Audit of Non-Banking Financial Companies: After Studying This Chapter, You Will Be Able To

14
AUDIT OF NON-BANKING
FINANCIAL COMPANIES
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

 Understand the definition, regulations and types of Non-Banking Finance
Companies (NBFCs).
 Difference between Banks and NBFCs.
 Gain the knowledge of the prudential norms- Capital Requirements,
Income Recognition, and Provisioning requirements.
 Learn the audit procedures and Audit Checklist for NBFCs.

 Apply & analyse the above-mentioned concepts in moderately complex
scenarios.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

14.2 ADVANCED AUDITING AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
Audit of NBFCs
Definition,
Registration Audit Audit Check- Auditor's
Audit Report
and Procedures list Duties
Regulations
1. INTRODUCTION
Non-Banking Finance Company sector has evolved considerably in terms of its size, operations,
technological sophistication, and entry into new areas of financial services and products. NBFCs are
now deeply interconnected with the entities in the financial sector, on both sides of their balance
sheets. Being financial entities, they are exposed to risks arising out of counterparty failures, funding
and asset concentration, interest rate movement and risks pertaining to liquidity and solvency, as
any other financial sector player. At the same time there are segments within the sector that do not
pose any significant risks to the system.
Fig. : NBFCs ∗ Fig.: Audit of NBFCs ∗

Definition of NBFC: 45 I(f) of Reserve Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 1997 defines a
non-banking financial company as:
(i) A financial institution which is a company;
∗
Source: Techno Legal Journalists
∗
Source: Inventicon

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.3
(ii) A non-banking institution which is a company a non-banking institution which is a company

and which has as its principal business the receiving of deposits, under any scheme or
arrangement or in any other manner, or lending in any manner;
(iii) Such other non-banking institution or class of such institutions, as the as the Bank may,
with the previous approval of the Central Government and by notification in the Official
Gazette, specify;”
Fig. : What is NBFC ∗

Further, in order to identify a particular company as Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC),
it will consider both assets and income pattern as evidenced from the last audited balance
sheet of the company to decide its principal business. The company will be treated as NBFC
when a company's financial assets constitute more than 50 per cent of the total assets (netted
off by intangible assets) and income from financial assets constitute more than 50 per cent
of the gross income. A company which fulfils both these criteria shall qualify as an NBFC and
would require to be registered as NBFC by RBI.
∗
Source: Slideshare

Registration and Regulation of NBFC:

Under Section 45–IA of the Reserve Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 1997, no non-banking financial
company is allowed to commence or carry on the business of a non-banking financial institution
without
• obtaining a certificate of registration issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
• having a net owned fund (NOF) of ` 25 lakhs (` 2 crore since April 1999) not exceeding
` 200 lakhs, as the RBI may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
(The RBI (Amendment) Act (1997) provided an entry point norm of ` 25 lakh as the minimum net
owned fund which was revised upwards to ` 2 crore for new NBFCs seeking grant of certificate of
registration on or after 21 April 1999).
A company incorporated under the Companies Act and desirous of commencing business of non-
banking financial institution as defined under Section 45–IA of the RBI Act, 1934 can apply to the
Reserve Bank of India in prescribed form along with necessary documents for registration. The RBI
issues Certificate of Registration after satisfying itself that the conditions as enumerated in Section
45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934 are satisfied.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued directions to non-banking financial companies on acceptance
of public deposits, prudential norms like capital adequacy, income recognition, asset classification,
provision for bad and doubtful debts, risk exposure norms and other measures to monitor the
financial solvency and reporting by NBFCs.
Directions were also issued to auditors to report non-compliance with the RBI Act and the
Regulations to the RBI, Board of Directors and shareholders. RBI has also issued Fair Practices
Code to be adopted by all NBFCs while doing lending business. The guidelines inter alia, covered
general principles on adequate disclosures on the terms and conditions of a loan and also adopting
a non-coercive recovery method.
Types of NBFCs- Compliance and Regulatory Perspective:
In terms of the Section 45-I(f) read with Section 45-I (c) of the RBI Act, 1934, as amended in 1997,
non-banking financial company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Act, engaged in the
business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/ debentures/ securities issued
by Government or local authority or other marketable securities of a like nature, leasing, hire-
purchase, insurance business, chit business but does not include any institution whose principal
business is that of agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods (other than
securities) or providing any services and sale/purchase/construction of immovable property.
A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under
any scheme or arrangement in one lump sum or in installments by way of contributions or in any
other manner, is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company).

