On the basis of which audits are carried out. Mandatory audit

Auditing- This is a check of the accounting (financial) statements of the organization in order to express an opinion on its reliability. Based on the results of the audit, the organization receives an audit report. Today, auditing is often referred to as checks in other, not financial areas(for example, a fire audit). However, officially the concept of audit refers specifically to financial audits and is defined in the Law "On audit activity".

Who conducts the audit

Auditing activities are carried out by auditing organizations and individual auditors. Only a person who has passed the exam and received it can be called an auditor. The audit firm must have at least 3 auditors on its staff. All auditors and audit firms must be members of a self-regulatory organization (SRO) of auditors. Now in Russia . In total in Russia as of May 2013, there were approx. 4.8 thousand and 23 thousand auditors.

What are auditors guided by?

Audits are conducted on the basis of Federal law dated 30.12.2008 N 307-FZ "On auditing" and Federal standards of auditing. In addition, there is a Code of Professional Ethics for Auditors, which defines the basic principles of conduct for auditors, their relationship with the client.

Who needs an audit

Audit can be proactive (at the request of the client) and mandatory, when the legislation obliges the organization to annually confirm the reliability of its financial statements. The law requires that large and socially significant organizations must be audited - see.

What happens to evasion from a statutory audit

Currently in Russian legislation there are no penalties for evading a statutory audit.

Quality of audits

The quality of the audit firm's work is controlled by the SRO in which it is a member, and in some cases by Rosfinnadzor. This is external quality control. In addition, each audit firm has an internal quality control system.

Still have questions? Ask them on the audit forum.

Audit check: details for the accountant

Penalties for failure to conduct a statutory audit
... "(hereinafter - the Law on LLC) auditing LLC is mandatory, held annually ... for 2018. Based on the results of the audit, an audit report is drawn up. An official document ... of accounting (financial) statements; - Encyclopedia of solutions. Audit of LLC; - Encyclopedia of solutions. Responsibility for...
Errors made in the implementation of internal financial control and audit
For each audit: the topic of the audit; audit objects; the term of the audit; responsible executors ... of the audit; a list of issues to be studied during the audit; the timing of its implementation. Audit program ... identified violations; audit report. The results of the audit are formalized by the audit report, which is signed by the head of the audit ...
Choosing an audit company
For a specific organization? The cost of conducting an audit is determined by many different factors, however ... the total amount of labor required to carry out an audit. Human capital is the most important ...
Auditors: what information and in what cases they are obliged to provide tax authorities
Only the documents provided by taxpayers during the audit, but also any information, any ... will take information about the audits carried out. If the information about the results of the mandatory ...
Implementation of the results of internal financial audit
The issuance of an opinion on the results of the audit can be established by the departmental (internal ... Ministry of Finance, should be based on the results of the audit, reflecting: compliance with the procedure for maintaining the budget ...
On the results of the analysis of the implementation of internal financial control and audit
In order to ensure the principle of independence, audits should be organized and carried out ... to fulfill responsibilities in the course of the audit. The Federal Treasury notes: part ..., direction and timing of consideration of the audit act (paragraph 52 of Regulation No. 93 ... submission of a report on the results of the audit and annual reporting about ... each audit (the topic of the audit, data on the objects of audit, the timing of the audit of the responsible ...
Russian audit took a decisive step forward
Which introduces additional requirements for audits of subjects of public interest. Note...
Punishment as an end in itself? On the practice of using the state function for external quality control of audit organizations
The volume of documentation for each specific audit, guided by their professional opinion, when ...
Mathematical paradoxes of the development of audit services in modern conditions
The mathematical foundations of probability theory in audit are completely ignored. Such quality control ...
Can the auditor's report be dated earlier than the date of approval of the statements at the general meeting of participants of the LLC
The date shown is the date the audit was completed. date of signing audit report not ... an auditor's report. Thus, conducting an audit of an LLC with the provision to the participants of the company ... of the provisions of the Charter of an LLC, it follows that an audit must be carried out and according to ...
Internal audit types
The scope of the audit engagement as part of the audit is determined by the head of internal audit ... can be divided into two types: audit (in the language of internal auditors ... the scope of the audit engagement as part of the audit is determined by the head of internal audit ... between the internal auditor and the client. Audits and advice are different from ... an audit engagement. The provision of assurances (audits) and advice is most often performed by ...
A small business was subject to an audit, but did not conduct it: what will be the punishment?
... "(hereinafter referred to as the Law on LLC) an audit of an LLC is mandatory, carried out annually ... the legislation is not provided for. Based on the results of the audit, an audit report is drawn up. An official document ... to the statistical authorities; - Encyclopedia of decisions. Audit of LLC ; - Encyclopedia of solutions. Composition and ...
An LLC must conduct a statutory audit: what is the procedure for selecting and attracting an auditor, the timing and procedure for submitting an auditor's report?
Civil Code of the Russian Federation). Decision on the appointment of the audit, the approval of the auditor and the determination of the size ... to which the audit should be carried out financial statements in the case of her ... accounting (financial) statements. - Encyclopedia of solutions. Audit of LLC. The answer was prepared by: Service expert ...
On the use of foreign experience in reforming Russian audit
Audit) are determined financial capacity of the customer of the audit (or the level of demand for audited reports ... of persons in demand for the audit, the content of the audit in many cases began to be replaced ...
Approaches of audit organizations to identify misstatements in financial statements under IFRS
Organization's accounting data. Thus, the audit is based on a spot check of some ... allows you to identify risks and organize an audit to identify material misstatements ...

