Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Article-ship
Interview
Guide
Index
Sr. Subject Page
1. Audit and Assurance 2-9
2. Company Law 10 - 12
3. Taxation 13 - 14
4. Financial Accounting and Reporting 15 - 16
5. Economics and Finance 17
6. Business Management and Behavioral Studies 18 - 19
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BASICS OF AUDITING
Relevance deals with the logical connection between the assertion and
procedure performed.
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Reliability deals with the source, nature and circumstances under which the
information is obtained. Examples include:
- Original documents over photocopies
- Documentary evidence over oral form
- Externally obtained evidence over internal evidence
- Directly obtained information over indirectly obtained evidence
What is an Audit Procedure? Audit procedures are methods and techniques used by the auditors to
obtain evidence. They include analytical procedures, external confirmation,
inquiry, inspection, observation, reperformance and recalculation.
What is/are:
1. Analytical Procedures Analytical procedures are the evaluation of financial information through
comparison and plausible relationships between financial and non-financial
data.
2. External Confirmation External confirmations are a process of obtaining information from third
parties through direct written communication.
3. Inquiry Inquiry is the seeking of information from knowledgeable persons within or
outside the entity.
4. Inspection Inspections involves examining records or documents or physical
verification of assets.
5. Observation Observation is the process of looking at a process or procedure being
performed by others.
6. Reperformance Reperformance is the independent performance of a process or procedure
that were originally performed by the entity as part of its internal controls.
7. Recalculation Recalculation consists of checking mathematical accuracy of documents or
records.
What are Risk Assessment Procedures? These are procedures performed by the auditor to obtain understanding of
the entity and its internal controls to assess the risk of misstatement at
assertion and financial statement level.
These include:
- Inquiries of management and others within the entity
- Observation and inspection of documents and procedures
- Analytical procedures
What is Risk at Financial Statement It is the risk that effects the financial statements pervasively and affects
Level? many assertions.
Examples: Risk of Fraud, Going Concern Issues, and Lack of Competence
and Integrity of management.
What is Risk at Assertion Level? It is the risk that affects specific identifiable assertions.
Examples: Risk that precious and portable assets may be misappropriated,
risk that complex transactions may not be accurately recorded and risk that
large transactions at year end may not have occurred.
How does an auditor address risk at Auditor designs and implements an overall response by:
financial statement level? - Increased level of professional skepticism
- Assigning more experienced and specialized staff
- Increased supervision and review of audit work
- Incorporating unpredictability in the nature, extent and timing of audit
procedures
- Performing more audit procedures at year end than at interim date
How does an auditor address risk at The auditor performs test of controls and substantive procedures to
assertion level? address such risk.
What are Tests of Controls? Tests of controls are procedures performed to confirm the operating
effectiveness of internal controls in preventing, detecting and correcting
misstatements at assertion level.
What are Substantive Procedures? Substantive procedures are procedures performed by the auditor to detect
material misstatement at assertion level
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What are Assertions? Assertions are representations by management embodied in the financial
statements. These are used by the auditor to assess the different types of
misstatements that may occur. Two categories of assertions are ‘Account
balances’ and ‘Classes of Transactions’.
What are the assertions for Account 1. Existence
Balances? 2. Rights and obligations
3. Accuracy, Valuation and Allocation
4. Completeness
5. Classification and Presentation
What are the assertions for Classes of 1. Occurrence
Transactions and Events? 2. Accuracy
3. Cutoff
4. Completeness
5. Classification and Presentation
What is Audit Documentation? It is the written record of audit procedures performed, evidence obtained
and conclusions reached by an audit during an audit.
What is an Audit Report? An audit report is a document that contains an audit opinion on whether a
company's financial statements are presented fairly in all material aspects
as per IFRS or applicable law.
When is an audit report issued? An audit report is issued after the auditor has obtained sufficient and
appropriate evidence and the financial statements are approved by the
BOD.
Who signs an audit report? The auditor himself in case of an individual and a partner of a firm
What is Scope Limitation? Scope limitation is the difficulty imposed that disables the auditor to obtain
sufficient and appropriate evidence regarding a matter.
What is Materiality? Items are considered material if they, individually or in aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of the users
taken on the basis of financial statements.
Define Pervasive. The term is used to describe the effects of misstatement and scope
limitation. The effects of such are not confined to specific elements of the
financial statements rather effect the financial statements as a whole.
Why is an Emphasis of Matter An Emphasis of Matter paragraph is included in the audit report if the
paragraph included in the audit auditor considers it necessary to draw attention of the users to a matter of
report? significance disclosed in the financial statements.