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.5
NBFCs mandated to register under RBI

NBFCs registered with RBI are categorized as follows:
a) in terms deposit acceptance or otherwise into Deposit and Non-Deposit accepting NBFCs;
b) non deposit taking NBFCs by their size into systemically important and non-systemically
important (NBFC-NDSI and NBFC-ND); and
c) by the kind of activities, they conduct.
Within the categorization mentioned in (c) above, (i.e. by the kind of activity they conduct) the
different types of NBFCs are as follows:
Non-Banking
Systematicall Infrastructure Non-Banking NBFC- Non-
Financial
Investment Infrastructure y Important Debt Fund- Financial Operative
Company -
and Credit Finance Core Non- Banking Company – Financial
Micro
Company Company Investment Financial Factors Holding
Finance
(ICC) (IFC) Company Company (NBFC- Company
Institution
(CIC-ND-SI) (IDF-NBFC) Factors) (NOFHC)
(NBFC-MFI)
Types of NBFCs
All NBFCs are either deposit taking or non-deposit taking. If they are non-deposit taking, ND is
suffixed to their name (NBFC-ND).
A. Companies exempted from registration under RBI
Companies that do financial business but are regulated by other regulators are given specific
exemption by the Reserve Bank from its regulatory requirements for avoiding duality of regulation.
Following NBFCs have been exempted from the requirement of registration under Section 45-IA of
the RBI Act, 1934 subject to certain conditions.
 Housing Finance Institutions (regulated by National Housing Bank);
 Merchant Banking Companies (regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India);
 Stock Exchanges (regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India);
 Companies engaged in the business of stock-broking/sub-broking (regulated by Securities
and Exchange Board of India);

 Venture Capital Fund Companies (regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India);
 Nidhi Companies (regulated by Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India);
 Insurance companies (regulated by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority); and
 Chit Companies (as defined in clause (b) of section 2 of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 (Act 40 of
1982)).
 Micro Finance Companies
 Securitisation and Reconstruction Companies
 Mutual Benefit Companies
 Mortgage Guarantee Companies
 Core Investment Companies i.e. a non-banking financial company being a Core Investment
Company referred to in the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016,
which is not a Systemically Important Core Investment Company, as defined in sub-
paragraph (xxv) of paragraph 3 of the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank)
Directions, 2016.
 Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) Companies
It may also be mentioned that Mortgage Guarantee Companies have been notified as Non-Banking
Financial Companies under Section 45 I(f)(iii) of the RBI Act, 1934.
Core Investment Companies with asset size of less than ₹ 100 crore, and those with asset size of
₹ 100 crore and above but not accessing public funds are exempted from registration with the RBI.
[Note: Students may refer detailed description of types of NBFCs, given in CA. Intermediate
Paper 5: Advanced Accounting Study Material.]
2. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BANKS AND NBFCS

NBFCs lend and make investments and hence, their activities are akin to that of banks, however,
there are a few differences between the two as given below:
i. NBFC cannot accept demand deposits, however some NBFCs can accept Term
Deposits;
ii. NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques
drawn on itself;
iii. deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)
is not available to depositors of NBFCs, unlike in case of banks.
iv. No Minimum Exposure to Priority Sector required by NBFCs.

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.7
3. PRUDENTIAL NORMS
3.1 Capital Requirements
Every applicable NBFC as defined in the Master Direction- Non-Banking Financial Company –
Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Company & Deposit Taking Company (Reserve
Bank) Directions, 2016 shall maintain a minimum capital ratio consisting of Tier I and Tier II capital
which shall not be less than 15 % of its aggregate risk weighted assets on-balance sheet and of risk
adjusted value of off-balance sheet items.
The Tier I capital in respect of applicable NBFCs (other than NBFC-MFI and IDF-NBFC), at any point
of time, shall not be less than 10% by March 31, 2017.
Applicable NBFCs primarily engaged in lending against gold jewellery (such loans comprising 50
percent or more of their financial assets) shall maintain a minimum Tier l capital of 12 %.
However, in the case of Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Company (Reserve
Bank) Directions, 2016, Net Owned Fund requirements have to be complied.
Explanations: In these Directions, degrees of credit risk expressed as percentage weightages have
been assigned to balance sheet assets. For example, percentage weights assigned to Fixed
Assets is 100, Cash & Bank Balances is 0, etc. Hence, the value of each asset / item requires to
be multiplied by the relevant risk weights to arrive at risk adjusted value of assets. The aggregate
shall be taken into account for reckoning the minimum capital ratio. The risk weighted asset shall
be calculated as the weighted aggregate of funded items as detailed hereunder:
S. No. Weighted risk assets - On-Balance Sheet items Percentage weight
(i) Cash and bank balances including fixed deposits and 0
certificates of deposits with banks
(ii) Investments:
(a) Approved securities [Except at (c) below] 0
(b) Bonds of public sector banks 20
(c) Fixed deposits/certificates of deposits/bonds of public 100
financial institutions
(d) Shares of all companies and debentures / bonds/ 100
commercial papers of all companies and units of all
mutual funds
(e) All assets covering PPP and post commercial operations
date (COD) infrastructure projects in existence over a 50
year of commercial operation
(iii) Current assets:
(a) Stock on hire (net book value) 100

