THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013 ACCOUNTS & AUDIT

THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013ACCOUNTS & AUDIT

ACAE STUDY CIRCLE - EIRCKOLKATA, AUGUST 23, 2014

CA. P. R. RAMESH

ContentsBackground

Key Definitions

Holding and Subsidiary Company

Books of Accounts

Schedule III

Depreciation

Accounting Standards

Financial Statements

Revision of Financial Statements

Board’s Report

Audit and Auditors

Class Action Suits

Impact on Professionals

Challenges Ahead

BACKGROUND

Presidential Assent – August 29, 2013

Act contains 470 Sections, 29 Chapters, 7 schedules

Total – 283 Sections have been notified

‘Government regulated’ regime to a new regime of self regulation.

BackgroundCompanies Act,

2013

Background…

Introduction of One Person Company & Small Company Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Internal Audit & Secretarial audit Rotation of auditor Woman director Resident director Class Action Prohibition on forward dealings in securities of Company by directors and

KMP & Insider Trading of Securities New Regulators (NFRA, SFIO, NCLT) New Committees - Nomination and Remuneration Committee and

Stakeholders Relationship Committee, Vigil Mechanism New definition for Associate company, Control, Small company, Key

managerial personnel, Related party, etc.

New Concepts

Background…

The Changed Approach:

• Shift from Shareholders Protection to stakeholders protection

• Corporate Governance /Investor Protection is Mantra

• Widened disclosure requirements

• Stricter penalties and Prosecution

• Liability of Directors / Professionals increased

• Increased coverage of the Act

Background…

Powers vested with MCA – Delegated Legislation

Power to exempt class or classes of companies from the provisions of this Act (S.462)

Complete / partial exemption to class / classes of companiesProposed notification to be approved by both Houses of Parliament

Power to amend schedules (S.467) Approval by both Houses of Parliament required after notification

Power to make rules (S.469) Approval by both Houses of Parliament required after notification

Power to remove difficulties (S.470) Provisions necessary or expedient to remove difficulties• 5 years from the commencement of section 1 of the 2013 Act

Background…The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has laid down a draft notification under sec.462 containing exemptions/ modifications for Private Companies before the Parliament, the following are the proposed modifications, inter alia:Relevant Provision Modification

Sec.185 – Loans to Directors Shall not apply to Private Companies:• Which have borrowings from banks or financial

institutions or any bodies corporate not more than twice of their paid up share capital or ` 50 crore, whichever is lower

• In whose share capital no other body corporate has invested any money

• Not defaulted in repayment of borrowings

Proviso to Sec.188(1) – Related Party Transactions Shall not apply

Sec. 196(4) and Sec.196(5) – Appointment of MD, WTD or manager

Shall not apply

Sec.141(3)(g) - Auditor holding appointment in more than 20 companies

Shall not apply in respect of appointment by private companies

Sec.180 - Restriction on Powers of the Board Shall not apply to private companies having 50 or less number of members

KEY DEFINITIONS

Key Definitions

“Financial Statement” in relation to a company, includes—

(i) a balance sheet as at the end of the financial year

(ii) a profit and loss account, or in the case of a company carrying on any activity not for profit, an income and expenditure account for the financial year

(iii) cash flow statement for the financial year

(iv) a statement of changes in equity, if applicable and

(v) any explanatory note annexed to, or forming part of, any document referred to in sub-clause (i) to sub-clause (iv):

Provided that the financial statement, with respect to One Person Company, small company and dormant company, may not include the cash flow statement;

Sec. 2(40)

Key Definitions…“Financial Year”, in relation to any company or body corporate, means the period ending on the 31st day of March every year, and where it has been incorporated on or after the 1st day of January of a year, the period ending on the 31st day of March of the following year, in respect whereof financial statement of the company or body corporate is made up:

Provided that on an application made by a company or body corporate, which is a holding company or a subsidiary of a company incorporated outside India and is required to follow a different financial year for consolidation of its accounts outside India, the Tribunal may, if it is satisfied, allow any period as its financial year, whether or not that period is a year:

Provided further that a company or body corporate, existing on the commencement of this Act, shall, within a period of two years from such commencement, align its financial year as per the provisions of this clause

• As this provision is effective from April 1, 2014, companies shall align their financial years as per this provision within April 1, 2016.

• The exemption has not been provided for an associate or joint venture.

Sec. 2(41)

Key Definitions…

“Foreign Company” means any company or body corporate incorporated outside India which—

(a) has a place of business in India whether by itself or through an agent, physically or through electronic mode; and

(b) conducts any business activity in India in any other manner.

Sec. 2(42)

Key Definitions…

“Electronic mode”, means carrying out electronically based, whether main server is installed in India or not, including, but not limited to- business to business and business to consumer transactions, data

interchange and other digital supply transactions offering to accept deposits or inviting deposits or accepting deposits

or subscriptions in securities, in India or from citizens of India financial settlements, web based marketing, advisory and

transactional services, database services and products, supply chain management

online services such as telemarketing, telecommuting, telemedicine, education and information research and

all related data communication services,

whether conducted by e-mail, mobile devices, social media, cloud computing, document management, voice or data transmission or otherwise. Rule 2(1)(h) of Companies (Specification of Definition Details) Rules, 2014

Key Definitions…“Free Reserves” means such reserves which, as per the latest audited balance sheet of a company, are available for distribution as dividend:

Provided that—

(i) any amount representing unrealised gains, notional gains or revaluation of assets, whether shown as a reserve or otherwise, or

(ii) any change in carrying amount of an asset or of a liability recognised in equity, including surplus in profit and loss account on measurement of the asset or the liability at fair value,

shall not be treated as free reserves

Key Points Definition excludes securities premium Instances of provisions where the definition of free reserves is referred:

• Sec.63 for Issue of Bonus Shares• Sec.68 for purchase of its own shares or specified securities by companies• Sec.123 for declaration of dividend.• Sec.180(1)(c) restriction on powers of the Board• Sec.186 Loans and investment by a company

Sec. 2(43)

Key Definitions…“Net Worth” means the aggregate value of the paid-up share capital and all reserves created out of the profits and securities premium account, after deducting the aggregate value of the accumulated losses, deferred expenditure and miscellaneous expenditure not written off, as per the audited balance sheet, but does not include reserves created out of revaluation of assets, write-back of depreciation and amalgamation.Instances of provisions where the definition of net worth is referred: Sec.76(1) relating to Acceptance of deposits by Companies, for

determination of eligible company. Sec.135 determining criteria for Corporate Social Responsibility Sec.148 where the Central Government shall specify audit of items of

cost in respect of certain Companies. Limits for the purposes of approval by Special resolution – Related Party

transactions

Sec. 2(57)

Key Definitions…Related party with reference to a company means:• Director or his relative• KMP or his relative• a firm, in which a director, manager or his relative is a partner• a private company in which a director or manager or his relative is a member or

director• public company in which a director or manager is a director and holds along

with his relatives, more than 2% of its paid-up share capital• any body corporate whose Board of Directors, managing director or manager is

accustomed to act in accordance with the advice, directions or instructions of a director or manager (excluding advice given in professional capacity)

• any person on whose advice, directions or instructions a director or manager is accustomed to act (excluding advice given in professional capacity)

• any company which is—– a holding, subsidiary or an associate company of such company or– a subsidiary of a holding company to which it is also a subsidiary

• a director other than an independent director or KMP of the holding company or his relative with reference to a company, shall be deemed to be a related party.