What are some examples of situations 1. Exceptional Litigation
in which an Emphasis of Matter 2. Early application of a new accounting standard
paragraph is included in the audit 3. Major disaster
report? 4. Significant subsequent event
5. Revision of financial statements/audit report after issuance
Why is an Other Matter paragraph An Other Matter paragraph is included in the audit report if the auditor
included in the audit report? considers it necessary to communicate a matter which is not required to be
disclosed in the financial statements but is relevant to the understanding of
the users.
What are some examples of situations 1. Different auditor for prior year’s financial statements
in which an Other Matter paragraph is 2. Auditor is reporting on more than one sets of financial statements
included in the audit report? 3. Auditor restricting the distribution of audit report
What is the Tenure of the Auditors? The tenure of auditors is from the date of their appointment till the
conclusion of the next AGM.
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How are auditors removed before Auditors can be removed before expiry of their tenure by members through
expiry of tenure? a special resolution.
When are First Auditors appointed? First auditors are appointed within 90 days from incorporation of a
company.
When are Subsequent Auditors Subsequent auditors are appointed at each AGM of the company.
appointed?
How are Subsequent Auditors Subsequent auditors are appointed by the members in an AGM.
appointed? The Board of directors recommend the incoming auditors along with the
notice of the AGM. Consent of the incoming auditors must be obtained
before such notice and the retiring auditors must be notified as well.
Registrar must be intimated within 14 days of appointment.
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5. Professional Behavior A chartered accountant should comply with relevant laws and regulations,
and avoid actions that may discredit the profession. He should always
behave with courtesy in professional dealings.
What is:
1. Self-Interest Threat A self-interest threat exists if the auditor holds a direct or indirect financial
interest in the company.
2. Self-Review Threat A self-review threat exists if the auditor is auditing his own work or work
that is done by others in the same firm.
3. Familiarity Threat It is a threat that an assurance team member will be too accepting of the
work of client because of a long or close relationship.
4. Intimidation Threat It is a threat that a chartered accountant will compromise his objectivity
due to threats and pressure of the client.
5. Advocacy Threat An advocacy threat exists if the auditor is involved in promoting the client
to the point where his objectivity is potentially compromised.
What is an Engagement Letter? An engagement letter is a written agreement between the auditor and
client which states the terms and conditions of the audit engagement.
What are the Contents of an Contents of the engagement letter include:
Engagement Letter? 1. Objective and scope of audit.
2. Responsibilities of the auditor.
3. Responsibilities of the management.
4. Identification of the applicable financial reporting framework.
5. Expected form and contents of report to be issued.
6. Inherent limitations of an audit and internal controls.
7. Fee or basis or fees.
8. Expectation that management will provide written representations.
PLANNING OF AN AUDIT
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What is Transaction-Based Audit? It is an approach for an audit under which no reliance is placed upon entity’s
internal controls. The auditor solely performs test of details.
What is System-Based Audit? If the internal controls are assessed as effective in the walk-through tests,
the auditor may rely on the internal controls and perform test of controls
to determine the level of substantive testing. This is a system-based audit.
What are Walk-Through Tests? It is a procedure performed by the auditor which traces a transaction step-
by-step through the accounting system from its inception to the final
disposition.
What is Inherent Risk? It is the susceptibility of an assertion to a misstatement that could be
material before considering any related controls.
What is Control Risk? It is the risk that entity’s controls may not prevent, detect or correct
material misstatements.
What is Detection Risk? It is the risk that procedures performed by auditors will fail to detect a
material misstatement.
What is Audit Risk? It is the risk that the auditor will express an inappropriate opinion.
What is a Not-for-Profit Organization? It is an organization with an objective to provide services to the society. It
does not generate profits and no part of its income is distributed to its
members, directors or officers.
What are Internal Controls? Internal controls are processes and procedures implemented by the
management to ensure achievement of an organization's objectives in
operational effectiveness and efficiency, reliable financial reporting, and
compliance with laws and regulations.
What are the Limitations of Internal 1. Breakdown caused by human error
Controls? 2. Management override of controls and collusion
3. Lack of segregation of duties in small entities
4. Non routine transactions are not subject to internal controls
5. Judgements involved in implementation may be faulty
What are the Components of Internal 1. Control Environment
Controls? 2. Information Systems
3. Entity’s Risk Assessment Process
4. Control Activities (Authorization – Performance Reviews – Information
Processing Controls – Physical Controls – Segregation of Duties)
5. Monitoring of Controls
What is Segregation of Duties? Segregation of duties is division of work between multiple workers to
reduce the risk of error and fraud.
What is Management Letter? It is a document prepared by the auditor to communicate significant
deficiencies in internal controls to the management.