(b) Intercorporate loans/deposits 100

(c) Loans and advances fully secured against deposits held 0
(d) Loans to staff 0
(e) Other secured loans and advances considered good 100
[Except at (vi) below]
(f) Bills purchased/discounted 100
(g) Others (To be specified) 100
(iv) Fixed Assets (net of depreciation):
(a) Assets leased out (net book value) 100
(b) Premises 100
(c) Furniture & Fixture 100
(v) Other assets:
(a) Income tax deducted at source (net of provision) 0
(b) Advance tax paid (net of provision) 0
(c) Interest due on Government securities 0
(d) Others (to be specified) 100
(vi) Domestic Sovereign:
(a) Fund based claims on the Central Government 0
(b) Direct loan / credit / overdraft exposure and investment 0
in State Government securities
(c) Central Government guaranteed claims 0
(d) State Government guaranteed claims, which have not 20
remained in default / which are in default for a period not
more than 90 days 20
(e) State Government guaranteed claims, which have 100
remained in default for a period of more than 90 days
3.2 Income Recognition

The income recognition shall be based on recognised accounting principles. Income including
interest/ discount/ hire charges/ lease rentals or any other charges on NPA shall be recognised only
when it is actually realised. Any such income recognised before the asset became non-performing
and remaining unrealised shall be reversed.
Asset classification: The asset classification norms as given below shall apply to every applicable
NBFC (except NBFC-MFIs):

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.9
(1) Every NBFC shall, after taking into account the degree of well-defined credit weaknesses and
extent of dependence on collateral security for realisation, classify its lease/hire purchase
assets, loans and advances and any other forms of credit into the following classes, namely:
(i) Standard assets;
(ii) Sub-standard assets;
(iii) Doubtful assets; and
(iv) Loss assets.
(2) The class of assets referred to above shall not be upgraded merely as a result of
rescheduling, unless it satisfies the conditions required for the upgradation.
(3) (i) Standard asset shall mean the asset in respect of which, no default in repayment of
principal or payment of interest is perceived and which does not disclose any problem
or carry more than normal risk attached to the business;
(ii) “Sub-Standard Asset” shall mean:
(a) an asset which has been classified as non-performing asset for a period not
exceeding 18 months (in case of NBFCs covered in Non-Banking Financial
Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company
(Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016);
The period ‘not exceeding 18 months’ stipulated in this sub-clause shall be ‘not
exceeding 12 months’ for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 and
thereafter for NBFCs covered in Non-Banking Financial Company -
Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking
Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
(b) an asset where the terms of the agreement regarding interest and / or principal
have been renegotiated or rescheduled or restructured after commencement of
operations, until the expiry of one year of satisfactory performance under the
renegotiated or rescheduled or restructured terms;
Provided that the classification of infrastructure loan as a sub-standard asset
shall be in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 25 of these Directions.
(iii) Doubtful Asset shall mean:
(a) a term loan, or
(b) a lease asset, or
(c) a hire purchase asset, or
(d) any other asset,

which remains a sub-standard asset for a period ‘exceeding 18 months’ (in case of
NBFCs covered in Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important
Non-Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016).
The period ‘exceeding 18 months’ stipulated in this sub-clause shall be ‘exceeding 12
months’ for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 and thereafter for NBFCs covered
in Non-Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking
Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
(iv) Loss Asset shall mean:
(a) an asset which has been identified as loss asset by the applicable NBFC or its
internal or external auditor or by the Bank during the inspection of the applicable
NBFC, to the extent it is not written off by the applicable NBFC; and
(b) an asset which is adversely affected by a potential threat of non-recoverability
due to either erosion in the value of security or non-availability of security or
due to any fraudulent act or omission on the part of the borrower
(v) Non-Performing Asset (referred as “NPA”) shall mean:
(a) an asset, in respect of which, interest has remained overdue for a period of six
months or more;
(b) a term loan inclusive of unpaid interest, when the instalment is overdue for a
period of six months or more or on which interest amount remained overdue for
a period of six months or more;
(c) a demand or call loan, which remained overdue for a period of six months or
more from the date of demand or call or on which interest amount remained
overdue for a period of six months or more;
(d) a bill which remains overdue for a period of six months or more;
(e) the interest in respect of a debt or the income on receivables under the head
‘other current assets’ in the nature of short term loans/advances, which facility
remained overdue for a period of six months or more;
(f) any dues on account of sale of assets or services rendered or reimbursement
of expenses incurred, which remained overdue for a period of six months or
more;
NBFCs covered in Non-Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important
Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank)
Directions, 2016, period of ‘six months or more’ stipulated in sub-clauses (a) to
(f) shall be ‘three months or more’, for the financial year ended March 31, 2018
and thereafter].

