Assurance
By André Henrique Gaspar de Oliveira and Luísa Zanini da Fontoura, Maciel Auditores
Over the years, auditing has retained its significance in public finance and, as such, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) 1 receive constitutional recognition in many countries around the world, including Brazil. Although it has been argued that Brazil suffers from serious accountability deficits, here, as watchdogs of public finances, the auditors act to enforce accountability of executive agencies to national and state legislatures and through them to the general public.
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Assurance
By Allan Mundell, Nolands SA
After a considerable process of local and international consultation lasting a year, the IRBA (Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors) recently announced plans to implement Mandatory Audit Firm Rotation (MAFR) in South Africa. The directive effectively puts a time limit on the relationship between auditor and client.
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Assurance
By Michael Reiss von Filski, GGI
Whilst in the accounting profession, global networks and associations are ranked according to their (financial) size, it is not always evident what this means for the quality of services provided. At least, and this is the advantage of the accounting profession, the figures available to compare different networks and associations are a rather reliable and measurable way of accountability. It is generally accepted that a larger entity, organisation or alliance cannot be that bad. Some even go even as far as to preach that the bigger the better.
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Assurance
By Dmitry Sklyarov, ADE Professional Solutions
The national transition to the IFRS programme started in Russia in 1998. It was initiated and driven by the National Council on the financial standards. The significant step towards the convergence and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Russia was enforced in 2010 by Federal Law #208 concerning “consolidated financial statements”. The law obliges public companies and their sub-holdings to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS and disclose them publicly within 120 days of the reporting date with the audit opinion enclosed.
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Assurance
By Kassim Harunani, Lawrence Grant
Changes and updates have been introduced to the UK GAAP which relate to the FRSSE (Financial Reporting Standards for Small Entities) and FRS’s (Financial Reporting Standards), by the FRC (Financial Reporting Council) in the form of FRS 100, FRS 101 and FRS 102. The revisions fundamentally reformed financial reporting. These 3 financial reporting standards will replace almost all extant standards.
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Assurance
On 6 September 2012 the government announced key changes to company and LLP audit and reporting requirements. The changes removed the need for many more companies and LLPs to have an audit and they apply to financial years ending on or after 1 October 2012.
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Law, Assurance
By Paul Levy, Lawrence Grant
A question that most companies find themselves asking is, is my annual audit adding value to my business? We understand perfectly that an audit of your business records can sometimes be time consuming, costly and inconvenient, but we look at it as an opportunity to conduct a review of your financial and management systems, identify any problem areas so that we can help transform your business' prospects for the future.
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Assurance
On 30 November 2011 the European Commission accepted the proposals of the EU Internal Market Commissioner, Michel Barnier, regarding new rules for auditing. If the governments of the EU states and the European Parliament agree with the directive proposal, the market is set to change for auditors. Barnier justified his approach by stating that, since 2008, confidence in year-end audits has been shaken and that this confidence must be restored. He elaborated in detail regarding the objectives of the new directive: "Conflicts of interest will be rectified, independence strengthened and prudential supervision guaranteed; at the same time the directive will seek greater diversity within the market, which is too highly concentrated – particularly at the top."
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Assurance
By Luciano Gomes dos Santos, Maciel Auditores
At the end of each business year, partners and shareholders meet to discuss the distribution of the company dividend. These profits which are vital for further growth and expansion must be allocated wisely.
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Assurance
By Roland Ogink, deJong & Laan
People take steps with a goal in mind. They want to get somewhere; reach a point on the horizon. The same applies to us. Sometimes, we move towards our goal in a straight line, while at other times, the road bends or has side paths. Straight ahead with a bend every now and again. The point on the horizon is clear to us; to become the best audit practice for SMEs!
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