Chapter 6 A4
Chapter 6 A4
Chapter 6 A4
CA DEEPIKA RATHI
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 1
Types of accounts to be maintained (section
Chapter Overview 128 & 129) Books of Accounts
The person responsible for the maintenance of books of account etc. shall be:
i. Managing Director
Person Responsible ii. Whole-Time Director, in charge of finance
and Penalty iii. Chief Financial Officer
[Section 128(6)] iv. Any other person of a company charged by the Board with duty of complying
with provisions of section 128.
Penalty : Fine Not less than Rs. 50000/- which may extend to Rs. 5 lakhs.
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 8
Summary of Section 128
Exemption :
Financial statement with respect to
o One Person Company
o Small Company
o Dormant Company
o Private Company (If Startup company)
May not include the cash flow statement.
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 14
The exception modification and adaptation shall be applicable to a private company
o Who has not committed a default in filing its
- Financial statement in section 137 or
- Annual Return in section 92
o With the Registrar
Financial Statement
o should be prepared for Financial Year and
o as per the requirements of schedule III
in relation to any company or body corporate, means the period ending on the 31st day of March every
year, and where it hasbeen incorporated on or after the 1st day of January of a year, the period
endingon the 31st day of March of the following year, in respect whereof financial statement of the
company or body corporate is made up.
Provided that where a company or body corporate, which is a holding company ora subsidiary or
associate company of a company incorporated outside India and is required to follow a different financial
year for consolidation of its accounts outside India, the Central Government may, on an application made
by that company or body corporate in such form and manner as may be prescribed, allow any periodas
its financial year, whether or not that period is a year.
Provided further that any application pending before the Tribunal as on the dateof commencement of
the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, shall be disposed of by the Tribunal in accordance with
the provisions applicable to it before such commencement.
Provided further that a company or body corporate, existing on the commencement of this Act, shall,
within a period of two years from such commencement, align its financial year as per the provisions of
this clause.
Division I Division II
Deals with Financial statement for a company Deals with Financial statement for a company
whose financial statement are required to whose financial statement are required to
comply with the Companies (Accounting comply with the Companies (Accounting
Standards) Rules 2006 Standards) Rules 2015
Non-Applicability (Exception)
Shall not apply to any
a. Insurance Company
b. Banking company
c. Company engaged in the generation or supply of electricity or
d. To any other class of company which a form of F.S. has been specified under Act governing
such class of company.
Company engaged in
Matters which are not required to be disclosed by the
the generation or Electricity Act, 2003
supply of electricity
Laying of Financial
At every annual general meeting of a company, the Board of Directors of thecompany
Statement[Section
shall lay before such meeting financial statements for the financial year.
129(2)
• Provided also that nothing in this rule shall apply in respect of consolidation of
financial statement by a company having subsidiary or subsidiaries incorporated outside
India commencing on or after 1st April 2014.
• where the financial statements of a company do not comply with the accounting
standards referred to in sub- section (1), the company shall disclose in its financial
[Section 129(5)]
statements, the deviation from the accounting standards, the reasons for such
deviation andthe financial effects, if any, arising out of such deviation
Section 129(2) & (3): Board of Directors must lay at every Annual General Meeting (AGM)
o Financial Statement of the Company
o Consolidated Financial Statement of the Company including financial details of all its
subsidiaries and associate companies.
o Also attach salient features of subsidiaries of the company and associate companies in FORM
AOC-1 [Rule 5 of Companies (Accounts) Rules 2014]
Imprisonment: Up to 1 Year
All the directors Fine : Rs. 50000 to Rs. 5 lakhs or
shall be liable to both
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 28
PERIODICAL FINANCIAL RESULTS (Section 129A)
The Central Government may, require such class or classes of unlisted companies, as
may be prescribed,—
(a) to prepare the financial results of the company on such periodical basis and in such form as
may be prescribed
(b) to obtain approval of the Board of Directors and complete audit or limited review of such
periodical financial results in such manner as may be prescribed and
(c) file a copy with the Registrar within a period of 30 days of completion of the relevant period
with such fees as may be prescribed.
CRUX
Central Government may prescribe for unlisted companies
o The period and form to prepare financial results
o To obtain approval of BoD and complete audit or limit review of such periodical results
o Filing with Registrar within 30 days of completion of relevant period with fees.
