standards of auditing 1

STUDY MATERIAL Integrated Professional Competence Course

PAPER : 6

AUDITING AND ASSURANCE

VOLUME : II

BOARD OF STUDIES THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

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This study material has been prepared by the faculty of the Board of Studies. The objective of the study material is to provide teaching material to the students to enable them to obtain knowledge and skills in the subject. Students should also supplement their study by reference to the recommended text books. In case students need any clarifications or have any suggestions to make for further improvement of the material contained herein, they may write to the Director of Studies.

All care has been taken to provide interpretations and discussions in a manner useful for the students. However, the study material has not been specifically discussed by the Council of the Institute or any of its Committees and the views expressed herein may not be taken to necessarily represent the views of the Council or any of its Committees.

Permission of the Institute is essential for reproduction of any portion of this material.

© THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, Electronic, Mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Revised Edition : July, 2012 Website : www.icai.org

E-mail : [email protected]

Committee / : Board of Studies Department

ISBN No. : 978-81-8441-137-9 Price : ` 250/- Published by : The Publication Department on behalf of The Institute of Chartered

Accountants of India, ICAI Bhawan, Post Box No. 7100, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi – 110 002

Printed by : Sahitya Bhawan Publications, Hospital Road, Agra-282 003 July/ 2012/ 30,000 Copies (Revised)


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A WORD ABOUT STUDY MATERIAL

Auditing is, perhaps, one of the most practical-oriented subjects in the C.A. curriculum. This paper aims to provide working knowledge of generally accepted auditing procedures and of techniques and skills needed to apply them in audit engagements. A good knowledge of the subject would provide a strong foundation to students while pursuing the Chartered Accountancy course. A good understanding of the theoretical concepts, particularly, in the context of auditing standards would make practical training an enriching and enjoying experience. While studying this paper, students are advised to integrate the knowledge acquired in other subjects, specifically, accounting and corporate laws in a meaningful manner. Such learning would only help a student to become a better professional. In nutshell, Auditing and Assurance, is a subject which involves application of theoretical knowledge of other subjects. The practical aspect of the subject allows the individual students to exhibit their intelligence and ability upon which the scoring of the marks depends.

The study material has been divided into three parts. Volume I of the study material deals with the conceptual aspects. Volume II comprises of Standards on Auditing and Guidance Notes. The Study Material has been designed keeping in mind the needs of home study and distance learning students. The students are expected to cover the entire syllabus and also do practice on their own while going through the practice manual.

Volume I of the study material deals with the conceptual theoretical framework in detail. Its main features are as under:

• The entire syllabus has been divided into nine chapters.

• In each chapter, learning objectives have been stated. The learning objectives would enable you to understand the sequence of various aspects dealt within the chapter before going into the details so that you can assess the direction of your studies.

• In each chapter, the topic has been covered in a step by step approach. The text has been explained, where appropriate, through illustrations and practical problems. You should go through the chapter carefully ensuring that you understand the topic and then can tackle the exercises.

• A question bank has been included after each chapter in Volume I

Volume II comprises of Standards on Auditing and Guidance Notes.

Volume III of the Study Material comprises the Practice Manual. It aims to provide guidance as to the manner of writing an answer in the examination. Main features of Volume III are as under:


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• Important Definitions have been given for quick recapitulation. Students are expected to attempt the questions and then compare it with the actual answers.

• Compilation of questions appearing during last twenty examinations.

• Exercises have been given at the end of each topic for independent practice.

• This study material has been revised in view of revised Standards on Auditing, Notification/Circulars issued by MCA inclusive of Revised Schedule VI, etc. by Auditing team of experts under the guidance of Shri. Vijay Kapur, Director of Studies.

• Finally, we would welcome suggestions to make this book more helpful and ‘student-friendly’. In case of any doubt, students are welcome to write through e-Sahaayataa, Grievance Redressal System of the ICAI.


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STUDY TIPS AND EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE

The aim of this section is to provide general guidance as to how to study for your exams. The guidance given herein is supplementary to the manner of study followed by you and is intended to improve your existing technique, but aims to give ideas on how to improve your existing study techniques, as it is essential that you adopt methods and techniques with which you feel comfortable.

Passing exams is partly a matter of intellectual ability, but however accomplished you are in that respect you can improve your chances significantly by the use of appropriate study and revision techniques. In this section we briefly outline some tips for effective study during the earlier stages.

Know your Syllabus

• Go through the syllabus carefully.

• Volume I has been divided in nine chapters/topics based on syllabus.

• Main topics are as under:

• Understand the linkages between chapters at macro-level.

Ch. No. Topics

1 Nature of Auditing

2 Basic Concepts in Auditing

3 Preparation for an Audit

4 Internal Control

5 Vouching

6 Verification of Assets and Liabilities

7 The Company Audit - I

8 The Company Audit - II

9 Special Audits Plan your Study

• Make a study plan covering the entire syllabus and then decide how much time you can allocate to the subject on daily/weekly basis.


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• Allocation of time must be done keeping in view your office commitments as well as social needs and personal hobbies.

• Maintain the time balance amongst various subjects such as purely descriptive type and numerical-based papers. Allocate time in such a manner that your interest is well sustained and you are able to score well in the final examination as well.

• Always assess your preparation periodically, say, on monthly basis. If necessary, revise your plan and allocate more time for the subject in which you feel deficient.

Preparing Study Strategy

• Read, understand and assimilate each chapter.

• First of all, have an overview of the chapter to understand the broad contents and sequence of various sub-topics.

• Do the introspection while going through the chapter and ask various questions to yourself.

• Read each chapter slowly to ensure that you understand and assimilate the main concept. If need be, read once again with concentration and then try to attempt exercise at the end of the chapter or given in the Practice Manual.

• Recapitulate the main concept after going through each chapter by way of brief notes.

• Prepare notes in the manner you feel comfortable covering all key points.

• One may use highlighter/underlining the significant points or writing down in the margin.

• The fact that how well you have understood the topic is your ability to attempt the questions given in the exercises as well as in the practice manual. Make a serious attempt at producing your own answers but at this stage do not be much concern about attempting the questions in examination based conditions. In particular, at initial stages, it is more important to understand and absorb the material thoroughly rather than to observe the time limits that would apply in the actual examination conditions.

• Always try to attempt the past year examination question paper under examination conditions.

• Revision of material should never be selective in any case. Because broad coverage of the syllabus is more important than preparing 2-3 chapters exhaustively.

• Read through the text along with notes carefully. Try to remember the definition and important formulae.

Examination Technique

• Reach examination hall well in time.

• Plan your time so that equal time is awarded for each mark. Keep sometime for revision as well.


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• Always attempt to do all questions. Remember that six average answers fetch more marks than five best answers. Therefore, it is important that you must finish each question within allocated time.

• Read the question carefully more than once before starting the answer to understand very clearly as to what is required by the paper-setter.

• Always be concise and write to the point and do not try to fill pages unnecessarily.

• In case a question is not clear, you may state your assumptions and then answer the question.

• While writing answers in respect of essay-type questions, try to make sub-readings so that it catches the examiner’s eye. In case of case-study, be very precise and write your conclusion in a clear manner.

• Reference to standards, guidance notes, section of various legislation, etc be done in a clear-cut manner.

• Revise your answers carefully underline important points before leaving the examination hall.

Happy Reading and Best Wishes!


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SYLLABUS

PAPER – 6 : AUDITING AND ASSURANCE (One Paper- Three hours -100 Marks)

Level of knowledge: Working Knowledge Objective:`

To understand objective and concept of auditing and gain working knowledge of generally accepted auditing procedures and of techniques and skills needed to apply them in audit and attestation engagements.

