SA 700 (Revised)

FORMING AN OPINION AND REPORTING ON

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Effective for all audits relating to
accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 20111)

Contents
Paragraph(s)
Introduction
Scope of this SA.....................................................................................1-4
Effective Date ........................................................................................... 5
Objectives ................................................................................................ 6
Definitions ............................................................................................7-9
Requirements
Forming an Opinion on the Financial Statements .............................10-15
Form of Opinion ................................................................................16-19
Auditors Report ................................................................................20-45
Supplementary Information Presented with the
Financial Statements .........................................................................46-47
Application and Other Explanatory Material
Qualitative Aspects of the Entitys Accounting Practices ................. A1-A3
Disclosure of the Effect of Material Transactions and Events on the
Information Conveyed in the Financial Statements ...............................A4

Published in February, 2010 issue of the Journal.

The Council of the ICAI, in partial modification of the decision taken by it at its 291st meeting
held in December 2009, has decided that the effective date/applicability of three standards viz SA
700 (Revised), SA 705 and SA 706 be postponed by one year and consequently the said
Standards shall now be effective/applicable for audits of financial statements for periods beginning
on or after 1st April, 2012 (instead of audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after
1st April, 2011 as was earlier decided).

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

Description of the Applicable Financial Reporting Framework ....... A5-A10
Form of Opinion ........................................................................... A11-A12
Auditors Report ........................................................................... A13-A43
Supplementary Information Presented with the
Financial Statements..................................................................... A44-A50
Material Modifications vis-a-vis ISA 700, Forming an Opinion and
Reporting on Financial Statements
Appendix: Illustrative Formats of Auditors Reports on Financial
Statements

Standard on Auditing (SA) 700 (Revised), Forming an Opinion and Reporting

on Financial Statements, should be read in the context of the Preface to the
Standards on Quality Control, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance and Related
Services2, which sets out the authority of SAs and SA 200, Overall Objectives
of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of an Audit in Accordance with
Standards on Auditing3.

Published in July, 2007 issue of the Journal.

Published in March, 2010 issue of the Journal.

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

Introduction
Scope of this SA
1. This Standard on Auditing (SA) deals with the auditors responsibility to
form an opinion on the financial statements. It also deals with the form and
content of the auditors report issued as a result of an audit of financial
statements.
2. SA 7054 and SA 7065 deal with how the form and content of the auditors
report are affected when the auditor expresses a modified opinion or includes an
Emphasis of Matter paragraph or an Other Matter paragraph in the auditors
report.
3. This SA is written in the context of a complete set of general purpose
financial statements. SA 8006 deals with special considerations when financial
statements are prepared in accordance with a special purpose framework. SA
8057 deals with special considerations relevant to an audit of a single financial
statement or of a specific element, account or item of a financial statement.
4. This SA promotes consistency in the auditors report. Consistency in the
auditors report, when the audit has been conducted in accordance with SAs,
promotes credibility in the global marketplace by making more readily identifiable
those audits that have been conducted in accordance with globally recognised
standards. It also helps to promote the users understanding and to identify
unusual circumstances when they occur.

Effective Date

5. This SA is effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning

on or after April 1, 2011.

Objectives
6. The objectives of the auditor are to:
(a) Form an opinion on the financial statements based on an evaluation of the
conclusions drawn from the audit evidence obtained; and
(b) Express clearly that opinion through a written report that also describes the
basis for the opinion.
4

SA 705, Modifications to the Opinion in the Independent Auditors Report.

SA 706, Emphasis of Matter Paragraphs and Other Matter Paragraphs in the Independent
Auditors Report.
6 SA 800, Special ConsiderationsAudits of Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with
Special Purpose Frameworks.
7 SA 805, Special ConsiderationsAudits of Single Financial Statements and Specific Elements,
Accounts or Items of a Financial Statement.
5

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

Definitions
7. For purposes of the SAs, the following terms have the meanings attributed
below:
(a) General purpose financial statements Financial statements prepared in
accordance with a general purpose framework8.
(b) General purpose framework A financial reporting framework designed to
meet the common financial information needs of a wide range of users. The
financial reporting framework may be a fair presentation framework or a
compliance framework.
The term fair presentation framework is used to refer to a financial
reporting framework that requires compliance with the requirements of the
framework and:
(i)

Acknowledges explicitly or implicitly that, to achieve fair presentation

of the financial statements, it may be necessary for management to
provide disclosures beyond those specifically required by the
framework; or

(ii)

Acknowledges explicitly that it may be necessary for management

to depart from a requirement of the framework to achieve fair
presentation of the financial statements. Such departures are
expected to be necessary only in extremely rare circumstances.

The term compliance framework is used to refer to a financial reporting

framework that requires compliance with the requirements of the
9
framework, but does not contain the acknowledgements in (i) or (ii) above .
(c)

Unmodified opinion The opinion expressed by the auditor when the

auditor concludes that the financial statements are prepared, in all material
respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework10.

8. Reference to financial statements in this SA means a complete set of

general purpose financial statements, including the related notes. The related
notes ordinarily comprise a summary of significant accounting policies and other
8

Paragraph 3.4 of the Revised Preface to the Statements of Accounting Standards issued by the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 2004 states as follows:
The term General Purpose Financial Statements includes balance sheet, statement of
profit and loss, a cash flow statement (wherever applicable) and statements and
explanatory notes which form part thereof, issued for the use of various stakeholders,
Governments and their agencies and the public.
9 SA 200, Paragraph 13(a).
10
Paragraphs 35-36 deal with the phrases used to express this opinion in the case of a fair
presentation framework and a compliance framework respectively.

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

explanatory information. The requirements of the applicable financial reporting

framework determine the form and content of the financial statements, and what
constitutes a complete set of financial statements.
9. Reference to Financial Reporting Standards in this SA means the
Accounting Standards issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
(ICAI) or Accounting Standards, notified by the Central Government by
publishing the same as the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, or
the Accounting Standards for Local Bodies issued by the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of India, as may be applicable.