A company shall not re-open its books of accounts and not recast its financial
statements unless an application in this regard is made by –
a. Central Government
b. Income tax authorities
c. Securities and exchange board of India (SEBI)
d. Any other statutory regulatory body or authority or any person concerned
An order is made by a court of competent jurisdiction or the Tribunal to effect
(1)
that-
Apply to court for re-
i. The relevant earlier accounts were prepared in a fraudulent manner or
opening of accounts
ii. The affairs of the company were mismanaged during the relevant period
casting a doubt on the reliability of financial statements
Serving of Notice : Provided that the Court or Tribunal as the case may be
o Shall give notice to the CG, Income Tax Authorities, SEBI or any other
regulatory authority concerned or any other person concerned
o And shall take into consideration the representations if any made by them
before passing any order under this section.
Where copies of the previous financial statement or report have been sent out to
members or delivered to the Registrar or laid before the company in general
(2)
meeting, the revisions must be confined to-
Limits of revisions
a. the correction in respect of which the previous financial statement or
reportdo not comply with the provisions of section 129 or section 134 and
b. the making of any necessary consequential alternation.
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the
NFRA shall-
a. make recommendations to the Central Government on the formulation and laying
down of accounting and auditing policies and standards for adoptionby
companies or class of companies or their auditors, as the case may be.
2. b. monitor and enforce the compliance with accounting standards and auditing
Section 132(2) standards in such manner as may be prescribed.
c. oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring
compliance with such standards, and suggest measures required for improvement
in quality of service and such other related matters as may be prescribed and
d. perform such other functions relating to clauses (a), (b) and (c) as may be
prescribed.
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 38
The NFRA shall consist of a chairperson, who shall be a person of eminence andhaving
expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance or law to be appointed by the Central
Government and such other members not exceeding fifteen consisting of part-time and
full-time members as may be prescribed.
Each division of the National Financial Reporting Authority shall be presided over by
the Chairperson or a full-time Member authorized by the Chairperson.
There shall be an executive body of the National Financial Reporting Authority
consisting of the Chairperson and full-time Members of such Authority for efficient
3. discharge of its functions under sub-section (2) [other than clause (a)] and sub- section
Section 132(3) & (4)
(3A) (3B) Provided that the terms and conditions and the manner of appointment of the
chairperson and members shall be such as may be prescribed.
Provided further that the chairperson and members shall make a declaration to the
Central Government in the prescribed form regarding no conflict of interest or lackof
independence in respect of his or their appointment.
Provided also that the chairperson and members, who are in full-time employment
with NFRA shall not be associated with any audit firm (including related consultancy
firms) during the course of their appointment and two years after ceasing to hold such
appointment.
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 39
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the
NFRA shall
a. Have the power to investigate, either suo moto or on a reference made to itby
the Central Government, for such class of bodies corporate or persons, in such
manner as may be prescribed into the matters of professional or other
misconduct committed by any member or firm of chartered accountants,
registered under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
Provided that no other institute or body shall initiate or continue any proceedings
in such matters of misconduct where the NFRA has initiated an investigation
4.
under this section.
Section 132(4)
b. Have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil
Procedure,1908, while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely
i. discovery and production of books of account and other documents, at such
place and at such time as may be specified by the NFRA.
ii. summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and examiningthem
on oath.
iii. inspection of any books, registers and other documents of any person
referred to in clause (b) at any place.
iv. issuing commissions for examination of witnesses or documents.
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 40
c. where professional or other misconduct is proved, the NFRA shall have the power
to make order for
A. Imposing penalty of
I. Not less than one lakh rupees, but which may extend to five timesof the
fees received, in case of individuals.
II. Not less than five lakh rupees, but which may extend to ten timesof the
fees received, in case of firms.
B. Debarring the member or the firm from
I. Being appointed as an auditor or internal auditor or undertaking any
audit in respect of financial statements or internal audit of the functions
and activities of any company or body corporate or
II. Performing any valuation as provided under section 247
for a minimum period of six months or such higher period not exceeding ten
years as may be determined by the National Financial Reporting Authority
Explanation :-"professionalor other misconduct" shall have the same meaning
assigned to it as given under section 22 of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949
6. The National Financial Reporting Authority shall meet at such times and places and
Meetings of shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its
NFRA meetings in such manner as may be prescribed.
The Central Government may appoint a secretary and such other employees as it may
7.
consider necessary for the efficient performance of functions by the National Financial
Secretary and
Reporting Authority under this Act and the terms and conditions of service of the
other employees
secretary and employees shall be such as may be prescribed.
