Investment Valuation in India

REPORTING OF FRAUD BY AN AUDITOR [Section 143(12) to (15) of the Companies Act, 2013] The Companies (Amendment) Bill 2014 was passed by Lok Sabha on December 17’14. According to the amendment, “the auditor would be required to report fraud to the Government above the mandated threshold limit. Any fraud below the threshold limit would have to be reported to the Audit Committee (AC) / Board .” Further, the amendment also provides for the companies whose auditors have reported frauds under this sub-section to the AC or the Board but not reported to the Central Government (CG), shall disclose the details about such frauds in the Board’s report . The threshold limit has not been defined. Time and manner of reporting The auditor shall immediately report the matter to CG within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed i.e. according to Rule 13. No liability of auditor An auditor shall not be deemed to be guilty for breach of any of his duties by reason of his

Restrictions and legal requirements : No company shall enter into an arrangement by which- (a) a director of the company or its holding, subsidiary or associate company or a person connected with him acquires or is to acquire assets for consideration other than cash, from the company; or (b) the company acquires or is to acquire assets for consideration other than cash, from such a director or person so connected, unless prior approval for such arrangement is accorded by a resolution of the company in general meeting (GM) and if the director or connected person is a director of its holding company, approval shall also be required to be obtained by passing a resolution in GM of the holding company. Requirements of notice: The notice for approval of the resolution by the company or holding company in GM shall include the particulars of the arrangement along with the value of the assets involved in such arrangement duly calculated by a registered valuer. Effects of contravent

Removal of auditor before expiry of his term [Section 140(1)] Resolution: Such removal requires a special resolution (SR) . Approval : Previous approval of Central Government (CG) must be obtained.                 Procedure for obtaining approval of CG and passing SR (Rule 7): Ø   An application shall be made to CG in Form ADT-2. The application shall be accompanied with the prescribed fees. Ø   The application shall be made to CG within 30 days of passing of the Board resolution (BR). Ø   The company shall hold the general meeting (GM) within 60 days of receipt of approval of CG for passing of the SR. Opportunity of being heard : Before taking any action for removal, the auditor shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard. Resignation by Auditor [Section 140(2) and 140(3)] When an auditor resigns, he is required to file a Statement in the prescribed form. The Statement shall indicate the reasons and other facts as may be relevant with regard t

Eligibility for an individual An individual shall be eligible for appointment as an auditor of a company only if he is a chartered accountant (C.A). Eligibility for a firm *   A firm shall be eligible for appointment as an auditor of a company only if majority of its partners practicing in India are qualified for appointment i.e. they are C.A’s. *   Where a firm including a limited liability partnership (LLP) is appointed as an auditor of a company, only the partners who are C.A’s shall be authorized to act and sign on behalf of the firm. Disqualifications of Auditor [Section 141(3)] a) A body corporate other than a LLP. b) An officer or employee of the company.  c) A person who is partner or who in the employment, of an officer or employee of the company. d) A person who or his relative or partner *   is holding any security in the company or its subsidiary or of its holding or associate company or subsidiary of such holding company. It has been further