Contents:

1. Auditing Concepts ─ Nature and limitations of Auditing, Basic Principles governing an audit, Ethical principles and concept of Auditor’s Independence, Relationship of auditing with other disciplines.

2. Standards on Auditing and Guidance Notes ─ Overview, Standard-setting process, Role of International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, Standards on Auditing issued by the ICAI; Guidance Note(s) on ─ Audit of Fixed Assets, Audit of Inventories, Audit of Investments, Audit of Debtors, Loans and Advances, Audit of Cash and Bank Balances, Audit of Miscellaneous Expenditure, Audit of Liabilities, Audit of Revenue, Audit of Expenses and provision for proposed dividends.

3. Auditing engagement ─ Audit planning, Audit programme, Control of quality of audit work ─ Delegation and supervision of audit work.

4. Documentation ─ Audit working papers, Audit files: Permanent and current audit files, Ownership and custody of working papers.

5. Audit evidence ─ Audit procedures for obtaining evidence, Sources of evidence, Reliability of audit evidence, Methods of obtaining audit evidence ─ Physical verification, Documentation, Direct confirmation, Re-computation, Analytical review techniques, Representation by management, Obtaining certificate.

6. Internal Control ─ Elements of internal control, Review and documentation, Evaluation of internal control system, Internal control questionnaire, Internal control check list, Tests of control, Application of concept of materiality and audit risk, Concept of internal audit.

7. Internal Control and Computerized Environment, Approaches to Auditing in Computerised Environment.


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8. Auditing Sampling ─ Types of sampling, Test checking, Techniques of test checks.

9. Analytical review procedures.

10. Audit of payments ─ General considerations, Wages, Capital expenditure, Other payments and expenses, Petty cash payments, Bank payments, Bank reconciliation.

11. Audit of receipts ─ General considerations, Cash sales, Receipts from debtors, Other Receipts.

12. Audit of Purchases ─ Vouching cash and credit purchases, Forward purchases, Purchase returns, Allowance received from suppliers.

13. Audit of Sales ─ Vouching of cash and credit sales, Goods on consignment, Sale on approval basis, Sale under hire-purchase agreement, Returnable containers, Various types of allowances given to customers, Sale returns.

14. Audit of suppliers' ledger and the debtors' ledger ─ Self-balancing and the sectional balancing system, Total or control accounts, Confirmatory statements from credit customers and suppliers, Provision for bad and doubtful debts, Writing off of bad debts.

15. Audit of impersonal ledger ─ Capital expenditure, deferred revenue expenditure and revenue expenditure, Outstanding expenses and income, Repairs and renewals, Distinction between reserves and provisions, Implications of change in the basis of accounting.

16. Audit of assets and liabilities.

17. Company Audit ─ Audit of Shares, Qualifications and Disqualifications of Auditors, Appointment of auditors, Removal of auditors, Powers and duties of auditors, Branch audit , Joint audit , Special audit, Reporting requirements under the Companies Act, 1956.

18. Audit Report ─ Qualifications, Disclaimers, Adverse opinion, Disclosures, Reports and certificates.

19. Special points in audit of different types of undertakings, i.e., Educational institutions, Hotels, Clubs, Hospitals, Hire-purchase and leasing companies (excluding banks, electricity companies, cooperative societies, and insurance companies).

20. Features and basic principles of government audit, Local bodies and not-for-profit organizations, Comptroller and Auditor General and its constitutional role.


CONTENTS

Part I –Standards on Auditing (SA) Announcements of the Council Regarding Status of Various Documents Issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ...................................................... I.1 Preface to Standards on Quality Control, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance and Related Services ......................................................................................... I.12 SA 200 (Revised) Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct

of an Audit In Accordance With Standards on Auditing............................................. I.25 SA 210 (Revised) Agreeing the Terms of Audit Engagements ............................................. I.53 SA 220 (Revised) Quality Control for an Audit of Financial Statements ................................... I.78 SA 230 (Revised) Audit Documentation............................................................................... I.93 SA 240 (Revised) The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of

Financial Statements .......................................................................................... I.102 SA 250 (Revised) Consideration of Laws and Regulations in an Audit of Financial

Statements ......................................................................................................... I.139 SA 260 (Revised) Communication with Those Charged with Governance.......................... I.151 SA 265 Communicating Deficiencies in Internal Control to Those Charged with

Governance and Management............................................................................ I.169 SA 299 Responsibility of Joint Auditors ............................................................................. I.189 SA 300 (Revised) Planning an Audit of Financial Statements ............................................ I.192 SA 315 Identifying and Assessing the Risk of Material Misstatement through

Understanding the Entity and its Environment .................................................... I.202 SA 320 (Revised) Materiality in Planning and Performing an Audit .................................... I.245 SA 330 The Auditor’s Responses to Assessed Risks......................................................... I.253 SA 402 (Revised) Audit Considerations Relating to an Entity Using a Service

Organisation....................................................................................................... I.271 SA 450-Evaluation of Misstatements Identified during the Audit ........................................ I.289 SA 500 (Revised) Audit Evidence...................................................................................... I.298


SA 501 (Revised) Audit Evidence – Specific Considerations for Selected Items ................ I.313 SA 505 (Revised) External Confirmations.......................................................................... I.321 SA 510 (Revised) Initial Audit Engagements—Opening Balances ..................................... I.333 SA 520 (Revised) Analytical Procedures ........................................................................... I.343 SA 530 (Revised) Audit Sampling...................................................................................... I.351 SA 540 (Revised) Auditing Accounting Estimates, Including Fair Value Accounting

Estimates, and Related Disclosures ................................................................... I.363 SA 550 (Revised) Related Parties ..................................................................................... I.400 SA 560 (Revised)Subsequent Events ................................................................................ I.424 SA 570(Revised) Going Concern....................................................................................... I.434 SA 580 (Revised) Written Representations........................................................................ I.448 SA 600 Using the Work of Another Auditor ........................................................................ I.460 SA 610 (Revised) Using the Work of Internal Auditors....................................................... I.464 SA 620 (Revised) Using the Work of an Auditor’s Expert................................................... I.471 SA 700 (Revised) Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial statements ................. I.486 SA 705 Modifications to the Opinion in the Independent Auditor’s Report.......................... I.511 SA 706 Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the

Independent Auditor’s Report ............................................................................. I.534 SA 710 Comparative Information—Corresponding Figures and

Comparative Financial Statements ..................................................................... I.543 SA 720 The Auditor’s Responsibility in Relation to other Information in

Documents Containing Audited Financial Statements......................................... I.557

Part II – Guidance Notes Guidance Note on Audit of Property, Plant and Equipment .................................................. II.1 Guidance Note on Audit of Inventories ....... ........................................................................II.14 Guidance Note on Audit of Investments.............................................................................. II.28 Guidance Note on Audit of Debtors, Loans and Advances.................................................. II.41


Guidance Note on Audit of Cash and Bank Balances ......................................................... II.53 Guidance Note on Audit of Miscellaneous Expenditure (Revised)....................................... II.59 Guidance Note on Audit of Liabilities .................................................................................. II.67 Guidance Note on Audit of Revenue.................................................................................. .II.79 Guidance Note on Audit of Expenses ................................................................................. II.84 Guidance Note on Provision for Proposed Dividend .......................................................... II.97


PART – I STANDARDS ON AUDITING


PART – I STATEMENTS ON STANDARDS AUDITING PRACTICES

Announcements of the Council Regarding Status of Various Documents Issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