Sec. 2(76)

Key Definitions…‘‘Relative’’, with reference to any person, means any one who is related to another, if—

• they are members of a Hindu Undivided Family

• they are husband and wife or

• one person is related to the other in such manner as may be prescribed

– Father (including Step Father)

– Mother (including Step Mother)

– Son (including Step Son)

– Son’s wife

– Daughter

– Daughter’s husband

– Brother (including Step Brother)

– Sister (including Step Sister)Sec. 2(77)

HOLDING &

SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Holding & Subsidiary Companies

“Holding company”, in relation to one or more other companies, means a company of which such companies are subsidiary companies (Sec. 2(46))

A Company shall make investments through not more than two layers of investment companies. (Sec.186 (1))

The provisions of this section shall not effect the following: a company from acquiring any other company incorporated in a country

outside India if such other company has investment subsidiaries beyond two layers as per the laws of such country

a subsidiary company from having any investment subsidiary for the purposes of meeting the requirements under any law or under any rule or regulation framed under any law for the time being in force

Holding & Subsidiary Companies…Subsidiary Company

“Subsidiary Company” or “Subsidiary”, in relation to any other company (holding company), means a company in which the holding company—

(i) controls the composition of the Board of Directors or

(ii) exercises or controls more than one-half of the total share capital either at its own or together with one or more of its subsidiary companies

Provided that such class or classes of holding companies as may be prescribed shall not have layers of subsidiaries beyond such numbers as may be prescribed. (This proviso is not notified)

As per the Companies (Specification of definitions details) Rules, 2014,

Total share capital = paid up equity share capital + convertible preference share capital.

Sec. 2(87)

Holding & Subsidiary Companies…Subsidiary Company…

Explanation—For the purposes of this clause,

(a) a company shall be deemed to be a subsidiary company of the holding company even if the control referred to above is of another subsidiary company of the holding company

(b) the composition of a company’s Board of Directors shall be deemed to be controlled by another company if that other company by exercise of some power exercisable by it at its discretion can appoint or remove all or a majority of the directors

(c) the expression “company” includes any body corporate

(d) “layer” in relation to a holding company means its subsidiary or subsidiaries

Sec. 2(87)

Holding & Subsidiary Companies…As per Sec 2(27) of the Act, “control”

“shall include the right to appoint majority of the directors or to control the management or policy decisions exercisable by a person or persons acting individually or in concert, directly or indirectly, including by virtue of their shareholding or management rights or shareholders agreements or voting agreements or in any other manner.”

As per AS-21, Control is defined as:

(a) the ownership, directly or indirectly through subsidiary(ies), of more than one-half of the voting power of an enterprise or

(b) control of the composition of the board of directors in the case of a company or of the composition of the corresponding governing body in case of any other enterprise so as to obtain economic benefits from its activities.

BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS

Books of Accounts

Sec. 128

• Company shall prepare and keep at its registered office books of account and other relevant books and papers and financial statement for every financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the company.

• Such books shall be kept on accrual basis and according to the double entry system of accounting

• All or any of the books of account aforesaid and other relevant papers may be kept at such other place in India as the Board of Directors may decide and where such a decision is taken, the company shall, within 7 days thereof, file with the Registrar a notice in writing giving the full address of that other place

• Company may keep such books of account or other relevant papers in electronic mode in such manner as may be prescribed.

Books of Accounts…

Rule 3 of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014

• The books of account and other relevant books and papers maintained in electronic mode shall remain accessible in India so as to be usable for subsequent reference.

• The books of account and other relevant books and papers shall be retained completely in the format in which they were originally generated, sent or received, or in a format which shall present accurately the information generated, sent or received and the information contained in the electronic records shall remain complete and unaltered.

• The information received from branch offices shall not be altered and shall be kept in a manner where it shall depict what was originally received from the branches.

• The information in the electronic record of the document shall be capable of being displayed in a legible form.

Books of Accounts…• There shall be a proper system for storage, retrieval, display or printout of

the electronic records as the Audit Committee, if any, or the Board may deem appropriate and such records shall not be disposed of or rendered unusable, unless permitted by law.

• The back-up of the books of account and other books and papers of the company maintained in electronic mode, including at a place outside India, if any, shall be kept in servers physically located in India on a periodic basis.

• The company shall intimate to the Registrar on an annual basis at the time of filing of financial statement- – the name of the service provider– the internet protocol address of service provider– the location of the service provider (wherever applicable)– where the books of account and other books and papers are maintained

on cloud, such address as provided by the service provider.

Rule 3 of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014

Books of Accounts…

Sec. 128

• If a company has a branch office in India or outside India proper books of account relating to the transactions effected at the branch office shall be kept at that office and proper summarised returns shall be periodically sent by the branch office to the company at its registered office.

• The books of account and other books and papers maintained by the company within India shall be open for inspection at the registered office of the company or at such other place in India by any director during business hours, and in the case of financial information, if any, maintained outside the country, copies of such financial information shall be maintained and produced for inspection by any director subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

• Inspection in respect of any subsidiary of the company shall be done only by the person authorised in this behalf by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Books of Accounts…• The books of account of every company relating to a period of not less than

8 FY’s immediately preceding a FY, or where the company had been in existence for a period less than 8 years, in respect of all the preceding years together with the vouchers relevant to any entry in such books of account shall be kept in good order.

• If the MD, the WTD in charge of finance, the CFO or any other person of a company charged by the Board with the duty of complying with the provisions of this section, contravenes such provisions, such MD, WTD in charge of finance, CFO or such other person of the company shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which shall not be less than ` 50,000 but which may extend to ` 5 lakh or with both.

Sec. 128

SCHEDULE III

Schedule III Schedule III of the Companies Act 2013, is the same as Revised Schedule

VI of the Companies Act, 1956 except that it contains general instructions for preparation of CFS of Company and its subsidiaries, as the same has been mandated by the new Act.

If a company is required to prepare CFS, i.e., consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of profit and loss, the company shall mutatis mutandis follow the requirements of Schedule III.

In addition, the CFS shall disclose the information as per the requirements specified in the applicable Accounting Standards including:

– Profit or loss attributable to “minority interest” and to owners of the parent in the statement of profit and loss shall be presented as allocation for the period.

– “Minority interests” in the balance sheet within equity shall be presented separately from the equity of the owners of the parent

Schedule III… All subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures (whether Indian or foreign)

will be covered under CFS. An entity shall disclose the list of subsidiaries or associates or joint ventures

which have not been consolidated in the CFS along with the reasons of not consolidating.

Schedule III of the Act, does not have format for the Cash Flow Statement and Statement for Changes in Equity.

DEPRECIATION

DepreciationDepreciation on tangible fixed assets based on estimated useful life

From a Rates regime to Useful Lives

Useful life of an asset is the period over which the asset is expected to be available for use by the entity or the number of production or similar units expected to be obtained from the asset

Depreciation of plant & machinery based on industry category. Specified industries:

Production and exhibition of motion picture films Steel

Glass manufacturing Non-ferrous metals

Mines & quarries Medical & surgical operations

Telecommunication Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals

Exploration, production and refining of oil & gas Civil construction

Generation, transmission and distribution of power Salt works

Schedule II

Depreciation… Componentisation of assets mandated• Separate capitalisation and depreciation of a part of an asset if its cost is

significant to the total cost of the asset and its estimated life is different from the remaining asset.

Where a company uses a useful life other than prescribed by Schedule II or residual value other than 5% of the original cost of the asset, justification for the difference shall be disclosed in financial statement.

Depreciation / amortisation of intangible assets should be as per the Accounting Standards.• Intangible assets (toll roads) can continue to be amortised based on the

expected revenue from operating such assets.