8. The head office of the National Financial Reporting Authority shall be at New Delhi and
Head office of the National Financial Reporting Authority may, meet at such other places in India as it
NFRA deems fit.
12. If a company or any officer of a company or an auditor or any other person contravenes
Punishment in any of the provisions of NFRA Rules, the company and every officer of the company
case of non- who is in default or the auditor or such other person shall be punishable as per the
compliance provisions of section 450 of theAct.
Under section 132 the Central Government has constituted National Financial Reporting Authority to
assist in the framing and enforcement of legislation relating to accounting and auditing standards
(w.e.f. 1st October 2018)
Role
a. To make recommendation to Central Government regarding Accounting and Auditing Standards and
procedures to be followed by the companies or their auditors.
b. Monitors their compliances.
c. Oversee the quality of service provided by associated professionals and suggest measures required for
improvement in quality of service and such other related matters.
d. Perform such other prescribed functions.
Composition
Appointed by Central Government
o A chairperson
o Other members :→ Maximum 15 members (Consisting of part time or full time)
Debarring the member or the firm as a member of ICAI for minimum period of 6 months but not
exceeding 10 years from -
i. For being appointed as an auditor or internal auditor or undertaking any audit in respect of financial
statements or internal audit of the functions and activities of any company or body corporate or
ii. Performing any valuation as provided under section 247.
Meeting of NFRA
NFRA shall meet at such times and places and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction
of business at its meeting in such manner as may be prescribed.
a. Companies whose securities are listed on any stock exchange in India or outside India.
b. Unlisted Public Companies having
o Paid up capital not less than Rs. 500 Crore or
o Annual return not less than Rs. 1000 Crore or
o In aggregate Outstanding loan, Debentures and deposits not less than Rs. 500 Crore
As on the 31st March of immediately preceding financial year.
c. - Insurance company
- Banking Company
- Companies engaged in the generation or supply of electricity
- Companies governed by any special act or
- Bodies Corporate Incorporated by an Act in accordance with clause (b),(c), (d), (e) and (f) of section 1(4) of the
Companies Act 2013
d. Any body corporate or company or person or any class of bodies corporate or companies or persons on a
reference made to the NFRA by the Central Government in public interest and
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 51
e. - A body corporate incorporated or registered outside India which is a subsidiary or associate company of any
company or
- Body corporate incorporated or registered in India as referred to in clause (a) to (d) above
- if the Income or net worth of such subsidiary or associate company exceeds 20% of the consolidated income or
consolidated net worth of such company or the body corporate as the case may be referred to in clauses (a) to
(d) above
Every existing body corporate other than a company governed by these rules
o shall inform the NFRA within 30 days of commencement of this rule
o In Form NFRA -1
o Particulars of the auditor
A company or a body corporate other than a company governed under NFRA Rules
o Shall continue to be governed by the NFRA for period of 3 years
o After it ceases to be listed or its paid-up capital or turnover or aggregate of loans, debentures and deposits
fall below the limit stated therein.
3. Abridged Board’s report [Section 134 (3A)] : The Central Government may prescribe
an abridged Board’s report for the purpose of compliance with this section by One
Person Company or Small Company.
4. Board's Report in case of OPC [Section 134 (4)] : In case of a One Person Company the
report of the Board of Directors to be attached to the financial statement under this
section shall, mean a report containing explanations or comments by the Board on
every qualification reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer made by the auditor in
this report.
4. The Board’s report and any annexures thereto under sub-section (3) shall be signed by its
Signing of chairperson of the company if he is authorized by the Board and where he is not so
Board’s Report authorized, shall be signed by at least two directors, oneof whom shall be a managing
[Section 134(5)] director, or by the director where there is one director.
1. Board Report
Prepared based on the standalone financial statement and
Report on highlights of performance of subsidiaries associates and joint venture
companies and other contributions to the overall performance.
2. Content
a. Web address where annual return is placed
b. No. of Board meetings
c. Director’s responsibility statement
ca. Detail of fraud reported by the auditor u/s 143 (12) of this act
d. Statement on declaration given by independent directors u/s 149 (6)
e. Company’s policy on directors’ appointment and remuneration [1. Applicable only to
companies covered u/s 178 (1) ] [2. not applicable to government companies ]
f. Board comment or explanation on qualification, reservation/adverse remark/
disclaimer made by –
i. Auditor
ii. Company secretary
g. Particulars of loans , investments & Guarantees u/s 186
In case of OPC the report of the Board of Directors to be attached to the FS under this
section shall mean
- A report containing explanations or comments
- by the Board on every qualification, reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer
- Made by the auditor in his report.
