Non-profit organizations in New Zealand are required to conduct audits to ensure compliance with applicable laws and accepted accounting principles GAAP. There are different types of non-profit audits, each with its own purpose and benefits. In this section, we will discuss the three main types of non-profit audits.

Financial Statement Audit

A financial statement audit is the most common type of nonprofit audit. It is conducted to provide an independent opinion on the accuracy and completeness of an organization’s financial statements. The purpose of a financial statement audit is to provide assurance to stakeholders that the organization’s financial statements are reliable and free from material misstatements.

Benefits of conducting a financial statement audit include:

• Increased credibility and transparency
• Improved decision-making
• Enhanced accountability
• Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements

Requirements for conducting a financial statement audit include:

• Compliance with applicable laws and GAAP
• Preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP
• Engagement of an independent auditor

Compliance Audit

A compliance audit is conducted to ensure that an organization is complying with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies and procedures. The purpose of a compliance audit is to identify areas of non-compliance and recommend corrective actions.

Benefits of conducting a compliance audit include:

• Improved compliance with laws and regulations
• Enhanced risk management
• Improved governance and accountability

Requirements for conducting a compliance audit include:

• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Preparation of internal control systems documentation
• Engagement of an independent auditor

Performance Audit

A performance audit is conducted to evaluate an organization’s performance in achieving its objectives. The purpose of a performance audit is to identify areas of improvement and recommend corrective actions.

Benefits of conducting a performance audit include:

• Improved efficiency and effectiveness
• Enhanced accountability
• Improved decision-making

Requirements for conducting a performance audit include:

• Preparation of performance measures and indicators
• Engagement of an independent auditor

Conducting a Non-Profit Audit

Conducting a nonprofit audit involves several steps, including pre-audit preparation, the audit process, and post-audit follow-up.

Pre-Audit Preparation

Pre-audit preparation involves gathering necessary documents and information, such as financial statements, internal control systems documentation, and other relevant records. It also involves selecting an auditor who is independent and qualified to perform the audit.

Audit Process

The audit process involves several steps, including planning, fieldwork, and reporting. During the planning phase, the auditor will develop an audit plan and identify areas of risk. During the fieldwork phase, the auditor will gather evidence to support their opinion. During the reporting phase, the auditor will issue an audit report that includes their opinion on the organization’s financial statements or compliance with laws and regulations.

Common issues and challenges during an audit include:

• Lack of documentation
• Inadequate internal control systems
• Disagreements over Management accounting Principles GAAP

Post-Audit Follow-Up

Post-audit follow-up involves reviewing audit findings and recommendations and implementing changes and improvements. It is important for organizations to take corrective action to address any issues identified during the audit.

Conclusion

Non-profit audits are an important tool for ensuring compliance with applicable laws and accepted accounting principles GAAP. There are different types of nonprofit audits, each with its own purpose and benefits. Conducting a non-profit audit involves several steps, including pre-audit preparation, the audit process, and post-audit follow-up. It is important for organizations to engage an independent and qualified auditor to perform the audit and take corrective action to address any issues identified during the audit.

References

• Charities Services. (n.d.). Financial reporting. Retrieved from https://www.charities.govt.nz/manage-your-charity/financial-reporting/
• Inland Revenue. (n.d.). Non-profit organizations financial statements. Retrieved from https://www.ird.govt.nz/non-profit/financial-statements
• Office of the Auditor-General. (2016). Guidance for auditors of small public entities. Retrieved from https://oag.parliament.nz/2016/guidance-auditors-small-public-entities