A. Clarification regarding Authority Attached to Documents Issued by the Institute1 1. The Institute has, from time to time, issued ‘Guidance Notes’ and ‘Statements’ on a number of matters. With the formation of the Accounting Standards Board and the Auditing Practices Committee2, ‘Accounting Standards’ and ‘Statements on Standard Auditing Practices’3 are also being issued. 2. Members have sought guidance regarding the level of authority attached to the various documents issued by the Institute and the degree of compliance required in respect thereof. This note is being issued to provide this guidance. 3. The ‘Statements’ have been issued with a view to securing compliance by members on matters which, in the opinion of the Council, are critical for the proper discharge of their functions. ‘Statements’ therefore are mandatory. Accordingly, while discharging their attest function, it will be the duty of the members of the Institute: (a) to examine whether ‘Statements’ relating to accounting matters are complied with in the

presentation of financial statements covered by their audit. In the event of any deviation from the ‘Statements’, it will be their duty to make adequate disclosures in their audit reports so that the users of financial statements may be aware of such deviations; and

(b) to ensure that the ‘Statements’ relating to auditing matters are followed in the audit of financial information covered by their audit reports. If, for any reason, a member has not

1 Published in the December, 1985 issue of the ‘The Chartered Accountant’. 2 The Auditing Practices Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India was established in 1982 with, inter alia, the objectives of preparing the Statements on Standard Auditing Practices (SAPs), Guidance Notes on matters related to auditing, etc. At its 226th meeting held on July 2, 2002 at New Delhi, the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India approved the recommendations of the Auditing Practices Committee to strengthen the role being played by it in the growth and development of the profession of chartered accountancy in India. The Council also approved renaming of the Committee as, “Auditing and Assurance Standards Board” (AASB) with immediate effect to better reflect the activities being undertaken by the Committee. Apart from changes designed to strengthen the process for establishing auditing and assurance standards, such a move would bring about greater transparency in the working of the Auditing Practices Committee now known as the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AASB). The Council also approved the renaming of the Statements on Standard Auditing Practices (SAPs) as, “Auditing and Assurance Standards” (AASs). 3 ibid.


I.2 Auditing and Assurance

been able to perform an audit in accordance with such ‘Statements’, his report should draw attention to the material departures therefrom.

4. A list of ‘Statements’ issued by the Institute and currently in force is given at the end of this note.4 5. ‘Guidance Notes’ are primarily designed to provide guidance to members on matters which may arise in the course of their professional work and on which they may desire assistance in resolving issues which may pose difficulty. Guidance Notes are recommendatory in nature. A member should ordinarily follow recommendations in a guidance note relating to an auditing matter except where he is satisfied that in the circumstances of the case, it may not be necessary to do so. Similarly, while discharging his attest function, a member should examine whether the recommendations in a guidance note relating to an accounting matter have been followed or not. If the same have not been followed, the member should consider whether keeping in view the circumstances of the case, a disclosure in his report is necessary. 6. There are however a few guidance notes in case of which the Council has specifically stated that they should be considered as mandatory on members while discharging their attest function. A list of these guidance notes is given below: (i) Guidance Note on Treatment of Interest on Deferred Payments read along with the

pronouncement of the Council, published in ‘The Chartered Accountant’, March 1984.5 (ii) Provision for Depreciation in respect of Extra or Multiple Shift Allowance, published in

‘The Chartered Accountant’, May 1984.6 7. The ‘Accounting Standards’ and ‘Statements on Standard Auditing Practices’7 issued by 4 An updated list of mandatory statements on accounting and auditing is included in the ‘List of Mandatory Statements and Standards’ given after this clarification. It may also be noted that besides statements on accounting and auditing, the Institute has issued statements on other aspects also, namely, Statement on Peer Review and Statement on Continuing Professional Education. 5 The nomenclature of this document was changed by the Council of the Institute at its 133rd meeting held in April, 1988. The new nomenclature was ‘Statement on Treatment of Interest on Deferred Payments’. In view of para 8 of this ‘Clarification’, with Accounting Standard (AS) 10 on ‘Accounting for Fixed Assets’, becoming mandatory (see Announcement II) in respect of accounts for periods commencing on or after 1.4.1991, the ‘Statement on Treatment of Interest on Deferred Payments’ stands automatically withdrawn except in the case of certain specified non-corporate entities where it stands withdrawn in respect of accounts for periods commencing on or after 1.4.1993 (see Announcements III, V and VI in this regard). It may be noted that pursuant to the issuance of Accounting Standard (AS) 16 on ‘Borrowing Costs’, which came into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2000, paragraph 9.2 and paragraph 20 (except the first sentence) of AS 10, relating to treatment of finance costs including interest, stand withdrawn from that date. 6 The nomenclature of this document was changed by the Council of the Institute at its 133rd meeting held in April, 1988. The new nomenclature was ‘Statement on Provision for Depreciation in respect of Extra or Multiple Shift Allowance’. This statement has been withdrawn in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1.4.1989, as per the Guidance Note on Accounting for Depreciation in Companies, issued in pursuance of amendments in the Companies Act, 1956, through Companies (Amendment) Act, 1988. 7 Refer footnote 2. ‘Statements on Standard Auditing Practices’ have been renamed as ‘Auditing and Assurance Standards’.


Part I : Engagement and Quality Control Standards I.3

the Accounting Standards Board and the Auditing Practices Committee8, respectively, establish standards which have to be complied with to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards and that auditors carry out their audits in accordance with the generally accepted auditing practices. They become mandatory on the dates specified either in the respective document or by notification issued by the Council.9 8. There can be situations in which certain matters are covered both by a ‘Statement’ and by an ‘Accounting Standard’/‘Statement on Standard Auditing Practices’10. In such a situation, the ‘Statement’ shall prevail till the time the relevant ‘Accounting Standard’/‘Statement on Standard Auditing Practices’11 becomes mandatory. It is clarified that once an ‘Accounting Standard’/‘Statement on Standard Auditing Practices’12 becomes mandatory, the concerned ‘Statement’ or the relevant part thereof shall automatically stand withdrawn. 9. List of statements issued by the Institute and which are mandatory in nature. 1. Statement on Companies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2003 (Revised 2005) 2. Statement on Reporting under Section 227(1A) of the Companies Act, 1956. List of

Mandatory Statements and Standards On the basis of the above announcements made by the Council, the Secretariat of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board13 has prepared the following list of statements and standards which are mandatory as on 01.04.2008 or would become mandatory at specified date(s) in future. B. Use of Bold Type Face/ Normal Type Face in Auditing and Assurance Standards

I. As the members are aware, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has till date issued 35 (thirty five) Auditing and Assurance Standards (AASs). It may be reiterated that all the Standards are mandatory in nature. This means that while carrying out an attest function, it will be the duty of the members of the Institute to ensure that these AASs are followed in the audit of financial information covered by their audit reports. If for any reason a member has not been able to perform an audit in accordance with the AASs, his report should draw attention to the material departures therefrom.

II. Further, it might have been noted by the members that in case of AAS 1 to AAS 15, the 8 Refer footnote 2. The ‘Auditing Practices Committee’ has been renamed as ‘Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’. 9 Subsequent to the publication of this Clarification, the Council has made various Accounting Standards mandatory. The Announcements made by the Council in this regard are reproduced hereafter. 10 Refer footnote 2. ‘Statements on Standard Auditing Practices’ have been renamed as ‘Auditing and Assurance Standards’. 11 ibid. 12 ibid. 13 Refer footnote 2.



entire text of the Standards appears in normal type face, except for the headings and sub headings therein. On the other hand, in case of AAS 16 to AAS 35, certain text in the Standards is appearing in bold type face and certain portion of the text appearing in normal type face. Normally, in these Standards, the bold type face has been used to used to facilitate distinction between the principles vis-a-vis the application/ procedural aspects, which have been written in normal type face. In any case, however, the entire text of the Standard is mandatory, irrespective of the fact whether such distinction is made in the Standard or not.