Any company always keeps accounting - ordered base data on all property and operations of the enterprise itself for a certain period of time.

Accounting includes information about what transactions were carried out, what property and cash are on the balance sheet of the enterprise and many other important information. However, the data accounting are not always infallible and reliable. There can be two main reasons for this: an accidental error or deliberate falsification.

For example, all businesses pay taxes on their income. The higher the income of the enterprise, the more taxes it needs to pay to the budget. This situation, of course, is disadvantageous to the owner of the company, because he has to part with the money that he could take for himself.

In this case, there is temptation to forge documents, by underestimating the income received, or, on the contrary, by increasing the allegedly existing expenses. The second example of falsification is the distortion of information about the company's balance sheet when it is sold.

The old owner can include in the balance sheet of the enterprise those items that have not been on it for a long time - non-existent real estate, equipment and much more, in order to get more money from the sale.

It is to combat errors in financial statements that audits exist. Audit - independent verification enterprises and accounting documents, that relate to this enterprise. Such checks are of two main types: internal and external. Internal audit carried out on behalf of the enterprise itself.

It is important to note that even an internal audit can be carried out by a person "from the outside" - a representative of an audit company or simply an independent auditor. Such checks are very frequent, especially in large international companies. It is no secret to anyone that our fellow citizens are not always distinguished by immense decency and honesty.

In this regard, investors, fearing for the safety of their invested money, often involve independent auditors. to control the enterprise.

As for the external audit, it is carried out on an assignment from the outside, for example, tax authorities... This is a tougher form of control, because if during an internal audit "dirty linen is not washed out of public", then with an external audit the results of the audit can lead to many unpleasant consequences for the employees of the enterprise, up to the institution of criminal cases.

That is why accountants, CFOs, and managers are scared of audits like fire.

This check includes several stages, which depend on the type of activity of the company. First of all, the auditor examines the accounting documents and see if they are all present. If any documents are missing, he draws attention to this, and if they do not exist at all in nature, he indicates this in the report.

Also, the audit report indicates all existing errors, inaccuracy or distortion of data. For example, if the auditor sees in one of the points that the company has purchased 10 expensive cars, he may firstly ask to show him these cars (that is, confirm that they exist at all), and secondly, leave a conclusion on the necessity or expediency of their purchase.

Feasibility assessment is very important primarily for internal audit, because very often investors are asked allocate money for goals and objectives that are not entirely clear to them. In this case, it will be completely normal for them to want to see what the money went to, and whether such costs are needed at all.

In general, audit is a complex science, and only people with extensive work experience can work in an audit company or as a private auditor. in the financial and economic sphere. To a person from the outside, it may seem that the auditor simply reads the documents that are given to him and says whether all the data is indicated there or not.

In fact, this is not the case - people who want to steal money from the company or otherwise violate the law (for example, by evading taxes) are most often very cunning and clever. They skillfully hide all their dirty deeds under real deals, and only an experienced and attentive specialist can distinguish where is true and where is fiction.

