CARO 2016: Requirements of “Companies Auditor Report Order”

Section 143 of the Companies Act 2013 requires reporting on CARO. It states that certain class or description of companies shall include a statement on a few, particularly specified matters. CARO 2016 mandates that the auditor’s report of these specified companies must include this statement. In other words, this order lists down the matters on which an auditor is required to report.

Requirements concerning Auditor’s Report, have been provided under the Companies Auditor Report Order (CARO) Rules.

Section 143(11) provides explanations and clarifications on these specified matters, which the auditors are required to report. It includes specific guidance on each clause of the Order, relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, etc.

Applicability of this order

The applicability of CARO 2016 can be better understood by going through those companies that are excluded from its purview. The companies which have been exempted are explained below with detail.  Hence, Auditing Requirements for such companies need not follow CARO requirement.

• Banking Companies, defined under section 5(c) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949,
• Insurance Companies, under the Insurance Act, 1938,
• Section 8 Company or the Companies Incorporated u/s 8 of the Companies Act, 2013,
• One Person Company, formed under section 2(62) of the Companies Act, 2013
• Small Companies, as defined under 2(85) of the Companies Act, 2013
• Private Limited Companies that are not a holding or a subsidiary company of any public company,
• Having a total paid-up capital + reserves + surplus, not more than Rs. 1 crore,
• When total borrowings from any bank or any financial institution at any point during the financial year does not exceed Rs. 1 crore,
• When the total revenue does not Rs. 10 crores during the financial year.

In other words, CARO is applicable to the following types of companies:

• Those Companies that have a paid-up capital of more than Rs. 1 crore,
• Companies with a borrowing of more than Rs.1 crore from any bank or financial institution at any point of time during the financial year,
• Any subsidiary or holding company,
• Companies with total revenue exceeding Rs. 10 crore during the financial year.
• A Foreign Company, defined u/s 2(42) of companies act 2013. Foreign company meaning any Corporate Entity whose Company Registration was undertaken outside India which:

1. Has a place of business in India, whether by itself or through an agent, physically or through an electronic mode, and
2. Conduct any business activity in India in any manner.

It is Mandatory to Comply:

Section 143(11) clearly says that the Central Government may order for the inclusion of a statement on the specified matter in the auditor’s report for the specified class or description of companies. Hence, CARO 2016 has to be filed by the statutory auditor of every company on which it applies.

Specified Matters to be included in CARO 2016 Report

Below are major areas that have to be provided in the Auditor Report under CARO. If the answer to any of the questions is unfavourable or qualified, the auditor’s report must also state the basis for generating such unfavourable or qualified answer. Moreover, if the auditor is unable to express any opinion on any specified matter, then the report must indicate the fact. Along with the reasons as to why it is not possible for him to present an opinion on it.

I. Fixed Assets

Following matters are to be included in the Auditor’s Report relating to the Fixed Assets of the company:

• Proper Records: Is the company maintaining proper records showing full particulars? The particulars must include quantitative details and situation of the fixed assets.
• Physical Verification: Whether its fixed assets have been physically verified by the management at reasonable intervals. These intervals can vary from asset to asset. Were they in the same condition as stated in the bookkeeping and accounting, at the time of the verification? If any material discrepancy was found, whether the same have been properly dealt with, in the books?
• Title Deeds: Whether the title deeds of the immovable property is in the name of the company? If not, provide the details, thereof.

II. Inventory

Following matters, relating to the inventory of the company, should be included in the Auditor’s report

• Whether physical verification of the inventory has been conducted? To be done at regular intervals by the management. And if any material discrepancies were noticed during the verification, whether the same have been properly accounted for?
• Whether proper records of incoming and outgoing of inventory has been maintained?

III. Loans Given by Company

Whether the company has granted any loans(secured or unsecured) to any related parties covered under Section 189 of the Companies Act. 2013. If yes, then check for the following:

• Whether the terms and conditions of granting the loan are not prejudicial to the interest of the company?
• If the repayments are proper and within the stipulated time?
• Whether the amount overdue for more than 90 days has been reported? And the steps taken by the company to recover the amount have been reasonable?

IV. Loan to Directors and Investment by the Company

Whether the Grants or Loans to Directors are in order and compliant to the limits prescribed? The provisions u/s 185 and 186 are to be complied with, in cases of loan, investment and guarantees. If not, whether details are provided?