Schedule II

Depreciation…

Nature of asset - illustrative

The Companies Act, 2013

The Companies Act, 1956

Increase / (Decrease)

% ChangeUseful

Life Deemed

Rate

General Plant and Machinery other than continuous process plant 15 6.33% 4.75% 1.58% 33.33%

Continuous process plant * 25 3.80% 5.28% -1.48% -28.03%

General furniture and fittings 10 9.50% 6.33% 3.17% 50.08%

Office equipment 5 19.00% 4.75% 14.25% 300.00%

Desktops, laptops, etc. 3 31.67% 16.21% 15.46% 95.35%

Electrical Installations and Equipment 10 9.50% 4.75% 4.75% 100.00%

*Useful life of CPP have been increased from 18 years to 25 years.

Schedule II

Depreciation…Transitional Provisions

Carrying value (net of residual value) to be depreciated over the remaining revised useful life of the asset.

If the remaining revised useful life is nil, the carrying value net of residual value should be recognised in the opening balance of retained earnings.

Incremental depreciation relating to surplus on revaluation of assets would need to be charged to the Statement of Profit & Loss and will impact Profits.

• Depreciable amount is the cost of an asset or other amount substituted for its cost less residual value.

Schedule II

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Accounting Standards

Sec. 133

• The Central Government may prescribe the standards of accounting or any addendum thereto, as recommended by the ICAI, constituted under section 3 of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, in consultation with and after examination of the recommendations made by the NFRA.

Transitional provisions with respect to Accounting Standards (Rule 7 of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014- • The standards of accounting as specified under the Companies Act, 1956

shall be deemed to be the accounting standards until accounting standards are specified by the Central Government under section 133.

• Till the NFRA is constituted under section 132 of the Act, the Central Government may prescribe the standards of accounting or any addendum thereto, as recommended by the ICAI in consultation with and after examination of the recommendations made by the National Advisory Committee on Accounting Standards constituted under section 210A of the Companies Act, 1956.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements

Sec. 129

• The financial statements shall give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company or companies, comply with the accounting standards notified under section 133 and shall be in the form or forms as may be provided for different class or classes of companies in Schedule III.

• The items contained in such financial statements shall be in accordance with the accounting standards.

• These provisions shall not apply to any insurance or banking company or any company engaged in the generation or supply of electricity, or to any other class of company for which a form of financial statement has been specified in or under the Act governing such class of company:

Financial Statements…

Sec. 129

• At every AGM of a company, the Board of Directors of the company shall lay before such meeting financial statements for the financial year.

• Where a company has one or more subsidiaries, it shall, in addition to standalone financial statements prepare a consolidated financial statement (CFS) of the company and of all the subsidiaries in the same form and manner as that of its own which shall also be laid before the AGM of the company along with the laying of its financial statement.

• Subsidiary shall include associate company and joint venture.

• Company shall also attach along with its financial statement, a separate statement containing the salient features of the financial statement of its subsidiary or subsidiaries in Form AOC I (Rule 5 of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014)

Financial Statements…• As per the proviso to Sec. 129(3), the Central Government may provide for

the consolidation of accounts of companies in such manner as may be prescribed.

• As per Rule 6 of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 Manner of consolidation of accounts.- – The CFS of the company shall be made in accordance with the

provisions of Schedule III of the Act and the applicable accounting standards.

– In case of a company covered under Sec. 129(3) which is not required to prepare CFS under the Accounting Standards, it shall be sufficient if the company complies with provisions on CFS provided in Schedule III of the Act.

As per Companies (Meetings of Board and its Powers) Second Amendment Rules, 2014 consideration of financial statements, including CFS, if any, shall not be dealt with in a meeting held through video conferencing.


• The provisions of this Act applicable to the preparation, adoption and audit of the financial statements of a holding company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the CFS.

• Where the financial statements of a company do not comply with the accounting standards, the company shall disclose in its financial statements, the deviation from the accounting standards, the reasons for such deviation and the financial effects, if any, arising out of such deviation.

• The Central Government may, on its own or on an application by a class or classes of companies, by notification, exempt any class or classes of companies from complying with any of the requirements of this section or the rules made thereunder, if it is considered necessary to grant such exemption in the public interest and any such exemption may be granted either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification

Sec. 129


• If a company contravenes the provisions of this section, the MD the WTD in charge of finance, the CFO or any other person charged by the Board with the duty of complying with the requirements of this section and in the absence of any of the officers mentioned above, all the directors shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which shall not be less than ` 50,000 but which may extend to ` 5 lakhs, or with both.

Sec. 129

Financial Statements…Consolidated Financial Statements – Key Points Companies having one or more subsidiaries, shall also prepare CFS and the

same shall be laid before the AGM of the Company along with standalone financial statements.

A separate statement containing salient features of the financial statement of subsidiaries to be attached to the holding company’s financial statements. – Form AOC - I

‘Subsidiary’ includes ‘associate company’ and ‘joint venture’

Associate means a company other than a subsidiary company and joint venture company, in which the other company has a significant influence.

Significant influence means control of at least 20% of total share capital or of business decisions under an agreement.

In case of a company covered u/s 129(3), which is not required to prepare CFS under the Accounting Standards, it shall be sufficient if the company complies with provisions on CFS provided in Schedule III of the Act.

1. Sl. No.

2. Name of the subsidiary

3. Reporting period for the subsidiary concerned, if different from the holding company’s reporting period

4. Reporting currency and Exchange rate as on the last date of the relevant Financial year in the case of foreign subsidiaries.

5. Share capital

6. Reserves & surplus

Form AOC-I

Part A – SubsidiariesInformation in respect of each subsidiary to be presented with amounts in `

7. Total assets

8. Total Liabilities

9. Investments

10. Turnover

11. Profit before taxation

12. Provision for taxation

13. Profit after taxation

14. Proposed Dividend

15. % of shareholding

1. Names of subsidiaries which are yet to commence operations 2. Names of subsidiaries which have been liquidated or sold during the year.


Form AOC-IPart B – Associates and Joint Ventures

1. Names of associates or joint ventures which are yet to commence operations 2. Names of associates or joint ventures which have been liquidated or sold during the year.

Name of Associates/Joint Ventures Name 1 Name 2

1. Latest audited Balance Sheet Date

2. Shares of Associate/Joint Ventures held by the company on the year end

No.

Amount of Investment in Associates/ Joint Venture

Extend of Holding %

3. Description of how there is significant influence

4. Reason why the associate/joint venture is not consolidated

5. Net worth attributable to Shareholding as per latest audited Balance Sheet

6. Profit / Loss for the year i. Considered in Consolidation ii. Not Considered in Consolidation


Financial Statement - Signing

Sec. 134(1)

The financial statement, including CFS, if any, shall be approved by the Board of Directors before they are signed on behalf of the Board at least by – the chairperson of the company where he is authorised by the Board or – by two directors out of which one shall be managing director and – the Chief Executive Officer, if he is a director in the company, – the Chief Financial Officer and – the Company Secretary of the company,

wherever they are appointed, or in the case of a One Person Company, only by one director, for submission to the auditor for his report thereon. The auditors’ report shall be attached to every financial statement.

Financial Statement – Circulation of Accounts A listed company shall also place its financial statements including CFS, if

any, and all other documents required to be attached thereto, on its website.