The New Format (applicable from 1st April, 2008)14[*] III. Members may also note that recently, the Council of the Institute of Chartered

Accountants of India has approved the Preface to the Standards on Quality Control, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance and Related Services. The said Preface introduces a totally new format of writing Standards, in line with that adopted by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board pursuant to its Clarity Project. According to the new format the Standards on Auditing (SAs) would now contain two distinct sections, one, the Requirements section and, two, the Application Guidance section.

IV. The fundamental principles of the Standard are contained in the Requirements section and represented by use of “shall”. Hitherto, the word, “should” was used in the Standards, for this purpose. Further, this format also does away with the need to present the principles laid down by the Standard in bold text. The application and other explanatory material contained in a Standard on Auditing (SA) is an integral part of the SA as it provides further explanation of, and guidance for carrying out, the requirements of an SA, along with the background information on the matters addressed in the SA. It may include examples of procedures, some of which the auditor may judge to be appropriate in the circumstances. Such guidance is, however, not intended to impose a requirement. In view of this format of writing, the standard portion or principles enunciated in a Standard would no longer be given in bold face.

V. The new presentation format has, however, not as yet being followed in drafting the Standards on Quality Control and other Standards.

VI. There is no change in the authority attached to the Standards, i.e., they are mandatory in nature, notwithstanding the new format of writing the Standards.

14[*] The Preface to Standards on Quality control, auditing, Review, Other Assurance and Related Services and the document containing the Reclassification and renumbering of the Auditing and Assurance Standards issued by the Institute have been published in the July 2007 issue of the Journal.



C. Clarification on the Auditors’ Rights Where Clients and Other Auditors Seek Access to their Audit Working Papers* I. Auditing and Assurance Standard (AAS) 115, “Basic Principles Governing An Audit”,

states in para 6, “The auditor should respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of his work and should not disclose any such information to a third party without specific authority or unless there is a legal or professional duty to disclose”. Auditing and Assurance Standard (AAS) 316, “Documentation” (Paragraph 13), states, “Working papers are the property of the auditor. The auditor may, at his discretion, make portions of or extracts from his working papers available to his client.” AAS 3 further requires (paragraph 14), inter alia, that the “auditor should adopt reasonable procedures for custody and confidentially of his working papers.”

II. Part I of the Second Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 provides that “A Chartered Accountant in practice shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct, if he –

“Discloses information acquired in the course of his professional engagement to any person other than his client, without the consent of his client or otherwise than as required by any law for the time being in force.”

III. Requests are sometimes received by the members of the Institute, who have/had been performing the duties as the auditors of an enterprise, to provide access to their audit working papers. The requests may be made by the clients or other auditors of the enterprise or its related enterprise such as a parent enterprise.

IV. It is hereby clarified that except to the extent stated in para 5 below, an auditor is not required to provide the client or the other auditors of the same enterprise or its related enterprise such as a parent or a subsidiary, access to his audit working papers. The main auditors of an enterprise do not have right of access to the audit working papers of the branch auditors. In the case of a company, the statutory auditor has to consider the report of the branch auditor and has a right to seek clarifications and/or to visit the branch if he deems it necessary to do so for the performance of the duties as auditor. An auditor can rely on the work of another auditor, without having any right of access to the audit working papers of the other auditor17. For this purpose, the term ‘auditor’ includes ‘internal auditor’.

V. As stated in para 4, the client does not have a right to access the working papers of * Published in May, 2000 issue of “The Chartered Accountant’. 15 Now known as Standard on Auditing (SA) 200. 16 Now known as Standard on Auditing (SA) 230. 17 Reference in this regard may be made to the Standard on Auditing (SA) 600, “Using the Work of Another Auditor” and the Standard on Auditing (SA) 610, “Relying on the Work of Internal Auditor.”



the auditor. However, the auditor may, at his discretion, in cases considered appropriate by him, make portions of or extracts from his working papers available to the client.

D. Format of Review Report** under Clause 41 of the Listing Agreement I. As the members are aware, the Institute had in March 2005, issued Auditing and

Assurance Standard (AAS) 3318, Engagements to Review Financial Statements, applicable to all review engagements relating to accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2005. Appendix 3 to the said AAS contains an illustrative format of review report in respect of balance sheet. The illustrative format given in the AAS is different from the format of the review report required to be given under clause 41 of the Listing Agreement in that it is in respect of review of financial results and not a balance sheet.

II. In view of the above, the members are requested to note that in so far as review carried out in terms of clause 41 of the Listing Agreement is concerned, the members are expected to submit their review report in accordance with the format prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India in clause 41 of the Listing Agreement.

E. Audit in Situations of Missing or Incomplete Records*** I. Members of the Institute while carrying out audit assignments might come across a

situation where the records of the client are incomplete or destroyed (partially or completely) on account of a natural calamity or otherwise. While guidance on reporting responsibilities of the members in such cases has been provided to the members by way of publications such as Auditing and Assurance Standard (AAS) 2819, The Auditor’s Report on Financial Statements”, the Statement on Qualifications in Auditor’s Report, opinions of the Expert Advisory Committee, and a publication titled, “Study on Audit and Certification in Case of Missing Records”, issued by the Institute, the Council, for the benefit of the members, wishes to reiterate the guidance in the following paragraphs.

II. The auditor should, first, obtain a representation from the management that the original accounts are not available for audit. The letter should also include the fact whether the accounts of the entity have been reconstructed by the management. If yes, the extent thereof (partial or complete) and the details of the items of financial statements that have been reconstructed should also be specified in the said letter. In case the accounts have been reconstructed, the members must consider the

** Issued in July, 2005. 18 Now known as Standard on Review Engagements (SRE) 2400. *** Issued in October, 2006. 19 Now known as Standard on Auditing (SA) 700.



limitation of scope in audit imposed by the circumstances. Limitation on scope of audit can be of two types, firstly, inability of the management to reconstruct some or all of the items of the financial statements either for the whole financial year or for a certain period during the financial year and secondly, lack of corroborative evidence to support certain or all the entries in the reconstructed accounts. In case of completely reconstructed accounts, the lack of supporting evidence will pose a greater risk of limitation on scope, whereas, for partially reconstructed accounts, both types of limitations, i.e., inability of the management to reconstruct accounts and lack of supporting evidence, can be material. While auditing the reconstructed accounts (partial as well as complete), the auditor should analyse the limitation imposed on application of audit procedures required to be applied in the given situation and use his professional judgment to determine whether to issue an unqualified opinion, qualified opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Further, the fact of scope limitation must clearly be mentioned in the scope paragraph of the audit report. The AAS 28, “The Auditor’s Report on Financial Statements”, in its paragraphs 43 and 44 reproduced below, provides the guidance for the auditor in case of a scope limitation: “43. A scope limitation may be imposed by circumstances, for example, when the

timing of the auditor's appointment is such that the auditor is unable to observe the counting of physical inventories. It may also arise when, in the opinion of the auditor, the entity's accounting records are inadequate or when the auditor is unable to carry out an audit procedure believed to be desirable. In these circumstances, the auditor would attempt to carry out reasonable alternative procedures to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to support an unqualified opinion. (emphasis added)

44. When there is a limitation on the scope of the auditor's work that requires expression of a qualified opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, the auditor's report should describe the limitation and indicate the possible adjustments to the financial statements that might have been determined to be necessary had the limitation not existed.”

III. Guidance in respect of the matter discussed in the two paragraphs above has been explained in paragraph 45 of the AAS 28 by way of illustrative examples of the scope paragraphs in the audit reports in the cases of qualified opinion and disclaimer of opinion: In situations of Qualified Opinion “We have audited .………..



Except as discussed in the following paragraph, we conducted our audit in accordance with ……….