Requirements
Forming an Opinion on the Financial Statements
10. The auditor shall form an opinion on whether the financial statements are
prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial
reporting framework.11 & 12
11. In order to form that opinion, the auditor shall conclude as to whether the
auditor has obtained reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud
or error. That conclusion shall take into account:
(a) The auditors conclusion, in accordance with SA 330, whether sufficient
appropriate audit evidence has been obtained;13
(b) The auditors conclusion, in accordance with SA 450, whether uncorrected
misstatements are material, individually or in aggregate;14 and
(c)

The evaluations required by paragraphs 12-15.

12. The auditor shall evaluate whether the financial statements are prepared, in
all material respects, in accordance with the requirements of the applicable
financial reporting framework. This evaluation shall include consideration of the
qualitative aspects of the entitys accounting practices, including indicators of
possible bias in managements judgments. (Ref: Para. A1-A3)
13. In particular, the auditor shall evaluate whether, in view of the requirements
of the applicable financial reporting framework:
(a) The financial statements adequately disclose the significant accounting
11

SA 200, paragraph 11.

Paragraphs 35-36 deal with the phrases used to express this opinion in the case of a fair
presentation framework and a compliance framework, respectively.
13
SA 330, The Auditors Responses to Assessed Risks, paragraph 26.
14 SA 450, Evaluation of Misstatements Identified during the Audit, paragraph 11.
12

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

policies selected and applied;

(b) The accounting policies selected and applied are consistent with the
applicable financial reporting framework and are appropriate;
(c)

The accounting estimates made by management are reasonable;

(d) The information presented in the financial statements is relevant, reliable,

comparable and understandable;
(e) The financial statements provide adequate disclosures to enable the
intended users to understand the effect of material transactions and events
on the information conveyed in the financial statements; and (Ref: Para.
A4)
(f)

The terminology used in the financial statements, including the title of each
financial statement, is appropriate.

14. When the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a fair
presentation framework, the evaluation required by paragraphs 12-13 shall also
include whether the financial statements achieve fair presentation. The auditors
evaluation as to whether the financial statements achieve fair presentation shall
include consideration of:
(a) The overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements;
and
(b) Whether the financial statements, including the related notes, represent the
underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair
presentation.
15. The auditor shall evaluate whether the financial statements adequately
refer to or describe the applicable financial reporting framework. (Ref: Para. A5A10)

Form of Opinion
16. The auditor shall express an unmodified opinion when the auditor
concludes that the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
17. If the auditor:
(a) concludes that, based on the audit evidence obtained, the financial
statements as a whole are not free from material misstatement; or
(b) is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to conclude that the
financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, the
auditor shall modify the opinion in the auditors report in accordance with
SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

SA 705.
18. If financial statements prepared in accordance with the requirements of a
fair presentation framework do not achieve fair presentation, the auditor shall
discuss the matter with management and, depending on the requirements of the
applicable financial reporting framework and how the matter is resolved, shall
determine whether it is necessary to modify the opinion in the auditors report in
accordance with SA 705. (Ref: Para. A11)
19. When the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a
compliance framework, the auditor is not required to evaluate whether the
financial statements achieve fair presentation. However, if in extremely rare
circumstances the auditor concludes that such financial statements are
misleading, the auditor shall discuss the matter with management and,
depending on how it is resolved, shall determine whether, and how, to
communicate it in the auditors report. (Ref: Para. A12)

Auditors Report
20. The auditors report shall be in writing. (Ref: Para. A13-A14)
Auditors Report for Audits Conducted in Accordance with Standards on
Auditing
Title
21. The auditors report shall have a title that clearly indicates that it is the
report of an independent auditor. (Ref: Para. A15)
Addressee
22. The auditors report shall be addressed as required by the circumstances of
the engagement. (Ref: Para. A16)
Introductory Paragraph
23. The introductory paragraph in the auditors report shall: (Ref: Para. A17A19)
(a) Identify the entity whose financial statements have been audited;
(b) State that the financial statements have been audited;
(c)

Identify the title of each statement that comprises the financial statements;

(d) Refer to the summary of significant accounting policies and other

explanatory information; and
(e) Specify the date or period covered by each financial statement comprising
the financial statements.
SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements

24. This section of the auditors report describes the responsibilities of those in
the organisation that are responsible for the preparation of the financial
statements. The auditors report need not refer specifically to management, but
shall use the term that is appropriate in the context of the legal and/or regulatory
framework applicable to the entity. In case of some entities, the appropriate
reference may be to those charged with governance*.
25. The auditors report shall include a section with the heading Managements
[or other appropriate term] Responsibility for the Financial Statements.
26. The auditors report shall describe managements responsibility for the
preparation of the financial statements in the manner in which that responsibility
is described in the terms of the audit engagement. The description shall include
an explanation that management is responsible for the preparation of the
financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting
framework; this responsibility includes the design, implementation and
maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation of financial statements
that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. (Ref:
Para. A20-A22)
27. Where the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a fair
presentation framework, the explanation of managements responsibility for the
financial statements in the auditors report shall refer to the preparation and fair
presentation of these financial statements or the preparation of financial
statements that give a true and fair view, as appropriate in the circumstances.
Auditors Responsibility
28. The auditors report shall include a section with the heading Auditors
Responsibility.
29. The auditors report shall state that the responsibility of the auditor is to
express an opinion on the financial statements based on the audit. (Ref: Para.
A23)
30. The auditors report shall state that the audit was conducted in accordance
with Standards on Auditing issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India. The auditors report shall also explain that those Standards require that the
auditor comply with ethical requirements and that the auditor plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free from material misstatement. (Ref: Para. A24-A25)
*

For example, the Board of Directors under the Companies Act, 1956.

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

31. The auditors report shall describe an audit by stating that:

(a) An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements;
(b) The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk
assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entitys
preparation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures
that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entitys internal control. In
circumstances when the auditor also has a responsibility to express an
opinion on the effectiveness of internal control in conjunction with the audit
of the financial statements, the auditor shall omit the phrase that the
auditors consideration of internal control is not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control; and
(c)

An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of the accounting

policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by
management, as well as the overall presentation of the financial
statements.

