Audits are carried out to determine the reliability and accuracy of information and also to assess a company’s internal control system. However, due to practical constraints faced by auditors in carrying out their assignment, an audit seeks to provide only reasonable assurance that the statements are free from material errors.
A statutory audit requires the auditor to express an opinion on a financial statement that will be presented to shareholders. The scope of the work to be carried out is defined by the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990, and the format of the audit opinion is also spelt out by the Act