholders, such as shareholders or regulators.

Follow-up: If the audit identified any issues or weaknesses, the organization may need to implement corrective actions or make changes to its financial reporting processes. The auditor may follow up on these actions to ensure that they have been properly implemented.

What are the risks involved in Statutory Audit?

a. Financial risk: If the audit identifies financial issues, such as misstatements or errors in the financial statements, the organization may face financial consequences, such as reduced investor confidence or difficulties in obtaining financing.

b.Operational risk: The audit process may disrupt the organization’s normal operations, which could impact productivity and efficiency.

c.Relationship risk: The audit process may strain relationships with key stakeholders, such as shareholders or management if significant issues or weaknesses are identified.

d.Resource risk: Conducting a statutory audit can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, which may divert resources away from other important activities.