32. Where the financial statements are prepared in accordance with a fair
presentation framework, the description of the audit in the auditors report shall
refer to the entitys preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements
or the entitys preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view,
as appropriate in the circumstances.
33. The auditors report shall state whether the auditor believes that the audit
evidence the auditor has obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis
for the auditors opinion.
Auditors Opinion
34. The auditors report shall include a section with the heading Opinion.
35. When expressing an unmodified opinion on financial statements prepared
in accordance with a fair presentation framework, the auditors opinion shall,
unless otherwise required by law or regulation, use one of the following phrases,
which are regarded as being equivalent: (Ref: Para. A26-A32)
(a) The financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, in
accordance with [the applicable financial reporting framework]; or
(b) The financial statements give a true and fair view of in accordance with [the
SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

applicable financial reporting framework].

36. When expressing an unmodified opinion on financial statements
prepared in accordance with a compliance framework, the auditors opinion
shall be that the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with [the applicable financial reporting framework]. (Ref: Para.
A26, A28-A32)
37. If the reference to the applicable financial reporting framework, in the
auditors opinion, is not to the Accounting Standards issued by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) or Accounting Standards, notified by the
Central Government by publishing the same as the Companies (Accounting
Standards) Rules, 2006, or the Accounting Standards for Local Bodies issued by
the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, as may be applicable, the
auditors opinion shall identify the jurisdiction of origin of the framework.
Other Reporting Responsibilities
38. If the auditor addresses other reporting responsibilities in the auditors
report on the financial statements that are in addition to the auditors
responsibility under the SAs to report on the financial statements, these other
reporting responsibilities shall be addressed in a separate section in the auditors
report that shall be sub-titled Report on Other Legal and Regulatory
Requirements, or otherwise as appropriate to the content of the section. (Ref:
Para. A33-A34)
39. If the auditors report contains a separate section on other reporting
responsibilities, the headings, statements and explanations referred to in
paragraphs 23-37 shall be under the sub-title Report on the Financial
Statements. The Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements shall
follow the Report on the Financial Statements. (Ref: Para. A35)
Signature of the Auditor
40. The auditors report shall be signed. (Ref: Para. A36)
Date of the Auditors Report
41. The auditors report shall be dated no earlier than the date on which the
auditor has obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence on which to base the
auditors opinion on the financial statements, including evidence that: (Ref: Para.
A37-A40)
(a) All the statements that comprise the financial statements, including the
related notes, have been prepared; and
(b) Those with the recognised authority have asserted that they have taken
SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

responsibility for those financial statements.

Place of Signature
42. The auditors report shall name specific location, which is ordinarily the city
where the audit report is signed.
Auditors Report Prescribed by Law or Regulation
43. If the auditor is required by any law or regulation to use a specific layout or
wording of the auditors report, the auditors report shall refer to Standards on
Auditing only if the auditors report includes, at a minimum, each of the following
elements: (Ref: Para. A41)
(a) A title;
(b) An addressee, as required by the circumstances of the engagement;
(c)

An introductory paragraph that identifies the financial statements audited;

(d) A description of the responsibility of management (or other appropriate

term, see paragraph 24) for the preparation of the financial statements;
(e) A description of the auditors responsibility to express an opinion on the
financial statements and the scope of the audit, that includes:

(f)

A reference to Standards on Auditing and the law or regulation; and

A description of an audit in accordance with those Standards;

An opinion paragraph containing an expression of opinion on the financial

statements and a reference to the applicable financial reporting framework
used to prepare the financial statements (including identifying the
jurisdiction of origin of the financial reporting framework, see paragraph 37);

(g) The auditors signature;

(h) The date of the auditors report; and
(i)

The place of signature.

Auditors Report for Audits Conducted in Accordance with Both Auditing

Standards issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and
International Standards on Auditing
44. An auditor may be required to conduct an audit in accordance with the
auditing Standards issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (the
national auditing standards), but may additionally have complied with the
International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) in the conduct of the audit. If this is
the case, the auditors report may refer to International Standards on Auditing in
SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

addition to the national auditing standards, but the auditor shall do so only if:
(Ref: Para. A42-A43)
(a) There is no conflict between the requirements in the national auditing
standards and those in ISAs that would lead the auditor (i) to form a
different opinion, or (ii) not to include an Emphasis of Matter paragraph
that, in the particular circumstances, is required by ISAs; and
(b) The auditors report includes, at a minimum, each of the elements set out in
paragraph 43(a)-(i) when the auditor uses the layout or wording specified
by the national auditing standards. Reference to law or regulation in
paragraph 43(e) shall be read as reference to the national auditing
standards. The auditors report shall thereby identify such national auditing
standards.
45. When the auditors report refers to both the national auditing standards and
International Standards on Auditing, the auditors report shall identify the national
auditing standards being the Standards on Auditing issued by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India.

Supplementary Information Presented with the Financial Statements

(Ref: Para. A44-A50)
46. If supplementary information that is not required by the applicable financial
reporting framework is presented with the audited financial statements, the auditor
shall evaluate whether such supplementary information is clearly differentiated
from the audited financial statements. If such supplementary information is not
clearly differentiated from the audited financial statements, the auditor shall ask
management to change how the unaudited supplementary information is
presented. If management refuses to do so, the auditor shall explain in the
auditors report that such supplementary information has not been audited.
47. Supplementary information that is not required by the applicable financial
reporting framework but is nevertheless an integral part of the financial
statements because it cannot be clearly differentiated from the audited financial
statements due to its nature and how it is presented shall be covered by the
auditors opinion.
***

Application and Other Explanatory Material

Qualitative Aspects of the Entitys Accounting Practices (Ref:
Para. 12)
SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

A1. Management makes a number of judgments about the amounts and

disclosures in the financial statements.
A2. SA 260 contains a discussion of the qualitative aspects of accounting
practices15. In considering the qualitative aspects of the entitys accounting
practices, the auditor may become aware of possible bias in managements
judgments. The auditor may conclude that the cumulative effect of a lack of
neutrality, together with the effect of uncorrected misstatements, causes the
financial statements as a whole to be materially misstated. Indicators of a
lack of neutrality that may affect the auditors evaluation of whether the
financial statements as a whole are materially misstated include the
following:

The selective correction of misstatements brought to managements

attention during the audit (e.g., correcting misstatements with the effect
of increasing reported earnings, but not correcting misstatements that
have the effect of decreasing reported earnings).

Possible management bias in the making of accounting estimates.