What is an Audit Trail? An audit trail is the ability of users to trace a transaction through all of its
processing stages.
What is a System Log? A system log is a record of events that take place in performance of system.
What is Encryption? Encryption is the conversion of data into coded form using a program to
make it unreadable to everyone except its intended users.
What are:
1. Preventive Controls Controls designed to stop errors or irregularities from occurring.
Examples: segregation of duties, authorization, restricting access through
passwords/firewalls
2. Detective Controls Controls designed to identify errors or irregularities that may occur.
Examples: reconciliations, periodic audits, exception reports, review of
system logs
3. Corrective Controls Controls designed to correct errors or irregularities that have been
detected.
Examples: backup and recovery procedures, disciplinary mechanisms
What is Check Digit? Check digit is a validation check on key numerical codes. It is calculated from
the original data and added to the end.
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What is Audit Software? It is a computer program used by auditors to extract and interrogate
financial information in client’s IT system for use in audit work.
What is Test Data? It is a set of dummy transactions developed by an auditor and processed by
the client’s IT system.
PERFORMANCE OF AN AUDIT
What is Negative Confirmation? A negative confirmation request asks for a reply from a third party only if they
disagree with the information provided by the auditor.
What is Positive Confirmation? A positive confirmation request asks the confirming party to respond to the
auditor in all cases whether they agree or disagree with the information
provided.
What are Related Parties? Related parties are individuals or organizations that might have an undue
influence over the company being audited.
What is Sampling? Sampling is the application of audit procedures to less than 100% of the items
in a population.
What are the Sample Selection 1. Systematic Selection
Methods? 2. Random Selection
3. Haphazard Selection
4. Block Selection
What is Stratification? The process of dividing a population into subpopulations, each of which is a
group of sampling units with similar characteristics.
What is Sampling Risk? Sampling risk is the risk that auditor's conclusion based on the sample might
be different from the conclusion if the entire population was tested.
What is Tolerable Misstatement? It is the amount by which a financial statement line item can differ from its true
amount without impacting the fair presentation of the entire financial
statements.
What is Tolerable Rate of A rate of deviation from prescribed internal control procedures set by the
Deviation? auditor in respect of which the auditor seeks to obtain an appropriate level of
assurance that the rate set is not exceeded by the actual rate of deviation in
the population.
What is an Internal Audit? Internal audit is a part of the entity that is appointed by TCWG to assist them
in ensuring good governance of the entity.
What is an Auditor’s Expert? An expert is a person who has expertise in a field other than accounting or
auditing and is used by the auditor to obtain evidence.
When does an auditor use an An auditor uses an expert for the following:
Expert? 1. Actuarial Calculations
2. Engineering Data
3. Legal Opinions
4. IT Expertise
5. Valuations
What is an Error? An error is an unintentional misstatement.
What is Fraud? Fraud is a deliberate act by one or more individuals by use of deception to gain
an unfair personal or financial advantage.
What is Management Override of Management override of controls refers to the ability of management to
Controls? overrule the prescribed policies and procedures to prepare fraudulent
financial statements.
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What are Written Representations? They are a written statements provided by management to confirm certain
matters or to support other audit evidence.
What is a Qualified Opinion A qualified opinion is expressed when the auditors obtain sufficient and
appropriate evidence that material misstatement or scope limitation exists but
is not pervasive to the financial statements. The auditor states in his report
that the financial statements are fairly presented, except for a specified issue.
What is an Adverse Opinion An adverse opinion is expressed when the auditors obtain sufficient and
appropriate evidence that a material and pervasive misstatement exists. The
auditor states in his report that the financial statements are not fairly
presented.
What is a Disclaimer of Opinion A disclaimer of opinion is expressed when the auditors are unable to obtain
sufficient and appropriate evidence due to scope limitation and conclude that
the effect of such is both material and pervasive to the financial statements.
The auditor states in his report that they were unable to obtain sufficient
appropriate evidence to form an opinion.
What are Key Audit Matters? Matters that, in the auditor’s judgment, were of most significance in the audit
of the financial statements are Key Audit Matters. These are selected from
matters communicated to Those Charged with Governance during the audit.
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COMPANY LAW
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Candidates with the highest votes are declared as elected until the fixed
number of directors to be elected is reached.
What is the Quorum of a Board For a listed company the quorum is one-third of the total directors or 4,
Meeting? whichever is higher. For any other companies the quorum is as per the
Articles of Association.
What is the Frequency of Board The board of a public company shall meet at least once in each quarter of a
Meetings? year.
What is a Chief Executive? A chief executive is an individual who is given whole or substantial powers of
management of affairs of a company, subject to control and directions of the
directors. A chief executive is appointed by the directors.