For example, studying the company's transactions for Last year, a bad auditor will say that everything is in order, but a good one will notice that the company's employees were buying meals at twice the price (a trifle, but nevertheless a violation), or the manager did not indicate in the financial statements the bonuses that he himself subscribed.

It is these little things that most often escape the attention of ordinary people, but a good auditor is obliged to identify them and indicate in his report. It is for this reason that the revenues of eminent audit companies are often estimated at millions of dollars, but such companies themselves are few.

Internal audit is used in most large companies... It is needed to prevent the occurrence of significant shortcomings. It is carried out in accordance with the specified algorithm.

What is internal audit

Internal audit is an audit of the company's activities, which is carried out in the interests of the owner. The procedure is carried out on the basis of the regulations drawn up by the company itself. In the process, documents are checked, a survey of employees is carried out.

Main tasks

Consider the tasks of the internal audit of a firm:

Organization of efficient financial economic activity.
Establishing productive interaction with contractors.
Prevention of the occurrence of material violations.
Reducing the number of losses.
Ensuring compliance of activities with the law.
Checking the accuracy of the information contained in the documents.

Internal audit is needed, first of all, for the head of the company. The verification results will help optimize production.

The legislative framework

The work of specialists performing internal audit must comply with international (ISVA) and domestic standards. It is regulated by Federal Law No. 307 "On the Activities of an Auditor". In addition, the inspection should not contradict these norms:

Federal Law No. 115 "On Combating Money Laundering" dated August 7, 2001.
Federal Law No. 273 "On Combating Corruption" dated December 25, 2008.

Internal audit standards should also be contained in the company's internal documents.

What is checked during the internal audit process

Internal audit involves an integrated approach. That is, all aspects of the enterprise are checked. In particular, these are:

Keeping records of fixed assets, intangible assets, cash transactions, financial results, capital and other things.
Transactions in foreign currency, settlement and other accounts, settlements with counterparties, insurance companies.
OS state, documenting funds, the correctness of depreciation, the execution of the repair plan.

The auditor also needs to reassure himself of information security. The processing of information in the company is checked, Information system, the presence of trade secrets. The specialist conducts an audit of the information protection system.

Varieties of internal audit

There are different types of internal audit. The audit is divided into types depending on the tasks assigned to the auditor. There are the following varieties:

Checking the control system.
Organizational and technical control.
Control audit of the main activities.
Checking the compliance of the work with internal and legal regulations.
Establishing the appropriateness of the activities of officials.

All considered types of audit are optional. They are carried out at the initiative of the head.

Documentary support of the audit

As part of the audit, it is imperative to draw up a number of documents. Otherwise, the audit will not be legal.

Issuance of an audit order

The check is carried out on the basis of the order of the head. This document establishes the following aspects of work:

Dates of the inspection.
The employees who will be engaged in the audit.
Conditions for conducting internal audit.
Control over the work of the auditor.

The order should contain clear instructions on how to start the audit.

Check list

As part of the audit, control is carried out in many areas. Many operations are performed, the sequence of which must be followed. To follow the algorithm, it is recommended to draw up a checklist. It includes a list control questions... There are no laws governing the preparation of this document. The checklist is filled in according to the wishes of the manager. It allows you to solve these problems:

Correct planning control event compliant with the law.
Execution of intermediate and selective control of the auditor's activities.
Implementation of all the main stages of the procedure.
Facilitating the work of the auditor.
The ability to carry out a complex and holistic procedure.

It is possible to draw up a checklist on the basis of the provisions of the Federal Law No. 307 "On Auditing Activity" dated December 30, 2008.

Internal audit stages

Internal audit can be divided into three stages:

Training. Includes the publication of an order, drawing up a checklist.
Worker. As part of it, documents are checked for compliance with the law, interviews with employees and management personnel.
Final. A conclusion is drawn up, in which the results of the procedure are prescribed.

Each of these stages has its own meaning. For example, if adequate preparation is not carried out, the procedure will become less effective in the future.