A3. SA 540 addresses possible management bias in making accounting

estimates16. Indicators of possible management bias do not constitute
misstatements for purposes of drawing conclusions on the reasonableness of
individual accounting estimates. They may, however, affect the auditors
evaluation of whether the financial statements as a whole are free from
material misstatement.

Disclosure of the Effect of Material Transactions and Events on

the Information Conveyed in the Financial Statements (Ref: Para.
13(e))
A4. It is common for financial statements prepared in accordance with a
general purpose framework to present an entitys Balance Sheet, Statement
of Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statement. In such circumstances, the
auditor evaluates whether the financial statements provide adequate
disclosures to enable the intended users to understand the effect of material
transactions and events on the entitys state of affairs, results of operations
and cash flows.

Description of the Applicable Financial Reporting Framework (Ref:

Para. 15)
15

SA 260, Communication with Those Charged with Governance, Appendix.

16

SA 540, Auditing Accounting Estimates, Including Fair Value Accounting Estimates, and Related
Disclosures, paragraph 21.

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

A5. As explained in SA 200, management and, where appropriate, those

charged with governance have responsibility for the preparation of the
financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting
framework and for an adequate description of that framework in the financial
statements17. That description is important because it advises users of the
financial statements of the framework on which the financial statements are
based.
A6. A description that the financial statements are prepared in accordance
with a particular applicable financial reporting framework is appropriate only
if the financial statements comply with all the requirements of that framework
that are effective during the period covered by the financial statements.
A7. A description of the applicable financial reporting framework that
contains imprecise qualifying or limiting language (e.g., the financial
statements are in substantial compliance with Financial Reporting
Standards18) is not an adequate description of that framework as it may
mislead users of the financial statements.
Reference to More than One Financial Reporting Framework
A8. In some cases, the financial statements may represent that they are
prepared in accordance with two financial reporting frameworks (e.g., the
national framework and International Financial Reporting Standards). This
may be because management is required, or has chosen, to prepare the
financial statements in accordance with both frameworks, in which case both
are applicable financial reporting frameworks. Such description is appropriate
only if the financial statements comply with each of the frameworks
individually. To be regarded as being prepared in accordance with both
frameworks, the financial statements need to comply with both frameworks
simultaneously and without any need for reconciling statements. In practice,
simultaneous compliance is unlikely unless the jurisdiction has adopted the
other framework (e.g., International Financial Reporting Standards) as its
own national framework, or has eliminated all barriers to compliance with it.
A9. Financial statements that are prepared in accordance with one financial
reporting framework and that contain a note or supplementary statement
reconciling the results to those that would be shown under another
framework, are not prepared in accordance with that other framework. This is
SA 200, paragraphs A2-A3.
Accounting Standards issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) or
Accounting Standards, notified by the Central Government by publishing the same as the
Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, or the Accounting Standards for Local Bodies
issued by the ICAI, as may be applicable.
17
18

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Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

because the financial statements do not include all the information in the
manner required by that other framework.
A10. The financial statements may, however, be prepared in accordance with
one applicable financial reporting framework and, in addition, describe in the
notes to the financial statements the extent to which the financial statements
comply with another framework (e.g., financial statements prepared in
accordance with the national framework that also describe the extent to
which they comply with International Financial Reporting Standards). Such
description is supplementary financial information and, as discussed in
paragraph 47, is considered an integral part of the financial statements and,
accordingly, is covered by the auditors opinion.

Form of Opinion (Ref: Para. 18-19)

A11. There may be cases where the financial statements, although prepared
in accordance with the requirements of a fair presentation framework, do not
achieve fair presentation. Where this is the case, it may be possible for
management to include additional disclosures in the financial statements
beyond those specifically required by the framework or, in extremely rare
circumstances, to depart from a requirement in the framework in order to
achieve fair presentation of the financial statements.
A12. It will be extremely rare for the auditor to consider financial statements
that are prepared in accordance with a compliance framework to be
misleading if, in accordance with SA 210, the auditor determined that the
framework is acceptable19.

Auditors Report (Ref: Para. 20)

A13. A written report encompasses reports issued in hard copy format and
those using an electronic medium.
A14. The Appendix contains illustrations of auditors reports on financial
statements, incorporating the elements set forth in paragraphs 21-42.
Auditors Report for Audits Conducted in Accordance with Standards
on Auditing
Title (Ref: Para. 21)
A15. A title indicating the report is the report of an independent auditor, for
example, Independent Auditors Report, affirms that the auditor has met all
of the relevant ethical requirements regarding independence and, therefore,
19

SA 210, Agreeing the Terms of Audit Engagements, paragraph 6(a).

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

distinguishes the independent auditors report from reports issued by others.

Addressee (Ref: Para. 22)
A16. The law or regulation applicable to the entity often specifies to whom
the auditors report is to be addressed. The auditors report is normally
addressed to those for whom the report is prepared, often either to the
shareholders or to those charged with governance of the entity whose
financial statements are being audited.
Introductory Paragraph (Ref: Para. 23)
A17. The introductory paragraph states, for example, that the auditor has
audited the accompanying financial statements of the entity, which comprise
[state the title of each financial statement comprising the complete set of
financial statements required by the applicable financial reporting framework,
specifying the date or period covered by each financial statement] and
referring to the summary of significant accounting policies and other
explanatory information.
A18. When the auditor is aware that the audited financial statements will be
included in a document that contains other information, such as an annual
report, the auditor may consider, if the form of presentation allows,
identifying the page numbers on which the audited financial statements are
presented. This helps users to identify the financial statements to which the
auditors report relates.
A19. The auditors opinion covers the complete set of financial statements as
defined by the applicable financial reporting framework. For example, in the
case of many general purpose frameworks, the financial statements include:
a Balance Sheet, Statement of Profit and Loss, a Cash Flow Statement, and
a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory
information. In case of some entities, additional information might also be
considered to be an integral part of the financial statements.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements (Ref: Para. 26)
A20. SA 200 explains the premise, relating to the responsibilities of
management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance, on
which an audit in accordance with SAs is conducted 20. Management and,
where appropriate, those charged with governance are responsible for the
preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable
financial reporting framework. For example, in the case of many general
20

SA 200, paragraph 13(j).