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.11
This implies for NBFCs covered in Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-

Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank)
Directions, 2016, the criteria is 6 months only.
(g) the lease rental and hire purchase instalment, which has become overdue for
a period of twelve months or more;
[NBFCs covered in Non-Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important
Directions, 2016, the period of ‘twelve months or more’ stipulated in this sub-
clause shall be ‘three months or more’ for the financial year ended March 31,
2018 and thereafter].
It implies that as per Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically
Important Non-Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016, the
criteria is 12 months only.
(h) in respect of loans, advances and other credit facilities (including bills
purchased and discounted), the balance outstanding under the credit facilities
(including accrued interest) made available to the same borrower/beneficiary
when any of the above credit facilities becomes non-performing asset.
[Provided that in the case of lease and hire purchase transactions, an
applicable NBFC shall classify each such account on the basis of its record of
recovery].
3.3 Provisioning Requirements

The provisioning requirements as given below shall apply to every applicable NBFC (except
NBFC-MFIs): Every applicable NBFC shall, after taking into account the time lag between an
account becoming non-performing, its recognition as such, the realisation of the security and the
erosion over time in the value of security charged, make provision against sub-standard assets,
doubtful assets and loss assets as provided hereunder:
The provisioning requirement in respect of loans, advances and other credit facilities including bills
purchased and discounted shall be as under:
(i) Loss Assets: The entire asset shall be written off. If the assets are permitted to remain in
the books for any reason,100% of the outstanding shall be provided for;
(ii) Doubtful Assets:
(a) 100% provision to the extent to which the advance is not covered by the realisable
value of the security to which the applicable NBFC has a valid recourse shall be made.
The realisable value is to be estimated on a realistic basis;

(b) In addition to item (a) above, depending upon the period for which the asset has
remained doubtful, provision to the extent of 20% to 50% of the secured portion (i.e.
Estimated realisable value of the outstanding) shall be made on the following basis:
Period for which the asset has been Percent of provision
considered as doubtful
Up to one year 20
One to three years 30
More than three years 50
(iii) Sub-standard assets: A general provision of 10 percent of total outstanding shall be
made.
(iv) Standard asset provisioning: Every NBFC (covered under Non-Banking Financial
Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking
Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016) shall make provisions for standard assets
at 0.40 per cent by the end of March 2018 and thereafter, of the outstanding, which
shall not be reckoned for arriving at net NPAs.
Note: As per Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit
taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016, every applicable NBFC shall make
provision for standard assets at 0.25 percent of the outstanding amount.
The provision towards standard assets need not be netted from gross advances but shall be
shown separately as ‘Contingent Provisions against Standard Assets’ in the balance sheet.
[Students may refer Master Direction NBFC - Non-Systemically Important Non-deposit Taking
Company (Updated as on February 17, 2020 ) and Master Direction NBFC - Systemically Important
Non-deposit Taking Company and Deposit Taking Company (Updated as on February 17, 2020) for
detailed guidelines on prudential norms relating to Non-Banking Financial Companies covered in
these Directions.]
4. AUDIT PROCEDURES
The following are the necessary steps involved -
(1) Ascertaining the Business of the Company - The first step in carrying out the audit of a
NBFC is to scan through the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company, so as
to acquaint oneself with the type of business that the company is engaged into. Normally, the
Memorandum of Association of any company would be very wide in scope thereby permitting
it to undertake a host of business activities, but companies generally lend to specialise in and
focus on a few select activities. An auditor should, therefore, make a careful study of the
business policy of the company so as to ascertain its principal business activities. For this
purpose, an auditor may also scan through the minutes of the Board/Committee Meetings

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.13
and hold discussions with the top level management to ascertain the corporate business
plan/strategy which would give him a clear picture as to the principal objects of the company.
An auditor should then independently corroborate his findings with the actual business done
by the company, as reflected by the company’s financial results.
The task of ascertaining the principal business activity of any NBFC is of paramount
importance since the very classification of a company as a NBFC and its further classification
would all depend upon its principal business activity. Based on the classification of a
company, it will be required to comply with the provisions relating to limits on acceptance of
public deposits as contained in the NBFC Public Deposit Directions.
(2) Evaluation of Internal Control System - The responsibility of maintaining an adequate
accounting system incorporating various internal controls to the extent appropriate to the size
and nature of its business vests with the management. A sound internal control system would
enable an organisation to plug loopholes in its workings, particularly in the detection of frauds
and would also aid in timely decision making. An auditor should gain an understanding of the
accounting system and related internal controls adopted by the NBFC to determine the
nature, timing and extent of his audit procedures. An auditor should also ascertain whether
the internal controls put in place by the NBFC are adequate and are being effectively followed.
In particular, an auditor should review the effectiveness of the system of recovery prevalent
at the NBFC. He should ascertain whether the NBFC has an effective system of periodical
review of advances in place which would facilitate effective monitoring and follow up. The
absence of a periodical review system could result in non-detection of sticky advances at
their very inception which may ultimately result in the NBFC having an alarmingly high level
of NPAs.
(3) Registration with the RBI - Section
45-IA inserted in the RBI Act, 1934,
w.e.f. 9th January, 1997, has made it
incumbent on the part of all NBFCs
to comply with registration
requirements and
have minimum net owned funds
(NOF) of ` 2 crore (Although the
requirement of minimum NOF at
present stands at ` 200 lakh, the
minimum NOF for companies that
were already in existence before
April 21, 1999 was retained at ` 25 lakh. However, for strengthening the financial sector and
technology adoption, and in view of the increasing complexities of services offered by NBFCs,
it shall be mandatory for all NBFCs to raise minimum NOF to ` 2 crore) for commencing/
carrying on its business. An auditor should obtain a copy of the certificate of registration

