Introduction to Audit Exemption for Small Companies Incorporated in Singapore -- Singapore Company -- kaizen
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Introduction to Audit Exemption for Small Companies Incorporated in Singapore

Introduction to Audit Exemption for Small Companies Incorporated in Singapore

1. Introuction


In 2003, the Companies Act (the Act) was amended allowing exempt private companies to be exempted from audit. Exempt private companies whose accounting year commencing from 15 May 2003 and with an annual revenue of $2.5 million (S$5 million from 1 June 2004) or below, no audit need to be carried out as the company is eligible for audit exemption.


2. Exempted Private Company


A company is deemed to be an exempt private company if:


  • The shareholders do not exceed 20
  • A ll of the shareholders are natural person and not corporations

3. Unaudited Financial Statements


Companies are still required to maintain proper accounting records, prepare and present financial statements in compliance with the Act and the Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (FRS). In short you are required to prepare directors?report, balance sheet, profit and loss account, statement of changes in equity, cash flow statement and notes to financial statements. Everything is the same with the exception of the audit report.


The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) had also issued a circular advising corporate tax payers to file their tax returns accompanied by unaudited financial statements that they fully comply with the Singapore Financial Reporting Standards. IRAS may reject the tax returns lodged if it did not complied with FRS. Penalties may be payable if the subsequently reviewed accounts are not prepared on time


The preparation of the financial statement or compilation without any audit report saves both time and money.


4. Alternative to Audit for Companies with Audit Exemption


Companies which have audit exemption can have their auditors review their financial statements instead. This provides more assurance to other users of the financial statements compared to compilation alone. In the report, the auditors will review the financial statement and a negative opinion. They will specifically state that this does not amount to an audit, and nothing had come to their attention to believe that the financial statement are not presented fairly.


Review provides more assurance for companies with audit exemption compared to compilation. You must evaluate the cost and benefits of compilation with review or audit.


For further information or assistance, please call us:


Hong Kong Office: +852 2341 1444
Singapore Office: +65 6883 1061
Shenzhen Office: +86 755 8268 4480
Shanghai Office: +86 21 6439 4114
Beijing Office: +86 10 6874 8420


or send email to enquiries@bycpa.com.



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