Internal audit tools

The components of an internal audit depend on the needs of the company. For example, these can be the following tools:

Checking the correctness of the preparation of estimates, projects and plans.
Analysis of existing orders for the supply of raw materials.
Verification of the fulfillment of supply contracts.
Establishment of the actual write-off of materials for production.
Establishing the correctness of calculations, checking the reflection of their results in the accounting of the cost of goods.
Checking invoices.
Checking the legality of depreciation.
Execution of control over the movement of funds.
Timely reflection in accounting of all business transactions.
Establishing the correctness of settlements with counterparties.

This list can be supplemented. The nature of the additions is determined by the specifics of the companies' activities.

In the course of their work, auditors use a variety of tools. For example, if invoices are verified, the next order control:

Establishing the accuracy of keeping the book of sales and purchases.
Analysis of invoices for missing numbers.
Control over the entry of all transactions into the general ledger.
Checking the accuracy of customer accounts.
Reconciliation of information from analytical and synthetic accounting.
Reconciliation of the dates of operations performed with the dates indicated in the invoices.

Movement check material values carried out by means of an inventory. You need to prepare for this procedure. Preparation includes these steps:

Drawing up a list of materials that are subject to inventory.
Formation of an inventory commission.
Receipt of a receipt stating that all documents related to the inventories are in the accounting department.

The analysis of the correctness of depreciation is carried out on the basis of documents. The list of securities subject to audit includes inventory cards... The auditor can also recalculate.

Internal audit results

The results of the audit are recorded in the report. This information is written in it:

List of verified documents and areas of activity.
Identified shortcomings.
Recommendations for correcting shortcomings.
The person who performed the audit.

Audit reports should be retained. They can be compared with each other in order to analyze the dynamics of the company. Based on the reports, work is carried out to correct the detected deficiencies.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION! Not every employee can participate in the audit. It is desirable that a specialist has an appropriate education. You can get all the necessary knowledge in specialized courses.

proactive (voluntary), which is carried out by decision of the owners or management of the organization. Such a check can take place, for example, when the owners (manager) need to obtain information on the status of accounting when changing the chief accountant or when obtaining a bank loan.

Situation: can one of the founders (participants, shareholders) initiate an audit in the organization?

The answer to this question depends on the organizational and legal form of the organization.

In LLC on general rule the decision to conduct an audit, select an auditor and determine the amount of payment for his services is made general meeting participants (that is, the decision must be made by a majority vote) (subparagraph 10, paragraph 2, article 33 of the Law of February 8, 1998, No. 14-FZ). However, an individual participant also has the right to initiate an audit if he is ready to pay for audit services at his own expense (part 2 of article 48 of the Law of February 8, 1998 No. 14-FZ). In this case, the decision of the general meeting is not required (Resolution of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation of May 13, 2008 No. 17869/07).

IN joint stock companies the decision on the choice of the auditor is taken by the general meeting of shareholders, and the determination of the amount of payment for his services is considered by the board of directors (supervisory board) of the organization (clause 2 of article 86 of the Law of December 26, 1995 No. 208-FZ). A separate shareholder may require an audit if he owns 10 or more percent of voting shares (clause 3 of article 85 of the Law of December 26, 1995 No. 208-FZ).

Who can audit

An audit (both mandatory and proactive) can be carried out by both audit organizations and individual auditors (part 2 of article 1, article 3, 4 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ). An exception is provided only for organizations listed in part 3 of article 5 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ. Conduct statutory audit they have the right only to audit organizations. For more on this, seeWhen is an audit mandatory? .

Requirements for audit organizations (auditors)

An audit organization (individual auditor) has the right to conduct inspections and provide audit-related services if it is a member of a self-regulatory organization of auditors. These are the requirements of Part 1 of Article 3, Part 1 of Article 4, Part 2 of Article 23 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ.

Auditors (audit organizations, individual auditors) are not entitled to conduct an audit if:

the auditor (his head or officials) is the founder (participants, shareholders) of the audited organization;

the auditor (his manager or officials) holds a position responsible for organizing and maintaining accounting and reporting in the audited organization (for example, a manager, an accountant);

the auditor (his manager or officials) is closely related to officials responsible for organizing and maintaining accounting and reporting in the auditee (for example, a manager, an accountant);

the audited organization is the founder (participant, shareholder) of the auditor;

the auditee is subsidiary the founder (participant, shareholder) of the auditor;

the audited organization and the auditor have common founders (participants, shareholders);

during the three years preceding the audit, the auditor kept (restored) accounting in the audited organization or prepared its financial (accounting) statements;

the audited entity is an insurance company with which the auditor has entered into a liability insurance contract.