As per the Rule 11, of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, Manner of circulation of financial statements in certain cases.- • In case of all listed companies and such public companies which have a net

worth of more than ` 1 crore and turnover of more than ` 10 crore rupees, the financial statements may be sent– by electronic mode to such members whose shareholding is in

dematerialised format and whose email Ids are registered with Depository for communication purposes;

– where Shareholding is held otherwise than by dematerialised format, to such members who have positively consented in writing for receiving by electronic mode; and

– by dispatch of physical copies through any recognised mode of delivery as specified under section 20 of the Act, in all other cases.

Copy of Financial Statement to be Filed with Registrar

A copy of the financial statements, including CFS, if any, along with all the documents which are required to be or attached to such financial statements under this Act, duly adopted at the AGM of the company, shall be filed with the Registrar within 30 days of the date of AGM in Form AOC-4 - Rule 12(1).

Where the financial statements are not adopted at the AGM or adjourned AGM, such unadopted financial statements along with the required documents shall be filed with the Registrar within 30 days of the date of AGM and the Registrar shall take them in his records as provisional till the financial statements are filed with him after their adoption in the adjourned AGM for that purpose.

The financial statements adopted in the adjourned AGM shall be filed with the Registrar within 30 days of the date of such adjourned AGM.

Financial Statement – Copy to be filed

Sec. 137

Copy of Financial Statement to be Filed with Registrar…

• Along with its financial statements to be filed with the Registrar, attach the accounts of its subsidiary or subsidiaries which have been incorporated outside India and which have not established their place of business in India.

• Where the AGM of a company for any year has not been held, the financial statements along with the documents required to be attached, duly signed along with the statement of facts and reasons for not holding the AGM shall be filed with the Registrar within 30 days of the last date before which the AGM should have been held.

Financial Statement - Copy to be filed…

Sec. 137

REVISION OF FINANCIAL

STATEMENTS

Revision of Financial StatementsMandatory reopening or recasting (Sec.130) A Company can reopen its books of accounts and recast its financial

statements if: • The relevant accounts were prepared in fraudulent manner or• Affairs of the Company were mismanaged during the relevant period

casting a doubt on the reliability of the financial statements On an application by Central Government, IT authorities, SEBI or any

regulatory body and an order being made by Court or Tribunal.

Voluntary Revision (Sec.131) The Company may, if it appears to the directors that the Financial

Statements or Board’s Report are not in compliance with the provisions of the Act, may prepare revised financial statement or a revised Board’s Report with the approval of Tribunal.

Not Notified

Revision of Financial Statements…Key Points• Revision / Reopening of financial statements for a period earlier than

immediately preceding financial year may impact financial statements for subsequent years also.

• Presently, as per circular issued by SEBI in August 2012, SEBI is empowered to require revision of financial statements, if the audit report is qualified.

• Complications may arise when revision/ reopening pertains to companies which have already amalgamated / amalgamation is pending Court’s approval.

• Detailed process for revision, including involvement of current and previous auditors , may lead to frivolous litigations.

• May require current auditor to re-audit entire financial statements for one or more previous periods.

• Revision / reopening might have an impact on taxation as well.

BOARD’S REPORT

Board’s Report

Sec. 134

The report by Board of Directors of a Company which is laid before a company in general meeting shall include:• Extract of the annual return• Number of meetings of the Board• Directors’ Responsibility Statement• Statement on declaration given by independent directors under Sec.149(6)• In case of a company covered under Sec.178(1), company’s policy on

directors’ appointment and remuneration including criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes, independence of a director and other matters provided under Sec. 178(3).

• explanations or comments by the Board on every qualification, reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer made– by the auditor in his report and– by the company secretary in practice in his secretarial audit report

• particulars of loans, guarantees or investments under sec.186

Board’s Report…• The state of the company’s affairs• The amounts, if any, which it proposes to carry to any reserves• The amount, if any, which it recommends should be paid by way of

dividend• Material changes and commitments, if any, affecting the financial position

of the company which have occurred between the end of the financial year of the company to which the financial statements relate and the date of the report

• Conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo.

• Statement indicating development and implementation of a risk management policy for the company including identification therein of elements of risk, if any, which in the opinion of the Board may threaten the existence of the company

• Details about the policy developed and implemented by the company on corporate social responsibility initiatives taken during the year

Sec. 134

Board’s Report…• In case of a listed company and every other public company having such

paid-up share capital of ` 25 crore or more, a statement indicating the manner in which formal annual evaluation has been made by the Board of its own performance and that of its committees and individual directors.

• Report on the performance and financial position of each of the subsidiaries, associates and joint venture companies included in the consolidated financial statement is presented.

• Particulars of contracts or arrangements with related parties referred to in sec.188(1) in the Form AOC-2.

• The financial summary or highlights• Change in the nature of business, if any• Details of directors or key managerial personnel who were appointed or

have resigned during the year• Names of companies which have become or ceased to be its Subsidiaries,

joint ventures or associate companies during the year

Board’s Report…• Details of significant and material orders passed by the regulators or courts

or tribunals impacting the going concern status and company’s operations in future

• Details in respect of adequacy of internal financial controls with reference to the Financial Statements.

• Details relating to deposits, covered under Chapter V of the Act,- – accepted during the year– remained unpaid or unclaimed as at the end of the year; – whether there has been any default in repayment of deposits or payment

of interest thereon during the year and if so, number of such cases and the total amount involved- • at the beginning of the year• maximum during the year• at the end of the year

• Details of deposits which are not in compliance with the requirements of Chapter V of the Act

Director’s Responsibility Statement• In the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting

standards had been followed along with proper explanation relating to material departures

• The directors had selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company at the end of the financial year and of the profit and loss of the company for that period

• The directors had taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the assets of the company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities

• The directors had prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis.• The directors, in the case of a listed company, had laid down internal

financial controls to be followed by the company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were operating effectively

Sec. 134(5)

Director’s Responsibility Statement…

Sec. 134(5)

Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, the term “internal financial controls” means the policies and procedures adopted by the company for ensuring the orderly and efficient conduct of its business, including adherence to company’s policies, the safeguarding of its assets, the prevention and detection of frauds and errors, the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, and the timely preparation of reliable financial information;

• The directors had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively.

AUDIT AND AUDITORS

Audit and Auditors

AUDITOR

APPOINTMENT

ELIGIBILITY & QUALIFICATIONS

POWERS

SCOPE OF SERVICES

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

PENALITIES FOR CONTRAVENTION

NFRA

NATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING AUTHORITY

National Financial Reporting Authority• NFRA to be constituted by Central Government (CG) to provide for

dealing with matters relating to accounting and auditing policies and standards to be followed by companies and their auditors.

• The Chairperson and full time members of NFRA shall not be associated with any audit firm (including related consultancy firms) during the course of their appointment and 2 years thereafter.

• Functions of NFRA are as below:• Make recommendations to CG on the formulation of accounting and

auditing policies and standards• Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting and auditing

standards• Oversee the quality of service of the professions and suggest measures

required for improvement in quality of services and such other related matters as may be prescribed;

• Perform other prescribed functions in relation to above as may be prescribed.

Not Notified

Sec. 129

National Financial Reporting Authority…• Powers of NFRA include:• Investigate into the matters of professional or other misconduct committed by

member or firm of CA.• Powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

while trying a suit.• Where professional or other misconduct is proved, NFRA has the power to

make order for imposing monetary penalty or debarring the member or the firm from engaging himself or itself from practice as member of the institute for a minimum period of 6 months or for such higher period not exceeding 10 years.