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Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

purpose frameworks, management is responsible for the preparation of

financial statements that fairly present the financial position, financial
performance and cash flows of the entity in accordance with those
frameworks. This responsibility includes the design, implementation and
maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation of financial
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or
error. In some cases, law or regulation prescribing managements
responsibilities may specifically refer to a responsibility for the adequacy of
accounting books and records, or accounting system. As books, records and
systems are an integral part of internal control (as defined in SA 315 21) no
specific reference is made to them in paragraph 26 for the description of
managements responsibilities.
A21. There may be circumstances when it is appropriate for the auditor to
add to the description of managements responsibility in paragraph 26 to
reflect additional responsibilities that are relevant to the preparation of the
financial statements in the context of the particular jurisdiction or the nature
of the entity.
A22. SA 210 explains that, if law or regulation prescribes the responsibilities
of management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance in
relation to financial reporting, the auditor may determine that the law or
regulation includes responsibilities that are equivalent in effect to those set
out in SA 210. For such responsibilities that are equivalent, the auditor may
use the wording of the law or regulation to describe them in the engagement
letter or other suitable form of written agreement. For those that are not
prescribed by law or regulation such that their effect is equivalent, the
engagement letter or other suitable form of written agreement reflects the
description in SA 21022.
Auditors Responsibility (Ref: Para. 29-30)
A23. The auditors report states that the auditors responsibility is to express an
opinion on the financial statements based on the audit in order to contrast it to
managements responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements.
A24. The reference to the Standards used conveys to the users of the
auditors report that the audit has been conducted in accordance with
established Standards.
A25. In accordance with SA 200, the auditor does not represent compliance
SA 315, Identifying and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatements Through
Understanding the Entity and Its Environment, paragraph 4(c).
22
SA 210, paragraph 6(b).
21

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

with SAs in the auditors report unless the auditor has complied with the
requirements of the SA 200 and all other SAs relevant to the audit 23.
Auditors Opinion (Ref: Para. 35-37)
Wording of the auditors opinion prescribed by law or regulation
A26. SA 210 explains that, in some cases, law or regulation prescribes the
wording of the auditors report (which in particular includes the auditors
opinion) in terms that are significantly different from the requirements of SAs.
In these circumstances, SA 210 requires the auditor to evaluate:
(a) Whether users might misunderstand the assurance obtained from the
audit of the financial statements and, if so,
(b) Whether additional explanation in the auditors report can mitigate
possible misunderstanding.
If the auditor concludes that additional explanation in the auditors report
cannot mitigate possible misunderstanding, SA 210 requires the auditor not
to accept the audit engagement, unless required by law or regulation to do
so. In accordance with SA 210, an audit conducted in accordance with such
law or regulation does not comply with SAs. Accordingly, the auditor does not
include any reference in the auditors report to the audit having been
conducted in accordance with Standards on Auditing 24.
Present fairly, in all material respects or give a true and fair view
A27. Whether the phrase present fairly, in all material respects, or the
phrase give a true and fair view is used in any particular jurisdiction is
determined by the law or regulation governing the audit of financial
statements in that jurisdiction, or by generally accepted practice in that
jurisdiction. Where law or regulation requires the use of different wording,
this does not affect the requirement in paragraph 14 of this SA for the auditor
to evaluate the fair presentation of financial statements prepared in
accordance with a fair presentation framework.
Description of information that the financial statements present
A28. In the case of financial statements prepared in accordance with a fair
presentation framework, the auditors opinion states that the financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, or give a true and fair view
of the information that the financial statements are designed to present, for
23
24

SA 200, paragraph 20.

SA 210, paragraph 21.

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

example, in the case of many general purpose frameworks, the financial

position of the entity as at the end of the period and the entitys financial
performance and cash flows for the period then ended.
Description of the applicable financial reporting framework and how it may
affect the auditors opinion
A29. The identification of the applicable financial reporting framework in the
auditors opinion is intended to advise users of the auditors report of the
context in which the auditors opinion is expressed; it is not intended to limit
the evaluation required in paragraph 14. The applicable financial reporting
framework is identified in such terms as:
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards or
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in India
A30. When the applicable financial reporting framework encompasses
financial reporting standards and legal or regulatory requirements, the
framework is identified in such terms as ..the information required by
the Companies Act, 1956, in the manner so required and (give a true and fair
view) in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in
India. SA 210 deals with circumstances where there are conflicts between
the financial reporting standards and the legislative or regulatory
requirements25.
A31. As indicated in paragraph A8, the financial statements may be prepared
in accordance with two financial reporting frameworks, which are therefore
both applicable financial reporting frameworks. Accordingly, each framework
is considered separately when forming the auditors opinion on the financial
statements, and the auditors opinion in accordance with paragraphs 35-36
refers to both frameworks as follows:
(a) If the financial statements comply with each of the frameworks
individually, two opinions are expressed: that is, that the financial
statements are prepared in accordance with one of the applicable
financial reporting frameworks (e.g., the national framework) and an
opinion that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with
the other applicable financial reporting framework (e.g., International
Financial Reporting Standards). These opinions may be expressed
separately or in a single sentence (e.g., the financial statements are
presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with accounting
25

SA 210, paragraph 18.

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

principles generally accepted in India and with International Financial

Reporting Standards).
(b) If the financial statements comply with one of the frameworks but fail to
comply with the other framework, an unmodified opinion can be given
that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with the one
framework (e.g., the national framework) but a modified opinion given
with regard to the other framework (e.g., International Financial
Reporting Standards) in accordance with SA 705.
A32. As indicated in paragraph A10, the financial statements may represent
compliance with the applicable financial reporting framework and, in addition,
disclose the extent of compliance with another financial reporting framework.
As explained in paragraph A45, such supplementary information is covered
by the auditors opinion as it cannot be clearly differentiated from the
financial statements.
(a) If the disclosure as to the compliance with the other framework is
misleading, a modified opinion is expressed in accordance with SA 705.
(b) If the disclosure is not misleading, but the auditor judges it to be of such
importance that it is fundamental to the users understanding of the
financial statements, an Emphasis of Matter paragraph is added in
accordance with SA 706, drawing attention to the disclosure.
A32a. There can be situations where an entity or a class of entities obtains
written permission from the Central Government of India or a regulator or by
order of a court of law having jurisdiction to make such an order, to prepare
its financial statements without meeting specific recognition, measurement,
presentation or disclosure requirements of the applicable financial reporting
framework. Such a change shall be treated as a modification of the financial
reporting framework and not as inability of the auditor to obtain sufficient
appropriate audit evidence. If the effect of this is material, the auditor shall
describe in sufficient detail the resultant deviation from the financial reporting
framework in an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in accordance with the SA
706.
Other Reporting Responsibilities (Ref: Para. 38-39)
A33. In case of some entities, the auditor may have additional responsibilities
to report on other matters that are supplementary to the auditors
responsibility under the SAs to report on the financial statements. For
example, the auditor may be asked to report certain matters if they come to
the auditors attention during the course of the audit of the financial
statements. Alternatively, the auditor may be asked to perform and report on
SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