V. Deposits

Whether the company has accepted any deposits? If yes, have they followed RBI’s directives stated as under:

• If the Directives/Orders issued by the Reserve Bank of India have been complied with? At the time of accepting deposits.
• The provisions of Section 73 to 76 or any other provisions of Companies Act, 2013, as applicable.
• Any order that has been passed by NCLT, Company Law Board (CLB) or any other court or tribunal.
• If any non-compliance, the nature of contraventions must be reported.

VI. Cost Records

Where the maintenance of cost records under sec 148 (1) of Companies Act, 2013 has been specified by the Central Government, then whether bookkeeping and accounting have these records?

VII. Statutory Dues

Following items must be reported for statutory dues and disputes of taxes and duties:

Statutory dues pending for more than 6 months:

Whether the company is regular in depositing statutory dues with the appropriate authorities like:

• Employment provident fund
• Payment towards ESIC
• Income Tax
• Sales Tax or VAT
• Service Tax
• GST
• Custom Duty
• Excise Duty

If it is not regular in doing so, the extent of the dues, on the last day of the financial year, for a period of more than 6 months from the date they payable, have to be reported.

VII. Repayment of Loans

If the company has defaulted in repaying loans or borrowings to financial institutions. Such as banks, government, debenture-holders, etc. Then the amount should be reported along with details about the lender.

IX. Utilization of funds from IPO or other public offers

The company Raising Capital for Business through IPO or another public offer (including debt). Were they applied for the respective purpose? If not, the details together with any delay or default should be stated.

X. Reporting of Fraud

Whether any fraud by the company or on the company, was noticed during the financial year? It might have been committed by any officers or employees. If yes, amount and nature of such fraud have to be reported.

XI. Approval of Managerial Remuneration

Whether the limits prescribed u/s 197 of the Company’s Act 2013 for payment of Remuneration of Director and other managers have been adhered to? If not, report the amount involved and steps for recovery being taken.

XII. Nidhi Company

In case of a Nidhi company, whether below has been complied with?

i. Maintaining Net Owned Funds to Deposit Ratio of 1:20 to meet out the liability, and

ii. Maintaining 10% unattached term deposits, as specified in the Nidhi Rules, 2014, to meet out the liability.

XIII. Related Party Transaction

Whether all transactions with the related parties or associates are compliant to Section 177 and 188 of the Companies Act 2013? Also, the details have been disclosed properly in the financial statements as required by the Accounting standards?

XIV. Private Placement or Preferential Issues

Whether the company has made any preferential allotment or private placement of shares or fully or partially convertible debentures during the financial year? If yes, whether the rules u/s 42 have been complied with? The amount raised, has been utilized for the stated purpose? If not, then state the amount and the reason.

XV. Non-cash Transactions

When the company entered into any non-cash transactions with the directors or the persons connected with him, if the conditions are in the compliance with Section 192, of the Companies Act 2013. If not, report the non-compliance.

XVI. Register under RBI Act

Has the Company Registration been done u/s 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India, 1934, if applicable? If yes, whether the registration has been obtained or not?

XVII. Additional Reporting

In the case of unfavourable or unqualified answers to the points raised in the above points, then the following should be reported:

 Auditor’s report shall also state the basis for such unfavourable or unqualified answer, as applicable. When he is unable to express an opinion, then Auditor’s report should state the facts as well as the reasons as to why it is not possible for him to give his opinion.

 

CARO 2016 vs CARO 2015

The MCA in the CARO 2016 order has made some changes to the requirements, from the CARO 2015. It now requires the following information to be included:

1. Fixed Assets details,
2. Details about Inventory & inventory management,
3. Loans to related/associated parties,
4. Loan Guarantee Security,
5. Deposits,
6. Cost Records,
7. Statutory Dues,
8. Repayment of loan,
9. Term loans,
10. Fraud in Board Reports or any other reporting,
11. Managerial Remuneration – (Newly introduced in CARO 2016),
12. Nidhi Company – (Newly introduced in CARO 2016),
13. Related party transaction – (Newly introduced in CARO 2016),
14. Private placement – (Newly introduced in CARO 2016),
15. Non-cash transaction – (Newly introduced in CARO 2016),

16. Non Banking Financial Company or NBFC – (Newly introduced in CARO 2016)

17. Adequate internal control (Not required from CARO 2016),
18. Accumulated Losses (Not Required from CARO 2016),
19. Guarantees (Not Required from CARO 2016).

 

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