What is an Independent Director? It is a director who is not involved in executive management of a company.
Such a director is expected to give an objective view in decision making of
the board.
What is an Associated Company? Associated Company means any legal entity of which a person or company
has direct or indirect control by:
- Common shareholding of 20% or more
- Common management/control
- Management of a Modaraba
What is Dividend? What are its Dividend is any payment by a company to its shareholders out of its
types? distributable profits.
Types of Dividends:
1. Interim Dividend: Paid before the year end. Approved/declared by
directors
2. Final Dividend: Paid after the year end. Proposed by directors and
approved by shareholders.
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TAXATION
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What are the Allowances available to a Allowances are available for the following:
person? 1. Zakat
2. Worker’s Welfare Fund
3. Worker’s Participation Fund
4. Profit on Debt
5. Educational expenses
6. Medical expenses
7. First year allowances on depreciation
Who is required to charge Sales Tax? Every person making taxable supplies is required to collect sales tax.
What is Input Tax? It is the tax paid by registered person on the taxable goods and services
purchased or acquired. This also includes the sales tax paid on imports.
What is Output Tax? It is the sales tax charged on the supply of goods or services on which
sales tax is leviable.
TAX RATES:
Corporate Tax Rate Tax Rate for Small Companies Tax Rate for Banking Companies
TY 2022 29% 21% 35%
TY 2023 29% 20% 35%
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What is Deferred Tax? It is an accounting measure used to match the tax effects of transactions
with their accounting impact to produce less distorted results.
What is a Temporary Difference? It is the difference between the carrying amount of an asset/liability
within the Statement of Financial Position and its tax base.
Carrying Amount: As per IFRSs in Financial Statements
Tax Base: As per Tax Authorities
What is a Taxable Temporary A temporary difference that will yield amounts that are taxable in the
Difference? future when determining taxable profit or loss.
What is a Deferred Tax Liability? The amounts of income taxes payable in future periods in respect of
taxable temporary differences.
What is a Deductible Temporary A temporary difference that will yield amounts that are deductible in the
Difference? future when determining taxable profit or loss.
What is a Deferred Tax Asset? The amounts of income taxes recoverable in future periods in respect of
deductible temporary differences or unused tax losses and tax credits.
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What is Finance? Finance is the management of money with the goal to increase wealth.
What is Capital? Capital is the wealth in a form of money or other assets held by a person or
organization.
What is Opportunity Cost? The cost of one economic decision expressed in terms of the next best
alternative foregone.
What is a:
1. Market Economy 1. An economic system in which production and prices are determined by
unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses.
2. Planned Economy 2. An economy in which production, investment, prices, and incomes are
determined centrally by the government.
3. Mixed Economy 3. An economic system combining private and state enterprise.
What is a Modaraba? Modaraba is a profit-sharing contractual arrangement between an investor and
a managing trustee.
What is a Giffen Good? A good where quantity demanded increases when price rises.
What is Price Elasticity of A measure of the extent of changes in the market demand for a good in
Demand? response to a change in price.
What are Economies of Scale? Factors which lead to the overall decrease in unit cost, as output increases.
These are usually costs which have similar characteristics to fixed costs, and can
be spread out amongst ever greater units, hence reducing the average cost.
What are Diseconomies of Factors which lead to the overall increase in unit cost, as output increases. These
Scale? are often a result of managers/staff losing control/motivation as
production gets greater.
What is a Monopoly? A market structure where there is just one firm supplying to the whole market.
What is Price Discrimination? The action of selling the same product to different groups of buyers at different
prices in order to maximise profits.
What is Collusion? Collusion is a non-competitive, secret, and sometimes illegal agreement
between rivals which attempts to disrupt the market's equilibrium. The aim is to
gain an unfair market advantage.
What is GDP? GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product. It is the total monetary value of all the
goods and services of a country produced and rendered within a specific period.
What is Inflation? A continuous increase in the general price level.
What is Deflation? A continuous fall in the general price level.
What is Economic Growth? Economic growth is a long-term expansion of a country’s production potential.
What is Fiscal Policy? Fiscal policy is government policy on taxation, spending and government
borrowing.
What is Monetary Policy? Monetary policy consists of the management of money supply and interest rates
to achieve macroeconomic objectives such as controlling inflation, consumption
and growth.
What is Balance of Payments? The balance of payments measures the financial transactions made
between consumers, businesses and the government in one country with
others.
What is a Capital Market? The financial market which is largely used to raise long-term finance and capital.
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What makes a Good Leader? A good leader has a clear vision. He acts with integrity and honesty. He
gets the best out of his subordinates and help them reach their goals.