additional specified procedures, or to express an opinion on specific matters,

such as the adequacy of accounting books and records. Auditing standards
often provide guidance on the auditors responsibilities with respect to
specific additional reporting responsibilities in such situations.
A34. In some cases, the relevant law or regulation may require or permit the
auditor to report on these other responsibilities within the auditors report on
the financial statements. In other cases, the auditor may be required or
permitted to report on them in a separate report.
A35. These other reporting responsibilities are addressed in a separate
section of the auditors report in order to clearly distinguish them from the
auditors responsibility under the SAs to report on the financial statements.
Where relevant, this section may contain sub- heading(s) that describe(s) the
content of the other reporting responsibility paragraph(s).
Signature of the Auditor (Ref: Para. 40)
A36. The report is signed by the auditor in his personal name. Where the firm is
appointed as the auditor, the report is signed in the personal name of the auditor
and in the name of the audit firm. The partner/proprietor signing the audit report
also needs to mention the membership number assigned by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India. They also include the registration number of the
firm, wherever applicable, as allotted by ICAI, in the audit reports signed by
them26.
Date of the Auditors Report (Ref: Para. 41)
A37. The date of the auditors report informs the user of the auditors report
that the auditor has considered the effect of events and transactions of which
the auditor became aware and that occurred up to that date. The auditors
responsibility for events and transactions after the date of the auditors report
26

The Council of the ICAI, at its 292nd meeting held in January 2010, decided to require the
members of the ICAI to include, in addition to the other requirements relating to signature on the
audit report, as prescribed under the relevant Standard on Auditing, the registration number of the
firm as allotted by ICAI, in the audit reports signed by them, and ensure that the resolution passed
by the company regarding appointment of the statutory auditor of the company under section 224
of the Companies Act, 1956, also contain the registration number of the firm of the auditor(s) with
the ICAI. These requirements came into effect from April 1, 2010. Subsequently, the Council of the
ICAI, at its 296th meeting held in June 2010, decided to extend the requirement to mention the firm
registration number to all reports issued pursuant to any attestation engagement, including
certificates, issued by the members as proprietor of/ partner in the said firm. The requirement
applies where such firm registration number has been allotted by the ICAI. The Council further
decided to make this requirement effective for all attestation reports/ certificates issued on or after
1st October, 2010.

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

is addressed in SA 56027.
A38. Since the auditors opinion is provided on the financial statements and
the financial statements are the responsibility of management, the auditor is
not in a position to conclude that sufficient appropriate audit evidence has
been obtained until evidence is obtained that all the statements that
comprise the financial statements, including the related notes, have been
prepared and management has accepted responsibility for them.
A39. In case of some entities, the applicable law or regulation identifies the
individuals or bodies (e.g., the directors) that are responsible for concluding
that all the statements that comprise the financial statements, including the
related notes, have been prepared, and specifies the necessary approval
process. In such cases, evidence is obtained of that approval before dating
the report on the financial statements. In case of some other entities,
however, the approval process is not prescribed in law or regulation. In such
cases, the procedures the entity follows in preparing and finalising its
financial statements in view of its management and governance structures is
considered in order to identify the individuals or body with the authority to
conclude that all the statements that comprise the financial statements,
including the related notes, have been prepared. In some cases, law or
regulation identifies the point in the financial statement reporting process at
which the audit is expected to be complete.
A40. In some entities, final approval of the financial statements by
shareholders is required before the financial statements are issued publicly.
In these entities, final approval by shareholders is not necessary for the
auditor to conclude that sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been
obtained. The date of approval of the financial statements for purposes of
SAs is the earlier date on which those with the recognised authority
determine that all the statements that comprise the financial statements,
including the related notes, have been prepared and that those with the
recognised authority have asserted that they have taken responsibility for
them.
Auditors Report Prescribed by Law or Regulation (Ref: Para. 43)
A41. SA 200 explains that the auditor may be required to comply with legal or
regulatory requirements in addition to SAs 28. Where this is the case, the
auditor may be obliged to use a layout or wording in the auditors report that
differs from that described in this SA. As explained in paragraph 4,
27
28

SA 560, Subsequent Events, paragraphs 10-17.

SA 200, paragraph A55.

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

consistency in the auditors report, when the audit has been conducted in
accordance with SAs, promotes credibility in the global marketplace by
making more readily identifiable those audits that have been conducted in
accordance with globally recognised standards. When the differences
between the legal or regulatory requirements and SAs relate only to the
layout and wording of the auditors report and, at a minimum, each of the
elements identified in paragraph 43(a)-(i) are included in the auditors report,
the auditors report may refer to Standards on Auditing. Accordingly, in such
circumstances the auditor is considered to have complied with the
requirements of SAs, even when the layout and wording used in the auditors
report are specified by legal or regulatory reporting requirements. Where
specific requirements in a particular law or regulation do not conflict with
SAs, adoption of the layout and wording used in this SA assists users of the
auditors report more readily to recognise the auditors report as a report on
an audit conducted in accordance with SAs. (SA 210 deals with
circumstances where law or regulation prescribes the layout or wording of
the auditors report in terms that are significantly different from the
requirements of SAs).
Auditors Report for Audits Conducted in Accordance with Both
Auditing Standards issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India (national auditing standards) and International Standards on
Auditing (Ref: Para. 44)
A42. The auditor may refer in the auditors report to the audit having been
conducted in accordance with both International Standards on Auditing as
well as the national auditing standards, i.e., the Standards on Auditing issued
by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India when, in addition to
complying with the national auditing standards, the auditor complies with
each of the ISAs relevant to the audit.
A43. A reference to both International Standards on Auditing and the national
auditing standards is not appropriate if there is a conflict between the
requirements in ISAs and those in the national auditing standards that would
lead the auditor to form a different opinion or not to include an Emphasis of
Matter paragraph that, in the particular circumstances, is required by ISAs. In
such a case, the auditors report refers only to the auditing standards (either
International Standards on Auditing or the national auditing standards) in
accordance with which the auditors report has been prepared.

