Illustrative Management Representation Letter
(This is sample format of MRL to be recived by auditor before Reporting under Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 )
The following illustrative letter includes written representations that are required by this Implementation Guide, SA 580,
“Written Representations” and other Standards on Auditing as applicable. It is assumed in this illustration that the relevant accounting software meets the essential characteristics as specified by the Account Rules; and that there are no
exceptions to the requested written representations. If there are exceptions, the representations would need to be modified to reflect the exceptions.
(Entity Letterhead)
(To Auditor) (Date)
This representation letter is provided in conjunction with your audit of the standalone/ consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended March 31, 20XX, for the purpose of reporting as to whether the accounting software
used by the Company for maintaining its books of account, has a feature of recording audit trail of each and every transaction, creating an edit log of each change made in the books of account along with the date when such changes were made and ensuring that the audit trail cannot be disabled.
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge and belief, having made such inquiries as we considered necessary for the
purpose of appropriately informing ourselves:
1. We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate and effective controls based on [mention control
criteria] in respect of use of accounting software that entails the requisite features as specified by Account Rules.
2. We have performed an evaluation and made an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the
company’s accounting software in term of recording audit trail of each and every transaction.
3. We have not used the procedures performed by you during the audit as part of the basis for our assessment of the
effectiveness of audit trails of accounting software.
4. Based on the assessment carried out by us and the evaluation of the results of the assessment, we conclude that
the Company uses accounting software for maintaining its books of account which has a feature of recording audit trail of
each and every transaction, creating an edit log of each change made in the books of account along with the date when such changes were made and ensuring that the audit trail cannot be disabled and the audit trail been preserved by the company as per the statutory requirements for record retention except for the below mentioned exceptions noted during our assessment and evaluation.
a. (brief of deficiencies)
b. (brief of the impact)
5. We have disclosed to you all deficiencies identified as part of management’s evaluation, including separately
disclosing to you all such deficiencies that we believe to be significant deficiencies or would lead to material weaknesses in internal financial controls.
6. There were no instances of fraud resulting in a material misstatement to the company’s financial statements and any
other fraud that does not result in a material misstatement to the company’s financial statements but involves senior
management or management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal financial controls. (or) The following instances of fraud that resulted in material misstatement of financial statements in earlier years and frauds involving senior management or management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s
internal financial controls were noted: (list instances and amounts involved).
7. The deficiencies identified in the previous engagement and communicated to the Company and those charged with
governance have been remediated, except for the following: (…………) (This issue is not applicable in the first year)
8. There have been no communications from regulatory agencies concerning non-compliance with or deficiencies in
accounting software.
9. We have provided you with:
All information, such as records (including SOC report) and documentation, and other matters that are relevant to your assessment of accounting software;
Additional information that you have requested from us;
Unrestricted access to those within the entity.
Audit reports of the component auditors, including their report under Section 143(3)(i) of the Act for the following
subsidiary companies, jointly controlled companies and associate companies to whom reporting under Section
143(3)(i) is applicable.
There are no other subsidiary companies, jointly controlled companies and associate companies of the company to
whom reporting under Section 143(3)(i) is applicable and whose auditors have not issued their report under Section
143(3)(i) of the Act.
In the case of the following subsidiary companies, jointly controlled companies and associate companies of the
company to whom reporting under Section 143(3)(i) is applicable, the respective component’s year end is other
than that of the Company:
With respect to these components, we have provided to you the audit reports of the component auditors, including their
report under Section 143(3)(i) of the Act for their respective financial year under the Act that has been considered in the
preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
10. There are no changes in the accounting software from March 31, 20XX [balance sheet date] till the date of this
representation letter. (or) The following changes have been made to the accounting software since March 31, 20XX
[balance sheet date] and the date of this letter: (list changes and reason for the change).
11. These changes include corrective actions taken by us with regard to significant deficiencies with respect to the
following: (list significant deficiencies).
12. The following changes to accounting software have been proposed as on date of this representation letter but have
not yet been implemented: (list proposed changes and reason for the proposed change).
13. The changes to the accounting software since March 31, 20XX [balance sheet date] and the proposed changes that
are under consideration by the Company do not impact our assessment, evaluation and conclusion of the accounting
software as at March 31, 20XX [balance sheet date]
14. [Any other matters that the auditor may consider appropriate.]
For and on behalf of ABC Company Limited
…………………………………………………………………………
(Signature) (Signature)
Name and Designation Name and Designation