The Companies Act, 2013 lays down the provisions requiring corporates to mandatorily spend a
prescribed percentage of their profits on certain specified areas of social upliftment in discharge of
their social responsibilities.
Broadly, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implies a concept, whereby companies decide to
contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment – a concept, whereby the companies
integrate social and other useful concerns in their business operations for the betterment of its
stakeholders and society in general.
The provisions related with Corporate Social Responsibility has been enshrined under section 135
and Companies (Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014.
Note: On IFSC Public and Private Company section 135 shall not apply for the period of 5 years from
the commencement of business.
• Means the activities undertaken by company in pursuance of its statutory obligation laid down
in section 135 of the Act accordance with the previous contained in these rules but shall not
include following-
i. Activities undertaken in pursuance of normal course of business of the company.
• Provided that any company engaged in research and development activity of new
vaccine, drugs and medical devices in their normal course of business may undertake
research and development activity of newvaccine, drugs and medical devices related
to COVID-19 for financial years 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 subject to the conditions
that
a. such research and development activities shall be carried out in collaboration
with any of the institutes or organizations mentioned in item (ix) of Schedule
VII to the Act
b. details of such activity shall be disclosed separately in the Annual report on CSR
included in the Board’s Report
ii. Any activity undertaken by company outside India.
• Except for training of Indian sports personnel representing any State or Union
Territory at national level or India at international level
Activities carried out for fulfilment of any other statutory obligations under any law in force in
India
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 75
Constitution of CSR Committee [Section 135 (1)] :
• Meaning [Rule 2(e)]: → The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of the Board referred to in
section 135 of the Act .
• Rule 3(1) : →Every company including its holding or subsidiary and a foreign company having its
branch office or project office in India, which fulfils the above criteria shall comply with the
provisions of section 135 of the Act.
• (Newly Inserted Rule) Provided further that a company having any amount in its Unspent Corporate Social
Responsibility Account as per sub-section (6) of section 135 shall constitute a CSR Committee and comply with
the provisions contained in sub-sections (2) to (6) of the said section.
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 76
Net worth, turnover or net profit of a foreign company shall be computed in accordance with the
balance sheet and profit and loss account prepared I accordance with the provisions section 381(1)
(a) and section 198 of Act.
Amount of Contribution Where to employee fund? Amount not spent Excess amount spent
• In every financial year at
least Preference should be give • Board shall give reason Set off for such number of
2% of average net to local area and areas to in Board Report U/s succeeding Financial Year
profit of immediately around it where company 134 (3) (o) and and in such manner as may
preceding 3 Financial operate. • Transfer unspent be prescribed
Year. amount to Fund
specified in Schedule VII
Or Within period of 6
months of the Expiry of
• Where company has not Financial Year.
completed 3 financial
year
Net profits during such
immediately preceding
financial years shall be
considered.
Unspent Unspent
amount of Transfer within 30 days Corporate Social
Ongoing from end of F.Y. Responsibility
project Account
4. The CSR amount may be spent by a company for creation or acquisitionof a capital asset,
which shall be held by –
a. a company established under section 8 of the Act, or a Registered Public Trust or
Registered Society, having charitable objects and CSR Registration Number under sub-rule
(2) of rule 4 or
b. beneficiaries of the said CSR project, in the form of self-help groups,collectives, entities or
c. a public authority
Provided that any capital asset created by a company prior to the commencement of the
Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment rules 2021 shall
- Within 180 days from such commencement comply with the requirements of this rule
- Which may be extended by a further period of 90 days with the approval of the Board based on
reasonable justification.
Administrative
Shall not exceed 5% of total CSR expenditure for the Financial Year
Overheads
• The excess amount available for setoff shall not include the surplus arising out of the
Amount spent in excess
CSR activities
of requirements
• The board shall pass a resolution to that effect.
• A Section 8 company or
• Registered public trust or • A Section 8 company or
• A registered society • A Section 8 company • Registered public trust or
exempted Section 23 (c) or • exempted Section 23 (c)
Clause (iv) (v) (vi) or (via) • Any entity established Clause (iv) (v) (vi) or (via)
• registered trust or
registered under section under an Act of registered under section
• a registered society
12A and approved under Parliament or a state 12A and approved under
establish by the
80 G of the Income tax legislature 80 G of the Income tax Act
Central Government or
Act 1961, State Government 1961,
• establish by the company • And having established
either singly or along track record of at least 3
with any other company years in undertaking
similar activities.
