Verification and Valuation of Investments - Auditing (2024)

An investment is a monetary asset purchased with the idea that the asset will provide income in the future or will later be sold at a higher price for a profit.

Verification and Valuation of Investments

Aninvestment is a monetary asset purchased with the idea that the asset willprovide income in the future or will later be sold at a higher price for aprofit. Investments include Government securities, shares, debentures, etc.When the number of investments is very large, the auditor should ask for aschedule of investments held by the client containing various particulars likename of the securities, date of purchase, nominal value, cost price, marketprice, etc., and examine the same. He should ensure that the investment assethas been shown separately in the Balance Sheet.

Verification and Valuation of Investments - Auditing (1)

Theauditor should verify the existence of investments by personal inspection. Atthe same time, he should also ensure that the investments are registered in thename of the client and they are free from any charge. He should rely on therelevant vouchers and certificates to do so.

If thesecurities are with the trustees on behalf of the concern the auditor shouldexamine the trust deed. In case they are under the safe custody of the bankerthen he should obtain the certificate from the banker and examine the same. Ifthey are with the broker, he should examine the certificate received from thebroker.

Havingverified the securities, the auditor has to find out that the investments areproperly valued. Generally, investments are valued at cost price or marketprice whichever is lower.

In case there is a temporary fall in the price of the shares,itshould be ignored. But where such a fall is permanent, depreciation must beprovided. Actually, the basis of valuations of investment will depend upon thepurpose for which they are held. For instance, in case of trust company, thesole purpose of which is to earn interest and dividend, then such investmentmust be treated as fixed asset. In such cases, even the permanent fall in theirvalue should be ignored.

Theinvestments are classified as – (1) Quoted Investments, and (2) UnquotedInvestment

Quoted Investment

Acompany’s share is said to be “lists”, or “Quoted” if its share can be tradedon a stock exchange, i.e., Public Limited Companies.

Auditor's Duty in Verification

1. Verifythe authorization for purchase of investment. Auditor should review board minutebook (book which record the conclusion of meeting) for authorization.

2. Vouchthe entries in brokers contract note, share certificate and cash book.

3. Examinethe share certificate to ensure that the type of security and number of shareagrees with investment account and that the share held in the company with itsname.

4. Verifythat the investments are properly classified and disclosed as stated inCompanies Act.

Auditor's Duty in Valuation

1. Theauditor should satisfy himself that the investment has been valued in thefinancial statement in accordance with recognized accounting policies andpractices and relevant statutory requirements.

2. Theauditor should examine whether in computing the cost of investment, expenditureincurred on account of transfer fees, stamp duty, brokerage etc., is includedin the cost of investment.

Unquoted Investments

Acompany share is said to be “unlisted” or “unquoted” if its stocks that are notlisted on a stock exchange and so have no publicly stated price. Here,Investments are difficult to value, for example, shares that have no stockexchange listing i.e. Private Company etc.

Auditor's Duty in Verification

1.Audition hould verify the Memorandum ofAssociation to ensure authority for purchase such investment.

2.Where investments are in large numbers, theauditor should obtain the schedule of securities certified by a senior officerof the company.

3.Obtain the schedule of investment comprises forinformation about the name of the securities / investment, date of theiracquisition, nominal/ face value, cost price, book value, paid up value marketvalue, rate of interest applicable, dates of interest due, tax deduction, etc.,at the date of Balance Sheet.

Auditor’s Duty in Valuation

1.The Auditor should examine the method adoptedby the organization for determining the market value of such securities.

2.The Auditor should examine whether the method of valuation ofsecurities by entity is one of the recognized methods of valuation viz.,breakup value method, capitalization of yield method, yield to maturity methodetc.

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12th Auditing : Chapter 4 : Verification and Valuation of Fixed Assets : Verification and Valuation of Investments | Auditing

Verification and Valuation of Investments - Auditing (2024)

FAQs

Verification and Valuation of Investments - Auditing? ›

The main objective of the auditor is to confirm the existence and valuation of investments. The auditor can verify investments through various procedures, including transaction verification, physical inspection, examination of valuation and disclosure, and analytical review procedures.