• Any person aggrieved by the order of NFRA can prefer an appeal to NFRAA.• Function of NFRA as per Draft Rules – Standard Setting, Monitoring,

Compliance Review and Overseeing Quality of Service, Enforcement and Investigation

• It has he power to investigate, suo moto or on reference made by Central Government in matters of professional or other misconduct by CA or firm. No other institute or body shall initiate or continue any proceedings in matters where NFRA has initiated an investigation

Not Notified

Sec. 129

National Financial Reporting Authority…• For monitoring compliance with Accounting Standards by Companies,

the Committee on Accounting Standards shall conduct scrutiny of financial statements of such class of companies and in such manner as may be decided by the Committee or the Authority.

• For monitoring compliance with Auditing Standards, the Committee on Auditing Standards shall monitor the compliance of auditors including individual auditors, audit firms and audit LLPs, with the notified accounting standards and auditing standards and submit such periodical report(s) to the Authority as the Authority may specify.

• Class of companies covered for investigation and quality review of audit– Listed Companies– Unlisted companies with net worth not less than ` 500 crores or paid up

capital not less than `500 crores or annual turnover not less than ` 1,000 crores as on 31st March of immediately preceding financial year or

– Companies having securities listed outside IndiaDraft Rules

National Financial Reporting Authority…• Auditors to be covered under investigation by NFRA• Auditors or audit firms which conduct the audit of the following

category of companies or their branches (including through the network or brand to which it belongs), whether “directly or indirectly”, as defined in Explanation to Sec. 144 of the Act -

a) audit of 200 companies or more in a year

b) audit of 20 or more listed companies

c) company or companies (including listed company or companies), having net worth not less than ` 500 crores or paid up capital not less than ` 500 crores or annual turnover not less than ` 1,000 crores as on 31st March of immediately preceding financial year or

d) company or companies having securities listed outside India

Draft Rules

National Financial Reporting Authority…

Act replaces NACAS with NFRA Legal sanctity for Auditing Standards Is NFRA conceptually similar to PCAOB?? Quasi-judicial powers to ensure independent oversight over CA’s NFRA can take action against those working in Companies as well as

Auditors

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Appointment of Auditors

• Every company shall, at the first AGM, appoint an individual or a firm as an auditor who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting till the conclusion of its sixth AGM and thereafter till the conclusion of every sixth meeting.

• Before the appointment is made, the written consent of auditor shall be obtained.

• A certificate shall also be obtained, that the appointment , if made , shall be in accordance with the conditions and that the auditor satisfies the criteria provided in Section 141.

• The company shall inform the auditor of his appointment and file a notice with the Registrar within 15 days of the meeting in which the auditor is appointed.

Sec. 139

Appointment of Auditors…

Conditions for Appointment:

The auditor appointed shall submit a certificate that:

The individual or the firm, as the case may be, is eligible for appointment and is not disqualified for appointment under the Act, the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and the rules or regulations made thereunder

Proposed appointment is as per the term provided under the Act.

Proposed appointment is within the limits laid down by or under the authority of the Act.

List of proceedings against the auditor or audit firm or any partner of the audit firm pending with respect to professional matters of conduct, as disclosed in the certificate, is true and correct

The notice of appointment to the Registrar under the proviso to Section 139(1) shall be given by the company in Form ADT-1

Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014


Rotation of Auditors:• A listed company or a company belonging to such class or classes of

companies as may be prescribed, shall not appoint or re-appoint—

(a) an individual as auditor for more than one term of 5 consecutive years and

(b) an audit firm (including an LLP) as auditor for more than two terms of 2 consecutive years.

• Provided that– an individual auditor shall not be eligible for re-appointment as

auditor in the same company for 5 years from the completion of his term.

– an audit firm shall not be eligible for re-appointment as auditor in the same company for 5 years from the completion of such term.

Sec.139


Rotation of Auditors…• Further as on the date of appointment, an audit firm having a common

partner or partners in the other audit firm, whose tenure has expired in a company (in the) immediately preceding financial year, shall not be appointed as auditor of the same company for a period of 5 years.

• The Central Government may prescribe the manner in which the companies will rotate their auditors.

Sec.139


Rotation of Auditors…

The class of companies for the purpose of rotation, shall mean the following classes of companies excluding one person companies and small companies: Listed Companies Unlisted Public Companies - Paid up Share Capital of ` 10 crore or more Private Limited Companies - Paid up Share Capital of ` 20 crore or more Companies having paid up share capital of below threshold limit

mentioned above, but having public borrowings from financial institutions, banks or public deposits of ` 50 crores or more


Appointment of Auditors…Manner of Rotation of Auditors The period for which the individual or the firm has held office as auditor prior

to the commencement of the Act shall be taken into account for calculating the period of 5 consecutive years or 10 consecutive years, as the case may be. (retrospective)

The incoming auditor or audit firm shall not be eligible if such auditor or audit firm is associated with the outgoing auditor or audit firm under the same network of audit firms.

“Same Network” includes the firms operating or functioning, hitherto or in future, under the same brand name, trade name or common control.

A break in the term for a continuous period of five years shall be considered as fulfilling the requirement of rotation.

A partner, who is in charge of an audit firm and also certifies the financial statements of the company, retires from the said firm and joins another firm of chartered accountants, such other firm shall also be ineligible to be appointed for a period of 5 years.

In the case of joint auditors, the company may follow the rotation of auditors in such a manner that both or all of the joint auditors, as the case may be, do not complete their term in the same year. Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014


Manner and Procedure for Selection and Appointment: The Audit Committee, where constituted, or the Board in other cases, shall

take into consideration the qualifications and experience of the individual or the firm proposed to be considered for appointment as auditor and whether such qualifications and experience are commensurate with the size and requirements of the company.

The Audit Committee or the Board, as the case may be, may call for such other information from the proposed auditor as it may deem fit.

The Audit Committee or the Board, as the case may be, shall have regard to any order or pending proceeding relating to professional matters of conduct against the proposed auditor before the ICAI or any competent authority or any Court.

The Audit Committee, where constituted, shall recommend the name of an individual or a firm as auditor to the Board for consideration and in other cases, the Board shall consider and recommend an individual or a firm as auditor to the members in the annual general meeting (AGM) for appointment.


Appointment of Auditors…Manner and Procedure for Selection and Appointment…: If the Board agrees with the recommendation of the Audit Committee, it

shall further recommend the appointment of an individual or a firm as auditor to the members in the AGM.

If the Board disagrees with the recommendation of the Audit Committee, it shall refer back the recommendation to the committee for reconsideration citing reasons for such disagreement.

If the Audit Committee does not reconsider its original recommendation, the Board shall record the reasons for the same and send its own recommendation for consideration of members.

The auditor so appointed in the AGM shall hold office from conclusion of that meeting to conclusion of sixth AGM, with the meeting wherein such appointment has been made being counted as the first meeting.

Such appointment shall be subject to ratification every year until conclusion of sixth AGM by way of passing ordinary resolution.

If appointment is not ratified by members of the Company, the Board may appoint another individual or firm as auditor by following the procedure laid down in the Act. Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014

Appointment of Auditors…Government Companies – Sec.139(5)• In case of a Government company or any other company owned or

controlled, directly or indirectly, by – the Central Government(CG) or by any State Government(s) (SG) , or– partly by the CG and partly by one or more SGs,

the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) shall, in respect of a financial year, appoint an auditor within a period of 180 days from the commencement of the financial year, who shall hold office till the conclusion of the AGM.

Section 224A of the 1956 Act Omitted• Requirement of special resolution for appointment of auditor in certain cases

dropped.• In the 1956 Act, if 25% or more of the subscribed capital of a company is held

by a public financial institution or a Government company or Central Government or any State Government or Insurance Companies, the appointment or re-appointment at each AGM of an auditor or auditors shall be made by a special resolution.