1. The Board's Report of a company covered under these rules pertaining to any financial year
shall include an annual report on CSR containing particulars specified in Annexure I or
Annexure II, as applicable.
2. In case of a foreign company, the balance sheet filed under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of
section 381 of the Act, shall contain an annual report on CSR containing particulars specified in
Annexure I or Annexure II, as applicable.
3. (a) Every company having average CSR obligation of ten crore rupeesor more in pursuance
of subsection (5) of section 135 of the Act, in the three immediately preceding financial
years, shall undertake impact assessment, through an independent agency, of their CSR
projects having outlays of one crore rupees or more, and which have been completed not
less than one year before undertaking the impact study.
(b) The impact assessment reports shall be placed before the Board and shall be annexed to
the annual report on CSR.
(c) A Company undertaking impact assessment may book the expenditure towards Corporate
Social Responsibility for that financial year, whichshall not exceed two percent of the
total CSR expenditure for that financial year or fifty lakh rupees, whichever is higher.
Report on CSR
• Board’s Report pertaining to any financial year shall include annual report on CSR.
• In case of foreign company balance sheet shall contain an annual report on CSR.
• Impact assessment reports shall be placed before Board and shall be annexed to the
annual report on CSR.
1. eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition, promoting health care including preventive health care and
sanitation including contribution to the Swach Bharat Kosh set-up by the Central Government for the
promotion of sanitation and making available safe drinking water.
2. promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills especially
among children, women, elderly, and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects.
3. promoting gender equality, empowering women, setting up homes and hostels for women and orphans;
setting up old age homes, day care centers and such other facilities for senior citizens and measures for
reducing inequalities faced by socially and economically backward groups.
4. ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare,
agroforestry, conservation of natural resources and maintaining quality of soil, air and water including
contribution to the Clean Ganga Fund set up by the Central Government for rejuvenation of river Ganga.
5. protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration of buildings and sites of historical
importance and works of art; setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional arts and
handicrafts.
MCA has made a clarification via circulars that following shall be eligible CSR activity-
1. Spending of CSR funds for activities related to ‘Har Ghar Tiranga ’ campaign under the ageis
of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” for mass scale production and Supply of the National Flag,
outreach and amplification efforts and other related activities are eligible CSR activities
under item no. (ii) of schedule VII of Companies Act, 2013 pertaining to promotion of
education relating to culture.
Must be sent to
Note
In case of section 8 Company • The statement is to be sent not less than 21 days before thedate
21 days shall be substituted of the meeting unless the shareholders ask for full financial
by 14 days. statements
(1)
• to such members whose (2)
shareholding is in dematerialized • Where Shareholding is held
format otherwise than by dematerialized (3)
format,
And • In all other cases.
• Email ids are registered with • to such members who have
depository for communication positively consented in writing
purpose for receiving by electronic mode.
(B)
• Provide a copy of separate audited or
(A) unaudited financial statements as case
Place separate audited accounts in may be
respect of each subsidiary on its • As prepared in respect of each of its
website if any subsidiary
• To any member of the company who
ask for it
CA DEEPIKA RATHI : CORPORATE LAW 108
Listed company having a foreign subsidiary or subsidiaries shall
The company shall also allow every member or trustee of the debenture holder to inspect the audited
financial statement at its registered office during business hours.
1A. Every Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC) required to comply with Indian Accounting
Standard (Ind-As) shall file-
o To registrar
o Its Financial Statement with → FORM AOC-4 NBFC (Ind AS)
o Consolidated Financial Statement with → FORM AOC-4 CFS NBFC (Ind AS)
2. Companies which have filed their financial statements under sub rule (1) erstwhile shall-
Continue to file their F.S. and other document
o Though they may not fall under the class of companies specified therein in succeeding years.
a. Where the Financial Statement are not adopted at AGM or Adjourned AGM such
o Unadopted F.S. + other required documents
o Filed to → Registrar
o Within→ 30 days
b. Registrar shall take them in his records as Provisional till the F.S. are filed with him after their
adoption in the adjourned AGM for that purpose.
c. If the Financial Statement are adopted in the Adjourned AGM shall be
o Filed to → Registrar
o Within →30 days of date of such adjourned meeting
o With fees or such additional fees as may be prescribed
Transitional Period
An existing company covered under any of the above criteria shall comply with the requirements
of section 138 and the this rule within 6 months of the commencement of such section.