Explanatory Memorandum on Applicability of Audit Quality Maturity Model



Quick Summary
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released an Exposure Draft for the Audit Quality Maturity Model (AQMM v1.0). This model is designed to help sole proprietors and audit firms self-assess their audit maturity, identify strengths and weaknesses, and create a plan for improvement. Initially recommendatory, the AQMM v1.0 will be reviewed for mandatory implementation after one year. The draft is open for public comments until June 10, 2021, with the final version expected on July 1, 2021.

Exposure Draft of the Audit Quality Maturity Model - Version 1.0 (AQMM v1.0)

Explanatory Memorandum on Applicability of Audit Quality Maturity Model - Version 1.0 (AQMM v1.0)

The Audit Quality Maturity Model -Version 1.0 (AQMM v1.0) is a capacity building measure initiated by ICAI and the objective of this Evaluation Matrix is for sole proprietors and Audit firms to be able to self-evaluate their current level of Audit Maturity, identify areas where competencies are good or lacking and then develop a road map for upgrading to a higher level of maturity.

In the Council meeting held on January 9, 2021 it was decided that the both the Peer Review Board and the Centre for Audit Quality (CAQ) would need to develop the ecosystem which is acceptable to both and such collaborative approach would have the advantage of the CAQ developing the quality standards and Peer Review Board testing the said standards. Using the above-mentioned collaborative approach, the AQMM v1.0 would be recommendatory initially and after 1 year the Council will review the date from which it would become mandatory.

Firms auditing following entities are covered in AQMM v1.0:
(a) A listed entity; or
(b) Banks other than co-operative banks (except multi-state co-operative banks)
(c) Insurance Companies

However, firms doing only branch audits are not covered.

This AQMM v1.0 is being shared with various stakeholders as an Exposure Draft and will be available for public comments for a period of 15 days. The Centre for Audit Quality (CAQ) will release the final AQMM v1.0 on July 1, 2021, after incorporating the comments received from stakeholders.

The CAQ encourages you to fill up the checklist and self-assess your audit quality maturity level. We recommend that your firm try to enhance its competencies every quarter as there is always scope for improvement. We wish you all the best in your journey!

The above-mentioned Exposure Draft is hosted on the website of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (www.icai.org) for public comments with last date as June 10, 2021. The comment period on the proposal is kept short to expedite the process of considering issuance of this practical relief in time.

Audit Quality Maturity Model: Applicability Explained

How to comment

Comments should be submitted through email to caq.comments@icai.in so as to be received not later than June 10, 2021. Further clarifications on this Exposure Draft may be sought by e-mail to caq@icai.in.

The Exposure Draft of the Audit Quality Maturity Model - Version 1.0 (AQMM v1.0) can be accessed here

FAQ :

The AQMM v1.0 is a capacity building measure by the ICAI that allows sole proprietors and audit firms to self-evaluate their audit maturity, identify areas for improvement, and develop a roadmap for enhancement.

Firms auditing listed entities, banks (excluding co-operative banks except multi-state ones), and insurance companies are covered. Firms conducting only branch audits are not included.

Initially, AQMM v1.0 is recommendatory. The Council will review data after one year to decide on a mandatory implementation date.

Comments should be submitted via email to caq.comments@icai.in by June 10, 2021. The Exposure Draft is available on the ICAI website (www.icai.org).

The Centre for Audit Quality (CAQ) plans to release the final AQMM v1.0 on July 1, 2021, after considering stakeholder feedback.




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