granted by the RBI or in case the certificate of registration has not been granted, a copy of
the application form filed with the RBI for registration. It may particularly be noted that NBFCs
incorporated after 9th January, 1997 are not entitled to commence business without first
obtaining a registration certificate from the RBI. An auditor should, therefore, verify whether
the dual conditions relating to registration with the RBI and maintenance of minimum net
owned funds have been duly complied with by the concerned NBFC.
Every NBFC holding public deposits is required to invest a specified percentage (as the RBI
may specify from time to time). The RBI has also prescribed a format for reporting to ensure
compliance with the requirement of maintenance of liquid assets on a quarterly basis. This
quarterly return (duly signed by an officer of the NBFC) is required to be submitted within
prescribed time limit from the end of the relevant quarter and with reference to investments
held in approved securities during the relevant quarter. The auditor should ascertain whether
investment in prescribed liquid assets have been made and whether quarterly returns as
mentioned above have been regularly filed with the RBI by the concerned NBFC.
(4) NBFC Acceptance of Public Deposit Directions (Non-Banking Financial Companies
Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016) - The auditors must
ascertain whether the company properly classified as per the requirements of various
regulations. In case, the NBFC has not been classified by the RBI, the classification of a
company will have to be determined after a careful consideration of various factors such as
particulars of earlier registration granted, if any, particulars furnished in the application form
for registration, company’s Memorandum of Association and its financial results. Thereafter,
it must be ascertained whether the company has complied with the following aspects in
relation to the activity of mobilisation of public deposits:
(i) The ceiling on quantum of public deposits has been linked to its credit rating as given
by an approved credit rating agency. Obtain a copy of the credit rating assigned to
NBFC and check whether the public deposits accepted/held by it are in accordance
with the level of credit rating assigned to it.
In the event of a upgrading/downgrading of credit rating, the auditor should bear in
mind that the NBFC will have to increase/reduce its public deposits in accordance with
the revised credit rating assigned to it within a specified time frame and should ensure
that the NBFC has informed about the same to the RBI in writing.
In the event of downgrading of credit rating below the minimum specified investment
grade, a non-banking financial company, being an investment and credit company or
a factor, shall regularise the excess deposit as provided hereunder:
(a) with immediate effect, stop accepting fresh public deposits and renewing
existing deposits;
(b) all existing deposits shall run off to maturity; and

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.15
(c) report the position within 15 working days, to the concerned Regional Office of
the RBI where the NBFC is registered.
Provided no matured public deposit shall be renewed without the express and
voluntary consent of the depositor.
(ii) Test check the interest calculations in respect of public deposits mobilised by a NBFC
to ascertain that the NBFC has not paid interest in excess as per specification.
Likewise, test check the brokerage/ commission/ incentive calculations with the bills
and vouchers for reimbursement of out of pocket expenses submitted by the parties
to ascertain that the NBFC has not paid brokerage/ commission/ incentive/
reimbursement of expenses in excess as per specification.
(iii) Ascertain whether the NBFC has accepted or renewed any public deposit only after a
written application form the depositor in the form to be supplied by the company, and
shall contain all particulars specified in the Non-Banking Financial Companies and
Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (Advertisement) Rules, 1977. Further ensure
whether it contain the specific category of depositor, i.e., whether depositor is a
shareholder or a director or a promoter or a member of public.
(iv) Verify the deposit register maintained by a NBFC and test check the particulars that
have been entered therein in respect of each depositor with supporting receipts issued
to the depositors. Also check whether the NBFC is regularly paying its deposits on due
dates and in the case of a delay/default, the reasons for the delay/default and the
actual date of payment.
(v) Check whether the investments made in approved liquid assets by a NBFC holding
public deposits have been lodged in safe custody with a designated scheduled
commercial bank as required by the NBFC Acceptance of Public Deposits Directions
and also whether. certificate was obtained from the RBI to that effect.
(vii) Check whether the NBFC has filed its prescribed returns in a timely manner.
(viii) In the case of NBFCs not accepting/holding public deposits, check whether a board
resolution has been passed by the NBFC to the effect that it has neither accepted any
public deposits nor would it accept any public deposits during the year.
(ix) In the case of Group Holding Investment Companies, check whether the NBFC has
passed a board resolution to the effect that the company has invested or would
invest/hold its investments in share and securities of group companies specifying the
names of the companies. In addition to the above, group holding investment
companies are required to give a further undertaking that it would not trade in such
shares/securities and that it has neither accepted nor would it accept any public
deposits during the year.