We did not observe the counting of the physical inventories as at 31st March 2XXX since that date was prior to the time we were appointed as auditors of ………….(Name of the entity). Owing to the nature of the entity’s records, we were unable to satisfy ourselves as to inventory quantities by other audit procedures.”

In situations of Disclaimer of Opinion “The paragraph discussing the scope of the audit would either be omitted or

amended according to the circumstances. (emphasis added)

(Add a paragraph discussing the scope limitation as follows:)

We were not able to observe all physical inventories and confirm accounts receivable due to limitations placed on the scope of our work by the entity.”

IV. Paragraph 10 of AAS 1320, “Audit Materiality”, reproduced below, states that the auditor while auditing the reconstructed accounts must consider the concept of materiality and the audit risk involved with specific account balances and classes of transactions: “10. There is an inverse relationship between materiality and the degree of audit

risk, that is, the higher the materiality level, the lower the audit risk and vice versa. For example, the risk that a particular account balance or class of transactions could be misstated by an extremely large amount might be very low, but the risk that it could be misstated by an extremely small amount might be very high. The auditor takes the inverse relationship between materiality and audit risk into account when determining the nature, timing and extent of audit procedures. For example, if, after planning for specific audit procedures, the auditor determines that the acceptable materiality level is lower, audit risk is increased. The auditor would compensate for this by either:

(a) reducing the assessed degree of control risk, where this is possible, and supporting the reduced degree by carrying out extended or additional tests of control; or

(b) reducing detection risk by modifying the nature, timing and extent of planned substantive procedures.”

V. While auditing the reconstructed accounts, since the auditor would normally find it difficult to obtain internally generated corroborative evidences supporting the reconstructed accounts, the auditor should apply alternative audit procedures such

20 Now known as Standard on Auditing (SA) 320.



as inquiry and external confirmation as outlined in paragraphs 14 and 15 of the AAS 521, “Audit Evidence”, reproduced below:

“Inquiry and Confirmation 14. Inquiry consists of seeking appropriate information from knowledgeable persons

inside or outside the entity. Inquiries may range from formal written inquiries addressed to third parties to informal oral inquiries addressed to persons inside the entity. Responses to inquiries may provide the auditor with information which he did not previously possess or may provide him with corroborative evidence.

15. Confirmation consists of the response to an inquiry to corroborate information contained in the accounting records. For example, the auditor requests confirmation of receivables by direct communication with debtors.”

For assessing the reliability of the evidence obtained by the auditor from various sources, the auditor is guided by the principles enunciated in paragraph 7 of AAS 5.

VI. The auditor, if he himself was not the auditor in the immediately preceding financial year, must apply the principles laid down in AAS 2222, “Initial Engagements - Opening Balances” while verifying the figures of opening balances.

VII. Paragraph 4 of the AAS 28, “The Auditor’s Report on Financial Statements”, provides that the auditor’s report should contain a clear written expression of opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. An unqualified opinion can be expressed only if the auditor is able to satisfy himself, by way of application of sufficient appropriate compliance and substantive procedures, that the financial statements give a true and fair view. The scope limitation imposed by lack of supporting evidence implies a particular emphasis on obtaining alternative corroborative evidence. However, if the auditor concludes that an unqualified opinion can not be expressed but the limitation on scope is not so material and pervasive as to require a disclaimer of opinion, a qualified opinion should be expressed. Further, a disclaimer of opinion should be expressed when the possible effect of a limitation on scope is so material and pervasive that the auditor has not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence and is, accordingly, unable to express an opinion on the financial statements. Paragraph 45 of AAS 28 illustrates the principles enunciated here above. Having regard to the above, two illustrative formats of reporting by the auditor are given in the paragraphs 8 and 10 below for guidance of the members.

21 Now known as Standard on Auditing (SA) 500. 22 Now known as Standard on Auditing (SA) 510.



VIII. Illustrative audit report where the auditor decides to express a qualified opinion about the true and fair view of the financial statements: I. (Where accounts have been reconstructed for some or all of the items for the

whole financial year) “We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of ………………. (name of the

client), as at 31st March 2XXX, and also the Profit and Loss Account and the cash flow statement for the year ended on that date annexed thereto. We have been informed by the management that because of _____(give reason)__________ the original accounts are not available for audit and hence these financial statements have been prepared from the reconstructed accounts prepared by the management. The accounts as well as the financial statements are the responsibility of the management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit of the accounts.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the auditing standards generally accepted in India. Those Standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have not been able to obtain corroborative audit evidence supporting following items of the financial statements while auditing the accounts of the entity:

(State the areas for which the corroborative evidences were not available along with their quantification, to the extent possible and also their resultant effect on the financial statements.)

Subject to the above, the financial statements give a true and fair view: (i) in the case of the balance sheet, of the state of the ___________ (name of

the client) affairs as at the end of its financial year; (ii) in the case of the profit and loss account, of the profit or loss for its

financial year; and (iii) In the case of the cash flow statement, of the cash flows for the year ended

on that date.” (iv) (where accounts have been reconstructed only for certain period during the year)

“We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of ………………. (name of the



client), as at 31st March 2XXX, and also the Profit and Loss Account and the cash flow statement for the year ended on that date annexed thereto. We have been informed by the management that because of _____(give reason)__________ the original accounts are not available for audit and hence these financial statements have been prepared from the reconstructed accounts prepared by the management for the period from _____ to _____ during the financial year. The accounts as well as the financial statements are the responsibility of the management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit of the accounts.

(Other paragraphs shall be same as in the format given in Part I above.) IX. If the auditor is satisfied after obtaining a representation letter from the

management and considering the results of sufficient appropriate audit procedures that the reconstruction of the accounts of the entity is not possible, he has no other option but to issue a disclaimer of opinion. The auditor should issue a report to the shareholders mentioning therein that it is not possible for him to express any opinion. The format of audit report to express disclaimer of opinion has been suggested in the following paragraph for guidance of the members.

X. Illustrative audit report in situations where the reconstruction of the accounts is not possible:

“We were engaged to audit the Balance Sheet of ………………. (name of the client), as at 31st March 2XXX, and also the Profit and Loss Account and the cash flow statement for the year ended on that date. The financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. The management of ______________ (name of the client) has informed us that owing to ___________ (state the reason for unavailability of records), the books of account and/ or other related records and documents of the ____________________ (name of the client) have been completely destroyed. The management has also informed us that the reconstruction of the accounts is also not possible.

Since we have not been able to examine the books of account as well as the financial statements of ___________________(name of the client), we are unable to form any opinion on the financial statements.”

XI. Members’ attention is also invited to the opinion given by the Expert Advisory Committee in September 1988 in situation of an audit where the records etc., had been seized by the income tax authorities and released after four years and records were reconstructed for the interregnum. The Committee, apart from the opinion on the type of the opinion to be expressed by the auditor in such cases, has also opined that the auditor should not normally rely on the management’s certificate as to the opening balances unless the information therein can be corroborated by other supporting document.



Preface to Standards on Quality Control, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance and Related Services23

(Effective from April 1, 2008) Introduction 1. This Preface to the Standards on Quality Control, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance and Related Services has been issued to facilitate understanding of the scope and authority of the pronouncements of the AASB issued under the authority of the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (the ICAI). 2. The ICAI is committed to the goal of enabling the accountancy profession in India to provide services of high quality in the public interest and which are accepted worldwide. To further this goal, the ICAI develops and promulgates technical Standards and other professional literature. The ICAI being one of the founder members of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the Standards developed and promulgated by the AASB under the authority of the Council of the ICAI are in conformity with the corresponding International Standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), established by the IFAC. The “Due Process” of the AASB for formulation of Standards, Statements, Guidance Notes and its other pronouncements is given in the Appendix to this Preface.