Audit principles

The main principles of the audit are established by the Rules (standards) approved by the RF Government Decree of September 23, 2002 No. 696, as well as FSAD 1/2010, 2/2010 and 3/2010, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n ... They are mandatory for all auditors (clause 3 of part 1 of article 7 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ).

Also, when checking accounting (financial) statements, auditors are guided by the recommendations of the financial department. These clarifications regarding the audit of the statements for 2015 are set out in the Recommendations from the annex to the letter of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated January 22, 2016 No. 07-04-09 / 2355. In particular, auditors are encouraged to pay particular attention to the following issues:

creation of a reserve for doubtful debts on loans;

reflection in the accounting of financial risk hedging operations;

recognition of expenses for the payment of bonuses to employees of the organization based on the results of the year;

determination of the degree of completion of works, services, products with a long production cycle;

disclosure of information about financial investments, the value of which is expressed in foreign currency;

accounting for the organization's contribution to the compensation fund;

disclosure of information on federal loan bonds with an indexed face value;

accounting for the presence and movement of production waste;

reflection in accounting of expenses for the formation of a safety stock of assets;

disclosure by the audited entity of information on issued independent guarantees;

reflection in the accounting of the amounts of the trade fee;

reflection of insurance contributions to government extrabudgetary funds in the statement of cash flows;

storage of accounting documents;

preparation of consolidated financial statements.

The conditions of the audit are specified in written contract(audit letter). The rules for their compilation are specified in Rule (standard) No. 12, approved by the Government of the Russian Federation of September 23, 2002 No. 696.

Audit report

The results of the audit should be presented in the auditor's report. It is official document, which is intended for users of accounting (financial) statements (part 1 of article 6 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ). In the conclusion, the auditor assesses the reliability of the accounting (financial) reporting indicators (part 2 of article 6 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ, clause 2 FSAD 1/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n).

The auditor's report may contain an unmodified or modified opinion on the reliability of the accounting (financial) statements (clause 14 FSAD 1/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n).

If the auditor concludes that the financial statements reflect fairly financial position organization, it expresses an unmodified opinion.

The auditor expresses a modified opinion in the following cases:

based on received audit evidence found that the financial statements contain material misstatements;

the auditor cannot obtain sufficient evidence that the financial statements, considered as a whole, do not contain material misstatements.

This procedure is provided for by clauses 15, 17 FSAD 1/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n.

A modified opinion can be expressed in the following forms:

qualified opinion;

refusal to express an opinion;

negative opinion.

This is stated in clause 1 of the FSAD 2/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n.

The auditor should express a qualified opinion if:

Sufficient evidence has been obtained that the effect of misstatements, considered individually or in aggregate, is material, but does not affect most significant elements accounting (financial) statements;

the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient audit evidence on which to base his opinion. At the same time, the auditor can conclude that the effect of undetected misstatements is significant, but does not affect most of the significant elements of the accounting (financial) statements.

This is stated in clause 13 of FSAD 2/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n.

The auditor should refuse to express an opinion when he is unable to obtain sufficient evidence on which to base his opinion. At the same time, he concludes that the influence of undetected misstatements is significant and affects most of the significant elements of the accounting (financial) statements (clause 16 FSAD 2/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n).

The auditor must express a negative opinion upon obtaining sufficient evidence that the detected misstatements can significantly affect the state of the accounting (financial) statements and most of its significant elements (clause 15 FSAD 2/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n ).

Situation: Should the auditing organization verify the correctness of the calculation of taxes and reflect the results of such verification in the auditor's report?

The answer to this question depends on the purpose of the audit (reflected in the contract).

As a rule, the auditor checks the procedure for the formation of accounting (financial) statements (part 3 of article 1 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ). At the same time, the auditor can also check the issues related to the calculation of taxes. This must be done as part of checking the correctness of the reflection of transactions on account 68 "Calculations for taxes and fees" and account 69 "Calculations for social insurance and provision ”. However, in this case, the auditor only selectively checks the essential aspects of calculating taxes (FSAD 1/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n).