What is verification and valuation of assets in auditing? ›

Verification proves the existence, ownership and title of assets. Valuation certifies the correct value of asset. Vouching is done after original entry in the books of accounts. Verification and valuation are done at the end of the financial year.

What is audit procedure for valuation? ›

Valuation Testing

Audit procedures are used to determine whether the valuations at which assets and liabilities are recorded in a client's books are correct. For example, one procedure would be to check market pricing data to see if the ending values of marketable securities are correct.

What are the steps taken for verification and valuation of stock? ›

The standard procedure for stock verification is as follows:
  • Prepare a program of verification.
  • Receive approval from the appropriate authority.
  • Appoint the verification team. ...
  • Provide the verifiers with a timetable and stock-taking sheet, which is usually serialized and dated.
Mar 6, 2023

What should auditor verify in respect of verification of assets? ›

The auditor must verify that the assets appearing in the balance sheet were in existence in the concern on the balance sheet date. Their ownership was also with the concern. Their valuation was correct and proper.

What are the two methods of valuation of assets in auditing? ›

The market value method bases the value of the asset on its market price or its projected price when sold in the open market. In the absence of similar assets in the open market, the replacement value method or the net realizable value method is used.

What are the methods of valuation of assets in auditing? ›

Asset valuation is the process of determining the fair market or present value of assets, using book values, absolute valuation models like discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models or comparables.

What are the 5 key audit procedures? ›

What happens during an audit? Internal audit conducts assurance audits through a five-phase process which includes selection, planning, conducting fieldwork, reporting results, and following up on corrective action plans.

What is the difference between audit and valuation? ›

Valuation is calculating the monetary value of an asset. Derivatives are financial assets that derive their value from another asset (underlying asset). Audit considerations include risk assessment of misstatements and internal control procedures.

What are the 3 methods of stock valuation? ›

What are the different inventory valuation methods? There are three methods for inventory valuation: FIFO (First In, First Out), LIFO (Last In, First Out), and WAC (Weighted Average Cost). In FIFO, you assume that the first items purchased are the first to leave the warehouse.

What are the 4 stock valuation methods? ›

Investing has a set of four basic elements that investors use to break down a stock's value. In this article, we will look at four commonly used financial ratios—price-to-book (P/B) ratio, price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio, and dividend yield—and what they can tell you about a stock.

What are the general principles of verification and valuation of assets? ›

Verification means checking whether the assets are in the business's name, whether the assets actually exist or not, and whether they have any charge on them. On the other hand, valuation means checking the actual value of assets and liabilities that are shown on the balance sheet.

What are the two rules of verification in auditing? ›

1. Existence: The auditor should satisfy himself that such assets and liabilities which are shown on the balance sheet really exist on that date or not. 2. Proper Disclosure: The auditor should also satisfy himself that each item of assets and liability is being properly disclosed as required by the law.

What are the rules of verification in auditing? ›

Verification is usually conducted through examination of existence, ownership, title, possession, proper valuation and presence of any charge of lien over assets. Thus, verification includes verifying: The existence of the assets and liabilities. Legal ownership and possession of the assets.

What type of audit evidence would most likely be used to verify? ›

Physical examination.

Auditors gather physical evidence to verify whether certain assets exist or to confirm the asset's condition. Physical examination is also the primary source of audit evidence used primarily for any fixed assets, such as the usage of machinery or supplies.

What are the objectives of verification and valuation of assets? ›

Objectives of Verification are: To show correct valuation of assets and liabilities. To know whether the balance sheet exhibits a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the business. To find out the ownership and title of the assets.

What is verification of assets in simple words? ›

Verification of assets has to be conducted by the auditor while conducting the balance sheet audit. Verification of assets involve the physical verification of assets, valuation of the assets and ensuring that the assets are free from any charge.

What are the two difference between verification and valuation? ›

Verification deals with the examination of the ownership rights, their existence and possession together with valuation. Conversely, Valuation is all about ascertainment of the actual worth of the assets and liabilities of an enterprise in monetary terms, which the enterprise depicts in the Balance Sheet.

What is the verification process of assets? ›

An asset verification audit is a process of reviewing an organization's assets to ensure they exist, are accurately recorded, and are valued correctly in the financial statements.

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