NFRA flags lapses in audit quality of three audit firms
National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) has flagged certain lapses in the audit quality of three audit firms. The observations have been made in NFRA's three separate inspection reports of SRBC & Co LLP, Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP and Walker Chandiok & Co LLP.
In its report on SRBC & Co LLP, the regulator conducted audit quality inspections in 2024 and the scope included focus on three audit areas — Internal financial control over financial reporting on revenue, related party transactions and impairment of non-financial assets.
SRBC & Co LLP is member of two networks — Ernst & Young Global network and SR Batliboi & Affiliates.
According to the regulator, SRBC & Co LLP should put in place a robust process to address all threats to independence, which may be created due to the exclusion of certain services from the term non-audit services.
Further, the audit firm should reconsider its policy to exclude NFRA-regulated audit clients' holding companies, which are in private equity business, for the purpose of providing non-audit services, to ensure full compliance with the laws and standards.
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«The EY network has provided 'Financial Reporting and Accounting Advisory Services' to its audit clients in 7 cases in 2022-23 and in 4 cases in 2023-24. This prima facie indicates that the firm may be violating laws and standards.
Among others, NFRA said the audit firm should reconsider its policy to avoid indirect business relationship through EY Network entities and put in place a robust process to