CA FINAL
132 Points
Joined December 2008
The tax auditor must obtain detailed management representations on all matters which are required to be considered and reported upon by him, while giving his tax audit report. He should obtain from the assessee, the statement of particulars in Form No. 3CD duly authenticated by the assessee.
However, the tax auditor should verify the particulars himself and cannot depend solely on the management representations.
The tax auditor has to attach a report of statutory audit if it has been carried under any other law by an auditor other than the tax auditor. He is not responsible for the particulars stated therein. His primary responsibility is verification of the particulars prescribed in Form No. 3CD and he should ensure that the particulars stated are in conformity with the provisions of the Income-tax Act.
However, while conducting tax audit he is unable to agree with the treatment given to a particular item in the audited financial statement, he should first ascertain preferably from the statutory auditor, the reasons for his giving such a treatment in his statement. It is possible that statutory auditor might have dealt with the item from the angle of generally accepted accounting principle or statutory provisions covering the entity.
The tax auditor should verify and ensure that particulars in respect of the above items are based on statutory provision and judicial pronouncements. However, any difference between the figures given in the audited financial statements and figures given in Form No. 3CD should be explained by giving appropriate notes. If, however, there is any difference in the opinion of the tax auditor and that of the entity in respect of any information furnished in Form No. 3CD, the tax auditor should state both the view points and also the relevant information.