Supplementary Information
Statements (Ref: Para. 46-47)

Presented

with

the

Financial

A44. In some circumstances, the entity may be required by law, regulation or

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

Standards, or may voluntarily choose, to present together with the financial

statements supplementary information that is not required by the applicable
financial reporting framework. For example, supplementary information might
be presented to enhance a users understanding of the applicable financial
reporting framework or to provide further explanation of specific financial
statement items. Such information is normally presented in either
supplementary schedules or as additional notes.
A45. The auditors opinion covers supplementary information that cannot be
clearly differentiated from the financial statements because of its nature and
how it is presented. For example, this would be the case when the notes to
the financial statements include an explanation of the extent to which the
financial statements comply with another financial reporting framework. The
auditors opinion would also cover notes or supplementary schedules that are
cross-referenced from the financial statements.
A46. Supplementary information that is covered by the auditors opinion does
not need to be specifically referred to in the introductory paragraph of the
auditors report when the reference to the notes in the description of the
statements that comprise the financial statements in the introductory
paragraph is sufficient.
A47. The law or regulation applicable to the entity may not require that the
supplementary information be audited, and management may decide not to
ask the auditor to include the supplementary information within the scope of
the audit of the financial statements.
A48. The auditors evaluation whether unaudited supplementary information
is presented in a manner that could be construed as being covered by the
auditors opinion includes, for example, where that information is presented
in relation to the financial statements and any audited supplementary
information, and whether it is clearly labeled as unaudited.
A49. Management could change the presentation of unaudited
supplementary information that could be construed as being covered by the
auditors opinion, for example, by:
Removing any cross references from the financial statements to
unaudited supplementary schedules or unaudited notes so that the
demarcation between the audited and unaudited information is
sufficiently clear.
Placing the unaudited supplementary information outside of the financial
statements or, if that is not possible in the circumstances, at a
minimum, place the unaudited notes together at the end of the required
notes to the financial statements and clearly label them as unaudited.
SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

Unaudited notes that are intermingled with the audited notes can be
misinterpreted as being audited.
A50. The fact that supplementary information is unaudited does not relieve
the auditor of the responsibility to read that information to identify material
inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. The auditors
responsibilities with respect to unaudited supplementary information are
consistent with those described in SA 720 29.

Material Modifications vis-a-vis ISA 700, Forming an

Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements
Additions
1.

Paragraph 9 of ISA 700 explains what constitutes the International

Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the ISA 700. Since in India,
financial reporting standards, used for the preparation and presentation
of financial statements, can be Accounting Standards promulgated by
the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of India or Accounting Standards, notified by the Central
Government by publishing the same as Companies (Accounting
Standards) Rules, 2006 or Accounting Standards for Local Bodies
promulgated by the Committee on Accounting Standards for Local
Bodies (CASLB) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
(ICAI), the paragraph 9 has accordingly been changed. Corresponding
changes have also been made at the relevant places of the Standard.

2.

Paragraph 42 of ISA 700 states that the auditors report shall name the
location in the jurisdiction where the auditor practices. Since the
practices prevailing in India requires the auditor to mention the Place
of Signature instead of the Auditors Address in the auditors report,
the requirement of mentioning the auditors address has been replaced
with the place of signature, which is the name of specific location, which
is ordinarily the city where the audit report is signed. Corresponding
changes have also been made at the relevant places of the Standard.

3.

Paragraph A36 of ISA 700 explains who is eligible for signing the
auditors report in the different situations. Since in India, audit report
may be signed by the auditor in his personal name in case of sole
practitioner and where the firm is appointed as the auditor, the report
may be signed in the personal name of the auditor and in the name of
the audit firm, the paragraph has accordingly been changed. Since as

SA 720, The Auditors Responsibility in Relation to Other Information in Documents Containing

Audited Financial Statements.
29

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

per the Indian practice, the partner/proprietor signing the audit report
also needs to mention the firm registration number, wherever
applicable, and the membership number assigned by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India, the said requirement has also been
incorporated in the paragraph A36 of SA 700 (Revised).

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

Appendix
(Ref: Para. A14)

Illustrative Formats of Auditors Reports on Financial

Statements
Illustration 1:
Circum stances include the following:

Audit of a complete set of separate general purpose financial

statements of a company prepared under the Companies Act, 1956
financial reporting framework, which is a fair presentation framework.

The terms of the audit engagement reflect description of

managements responsibility for the financial statements in SA 210.

The report is unmodified and does not include either an Emphasis of

Matter paragraph or an Other Matter(s) paragraph.

In addition to the audit of financial statements, the auditor has other

reporting responsibilities required under the Companies Act, 1956
and/or other regulatory requirements.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT

To the Mem bers of ABC Com pany Lim ited

Report on the Financial Statem ents
W e have audited the accompanying financial statem ents of ABC Company
Limited (the Com pany), which comprise the Balance Sheet as at March 31,
20XX, and the Statement of Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statem ent for the
year then ended, and a sum mary of significant accounting policies and other
explanatory information.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statem ents
Management is responsible for the preparation of these financial statem ents
that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial perform ance and
cash flows of the Company in accordance with the Accounting Standards
referred to in sub-section (3C) of section 211 of the Companies Act, 1956 (the
Act). This responsibility includes the design, im plementation and m aintenance

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

of internal control relevant to the preparation and presentation of the financial

statem ents that give a true and fair view and are free from material
misstatem ent, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audit. W e conducted our audit in accordance with the Standards on
Auditing issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Those
Standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected
depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of
material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.
In making those risk assessments, the auditor cons iders internal control relevant
to the Companys preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in
order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An
audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accountin g policies used
and the reasonableness of the accounting estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
W e believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and
appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the
explanations given to us, the financial statements give the information required
by the Act in the m anner so required and give a true and fair vie w in conformity
with the accounting principles generally accepted in India:
(a) in the case of the Balance Sheet, of the state of affairs of the Company as
at March 31, 20XX;
(b) in the case of the Profit and Loss Account, of the profit/ loss for the year
ended on that date; and
(c) in the case of the Cash Flow Statement, of the cash flows for the year
ended on that date.

