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. 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