Standards Issued by AASB Under the Authority of the Council of ICAI 3. The following Standards issued by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board under the authority of the Council are collectively known as the Engagement Standards: (a) Standards on Auditing (SAs), to be applied in the audit of historical financial information. (b) Standards on Review Engagements (SREs), to be applied in the review of historical

financial information. (c) Standards on Assurance Engagements (SAEs), to be applied in assurance

engagements, dealing with subject matters other than historical financial information. (d) Standards on Related Services (SRSs), to be applied to engagements involving

application of agreed-upon procedures to information, compilation engagements, and other related services engagements, as may be specified by the ICAI.

4. Standards on Quality Control (SQCs), issued by the AASB under the authority of the Council, are to be applied for all services covered by the Engagement Standards as described in paragraph 3 above. A diagram containing the structure of the Standards issued by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board under the authority of the Council is given as Annexure to this Preface. 23 Issued in July, 2007.



Standards on Auditing 5. The Standards on Auditing (SAs) referred to in Paragraph 3(a) above are formulated in the context of an audit of financial statements by an independent auditor. They are to be adapted as necessary in the circumstances when applied to audits of other historical financial information. Standards on Quality Control 6. SQCs are written to apply to firms24 in respect of all their services falling under the Engagement Standards issued by the AASB of ICAI. The authority of SQCs is set out in the introduction to the SQCs. Other Standards 7. The other Engagement Standards identified in paragraph 3 (b) to (d) as well as Standards on Quality Control referred to in paragraph 4 contain basic principles and essential procedures (identified in bold type lettering and by the word “should”) together with related guidance in the form of explanatory and other material, including appendices. The basic principles and essential procedures are to be understood and applied in the context of the explanatory and other material that provides guidance for their application. It is therefore necessary to consider the entire text of a Standard to understand and apply the basic principles and essential procedures. Appendices, which form part of the application material, are an integral part of a Standard. The purpose and intended use of an appendix are explained in the body of the related Standard or within the title and introduction of the appendix itself. An individual Standard should be read in the context of the objective stated in the Standard as well as this Preface. Any limitation of the applicability of a specific Standard is made clear in the Standard itself. Statements on Auditing 8. Statements on Auditing are issued with a view to securing compliance by professional accountants on matters which, in the opinion of the Council, are critical for the proper discharge of their functions. Statements are, therefore, mandatory. General Clarifications 9. General Clarifications are issued by the Board under the authority of the Council of the Institute with a view to clarify any issues arising from the Standards. General Clarifications are mandatory in nature.

24 The term “firm” refers to a sole practitioner/proprietor, partnership, or any such entity of professional accountants, as may be permitted by law.



Professional Judgment 10. The nature of the Standards/Statements/General Clarifications requires the professional accountant25 to exercise professional judgment in applying them. Authority Attached to Other Standards, Statements on Auditing and General Clarifications 11. It is the duty of the professional accountants to ensure that the Standards/Statements/ General Clarifications are followed in the engagements undertaken by them26. The need for the professional accountants to depart from a relevant requirement is expected to arise only where the requirement is for a specific procedure to be performed and, in the specific circumstances of the engagement, that procedure would be ineffective. If because of that reason, a professional accountant has not been able to perform an engagement procedure in accordance with any Standard/Statement/General Clarification, he is required to document how alternative procedures performed achieve the purpose of the procedure, and, unless otherwise clear, the reasons for the departure. Further, his report should draw attention to such departures. However, a mere disclosure in his report does not absolve a professional accountant from complying with the applicable Standards/Statements/General Clarifications 27. 12. There may be a situation where a matter is covered both by a Standard as also by a Statement on Auditing. In such a situation, the Statement shall prevail till the time the Standard becomes mandatory. Once a Standard becomes mandatory, the concerned Statement or the relevant portion(s) thereof will automatically be withdrawn. Guidance Notes 13. Guidance Notes are issued to assist professional accountants in implementing the Engagement Standards and the Standards on Quality Control issued by the AASB under the authority of the Council. Guidance Notes are also issued to provide guidance on other generic or industry specific audit issues, not necessarily arising out of a Standard. Professional accountants should be aware of and consider Guidance Notes applicable to the engagement. A professional accountant who does not consider and apply the guidance included in a relevant Guidance Note should be prepared to justify the appropriateness and completeness

25 The term “professional accountant” refers to a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. 26 Members’ attention is invited to Clause 5 of Part I of the Second Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, according to which a chartered accountant in practice shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct, if he fails to disclose a material fact known to him which is not disclosed in a financial statement, but disclosure of which is necessary in making such financial statement where he is concerned with that financial statement in a professional capacity. Further Clause 7 of Part I of the Second Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 states that a chartered accountant in practice shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct, if he does not exercise due diligence, or is grossly negligent in the conduct of his professional duties. 27 Attention of the members is also drawn to Clause 9 of Part I of the Second Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, whereby, a member is deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct if he fails to invite attention to any material departure from the generally accepted procedures of audit applicable to the circumstances.



of the alternate procedures adopted by him to deal with the objectives and basic principles set out in the Guidance Note. Technical Guides, Practice Manuals, Studies and Other Papers Published by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board 14. The Board may also publish Technical Guides, Practice Manuals, Studies and other papers. Technical Guides are ordinarily aimed at imparting broad knowledge about a particular aspect or of an industry to the professional accountants. Practice Manuals are aimed at providing additional guidance to professional accountants in performing audit and other related assignments. Studies and other papers are aimed at promoting discussion or debate or creating awareness on issues relating to quality control, auditing, assurance and related service, affecting the profession. Such publications of the Board do not establish any basic principles or essential procedures to be followed in audit, review, other assurance or related services engagements, and accordingly, have no authority of the Council attached to them. Material Modifications to the Preface to International Standards on Quality Control, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance and Related Services Additions This Preface deals, apart from the Standards, with the Statements on Auditing and the General Clarifications as the mandatory documents for use by the professional accountants in performing engagements by them, whereas, the Preface issued by the IAASB does not deal with such aspects. Further, the nomenclature of International Auditing Practice Statements (IAPSs) referred in the Preface issued by the IAASB has been changed to Guidance Notes in this Preface. Deletion The Preface issued by the IAASB provides to include, in appropriate cases, additional considerations specific to public sector entities within the body of the Standard. However, since the Standards, Statements, General Clarifications and Guidance Notes issued by the ICAI are equally applicable in case of all engagements, irrespective of the form, nature and size of the entity, this Preface does not deal separately with the public sector perspective.



Annexure Structure of Standards issued by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board under the

Authority of the Council of ICAI

The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, Code of Ethics and other relevant

pronouncements of the ICAI

Standards on Quality Control (SQCs)

Framework for Assurance Engagements

Audits and reviews of historical

financial information

Assurance Engagements other than audits or reviews of historical financial information

Standards on Auditing

(SAs)

100 - 999

Standards on Review

Engagements (SREs)

2000 - 2699

Standards on Assurance

Engagements (SAEs)

3000 - 3699

Standards on Related Services

(SRSs)

4000 - 4699

Services covered by the pronouncements of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board under the authority of the Council of ICAI

Assurance Services Related Services



Appendix Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and its Due Process

Brief History

1. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) constituted the Auditing Practices Committee (APC) on 17th September 1982, to review the existing auditing practices in India and to develop Statements on Standard Auditing Practices so that these may be issued under the authority of the Council of the Institute. Subsequently, at its 226th meeting held in July 2002, the Council of the Institute approved certain recommendations of the APC to strengthen its role in the growth and development of the accountancy profession in India. The Council, at the said meeting, also approved the renaming of the Auditing Practices Committee as the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AASB) as well as renaming of the Statements on Standard Auditing Practices as Auditing and Assurance Standards (AASs).

