An audit of a company's financial statements is called an audit. It is usually presented in the company's annual report, which is prepared by auditors. It usually refers to a specific past billing period. The audit report based on a selective review of company performance is the mandatory requirement upon completion of the audit. The report contains an income statement, a balance sheet, a statement of changes in equity and a cash flow statement and notes with a summary of the significant accounting methods in the notes.
An audit reflects the company's financial condition at a given point in time, including information about whether everything owned and owed by a company has been correctly recognized in the balance sheet and its losses and profits have been correctly assessed. The financial report must be prepared according to certain legal requirements. When the report is prepared, it must be approved by the company's executives (e.g. the board of directors) by giving a verdict on its accuracy.
Audits may also include: asking formal and informal questions, examining a company's tangible assets such as mechanical and electrical equipment, obtaining written confirmations, testing and monitoring specific procedures carried out on company premises.
Audit Standards
The standards for proper auditing of financial reporting are set by a government. There are International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) available on the internet that provide clear statements that auditors should consider. They consist of Introduction, Objectives, Definitions, Requirements expressed by the phrase “the auditor shall”, Application and other explanatory material.
There is also an e-Handbook of International Quality Control, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance, and Related Services Pronouncements, published December 2016, available on the web with translations in English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Danish, French, Georgian, French, Kazakh , Italian, Serbian, Russian, Spanish and Thai (see https://www.ifac.org/publications-resources/2016-2017-handbook-international-quality-control-auditing-review-other for more information). It includes Consideration of Laws and Regulations in the Audit of Financial Statements and Amendments and other international standards consisting of New Requirements Addressing Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations (NOCLAR) in the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.
Core Principles of Auditing
There are general principles and responsibilities related to general auditing standards and functions of the independent auditor AS 1001. For example, considering materiality in planning and performing an audit that directly affects the determination of the financial statements. AS 1005 states that independence in mental attitude must be maintained by the auditor or auditors. AS 1010, which specifies the education and qualifications of the independent auditor and states that an independent auditor is one who has knowledge of accounting and auditing. AS 1015, Explanation of requirements for professional diligence in the performance of work. Other sections of auditing standards include general concepts. They contain a detailed description of audit risk, audit evidence and the relationship of audit standards to quality control standards. General activities describe the monitoring of the audit engagement, the audit documentation, the use of an expert and the quality check of the engagement. Auditor's notices describe communications with audit committees and notices of control weaknesses in an audit. Audit procedures include audit planning, reporting and risk assessment. The auditor's reporting includes requirements for reports, annual accounts and dates. Matters related to filings under federal securities laws and other matters related to audits include a view on responsibilities and reviews of financial information.