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirem ents

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

1. As required by the Com panies (Auditors Report) Order, 2003 (the

Order) issued by the Central Governm ent of India in terms of sub-section (4A)
of section 227 of the Act, we give in the Annexure a statement on the matters
specified in paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Order.
2.

As required by section 227(3) of the Act, we report that:

a.

we have obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of
our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purpose of our audit;

b.

in our opinion proper books of account as required by law have been kept
by the Company so far as appears from our examination of those books
[and proper returns adequate for the purposes of our audit have been
received from branches not visited by us] 30 ;

c.

the Balance Sheet, Statem ent of Profit and Loss, and Cash Flow
Statem ent dealt with by this Report are in agreem ent with the books of
account [and with the returns received from branches not visited by us]31 ;

d.

in our opinion, the Balance Sheet, Statement of Profit and Loss, and Cash
Flow Statem ent com ply with the Accounting Standards referred to in subsection (3C) of section 211 of the Companies Act, 1956;

e.

on the basis of written representations received from the directors as on

March 31, 20XX, and taken on record by the Board of Directors, none of
the directors is disqualified as on March 31, 20XX, from being appointed
as a director in terms of clause (g) of sub-section (1) of section 274 of the
Companies Act, 1956.

f.

Since the Central Government has not issued any notification as to the rate
at which the cess is to be paid under section 441A of the Companies Act,
1956 nor has it issued any Rules under the said section, prescribing the
manner in which such cess is to be paid, no cess is due and payable by the
Company.32

30

To be included if relevant.

31

To be included if relevant.

32

Attention of the readers is invited to the Announcement issued by the Council of the ICAI
regarding the auditors reporting responsibilities pursuant to clause 4(ix)(a) of the Companies
(Auditors Report) Order, 2003 and section 227(3)(g) of the Companies Act, 1956 wrt the cess
payable under Section 441A of the Companies Act, 1956. The Announcement is published
elsewhere in the Handbook.

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

For XYZ and Co.

Chartered Accountants
Firms Registration Number
Signature
(Name of the Member Signing the Audit Report)
(Designation33)
Membership Number
Place of Signature
Date

33

Partner or Proprietor, as the case may be.

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

Illustration 2:
Circumstances include the following:

Audit of a complete set of consolidated general purpose financial

statements of a parent company prepared under accounting
principles generally accepted in India, as required for
compliance with SEBIs regulatory requirement, which is a fair
presentation framework.

The terms of the group audit engagement reflect description of

managements responsibility for the financial statements in SA
210.

The report is unmodified and does not include either an

Emphasis of Matter paragraph or an Other Matter(s) paragraph.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT

To the Members of ABC Company Limited
We34 have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of ABC

Company Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries, which comprise the
consolidated Balance Sheet as at March 31, 20XX, and the consolidated
Statement of Profit and Loss and the consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the
year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other
explanatory information.
Managements Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation of these consolidated financial
statements that give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position,
consolidated financial performance and consolidated cash flows of the Company
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in India. This
responsibility includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal
control relevant to the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial

As there is no reporting on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements, there is no necessity of

including the heading Report on the Financial Statements above the introductory paragraph.
34

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

statements that give a true and fair view and are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the
Standards on Auditing issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Those Standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the
amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The
procedures selected depend on the auditors judgement, including the
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial
statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the
auditor considers internal control relevant to the Companys preparation and
presentation of the consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair
view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of
accounting policies used and the reasonableness of the accounting estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate
to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the
explanations given to us, the consolidated financial statements give a true and
fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India:
( a)

in the case of the consolidated Balance Sheet, of the state of affairs of the
Company as at March 31, 20XX;
(b) in the case of the consolidated Profit and Loss Account, of the profit/ loss
for the year ended on that date; and
(c) in the case of the consolidated Cash Flow Statement, of the cash flows for
the year ended on that date.

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

For XYZ and Co.

Chartered Accountants
Firms Registration Number
Signature
(Name of the Member Signing the Audit Report)
(Designation35)
Membership Number
Place of Signature
Date

35

Partner or Proprietor, as the case may be.

SA 700 (Revised)

Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements

Illustration 3:
Circumstances include the following:
Audit of a complete set of separate general purpose financial
statements of an entity prepared in accordance with the
requirements of XYZ Law of India under a compliance
framework.
The terms of the audit engagement reflect the description of
managements responsibility for the financial statements in SA
210.
The report is unmodified and does not include either an
Emphasis of Matter paragraph or an Other Matter(s) paragraph.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT
[Appropriate Addressee]
We36 have audited the accompanying financial statements of ABC and
Associates, which comprise the Balance Sheet as at March 31, 20XX, and the
Profit and Loss Account37 for the year then ended, and a summary of significant
accounting policies and other explanatory information.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation of these financial statements in
accordance with XYZ Law of India. This responsibility includes the design,
implementation and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation of
the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to
fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the Standards on
Auditing issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Those
Standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free from material misstatement.
As there is no reporting on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements, there is no necessity of
including the heading Report on the Financial Statements above the introductory paragraph.
37 Provide titles of all financial statements that comprise a full set of financial statements required
by XYZ Law of India.
36

SA 700 (Revised)

Handbook of Auditing Pronouncements-I.A

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the

amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected
depend on the auditors judgement, including the assessment of the risks of
material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant
to the Companys preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in
order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An
audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used
and the reasonableness of the accounting estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate
to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion38
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the
explanations given to us, the financial statements of ABC and Associates for the
year ended March 31, 20XX are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance
with XYZ Law of India.
For XYZ and Co.
Chartered Accountants
Firms Registration Number
Signature
(Name of the Member Signing the Audit Report)
(Designation39)
Membership Number
Place of Signature
Date

Note that the opinion excludes the words true and fair as this report is not under a fair
presentation framework.
39 Partner or Proprietor, as the case may be.
38

SA 700 (Revised)