Role and Objectives of Auditing, Auditing Notes B.Com 6th Sem CBCS Pattern

Role and Objectives of Auditing

Auditing Notes B.Com 6th Sem CBCS Pattern

Auditing Important Topics

Objectives of Auditing (Role of Auditing) 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017  VVI

Auditors are basically concerned with verifying whether the account exhibit true and fair view of the business. The objectives of auditing depend upon the purpose of his appointment. There are two main objectives of auditing.

1.       Primary objective and

2.       Secondary or incidental objective.

Primary Objective: 

The primary objective of an auditor is to respect to the owners of his business expressing his opinion whether account exhibits true and fair view of the state of affairs of the business. It should be remembered that in case of a company, he reports to the shareholders who are the owners of the company and not tot the director. The auditor is also concerned with verifying how far the accounting system is successful in correctly recording transactions. He had to see whether accounts are prepared in accordance with recognized accounting policies and practices and as per statutory requirements.

Secondary Objective: 

The following objectives are incidental to the main objective of auditing:

A) Detection and prevention of errors: 

Errors are mistakes committed unintentionally because of ignorance, carelessness. Errors are of many types:

a.       Errors of Omission: These are the errors which arise on account of transaction into being recorded in the books of accounts either wholly partially. If a transaction has been totally omitted it will not affect trial balance and hence it is more difficult to detect. On the other hand if a transaction is partially recorded, the trial balance will not agree and hence it can be easily detected.

b.       Errors of Commission: When incorrect entries are made in the books of accounts either wholly, partially such errors are known as errors of commission. E.g.: wrong entries, wrong Calculations, postings, carry forwards etc such errors can be located while verifying.

c.       Compensating Errors: when two/more mistakes are committed which counter balances each other. Such an error is known as Compensating Error. E.g.: if the amount is wrongly debited by Rs 100 less and Wrongly Credited by Rs 100 such a mistake is known as compensating error.

d.       Errors of Principles (2015): These are the errors committed by not properly following the accounting principles. These arise mainly due to the lack of knowledge of accounting. E.g.: Revenue expenditure may be treated as Capital Expenditure.

e.       Clerical Errors; A clerical error is one which arises on account of ignorance, carelessness, negligence etc.

f.        Location of Errors: It is not the duty of the auditor to identify the errors but in the process of verifying accounts, he may discover the errors in the accounts. The auditor should follow the following procedure in this regard:

                                 i.      Check the trial balance.

                               ii.      Compare list of debtors and creditors with the trial balance.

                             iii.      Compare the names of account appearing in the ledger with the names of accounting in the trial balance.

                             iv.      Check the totals and balances of all accounts and see that they have been properly shown in the trial balance.

                               v.      Check the posting of entries from various books into ledger.

B) Detection and Prevention of Fraud: 

A fraud is an Error committed intentionally to deceive/ to mislead/ to conceal the truth/ the material fact. Frauds may be of 3 types.

a.       Misappropriation of Cash: This is one of the majored frauds in any organisation it normally occurs in the cash department. This kind of fraud is either by showing more payments/ less receipt. The cashier may show more expenses than what is actually incurred and misuse the extra cash. E.g.: showing wages to dummy workers. Cash can also be misappropriated by showing less receipts E.g.: not recording cash sales. Not allowing discounts to customers. The cashier may also misappropriate the cash when it is received. Cash received from 1st customer is misused when the 2nd customer pays it is transferred to the 1st customer’s account. When the 3rd customer pays it goes forever. Such a fraud is known as “Teaming and Lading”. To prevent such frauds the auditor must check in detail all books and documents, vouchers, invoices etc. 

b.       Misappropriation of Goods: Here records may be made for the goods not purchase not issued to production department, goods may be used for personal purpose. Such a fraud can be deducted by checking stock records and physical verification of goods. 

c.       Manipulation of Accounts: this is finalizing accounts with the intention of misleading others. This is also known as “WINDOWS DRESSING”. It is very difficult to locate because it is usually committed by higher level management such as directors. The objective of WD may be to evade tax, to borrow money from bank, to increase the share price etc.To conclude it can be said that, it is not the main objective of the auditor to discover frauds and irregularities. He is not an insurance against frauds and errors. But if he finds anything of a suspicious nature, he should probe it to the full.

Also Read: Auditing Important Topics for Upcoming Exams