ICAI clarification on applicability of SA 700 on tax audit reports_44AB of ITA - SA 700 deferred by a year only for the limited purpose of tax audit report (emphasis supplied)

ICAI Announcement

Clarification Regarding Applicability of SA 700 on Tax Audit Report under Section 44AB of The Income-Tax Act, 1961. - (05-07-2013) 

As the members are aware that all audit reports in respect of audits of financial statements for period beginning on or after 1st April 2012 are to be issued in accordance with the requirements of SA 700(Revised) - Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements. In this regard, ICAI has been receiving mails seeking clarification regarding applicability of SA 700 on tax audit reports, i.e. Form No. 3CA/3CB.

Considering the fact that all tax audit reports are now mandatorily required to be filed online and that the format of tax audit report is prescribed by the Central Government, the Council in its 325th meeting held from 1st June to 3rd June, 2013 decided to defer the applicability of SA-700 (Revised) on the tax audit report under section 44AB of the Income-tax Act,1961 by one year i.e. the requirements of SA-700(Revised) are not applicable for tax audit reports filed up to 31st March, 2014.

ICAI is further taking up the matter with the appropriate authorities so that suitable changes can be brought in the forms relating to tax audit.

Source:  http://www.icai.org/new_post.html?post_id=9687&c_id=219

IAASB Seeks Global Views on Enhancing the Value of Auditor Reporting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Laura E. Wilker

Head of Communications

+1-212-471-8707

(Mobile) +1-914-646-3957

laurawilker@ifac.org

IAASB SEEKS GLOBAL VIEWS ON ENHANCING THE VALUE OF AUDITOR REPORTING

(New York/May 16, 2011) – The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released its consultation paper, Enhancing the Value of Auditor Reporting: Exploring Options for Change, to obtain views on enhancing the quality, relevance and value of auditor reporting on an international basis.

The consultation paper seeks to determine whether there are common views among users of audited financial statements and other stakeholders about the usefulness of auditor reporting. It describes issues with current financial reporting, including a perceived “information gap,” identified by some stakeholders. It then sets out possible options for change and seeks input as to whether such options might be effective in enhancing auditor reporting and the communicative value of the auditor’s report.

“The auditor communicates to financial statement users primarily through the auditor's report,” noted Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB Chairman. “Over the past several years, the IAASB has developed International Standards on Auditing addressing auditor communication and reporting with the aim to address the expectations gap and, more recently, to promote international consistency in auditor reporting. The IAASB believes that now is the time for a more fundamental review of auditor reporting to ensure, in the public interest, that it can meet the information needs of financial statement users in a global business environment with increasingly complex financial reporting requirements.”

The IAASB is also seeking information about the potential implications of changes in auditor reporting, as well as about possible implementation challenges. The paper recognizes that not all of the options explored are able to be implemented by the IAASB on its own—some would require collaboration with national standard setters, regulators and/or legislators to develop or implement.

“This consultation is aimed at gathering views from around the world to inform the IAASB about whether there is consensus about the need to enhance auditor reporting and, if so, how an enhanced model might be achieved,” said James Gunn, IAASB Technical Director. “Investors and financial analysts have signalled to us they want additional, and more pertinent, information for their decision making. The IAASB wants to better understand these views as well the views of others, including users of audited financial statements of small- and medium-sized entities and public sector organizations, preparers, auditors and other key participants in the financial reporting process.”

How to Comment
The IAASB invites all stakeholders to respond to its consultation paper. To access the onsultation paper or submit a comment, visit the IAASB’s website atwww.iaasb.org/ExposureDrafts.php. Comments on the Consultation Paper are requested by September 16, 2011.