What are the Styles of Leadership? 1. Authoritarian - continually gives orders and instructions without
offering any consultation
2. Democratic - offers guidance and encouragement and participates
actively
3. Laissez-faire - gives the knowledge needed to work, but does not
participate
What are Leadership qualities? A leader would take the first step. He would work with his subordinates
instead of dictating what needs to be done. He would act wisely and be
an inspiration for everyone. Some essential qualities of a leader include
communication, vision, empathy, accountability and gratitude.
What is the difference between a leader A leader is a person who guides, leads and motivates his subordinates
and a manager? while a manager is a person who assigns tasks to his subordinates and
gets the work done. A leader works closely and communicates directly
with all of his team to inspire effort. A manager delegates responsibility
and operates through a chain of command. A leader is people focused
but a manager is task focused.
What is Management? Management is the process of dealing with and controlling people and
resources to achieve a specific purpose.
What are the Five Steps of Management is a five-step process and comprises of planning,
Management? organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling the work of a group
of employees.
What are Managements Skills? Management skills include:
1. Leadership 5. Information gathering
2. Time and stress management 6. Negotiation
3. Innovation and creativity 7. Coaching
4. Communication 8. Gathering
What is a Business Environment? Business Environment encompasses the ‘climate’ or set of conditions,
economic, social, political or institutional in which business operations
are conducted.
What are the Environmental Factors? P – Political and legal factors
E – Economic factors
S – Social, cultural and demographic influences
T – Technological factors.
E – Ecological
L – Legal
What are Stakeholders? A stakeholder in an organization is a person who has an interest in what
the organization does, and who might therefore try to influence the
decisions and actions of the organization.
What is Outsourcing? Outsourcing is the business practice of hiring a party outside a company
to perform services and create goods.
What is Downsizing? Downsizing means the reduction in size of a business organization. It
means that its business activities are conducted by a smaller number of
people.
What is SWOT analysis? SWOT analysis is an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats. It is a simple but useful technique for analyzing strategic
position.
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What are the Factors of Michael Porter’s 1. Threats from potential entrants
Five Forces Model? 2. Threats from substitute products or services
(Factors that determine 3. The bargaining power of suppliers
competitiveness) 4. The bargaining power of customers
5. Competitive rivalry within the industry or market.
What is a Value Chain? A value chain is a series of activities, each of which adds value. These
activities within and around an organization create a product or service.
What are Primary and Secondary Value Primary Value Chain activities: Secondary Value Chain activities:
Chain activities? 1. Inbound logistics 1. Purchasing
2. Operations 2. Technology support
3. Outbound Logistics 3. Corporate Services
4. Marketing and Sales 4. Human resource
5. Service
What is an Organization? An organization is a social arrangement for the controlled performance
of collective goals.
What is an Organizational Structure? An organizational structure is the formal arrangement within an
organization that defines how activities and tasks are formally divided
and how processes and information would flow within this structure.
What are the types of Organizational 1. Entrepreneurial – the entrepreneur is the sole decision maker
Structures? 2. Functional – Small to Medium Sized Organization – groups of people
performing similar tasks
3. Matrix – multiple commands systems - dual reporting relationships
4. Divisional – Large entities – Divisions of activities operating like a
standalone entity - Specific centralized tasks
What is Organizational Change? Organizational Change refers to changes in strategy, resource allocation
and asset disposals along with significant reengineering of the
organizational structure as a standard part of many change efforts.
How will you implement change? I would start by persuading the employees that a change is necessary. I
will look to compensate the employees with an incentive to motivate
them to adopt to the proposed change. I would manage between
resources to ensure a successful implementation of change. Once the
change is implemented, I will encourage the employees to carry on with
the new way of doing things.
What is a Team? A team is a group of people using shared resources in order to achieve
common goals.
What is a Workgroup? Workgroups are groups formed by individuals to perform a common
goal or promote similar thoughts and purpose.
What is Negotiation? A formal process that occurs when parties are trying to find a mutually
acceptable solution to a complex conflict.
How would you Resolve a Conflict? I would communicate with the other person and invite them to share
their point of view while I share mine on the conflicting matter. I would
ensure that the interests of the firm are not compromised due to our
personal interests. Based upon the arguments presented I would seek to
find a mutually beneficial solution for such a conflict.
In case the matter remains unsolved, I would look to ask a senior to
mediate.
What is an ERP? Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a software that allows an
organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage the
business and automate many back-office functions related to
technology, services and human resources.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility? Corporate Social Responsibility is a management concept whereby
companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business
operations and interactions with their stakeholders.
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