2. The ICAI is one of the founder members of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). It is one of the membership obligations of the Institute to actively propagate the pronouncements of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) of the IFAC to contribute towards global harmonisation and acceptance of the Standards issued by the IAASB. Accordingly, while formulating Engagement and Quality Control Standards, the AASB takes into consideration the corresponding Standards, if any, issued by the IAASB. In addition, the AASB also takes into consideration the applicable laws, customs, usages and business environment prevailing in India within the parameters of the July 2006 Policy Paper, A Guide for National Standard Setters that Adopt IAASB’s International Standards but Find it Necessary to Make Limited Modifications, issued by the IAASB.

Objectives and Functions of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board

3. The following are the objectives and functions of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board:

(i) To review the existing and emerging auditing practices worldwide and identify areas in which Standards on Quality Control, Engagement Standards and Statements on Auditing need to be developed.

(ii) To formulate Engagement Standards, Standards on Quality Control and Statements on Auditing so that these may be issued under the authority of the Council of the Institute.

(iii) To review the existing Standards and Statements on Auditing to assess their relevance in the changed conditions and to undertake their revision, if necessary.

(iv) To develop Guidance Notes on issues arising out of any Standard, auditing issues pertaining to any specific industry or on generic issues, so that those may be issued under the authority of the Council of the Institute.

(v) To review the existing Guidance Notes to assess their relevance in the changed circumstances and to undertake their revision, if necessary.



(vi) To formulate General Clarifications, where necessary, on issues arising from Standards.

(vii) To formulate and issue Technical Guides, Practice Manuals, Studies and other papers under its own authority for guidance of professional accountants in the cases felt appropriate by the Board.

Composition

4. The composition of the AASB is fairly broad-based and attempts to ensure participation of all interest groups in the standard-setting process. Apart from amongst the elected members of the Council of the ICAI the following are also represented on AASB:

(i) Eminent members of the profession, whether in industry or in practice, as co-opted members on the Board.

(ii) One special invitee from each three regulatory bodies, viz., the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Reserve Bank of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.

(iii) One special invitee from the Indian Institute(s) of Management, or from any other prominent academic and/or research organisation, as considered appropriate.

(iv) One special invitee from a prominent Industry association.

(v) One special invitee representing public interest, e.g., not for profit organization, etc.

The special invitees mentioned at (ii) through (v) above are decided in consultation with the President of the Institute. Further, special invitees do not constitute the members of the Board, as referred to in this document.

Term of the Members

5. The term of the Chairman of the Board is three years. Where such period of three years exceeds the term of the Council of ICAI during which the Chairman has been appointed, the term of the Chairman is restricted to the abovementioned term of the Council. The Council of the ICAI may fill any vacancy in the Office of the Chairman and the Chairman so appointed holds office for the unexpired term of the Council. The term of other members of the Board and the special invitees is one year. However, in case the period of one year exceeds the term of the Council during which the members have been appointed, the term of the members is restricted to the abovementioned term of the Council.

Attendance at the Meetings

6. Each AASB meeting requires the presence, in person, of at least one third of the members of the Board. However, the AASB meetings whereat a Standard or Statement, at whatever stage (as envisaged in the following paragraphs), is proposed to be considered, requires attendance of at least two thirds of the AASB members, in person or by simultaneous telecommunication link.

7. In case any member of the AASB absents himself from three consecutive meetings of the Board, the AASB would bring such fact to the attention of the Council.



AASB Working Procedure

Standards, Statements on Auditing and General Clarifications

Project Identification, Prioritization and Approval

8. Project proposals to develop new, or revise existing Standards, Statements or General Clarifications are identified based on international and national developments, input from members of the Council of the ICAI, AASB members, members of other committees of the ICAI and/or recommendations received from other interested parties, such as regulators or professional accountants.

9. The AASB determines the priorities of various projects on hand for commencement.

10. In the preparation of Standards, Statements and General Clarifications, AASB is assisted by Study Groups/Task Forces constituted to consider specific projects. The AASB appoints one of the professional accountants as a convenor of the Study Group/Task Force. The convenor, in consultation with the Chairman, AASB, nominates other members of the Study Group/Task Force, ordinarily five to seven in number. For operating convenience and economy, a study group is usually based in the area where the convenor is located. In situations considered necessary, the Board may also consider having an outside expert on such Study Groups/Task Forces and such an expert need not necessarily be a professional accountant. The Study Group/Task Force is responsible for preparing the basic draft of the Standard/ Statement/ General Clarification. In addition, a separate group of experts may be formed to advice the Study Group /Task Force.

11. The AASB may also conduct projects jointly with regulators and/or others. In such cases, the joint Study Group/Task Force is ordinarily chaired by the convenor appointed with mutual consent.

Consultation and Debate

12. The Study Group/Task Force develops the preliminary draft of the Standard/ Statement/ General Clarification based on appropriate research and consultation, which may include, depending on the circumstances, consultation with the other professionals, regulators and other interested parties, as well as reviewing professional pronouncements issued by IFAC member bodies and other professional bodies. The draft submitted by the study group, along with issue papers/background papers, is sent to the Chairman, AASB for approval.

13. The draft Standard/Statement/General clarification, along with other agenda papers, as approved by the Chairman, is hosted on the website of the AASB at least twenty one days in advance of the AASB meeting at which such draft Standard/ Statement is planned to be considered. A notification to that effect is also sent to the AASB members. The printed version of the agenda papers, including background papers and draft Standard/ Statement/General Clarification prepared by the Study Group/Task Force for review and debate are made available to the members of and special invitees to the AASB at the concerned meeting.



14. The AASB considers the preliminary draft of the Standard/ Statement/General Clarification prepared by the Study Group/Task Force. The AASB may refer the draft to the Study Group/Task Force to examine the issues arising out of the deliberations of the AASB and accordingly modify the draft Standard/ Statement/General Clarification.

15. In case the revision to the Standard/ Statement/General Clarification is made by the Study Group/ Task Force in terms of the requirements of paragraph 14 above, the procedure laid down in paragraphs 12 to 14 above is followed for the revised draft of the Standard/ Statement/General Clarification.

16. The draft of the proposed Standard/ Statement/General Clarification, as modified in the light of the deliberations of the Board and approved by the Chairman, AASB, is circulated to the Council members of the ICAI for their comments before being issued as an Exposure Draft. Normally, a period of ten days is given for receiving comments on the Draft Exposure Draft. AASB finalises the Exposure Draft of the proposed Standard/ Statement on the basis of the comments so received, if any. Ordinarily, an Exposure Draft of a General Clarification is not issued.

Public Exposure

17. The Exposure Draft of the proposed Standard / Statement is issued, by way of publication in the monthly Journal of the Institute, for comments by the professional accountants and the public. The Board, however, may decide not to issue an Exposure Draft of a Statement, in which case, the reasons for such a decision is recorded in the minutes of the relevant AASB meeting. Each Exposure Draft is, ordinarily, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum that highlights the objectives and significant proposals contained in the draft. The explanatory memorandum may also direct the respondents to those aspects of the Exposure Draft on which specific feedback is sought.

18. The Exposure Draft is sent to the members of the Council of the ICAI, the Institute’s past Presidents, Regional Councils and their branches. Copies of the Exposure Draft are also sent to the following bodies:

i. The Ministry of Company Affairs, Government of India

ii. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India

iii. The Reserve Bank of India

iv. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

v. The Central Board of Direct Taxes

vi. The Central Board of Excise and Customs

vii. The Securities and Exchange Board of India

viii. The Central Registrar of Co-operative Societies

ix. The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India

x. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India



xi. The Indian Banks Association

xii. Industry organizations such as Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Associated Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industry

xiii. Indian Institute(s) of Management

xiv. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

xv. The Standing Conference on Public Enterprises

xvi. Recognised stock exchanges in India

xvii. Any other body considered relevant by the AASB keeping in view the nature and requirement of AAS/Statement.