If an organization needs to conduct a full tax audit, this must be directly stated in the contract. The procedure for conducting a tax audit is established in the Auditing Methodology “Tax audit and other related services on tax issues. Communication with tax authorities "(approved by the Audit Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on July 11, 2000, Minutes No. 1).

Based on the results of the check, errors and violations of the law may be revealed. Before drawing up the auditor's report, the auditors should inform the management of the organization. This is stated in paragraph 52 of the Rule (standard) No. 13, approved by the Government of the Russian Federation of September 23, 2002 No. 696. The reason for violations of accounting and reporting, they can describe in a document drawn up in any form (for example, in the form of a report) ... After reviewing this document, employees of the organization should correct errors. If the organization refuses to remedy the violations, then the auditors will not be able to express an unmodified opinion in the report. This conclusion follows from clause 15 of the FSAD 1/2010, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated May 20, 2010 No. 46n.

Situation: is it possible to bring the audit organization to justice, if as a result tax audit the site checked by the auditor, violations were identified and fines and penalties were charged?

Yes, you can.

However, in practice, it is rather difficult to prove that the accrual of fines and penalties occurred precisely because of the auditor's error.

The contract for the provision of audit services is reimbursable (Article 779 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, clause 3 of part 2 of article 14, part 2 of article 8 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ). Per improper performance services, the organization may demand from the audit company compensation for losses (even if it is not spelled out in the contract). This follows from paragraph 1 of Article 393 Civil Code RF. If, as a result of a tax audit, violations are revealed and additional taxes, penalties and fines are charged, then you can try to collect fines from the audit organization. As for the additionally accrued taxes and penalties, they cannot be regarded as a loss to the organization. This follows from the ruling of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of December 17, 1996 No. 20-P.

However, in arbitration practice, there are cases where penalties should not be considered a loss, since there is no connection between the quality of the auditor's work and the fine. For example, the FAS decree Ural district dated August 29, 2006 No. Ф09-7480 / 06-С4.

Advice: in order to avoid disputes with the audit company, make a clear clause on the responsibility of the audit organization in the service agreement.

Conditions such as "The audit company is liable in accordance with applicable law" or "The contractor is financially responsible for the damage caused to the customer in the event of an unqualified audit" do not provide a guarantee of damages. The auditor is not responsible for the fact that distortions of the accounting (financial) statements were not detected, if this could not affect the auditor's opinion regarding the reliability of the accounting (financial) statements as a whole. This conclusion is confirmed by arbitration practice (see, for example, the resolution of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Volgo-Vyatka District of September 6, 2006 No. А39-8206 / 2005-120 / 17).

Most the best option is an indication that if, as a result of a tax audit of a site approved by the auditor, violations were identified, then the audit company must pay a penalty. In this case, the audited organization is not obliged to prove the infliction of losses on it due to the poor-quality work of the auditor (clause 1 of article 330 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).

In addition, the audit company can insure its professional liability for violation of the terms of the contract (clause 4.1, part 1, article 13 of the Law of December 30, 2008 No. 307-FZ). In this case, the damages from the fine will be paid Insurance Company... Study the rules of insurance of these risks, which have been established by the insurer. Disputes and disagreements, most likely, can be avoided if the insurance rules expressly write: “The insurer compensates for the risks associated with sanctions that tax office imposes on the consumer audit and related services. "

Hello dear readers of the blog site. Among the multitude economic terms that have firmly entered our life, not the last place is taken by audit (audit).

It happens different types and there may be many reasons for its implementation, but all this has one thing in common - the real demand for such services in the market.

Today we will learn what it is, when an audit is carried out voluntarily, and in what cases it is mandatory. Well, we will also consider the specifics of the work of audit companies and the methodology for conducting inspections by them.

Despite the seeming "boring" topic, it will be interesting. Don't switch ...

An audit is a voluntary check to improve performance

Audit is an audit of the financial and economic activities of an enterprise. The main purpose of the audit is to study and analyze the reliability of financial statements.

All products manufactured by the enterprise and the projects that it implements can also be analyzed. An audit is very similar to a control review or audit, but with a different purpose.