Appointment of Auditors…• In case deemed Government companies (ownership or control lies with two or

more Government companies or corporations as referred to in Sec.619B of Companies Act, 1956), the appointment of auditor shall be through CAG and such companies are covered u/s 139(5) and 139(7).

• The words ‘any other company owned or controlled, directly or indirectly… by the Central Government and partly by one or more State Governments’ are to be read with the definition of ‘control’ in Sec.2(27) of the Act. Thus documents like articles of association and shareholders agreements etc envisaging control are to be taken into account while deciding whether an individual company is covered u/s 139(5) and 139(7).

• The responsibility of intimating to CAG, about incorporation of a company subject to audit by an auditor to be appointed by the CAG, primarily rests with company concerned. The concerned company shall intimate to the CAG about its incorporation along with the name, location of registered office, capital structure of such company immediately on its incorporation.

• It is also incumbent on such a company to share such intimation to the relevant Government so that such Government may also send a suitable request to the CAG MCA Circular

Appointment of Auditors…First Auditors• The First Auditor of a Non-Government company – Sec.139(6):

– shall be appointed by the Board of Directors within 30 days from the date of registration of the company and

– in the case of failure of the Board to appoint the auditor, it shall inform the members of the company, who shall within (next) 90 days at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) appoint such auditor and such auditor shall hold office till the conclusion of the first AGM.

• The First Auditor of Government Companies – Sec.139(7):– shall be appointed by the CAG within 60 days from the date of registration of

the company and – in case the CAG does not appoint such auditor within the said period, the

Board of Directors of the company shall appoint such auditor within the next 30 days and

– in the case of failure of the Board to appoint such auditor within the next 30 days, it shall inform the members of the company who shall appoint such auditor within (next) 60 days at an EGM, who shall hold office till the conclusion of the first AGM.

Appointment of Auditors…Casual Vacancy• In the case of a company other than a company whose accounts are subject

to audit by an auditor appointed by the CAG, – to be filled by the Board of Directors within 30 days– but if such casual vacancy is as a result of the resignation of an auditor,

such appointment shall also be approved by the company at a general meeting convened within 3 months of the recommendation of the Board and he shall hold the office till the conclusion of the next AGM.

• In the case of a company whose accounts are subject to audit by an auditor appointed by the CAG,– to be filled by the CAG within 30 days,– but if the CAG does not fill the vacancy within the said period, the

Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy within the next 30 days

Sec.139(8)

Appointment of Auditors…Re-appointment of Auditor• A retiring auditor may be re-appointed at an AGM, if—

(a) he is not disqualified for re-appointment

(b) he has not given the company a notice in writing of his unwillingness to be re-appointed and

(c) a special resolution has not been passed at that meeting appointing some other auditor or providing expressly that he shall not be re-appointed.

Failure to Appoint Auditors at AGM Where at any AGM, no auditor is appointed or re-appointed, the existing auditor shall continue to be the auditor of the company.

• As per the Companies Act, 1956, where at an AGM no auditors are appointed or re-appointed, the Central Government may appoint a person to fill the vacancy.

Sec.139(9) and Sec.139(10)

Appointment of Auditors…Removal by Company – Sec. 140 (1) • The auditor may be removed from his office before the expiry of his term,

only by a special resolution and after obtaining the previous approval of the CG in that behalf.

• Before taking any action for removal, the auditor concerned shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

• The application to the Central Government for removal of auditor shall be made in Form ADT-2.

• The company shall hold the general meeting within 60 days of receipt of approval of the Central Government for passing the special resolution.

Resignation by Auditor – Sec. 140 (2) & (3) • The auditor who has resigned from the company shall file within a period of

30 days from the date of resignation, a statement in the prescribed form (Form ADT-3) with the company and the Registrar and, in the case of Government Companies with the CAG.

• If the auditor does not comply with the above, he or it shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than ` 50,000 but which may extend to ` 5 Lakhs.


Remuneration

• The remuneration of the auditors shall be fixed in the general meeting or in such manner as may be determined therein.

• The Board may fix remuneration of the first auditor appointed by it.• The remuneration in addition to the audit fees payable include any

expenses incurred by the auditor in connection with the audit and any facility extended to him.

• It does not include any remuneration paid to him for any other service rendered by him at the request of the company.

Sec.142

Branch Audit

• Where a company has a branch office, the accounts of that office shall be audited:– either by the auditor appointed for the company (the company’s

auditor) or – by any other person qualified for appointment as an auditor of the

company under this Act and appointed as such under sec. 139.• Where the branch office is situated in a country outside India, the accounts

of the branch office shall be audited:– either by the company’s auditor or – by an accountant or by any other person duly qualified to act as an

auditor of the accounts of the branch office in accordance with the laws of that country.

• The branch auditor shall prepare a report on the accounts of the branch examined by him and send it to the auditor of the company who shall deal with it in his report in such manner as he considers necessary.


ELIGIBILITY & QUALIFICATIONS

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Eligibility and qualifications for appointment:

Only a Chartered Accountant (CA) shall be eligible to be appointed as auditor of a Company.

Incase of a firm where majority of partners practising in India are qualified for appointment as aforesaid may be appointed by its firm name to be auditor of a company

Where a firm including a limited liability partnership is appointed as an auditor of a company, only the partners who are chartered accountants shall be authorised to act and sign on behalf of the firm.

Eligibility & Qualifications

Sec.141(1) and Sec.141(2)

Disqualifications

S No Nature Details

1 Holding of Security- Rule 10(1)

He himself, his relative or partner hold any security or interest in the company, its subsidiary, holding or associate company or subsidiary of such holding company.However, the relative may be allowed to hold security or interest in the company with face value not exceeding ` 1 Lakh (corrective action shall be taken within 60 days)

2 Indebtedness/ guarantee / security- Rule 10(2) & (3)

He himself, his relative or partner is indebted to the company, its subsidiary, holding or associate company or subsidiary of such holding company, in excess of ` 5 Lakh.A similar disqualification has also been provided in case of guarantee given or security provided in connection with indebtedness of third person, with a limit of ` 1 Lakh

Sec. 141(3) & Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014

Definition of ‘relative’

Relative with reference to any person, means any one who is related to another, if:• Members of a Hindu Undivided Family • Husband and wife • Father (including Step Father)• Mother (including Step Mother)• Son (including Step Son)• Son’s wife• Daughter• Daughter’s husband• Brother (including Step Brother)• Sister (including Step Sister)

Disqualifications…

Disqualifications…

S No Nature Details

3 Business Relationship- Rule 10(4)

A person or a firm who, whether directly or indirectly, has business relationship with the company, or its subsidiary, or its holding or associate company or subsidiary of such holding company or associate company of such nature as may be prescribed.

“Business Relationship” shall be construed as any transaction entered into for a commercial purpose, except

Commercial transactions which are in the nature of professional services permitted to be rendered by an auditor or audit firm under the Act and the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and the rules or the regulations made under those Acts

Commercial transactions which are in the ordinary course of business of the company at arm’s length price - like sale of products or services to the auditor, as customer, in the ordinary course of business, by companies engaged in the business of telecommunications, airlines, hospitals, hotels and such other similar businesses. Sec. 141(3) & Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014

Disqualifications…S No Nature Details

4 Relative’s employment

A person, whose relative is director or is in the employment of the company as a director or key managerial personnel(KMP),

5 Limit on maximumnumber of Companies

Person or partner at the date, holding appointment of 20 companies. Currently, private companies are included in the maximum cap of 20 companies.*

6 Fraud Convicted by a court of an offence involving fraud and a period of 10 years has not elapsed from the date of such conviction.

