National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)

• IAS NEXT, Lucknow
• 14, Oct 2021

Coming out strongly against certain recommendations made by NFRA, chartered accountants’ apex body ICAI has said the watchdog does not have jurisdiction over micro, small and medium companies.

Background:

This observation comes less than two weeks after the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) came out with a consultation paper on statutory audit and auditing standards for micro, small and medium companies (MSMCs).

About NFRA:

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) was constituted on 1st October, 2018 under section 132 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013.

Why was it needed?

In the wake of accounting scams, a need was felt to establish an independent regulator for enforcement of auditing standards and ensuring the quality of audits so as to enhance investor and public confidence in financial disclosures of companies.

Composition:

The Companies Act requires the NFRA to have a chairperson who will be appointed by the Central Government and a maximum of 15 members.

Functions and Duties:

1. Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government;
2. Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards;
3. Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service;
4. Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary or incidental to the aforesaid functions and duties.