Accounting is an activity of record keeping and preparation & presentation of the financial statement, whereas Auditing is an activity of verification and evaluation of financial statement. So, Auditing starts where Accounting ends. These two business terms are many times juxtaposed as they are very closely intertwined with each other. This article excerpt will make an attempt to clear all the differences between Accounting and Auditing.
Content: Accounting Vs Auditing
- Comparison Chart
- Definition
- Key Differences
- Conclusion
Comparison Chart
| BASIS FOR COMPARISON | ACCOUNTING | AUDITING |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Accounting means systematically keeping the records of the accounts of an organization and preparation of financial statements at the end of the financial year. | Auditing means inspection of the books of account and financial statements of an organization. |
| Governed By | Accounting Standards | Standards on Auditing |
| Work performed by | Accountant | Auditor |
| Purpose | To show the performance, profitability and financial position of an organization. | To reveal the fact, that to which extent financial statement of an organization gives true and fair view. |
| Start | Accounting starts where bookkeeping ends. | Auditing starts where accounting ends. |
| Period | Accounting is a continuous process, i.e. day to day recording of transactions are done. | Auditing is a periodic process. |
Definition of Accounting
Accounting is a specialised language of business, which helps to understand the economic activities of the entity. It is an act of orderly capturing the day to day monetary transactions of the business and classifying them into various groups along with that, the transactions are summarized in a way that they can be easily referred at the time of urgency, thereafter analyzing and understanding the results of the financial statement and finally communicating the results to the interested parties.
The main function of accounting is to provide material information, especially of a financial nature for decision making. Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Tax Accounting, Financial Accounting, Human Resource Accounting, Social Responsibility Accounting are the fields of Accounting. The primary objectives of Accounting are as under:
- Proper record keeping through Journal, Subsidiary Books, Ledger and Trial Balance
- Determination of the results (profitability position) from the records maintained through Trading and Profit & Loss Account
- Showing the financial position of the entity through Balance Sheet
- Providing necessary information about solvency and liquidity position to the interested parties.
Definition of Auditing
The audit is a methodical procedure of independently examining the financial information of an entity with the aim of giving an opinion on true and fair view. Here organisation refers to all the entities, regardless of their size, structure, nature and form.
Auditing is a critical, unbiased investigation of each and every aspect of the transaction, i.e. vouchers, receipts, account books and related documents are verified, in order to spot the validity and reliability of the financial statement. Moreover, errors and frauds or deliberate manipulation in accounts or misappropriation etc. can also be detected through detailed scrutiny.
The auditor will inspect the accuracy and transparency of the financial information, compliance with the accounting standards and taxes are properly paid or not. After the complete inspection of accounting books and financial records, he will give an opinion in the form of a report. The reporting on the true and fair view shall be made to the person who appoints the auditor. There are two types of Audit Report, they are:
- Unmodified
- Modified
- Qualified
- Adverse
- Disclaimer
The audit can be conducted internally and externally. The task of internal audit is conducted by an internal auditor who is appointed by the management of the organisation for improving its internal control systems and accounting system. External Auditor is appointed by the shareholders of the company.
Key Differences Between Accounting and Auditing
The points provided below explian the difference between accounting and auditing, in detail:
- Accounting is an art of orderly, keeping the records of the monetary transactions and preparation of the financial statements of the company. Auditing is an analytical task which involves the independent evaluation of the financial information to express an opinion on true and fair view.
- Accounting is governed by Accounting Standards, whereas Standards on Auditing governs Auditing.
- Accounting is a simplified task, which is performed by the Accountants but Auditing is a complex task, so Auditors are required for performing it.
- The main purpose of accounting is to reveal the profitability position, financial position and performance of the organization. Conversely, auditing is to check the correctness of the financial statement.
- Accounting is a continuous activity. Unlike Auditing, which is a periodic activity.
- End of Accounting is the start of Auditing.
Conclusion
Accounting and Auditing both are specialised fields, but the scope of auditing is wider than accounting as it needs a thorough understanding of various acts, tax rules, knowledge of accounting standards and standards on auditing as well as communication skills are also required.
Apart from that, confidentiality, integrity, honesty and independence are the basic requirements that is to be maintained while performing the audit procedure. The reports submitted by the auditor are helpful for the users of the financial statement like creditors, shareholders, investors, suppliers, debtors, customers, government, etc. for rational decision making.
Although Accounting is not less, it also requires complete knowledge of the accounting standards, principles, conventions and assumptions as well as Companies Act rules and tax laws. The procedure of auditing is conducted only when the accounting is done properly so; it cannot be neglected.