7 Consulting and specialised Services

Any person whose subsidiary or associate or any other form of entity engaged on the date of appointment in services as per Sec. 144

* As per the draft notification issued by MCA, Private Companies are proposed to be excluded from this limit.

Sec. 141(3) & Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014

POWERS

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Powers

Right of Access to Records and Information – Sec.143(1)

• The auditor of a company shall have a right of access at all times to the books of account and vouchers of the company.

• He shall be entitled to require from the officers of the company such information and explanation as he may consider necessary for the performance of his duties as auditor.

• The auditor of a company which is a holding company shall also have the right of access to the records of all its subsidiaries in so far as it relates to the consolidation of its financial statements with that of its subsidiaries.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Reporting RequirementsSpecific Matters to be enquired(a) whether loans and advances made by the company on the basis of security

have been properly secured and whether the terms on which they have been made are prejudicial to the interests of the company or its members

(b) whether transactions of the company which are represented merely by book entries are prejudicial to the interests of the company

(c) where the company not being an investment company or a banking company, whether so much of the assets of the company as consist of shares, debentures and other securities have been sold at a price less than that at which they were purchased by the company

(d) whether loans and advances made by the company have been shown as deposits

(e) whether personal expenses have been charged to revenue account;(f) where it is stated in the books and documents of the company that any shares

have been allotted for cash, whether cash has actually been received in respect of such allotment, and if no cash has actually been so received, whether the position as stated in the account books and the balance sheet is correct, regular and not misleading.

Sec.143(1)

Reporting Requirements…Auditors Report:

• The auditor shall make a report to the members of the company on the accounts examined by him and on every financial statements which are required by or under this Act to be laid before the company in general meeting and the report shall after taking into account the provisions of this Act, the accounting and auditing standards and matters which are required to be included in the audit report under the provisions of this Act or any rules made thereunder or under any order made under sub-section(11) and to the best of his information and knowledge, the said accounts, financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at the end of its financial year and profit or loss and cash flow for the year and such other matters as may be prescribed.

• Where any of the matters required to be included in the audit report is answered in the negative or with a qualification, the report shall state the reasons therefor.

Sec.143(2)

Reporting Requirements…Matters required to be stated in the auditor’s Report

(a) whether he has sought and obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of his knowledge and belief were necessary for the purpose of his audit and if not, the details thereof and the effect of such information on the financial statements

(b) whether, in his opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the company so far as appears from his examination of those books and proper returns adequate for the purposes of his audit have been received from branches not visited by him

(c) whether the report on the accounts of any branch office of the company audited by a person other than the company’s auditor has been sent to him and the manner in which he has dealt with it in preparing his report

(d) whether the company’s balance sheet and profit and loss account dealt with in the report are in agreement with the books of account and returns

Sec.143(3)

Reporting Requirements…Matters required to be stated in the auditor’s Report…

(e) whether, in his opinion, the financial statements comply with the accounting standards

(f) the observations or comments of the auditors on financial transactions or matters which have any adverse effect on the functioning of the company

(g) whether any director is disqualified from being appointed as a director under sub-section (2) of section 164

(h) any qualification, reservation or adverse remark relating to the maintenance of accounts and other matters connected therewith

(i) whether the company has adequate internal financial controls system in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls

(j) such other matters as may be prescribed.

Sec.143(3)

Reporting Requirements…Other Matters to be included in Auditor’s Report

The auditor’s report shall also include their views and comments on the following matters, namely:-

(a) whether the company has disclosed the impact, if any, of pending litigations on its financial position in its financial statement.

(b) whether the company has made provision, as required under any law or accounting standards, for material foreseeable losses, if any, on long term contracts including derivative contracts.

(c) whether there has been any delay in transferring amounts, required to be transferred, to the Investor Education and Protection Fund by the company.

As per MCA circular dated April 4, 2014, the auditor’s report in respect of financial years, that commence on or after April 1, 2014, the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 shall apply. Accordingly, the reporting on the said matters will be applicable from the financial years ending on or after March 31, 2015.


Reporting Requirements…Reporting on Frauds – Sec. 143(12) , (13) & (15)

• If an auditor of a company, in the course of the performance of his duties as auditor, has reason to believe that an offence involving fraud is being or has been committed against the company by officers or employees of the company, he shall immediately report the matter to the Central Government within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed.

• No duty to which an auditor of a company may be subject to shall be regarded as having been contravened by reason of his reporting the matter referred to above if it is done in good faith.

• If any auditor, cost accountant or company secretary in practice does not comply with the above provisions, he shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than ` 1 lakh but which may extend to ` 25 lakh.

Reporting of Frauds by Auditor

In case the auditor has sufficient reason to believe that an offence involving fraud, is being or has been committed against the company by officers or employees of the company, he shall report the matter to the Central Government immediately but not later than 60 days of his knowledge.

Auditor shall forward his report to the Board or the Audit Committee, as the case may be, immediately after he comes to knowledge of the fraud, seeking their reply or observations within 45 days.

On receipt of such reply or observations the auditor shall forward his report and the reply or observations of the Board or the Audit Committee along with his comments (on such reply or observations of the Board or the Audit Committee) to the Central Government within 15 days of receipt of such reply or observations.

Reporting Requirements…


Reporting of Frauds by Auditor…

In case the auditor fails to get any reply or observations from the Board or the Audit Committee within the stipulated period of 45 days, he shall forward his report to the Central Government along with a note containing the details of his report that was earlier forwarded to the Board or the Audit Committee for which he failed to receive any reply or observations within the stipulated time.

The report shall be sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs in a sealed cover by Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due or by Speed post followed by an e-mail in confirmation of the same.

The report shall be on the letter-head of the auditor containing postal address, e-mail address and contact number and be signed by the auditor with his seal and shall indicate his Membership Number.

The Report shall be in the form of a Statement as per Form ADT – 4



Reporting on Fraud

Reporting on Fraud…


• Reporting under Sec.143(12) would be applicable only for the financial year 2014-2015 and onwards. It would not be applicable for audits of financial statements for the interim periods, such as quarterly or half yearly audit, as the same are not carried out under Companies Act, 2013.

• Sec.143(12) had come into force in respect of FY beginning on or after April 1, 2014 and applies to the auditors appointed under the Companies Act 2013 to audit the financial statements for the year beginning on or after April 1, 2014. The requirements of these sections and related Rules would not apply to audits of financial statements of the periods beginning on or before March 31 2014, even if the audits therefor were actually carried out and auditor’s report thereon issued on or after 1st April 2014.

• The provisions of Sec.143(3)(i) would apply to the audits of the financial year beginning on or after April 1, 2014.

ICAI Announcement

Reporting on Fraud – Few issues

Auditor is responsible for detection of fraud ? Interpretation of ‘in the course of performance of his duties as auditor’? What is the meaning of ‘reason to believe’ ? As the auditor performs, audit procedures on the basis of materiality, can

the same be adopted for reporting to the Central Government? If the fraud identified, dates back to earlier years, covered under the

Companies Act, 1956, should such frauds be reported to the Central Government ?

Does it cover under its ambit corruption, bribery, money laundering etc. ?


Reporting Requirements…Sec . 145 : Signing the Audit Report• The auditor shall the sign the audit report or sign or certify any other

document of the Company.• Qualifications, observations or comments on financial transactions or

matters which have any adverse effect on the functioning of the company mentioned in the auditor’s report shall be read before the company in general meeting and shall be open for inspection by any member of the company.