(5) NBFC Prudential Norms -

(i) Check compliance with prudential norms encompassing income recognition, income
from investments, accounting standards, accounting for investments, asset
classification, provisioning for bad and doubtful debts, capital adequacy norms,
prohibition on granting of loans by a NBFC against its own shares, prohibition on loans
and investments for failure to repay public deposits and norms for concentration of
credit/investments.
(ii) An auditor should ensure that the Board of Directors of every NBFC granting/intending
to grant demand/call loans shall frame and implement a policy for the company.
(iii) An auditor should assess on the basis of examinations conducted by him whether the
NBFC has complied with the prudential norms. In particular, he should verify that
advances and other credit facilities have been properly classified as
standard/substandard/doubtful/loss and that proper provision has been made in
accordance with the Directions.
(iv) In respect of Non-Performing Assets, an auditor should check whether the unrealised
income in respect of such assets has not been taken to the Profit & Loss Account on
an accrual basis. Income from NPAs should be accounted for on realisation basis only.
(v) Check whether all accounts which have been classified as NPAs in the previous year
also continue to be shown as such in the current year also. If the same is not treated
as an NPA in the current year, the auditor should specifically examine such accounts
to ascertain whether the account has become regular and the same can be treated as
performing as per the Directions.
5. CLASSIFICATION OF FRAUDS BY NBFC

In order to have uniformity in reporting, frauds have been classified as under based mainly on the
provisions of the Indian Penal Code:
(a) Misappropriation and criminal breach of trust.
(b) Fraudulent encashment through forged instruments, manipulation of books of account or
through fictitious accounts and conversion of property.
(c) Unauthorised credit facilities extended for reward or for illegal gratification.
(d) Negligence and cash shortages.
(e) Cheating and forgery.
(f) Irregularities in foreign exchange transactions.
(g) Any other type of fraud not coming under the specific heads as above.

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.17
Cases of ‘negligence and cash shortages’ and ‘irregularities in foreign exchange transactions’
referred to in items (d) and (f) above are to be reported as fraud if the intention to cheat/ defraud is
suspected/ proved. However, the following cases where fraudulent intention is not suspected/
proved, at the time of detection, will be treated as fraud and reported accordingly:
(a) cases of cash shortages more than ` 10,000/- and
(b) cases of cash shortages more than ` 5000/- if detected by management/ auditor/ inspecting
officer and not reported on the occurrence by the persons handling cash.
NBFCs, covered in Master Direction - Monitoring of Frauds in NBFCs (Reserve Bank) Directions,
2016, having overseas branches/offices should report all frauds perpetrated at such
branches/offices also to the Reserve Bank as per the prescribed format and procedures.
6. AUDIT CHECK-LIST
Some important points that may be covered in the audit of NBFCs, in addition to the audit points that
may be covered for companies in general, are given below:
(eg. NBFC - Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC)
i. Physically verify all the shares and securities held by a NBFC. Where any security is lodged
with an institution or a bank, a certificate from the bank/institution to that effect must be
verified.
ii. Verify whether the NBFC has not advanced any loans against the security of its own shares.
iii. Verify that dividend income wherever declared by a company, has been duly received by an
NBFC and interest wherever due [except in case of NPAs] has been duly accounted for.
NBFC Prudential Norms require dividend income on shares of companies and units of mutual
funds to be recognised on cash basis. However, the NBFC has an option to account for
dividend income on accrual basis, if the same has been declared by the body corporate in its
Annual General Meeting and its right to receive the payment has been established. Income
from bonds/debentures of corporate bodies is to be accounted on accrual basis only if the
interest rate on these instruments is predetermined and interest is serviced regularly and not
in arrears.
iv. Test check bills/contract notes received from brokers with reference to the prices vis-à-vis
the stock market quotations on the respective dates.
v. Verify the Board Minutes for purchase and sale of investments. Ascertain from the Board
resolution or obtain a management certificate to the effect that the investments so acquired
are current investments or Long-Term Investments.

vi. Check whether the investments have been valued in accordance with the NBFC Prudential
Norms and adequate provision for fall in the market value of securities, wherever applicable,
have been made there against, as required by the Directions.
vii. Obtain a list of subsidiary/group companies from the management and verify the investments
made in subsidiary/group companies during the year. Ascertain the basis for arriving at the
price paid for the acquisition of such shares and whether the Valuation is as per Prudential
norms.
viii. Check whether investments in unquoted debentures/bonds have not been treated as
investments but as term loans or other credit facilities for the purposes of income recognition
and asset classification.
ix. An auditor will have to ascertain whether the requirements of AS 13 “Accounting for
Investments” or other accounting standard, as applicable, (to the extent they are not
inconsistent with the Directions) have been duly complied with by the NBFC.
x. In respect of shares/securities held through a depository, obtain a confirmation from the
depository regarding the shares/securities held by it on behalf of the NBFC.
xi. Verify that securities of the same type or class are received back by the lender/paid by the
borrower at the end of the specified period together with all corporate benefits thereof (i.e.
dividends, rights, bonus, interest or any other rights or benefit accruing thereon).
xii. Verify charges received or paid in respect of securities lend/borrowed.
xiii. Obtain a confirmation from the approved intermediary regarding securities deposited
with/borrowed from it as at the year end.
xiv. An auditor should examine whether each loan or advance has been properly sanctioned. He
should verify the conditions attached to the sanction of each loan or advance i.e. limit on
borrowings, nature of security, interest, terms of repayment, etc.
xv. An auditor should verify the security obtained and the agreements entered into, if any, with
the concerned parties in respect of the advances given. He must ascertain the nature and
value of security and the net worth of the borrower/guarantor to determine the extent to which
an advance could be considered realisable.
xvi. Obtain balance confirmations from the concerned parties.
xvii. As regards bill discounting, verify that proper records/documents have been maintained for
every bill discounted/rediscounted by the NBFC. Test check some transactions with reference
to the documents maintained and ascertain whether the discounting charges, wherever, due,
have been duly accounted for by the NBFC.
xviii. Check whether the NBFC has not lent/invested in excess of the specified limits to any single
borrower or group of borrowers as per NBFC Prudential Norms.

