It aims to support company secretaries to develop-
auditing acumen,
techniques and tools, and,
inculcate best auditing practices,
while conducting an audit.
PARTS OF AUDITING STANDARDS
These ICSI auditing standards are divided into 4 parts:-
1. CSAS-1– Auditing Standard on Audit Engagement
2. CSAS-2- Auditing Standard on Audit Process & Documentation.
3. CSAS-3– Auditing Standard on Forming of Opinion.
4. CSAS-4- Auditing Standard on Secretarial.
CSAS-1-
AUDITING STANDARDS ON AUDIT ENGAGEMENT
The Auditing standard on Audit Engagement deals with Auditor’s roles and responsibilities with respect to Audit Engagement and the process of entering into agreement with the appointing authority for the purpose of audit.
Applicability- Audit Engagements accepted by the Auditor on or after 01, April, 2020.
AUDIT ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
Pre-Engagement Meeting- Before accepting the Audit Engagement, the Auditor shall have the pre engagement meeting with the Auditee to discuss terms of engagement, prior year audit findings and conclusions, appropriateness of legal framework, internal control system, commercial terms of Audit and timeliness and milestone , if any for conducting audit and submitting its report.
Appointment- The appointment of auditor shall be in accordance with applicable laws, acts, rules and regulations, standards and guidelines and if no manner is given, then by manner made by the Appointing Authority.
Certificate- The Auditor shall submit an eligibility certificate before accepting an audit ,which includes
a) The number of audits are within the ceiling limits by ICSI.
b) No substantial conflict of interest.
c) No restriction to render professional services.
d) He is not debarred to take audits in any other law,
Audit Engagement Letter- The Auditor shall obtain an Audit Engagement letter along with the copy of resolution and shall provide his acceptance to the appointing authority.
Communication to the Previous Auditor- The Auditor shall communicate with the previous auditor, in any before accepting the audit. Communication may be sent be registered AD , courier , by hand or by an email. Auditor shall wait for 7 days before accepting an audit.
Limit of Audit Engagement- The Auditor shall accept Audit Engagement with in the limits prescribed under any law being in force or by ICSI.
ICSI has presribed following limits:-
- 10 secretarial audits by PCS/partner
- An additional 5 audits by partner/PCS ,if unit is peer reviewed.
Conflict of interest- The Auditor shall not have any substantial conflict of interest with the auditee and any conflict of interest , other than substantial conflict of interest may be disclosed to the auditee.
- Auditor holding not more than 2% of paid up share capital or shares of value Rs. 50,000.
- Auditor indebted for an amount not more than Rs. 5,00,000.
- Auditor was in employment more than 2 years ago.
If terms of engagement are changed, the Auditor and Appointing Authority shall agree to the new engagement by way of supplementary deed or any other suitable form in writing.
AUDITING STANDARDS ON AUDIT PROCESS AND DOCUMENTATION
Objective- The objective of standard is to prescribe a Principle for an Auditor
- To conduct an audit as per the prescribed audit process.
- To maintain documentation that provide:
A : sufficient and appropriate records that form part of the Auditor’s Report, and
2) Risk Assessment- The Auditor shall evaluate high risk areas and activities of the Auditee with respect to :-
a) Internal Control System,
b) Transparency, prudence and probity,
c) Changes in the compliance team.
3) Information about the Auditee- The Auditor shall obtain sufficient information about the Auditee for conducting the Audit which may include:-
-
- Nature of business of Auditee,
- Sector in which the Auditee operates,
- Size of the business of Auditee,
- Media Reports
- Laws applicable to business of Auditee.
4) Audit Check-lists- The Auditor shall use systematic and comprehensive check list for carrying out the Audit and to verify the compliance requirement.
7) Record Keeping & Retention- The Audit document shall be collated for records within a period of 45 days from the date of signing of Audit Report and shall be retained for a period of 8 years from signing of such report.
AUDITING STANDARD ON FORMING OF OPINIONS
- The Principle of Completeness
- The Principle of Objectivity
- The Principle of timeliness
- The Principle of Contradictory Process
2) Judgement, Clarification and Conflicting Interpretation- While forming an opinion the Auditor shall consider decided case laws, clarifications issued, opinions framed in similar type of Audit.
- Due compliance with applicable laws
- Records are free from misstatement
b) Modified opinion- The Auditor Concludes that
- Non Compliance of applicable laws
- Records are not free from misstatement
5) Format of Report- The Report shall be addressed to appointing authority unless otherwise specified in Engagement letter.
Signature block shall mention the name of the audit firm along with the registration number, certificate of practice number, whether ACS or FCS. The Audit Report shall be prepared in detail.
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