Sec. 146 : Auditors to Attend General Meeting• The auditor shall, unless otherwise exempted by the company, attend

either by himself or through his authorised representative, who shall also be qualified to be an auditor, any general meeting and shall have right to be heard at such meeting on any part of the business which concerns him as the auditor.

Focus of Audit: Detection of Fraud? Test of Controls? Business Risks? Verifying financial and Non-GAAP financial information in all

accompanying documents?

Auditing Techniques: Issuing opinions with adequate/sufficient evidence. Increased audit scope and level of testing. Risk based auditing. Systems approach to auditing.


Reporting Considerations:

Report on Financial Statements. Report on Other Specific Matters (CARO?) Report on Propriety/ Other Aspects. Increase in scope of reporting for auditors– need to report on adequacy of

internal financial control systems and the operating effectiveness of such controls.


INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Internal Financial Controls Audit Committee is required to evaluate the Company’s internal financial

control (“IFC”) systems – Sec.177 (4)(vii)

Directors’ Responsibility Statement, in the case of listed companies, to include a statement that they have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were operating effectively – Section 134 (5)(e).

The report of the Board shall also contain the details in respect of adequacy of internal financial controls with reference to the Financial Statements.

Auditors required to report on whether the company has adequate internal financial controls system in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls – Sec.143(3)(j)

Standards on Auditing (SA) 700 “Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements” issued by the ICAI, at present, specifically requires the auditor to state that the auditor’s consideration of the internal controls in the entity are not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control – Para 31(b) of SA700.

• Meaning of IFC provided in the explanation to Section 134(5)(e):– For purpose of this section, “internal financial controls” means the policies and

procedures adopted by the company for ensuring the orderly and efficient conduct of its business, including adherence to company’s policies, the safeguarding of its assets, the prevention and detection of frauds and errors, the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, and the timely preparation of reliable financial information.

• IFC includes systems in the company for ensuring • the orderly and efficient conduct of its business– This matter is proprietary and auditors may not be able to comment on

the same. SA 200 specifically excludes this as an objective of the auditor.

• the accuracy of the accounting records, and the timely preparation of reliable financial information– Auditors apply the concept of materiality in their audits. Audit is

performed to obtain reasonable assurance.

Internal Financial Controls…

• Definition of Internal Control as per the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) Internal control is a process, effected by an entity’s board of directors,

management, and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives relating to operations, reporting, and compliance.

• Sec 143(3)(i) requires the auditor to report whether the company has adequate internal financial controls system in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls. Requirement not specific if the reporting should be on IFC as at the

Balance Sheet date or during the year.• Auditors may be required to report on IFC even in the report on

consolidated financial statements. If so, Scope of testing to extend to subsidiaries, JV and significant associates Need for oversight on work performed by the component auditors.

Internal Financial Controls…

AUDITING STANDARDS

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Auditing StandardsAuditing Standards –Sec. 143(9) & (10) • Every auditor shall comply with the auditing standards.• The Central Government may prescribe the standards of auditing or any

addendum thereto, as recommended by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), in consultation with and after examination of the recommendations made by the NFRA.

• Until any auditing standards are notified, any standard or standards of auditing specified by the ICAI shall be deemed to be the auditing standards.

Statement to be Included in Auditor’s Report (CARO?)• The Central Government may, in consultation with the NFRA, by general

or special order, direct, in respect of such class or description of companies, as may be specified in the order, that the auditor’s report shall also include a statement on such matters as may be specified therein

PROSCRIBED SERVICES

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Proscribed ServicesSec. 144 : Auditors not to Render Certain ServicesAn auditor shall provide to the company only such other services as approved by the Board of Directors or Audit Committee, as the case may be, but shall not render any of the following services rendered either directly or indirectly to the company or its holding company or its subsidiary company

(a) accounting and book keeping services(b) internal audit(c) design and implementation of any financial information system(d) actuarial services(e) investment advisory services(f) investment banking services(g) rendering of outsourced financial services(h) management services (i) any other kind of services as may be prescribed under the Rules.

Transition Period : To comply with the restriction before the closure of the 1st FY after the date of commencement of 2013 Act.

Proscribed Services…

Sec. 144 : Auditors not to Render Certain Services…

The term “directly or indirectly” shall include rendering of services by the auditor:

(i) in case of auditor being an individual, either himself or through his relative or any other person connected or associated with such individual or through any other entity, whatsoever, in which such individual has significant influence or control, or whose name or trade mark or brand is used by such individual;

(ii) in case of auditor being a firm, either itself or through any of its partners or through its parent, subsidiary or associate entity or through any other entity, whatsoever, in which the firm or any partner of the firm has significant influence or control, or whose name or trade mark or brand is used by the firm or any of its partners.

PUNISHMENT FOR CONTRAVENTION

AUDIT & AUDITORS

Punishment for Contravention• If an auditor of a company contravenes any of the provisions of sec. 139,

sec. 143, sec.144 or sec. 145, the auditor shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than `25000 but which may extend to ` 5 Lakh

• If an auditor has contravened such provisions knowingly or wilfully with the intention to deceive the company or its shareholders or creditors or tax authorities, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and with fine which shall not be less than ` 1 Lakh but which may extend to ` 25 Lakh

• Where an auditor has been convicted for the above contraventions, he shall be liable to—(i) refund the remuneration received by him to the company and(ii) pay for damages to the company, statutory bodies or authorities or to

any other persons for loss arising out of incorrect or misleading statements of particulars made in his audit report.

Sec.147

Punishment for Contravention…

• Where, in case of audit of a company being conducted by an audit firm, it is proved that the partner or partners of the audit firm has or have acted in a fraudulent manner or abetted or colluded in any fraud by, or in relation to or by, the company or its directors or officers, the liability, whether civil or criminal as provided in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, for such act shall be of the partner or partners concerned of the audit firm and of the firm jointly and severally.

Liability to devolve on concerned Partners Only • In case of criminal liability of any audit firm, the liability other than fine,

shall devolve only on the concerned partner or partners, who acted in a fraudulent manner or abetted or, as the case may be, colluded in any fraud.

Sec. 147 & Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014

CLASS ACTION SUITS

Class Action SuitsSuch number of member or members, depositor or depositors or any class of them, as the case may be may, if they are of the opinion that the management or conduct of the affairs of the company are being conducted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the company or its members or depositors, file an application before the Tribunal seeking inter alia the following orders: (g) to claim damages or compensation or demand any other suitable action from or against—

(i) the company or its directors for any fraudulent, unlawful or wrongful act or omission or conduct or any likely act or omission or conduct on its or their part(ii) the auditor including audit firm of the company for any improper or misleading statement of particulars made in his audit report or for any fraudulent, unlawful or wrongful act or conduct or(iii) any expert or advisor or consultant or any other person for any incorrect or misleading statement made to the company or for any fraudulent, unlawful or wrongful act or conduct or any likely act or conduct on his par.

Sec. 245Not Notified

IMPACT ON PROFESSIONALS

Impact on Professionals

Greater expectations

Emphasis on fraud prevention and detection

Onerous responsibilities

Stringent independence requirements

Stiff penalties / punishment

Independent Oversight

CHALLENGESAHEAD

Challenges Ahead

Transition challenges

Basic Concepts Redefined

Emphasis on Fraud Prevention and Detection

Greater Reporting Requirements for Auditors

Legal Recognition of the Auditing Standards

Punishment for Non Compliances

Path Breaking and Global Outlook

Redefining roles and responsibilities

THANK YOU

THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013 ACCOUNTS & AUDIT

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