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.19
xix. An auditor should verify whether the NBFC has an adequate system of proper appraisal and
follow up of loans and advances. In addition, he may analyse the trend of its recovery
performance to ascertain that the NBFC does not have an unduly high level of NPAs.
xx. Check the classification of loans and advances (including bills purchased and discounted)
made by a NBFC into Standard Assets, Sub-Standard Assets, Doubtful Assets and Loss
Assets and the adequacy of provision for bad and doubtful debts as required by NBFC
Prudential Norms.
(Note: The above checklist is not exhaustive. It is only illustrative. There could be various other audit
procedures which may be performed for audit of an NBFC. Based on the nature and size of the
NBFC, the auditor will have to perform specific audit techniques in that regard)
7. AUDITOR’S DUTY
The following are the important duties of an auditor -
7.1 Compliance with NBFC Auditor’s Report - RBI Directions

The RBI Directions have considerably increased the responsibility of auditors of NBFCs. A very
onerous task of reporting to the Board of Directors on certain specified matters and to the RBI on an
exception basis has been imposed upon him. This reporting requirement is in addition to the normal
reporting requirements to the shareholders under section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013. Auditors
will, thus, have to be very careful whilst carrying out audits of NBFCs to ensure that all matters which
they are required to take into consideration for the purposes of reporting to the RBI have been taken
due care of.
Section 45MA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 was introduced with effect from 13.12.1974.
Under this provision the auditor of a non-banking financial company or a non-banking miscellaneous
company which has accepted public deposits, has to inquire whether or not the company has
furnished to the Reserve Bank of India statements, information of particulars relating to the deposits
as are required to the furnished under Chapter IIIB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The
provision further states that if on inquiry the auditor is not satisfied about the compliance by the
company, it is his duty to make to the Reserve Bank of India giving the aggregate amount of deposits
held by the company. The auditor is also required to incorporate the report or intended to be made
to the Reserve Bank of India in his report to the company under Section 143 of the Companies Act,
2013.
Report to Board of Directors under RBI Directions as per Master Direction No. DNBS.
PPD.03/66.15.001/2016-17 dated September 29, 2016
(1) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued Non-Banking Financial Companies Auditor’s
Report (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 (the Directions) to auditor of every non-banking
financial companies.

(2) The Directions shall apply to every auditor of a non-banking financial company as defined in
section 45 I(f) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Auditors to submit additional Report to the Board of Directors: In addition to the Report
made by the auditor under Section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013 or section 227 of the
Companies Act, 1956 (Act 1 of 1956) on the accounts of a non-banking financial company
examined for every financial year ending on any day on or after the commencement of these
Directions, the auditor shall also make a separate report to the Board of Directors of the
Company on the matters specified in paragraphs 3 and 4 below.
(3) Material to be included in the Auditor’s report to the Board of Directors: The auditor’s
report on the accounts of a non-banking financial company shall include a statement on the
following matters, namely –
(A) In the case of all non-banking financial companies:
I. Conducting Non-Banking Financial Activity without a valid Certificate of
Registration (CoR) granted by the RBI is an offence under chapter V of the
RBI Act, 1934. Therefore, if the company is engaged in the business of non-
banking financial institution as defined in section 45-I (a) of the RBI Act and
meeting the Principal Business Criteria (Financial asset/income pattern) as
laid down vide the RBI’s press release dated April 08, 1999, and
directions issued by DNBR, auditor shall examine whether the company has
obtained a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from the RBI.
II. In case of a company holding CoR issued by the RBI, whether that company
is entitled to continue to hold such CoR in terms of its Principal Business
Criteria (Financial asset/income pattern) as on March 31 of the applicable
year.
III. Whether the non-banking financial company is meeting the required net
owned fund requirement as laid down in Master Direction - Non-Banking
Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking
Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 and Master Direction - Non-
Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking
Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
Note: Every non-banking financial company shall submit a Certificate from its
Statutory Auditor that it is engaged in the business of non-banking financial
institution requiring it to hold a Certificate of Registration under Section 45-IA of
the RBI Act and is eligible to hold it. A certificate from the Statutory Auditor in this
regard with reference to the position of the company as at end of the financial
year ended March 31 may be submitted to the Regional Office of the Department
of Non-Banking Supervision under whose jurisdiction the non-banking financial
company is registered, within one month from the date of finalization of the
balance sheet and in any case not later than December 30th of that year.