19. Exposure Draft is also hosted on the website of the ICAI as well as the AASB, and is downloadable free of charge. To allow adequate time for due consideration and comment from all interested parties, exposure period is ordinarily 60 (sixty) days or such other period, but not less than 60 days in any case, as may be decided by the AASB.

Responses to Exposure Drafts and Consideration of Respondents’ Comments

20. An acknowledgement is sent to every respondent to an Exposure Draft. Except where the respondent has specifically indicated otherwise, the respondents’ comments are considered a matter of public records. Comments which are received upto ten days prior to the date of the AASB meeting at which such comments are proposed to be considered, are hosted on the website of the AASB and kept there till the date of the AASB meeting at which the Exposure Draft and comments thereon are considered. The members of the AASB as well as the Council of the Institute are notified when the comments are hosted on the website of the AASB. Copies of the Exposure Draft and comment letters are also made available to the AASB members at the AASB meeting at which the Exposure Draft is scheduled for discussion.

21. The comments and suggestions received within the exposure period are read and considered by the AASB. The AASB’s deliberations on the significant issues raised in the comments letters received together with the AASB’s decision thereon are recorded in the minutes of the relevant AASB meeting and also hosted on the website of the AASB. The AASB may decide to discuss with the respondents their comment letters or explain to them the reasons for not having accepted their proposals. The nature and outcome of such discussions are reported and recorded in the minutes of the relevant AASB meeting.

22. Such part of the AASB meetings whereat the Exposure Draft of proposed Standard/ Statement and the comments thereon are to be discussed is open for public. The members of the public, at their own expenditure, can attend the said part of the meeting(s) as observers. Such observers, however, do not have the right to participate in the discussions at the meeting. The notification as to the date of the said AASB meeting is hosted on the website of the Institute at least 30 days in advance and the members of the public desirous of attending the said meeting(s) are required to send their request for



the same to the Board at least 15 days prior to the date of the concerned AASB meeting. The seats for the members of the public at such meetings are limited to such numbers as may be decided by the AASB and allotted on a first come first serve basis. The AASB may also hold a meeting with the representatives of the specified bodies, as may be identified by the Board on a case to case basis, to ascertain their views on the draft of the proposed Standard/ Statement.

23. After taking into consideration the comments received, the draft of the proposed Standard/ Statement is finalized by the AASB and submitted to the Council of the ICAI for its consideration and approval. The draft of the General Clarification, as finalised by the AASB, is submitted to the Council of ICAI for its consideration and approval.

24. The Council of the ICAI considers the final draft of the proposed Standard/ Statement/General Clarification, and if found necessary, modifies the same in consultation with AASB. The concerned Standard/ Statement/ General Clarification is then issued under the authority of the Council of the ICAI.

Re-exposure

25. The AASB on a direction from the Council of the ICAI or on its own, in cases considered appropriate, may re-expose a proposed Standard/ Statement. The need for re-exposure may arise on account of factors such as significant issues coming to the notice of the Board subsequently, including, significant changes in the laws or regulations having an impact on the requirements of the Standard/ Statement or revision of the corresponding International Standard by IAASB. In cases where a re-exposure of a Standard or a Statement is required, the procedures as listed in paragraphs 12 to 24 are followed.

Procedure for Issuing the Guidance Notes

26. The AASB identifies the issues on which Guidance Notes need to be formulated and the priority in regard to selection thereof.

27. In the preparation of the Guidance Note, the AASB is assisted by Study Groups/Task Forces constituted to consider specific projects. The AASB appoints one of the professional accountants as a convenor of the Study Group / Task Force. The Convenor nominates other members of the Study Group/Task Force and in the formation of Study Groups / Task Forces, provision is made for participation of a cross-section of members of the ICAI. In situations considered necessary, the Board may also consider having an outside expert on such Study Groups/Task Forces and such “expert” need not necessarily be a professional accountant. The Study Group/Task Force will be responsible for preparing the basic draft of the Guidance Note.

28. The Study Group/Task Force develops the preliminary draft of the Guidance Note based on appropriate research and consultation, which may include, depending on the circumstances, consulting with the other professionals, regulators and other interested parties, as well as reviewing professional pronouncements issued by IFAC member bodies and other parties and submits the preliminary draft Guidance Note to the AASB. The draft Guidance Note, along with the background papers, if any, is sent to the Chairman, AASB for approval.



29. The AASB considers the preliminary draft prepared by the Study Group/Task Force and may refer the same to the Study Group/Task Force to examine the issues arising out of the deliberations of the AASB and accordingly modify the draft Guidance Note. The modified Draft Guidance Note is once again considered by the Board. The draft Guidance Note as finalised by the Board is submitted for the consideration of the Council of the ICAI.

30. Unlike Standards/Statements, ordinarily, no proposed Guidance Note is exposed for comments of the professional accountants and others. However, in situations considered necessary by the Board, an Exposure Draft of a Guidance Note may well be issued for public comments. In case an Exposure Draft of a Guidance Note is to be issued, the same procedures as required for an Exposure Draft of the Standard/ Statement (as mentioned in paragraphs 17 to 22 above) is required to be followed. The reasons for issuing an Exposure Draft of the Guidance Note are recorded in the minutes of the relevant AASB meeting. However, the part of the AASB meeting at such Exposure Draft is considered is not open for public.

31. The Council of the Institute considers the final draft of the proposed Guidance Note and, if necessary, suggests modifications thereto in consultation with the AASB. The Guidance Note is then issued under the authority of the Council of the ICAI.

Limited or Substantive Revision to the Standard, Statement or Guidance Note

32. Subsequent to issuance of a Standard, Statement or Guidance Note, the introduction of any new legal or professional requirement or any other national or international development in the field of auditing, may require a substantive revision to that Standard, Statement or Guidance Note. In that case, the Council of the ICAI makes substantive revision to such Standard/ Statement /Guidance Note. The procedure followed for substantive revision is the same as that followed for formulation of a new Standard, Statement or the Guidance Note, as the case may be, as detailed above.

33. Similarly, subsequent to issuance of a Standard, Statement or Guidance Note, some aspect(s) may require revision which are not substantive in nature. For this purpose, the Council of the ICAI may make limited revision to a Standard/ Statement /Guidance Note. In case of the Standards on Auditing (SAs), any revision to a Standard is treated as limited only if that revision is restricted to the application guidance of that Standard. The procedure followed for the limited revision is, in principle, the same as that followed for formulation of a Standard, Statement or Guidance Note, as the case may be. However, the AASB may decide to cut short some time limits, e.g. period of public exposure in case of a limited revision to a Standard/Statement, as detailed above, for the process.

Technical Guides, Practice Manuals, Studies and Other Papers Published by the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board

34. For issuance of a Technical Guides/Studies, etc., the procedure adopted by the AASB is ordinarily the same as in case of a Guidance Note except that the draft Technical Guide/ Practice Manual/ Study is never exposed for public comments nor such part of the AASB meeting at which the proposed Technical Guide, Practice Manual, etc., is considered, open for public. Also, since the



Technical Guides, Practice Manuals, Studies, etc., do not have any authority attached to them, those are not required to be placed for consideration and final approval of the Council, rather they are issued by the AASB under its own authority.

Voting

35. The affirmative votes of at least two thirds of the members of the Board, in person or by simultaneous telecommunication link, are required to approve the final draft of a Standard or Statement for submission to the Council.

36. Each member of the AASB has the right to one vote.