The main task of the audit is identifying errors and finding ways their elimination. Unlike an audit, which is always compulsory, an audit can be carried out on a voluntary basis in order to improve performance.

There are many different types and directions of audit. For example, in relation to the audited organization, external, internal and proactive audit can be distinguished.

Regular audit allows you to dynamically assess the financial and economic activities of the enterprise, increase the level of trust, and reduce tax risks.

During the audit, recommendations are developed with the help of which you can optimize business processes.

Audit objects may include:

. , labor resources such as copyright or property rights;
the results of the enterprise... as well as individual production processes and lines. raw materials. Volumes of blanks and finished products produced;
methods of organization and management, and their cost-effectiveness (eg planning and control).

The management of the company is interested in any type of audit, including mandatory.

In its course, the correctness of the conduct accounting statements, labor agreements in terms of their compliance with the law.

The audit, rather, is of an advisory nature, which follows even from the very translation of this word from Latin. Audit means listening.

When an audit is mandatory

Mandatory audit procedure is in the following cases:

credit and insurance communities, joint stock groups, state and municipal unitary enterprises, market participants valuable papers are required to undergo an audit annually;
companies, the volume of revenue of which for the year is 500,000 thousand times;
company assets at the end of the year exceed the minimum wage 200,000 times;
the assets and profits of the LLC exceeded the norm set by the charter.

Mandatory audit is carried out only by specialized companies, private specialists do not have such powers.

Auditing evaluates how resources, costs, volume of production, and the final profit of the enterprise are related.

Let's say everything is in order with resources and expenses, but the profit is too small. Specialist - will analyze production processes and management system. It is not at all necessary that the firm will be exposed to fraud or malicious intent.

More often, the problem lies in the inability to optimize processes and in management errors, which will be noted by the auditor.

Audit concept

The most common reason for an audit is a change in the composition of the founders of an enterprise, or a change in ownership.

After the audit, an opinion is issued (if the audit was mandatory) or an audit report, with conclusions and recommendations. The audit itself is performed in accordance with a proven algorithm.

At the stage of organization and planning to the auditor documentation provided: tax and accounting reports, with the help of which you can get an idea of the activities of the enterprise in all its areas. An audit plan is drawn up and its risks are identified.

In the next step, control procedures: controls are checked for compliance, applicability for specific conditions.

Based on the results of the inspections, conclusions are formulated about the reliability of the facts specified in the documents, and how the documents correspond regulations... At the end it is prepared final document, which summarizes all the evidence, it is provided to the management of the enterprise.

The peculiarity of the audit is the limited time frame for it.

Audit methods

Research, including external inspection of equipment and technology, for example, weighing materials, semi-finished products; laboratory tests, allowing you to assess compliance with quality.
Comparison... The actual state of the object is compared with the way it appears in regulatory documents... For example, equipment that has worn out its resource can be declared as new. Or unnecessary operations or manipulations with raw materials are reflected in the technological process.
Analytical - the result of listening.

In addition, general scientific methods are used, such as experiments, calculations, polls, and special ones that are specific only to this area.

Activity of audit companies

The directions of audit activity can be different, and are determined by the specifics of the enterprise, and the purpose of the audit.

Financial audit... The economic condition of the enterprise is checked, the reliability and development prospects are assessed.
Investment... Audit investment funds and participants.
Industrial... Comprehensive check of the financial and technical condition of the enterprise. The amount of work actually performed and their correlation with those declared in the documents are determined. The accuracy of compliance with the requirements of building or production codes and regulations is revealed.
Managerial... Diagnostics of the enterprise management system - its production, commercial and social activities.

In addition to the general directions of auditing, there are a number of highly specialized ones. Most requested:

operational audit... Checking the management system - estimates, target programs,;
personnel audit... The personnel potential of the company is assessed, its compliance with development goals;
... Comprehensive check of a network resource for compliance with the requirements of search engines;
ecological... Assessment of compliance with environmental standards and requirements, preparation of necessary recommendations.

Conclusion

The need for audit services arose due to conflicts of interests between the management of the enterprise and investors, shareholders, hired personnel, that is, those whose welfare is determined by the final profit.

If the managers' report is not enough to make decisions, and more objective information is required, then the best solution is to contact an audit agency to identify errors.

Good luck to you! See you soon on the pages of the blog site