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.21
The format of Statutory Auditor’s Certificate (SAC) to be submitted by NBFCs has

been issued vide DNBS. PPD.02/66.15.001/2016-17 Master Direction- Non-
Banking Financial Company Returns (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
(B) In the case of a non-banking financial companies accepting/holding public

deposits
Apart from the matters enumerated in (A) above, the auditor shall include a statement
on the following matters, namely-
(i) Whether the public deposits accepted by the company together with other
borrowings indicated below viz.
(a) from public by issue of unsecured non-convertible debentures/bonds;
(b) from its shareholders (if it is a public limited company); and
(c) which are not excluded from the definition of ‘public deposit’ in the Non-
Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve
Bank) Directions, 2016, are within the limits admissible to the company
as per the provisions of the Non-Banking Financial Companies
Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016;
(ii) Whether the public deposits held by the company in excess of the quantum of
such deposits permissible to it under the provisions of Non-Banking Financial
Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 are
regularised in the manner provided in the said Directions;
(iii) Whether the non-banking financial company is accepting "public deposit”
without minimum investment grade credit rating from an approved credit rating
agency as per the provisions of Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance
of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016;
(iv) Whether the capital adequacy ratio as disclosed in the return submitted to the
Bank in terms of the Non-Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important
Directions, 2016 has been correctly determined and whether such ratio is in
compliance with the minimum CRAR prescribed therein;
(v) In respect of non-banking financial companies referred to in clause (iii) above,
(a) whether the credit rating, for each of the fixed deposits schemes that
has been assigned by one of the Credit Rating Agencies listed in Non-
Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve
Bank) Directions, 2016 is in force; and
(b) whether the aggregate amount of deposits outstanding as at any point
during the year has exceeded the limit specified by the such Credit
Rating Agency;

(vi) Whether the company has violated any restriction on acceptance of public
deposit as provided in Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public
Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016;
(vii) Whether the company has defaulted in paying to its depositors the interest and
/or principal amount of the deposits after such interest and/or principal became
due;
(viii) Whether the company has complied with the prudential norms on income
recognition, accounting standards, asset classification, provisioning for bad and
doubtful debts, and concentration of credit/investments as specified in the
Directions issued by the Bank in terms of the Master Direction - Non-Banking
Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and
Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016;
(ix) Whether the company has complied with the liquid assets requirement as
prescribed by the Bank in exercise of powers under section 45-IB of the RBI
Act and whether the details of the designated bank in which the approved
securities are held is communicated to the office concerned of the RBI in terms
of NBS 3; Non-Banking Financial Company Returns (Reserve Bank) Directions,
2016;
(x) Whether the company has furnished to the RBI within the stipulated period the
return on deposits as specified in the NBS 1 to – Non- Banking Financial
Company Returns (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016;
(xi) Whether the company has furnished to the RBI within the stipulated period the
quarterly return on prudential norms as specified in the Non-Banking Financial
Company Returns (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016;
(xii) Whether, in the case of opening of new branches or offices to collect deposits
or in the case of closure of existing branches/offices or in the case of
appointment of agent, the company has complied with the requirements
contained in the Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public
Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
(C) In the case of a non-banking financial company not accepting public deposits
Apart from the aspects enumerated in (A) above, the auditor shall include a
statement on the following matters, namely: -
(i) Whether the Board of Directors has passed a resolution for non-
acceptance of any public deposits;
(ii) Whether the company has accepted any public deposits during the
relevant period/year;
(iii) Whether the company has complied with the prudential norms relating to
income recognition, accounting standards, asset classification and
provisioning for bad and doubtful debts as applicable to it in terms of Non-

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.23
Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit

taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 and Non-Banking
Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking
Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016;
(iv) In respect of Systemically Important Non-deposit taking NBFCs as
defined in Non-Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-
Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank)
Directions, 2016:
(a) Whether the capital adequacy ratio as disclosed in the return
submitted to the RBI in form NBS - 7, has been correctly arrived at
and whether such ratio is in compliance with the minimum CRAR
prescribed by the RBI;
(b) Whether the company has furnished to the RBI the annual
statement of capital funds, risk assets/exposures and risk asset
ratio (NBS-7) within the stipulated period.
(v) whether the non-banking financial company has been correctly classified
as NBFC Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) as defined in the Non-Banking
Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking
Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 and Non-Banking Financial
Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and
Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
(D) In the case of a company engaged in the business of non-banking financial

institution not required to hold CoR subject to certain conditions
Apart from the matters enumerated in (A)(I) above where a company has obtained a
specific advice from the RBI that it is not required to hold CoR from the RBI, the auditor
shall include a statement that the company is complying with the conditions stipulated
as advised by the RBI.
(4) Reasons to be stated for unfavourable or qualified statements: Where, in the auditor’s
report, the statement regarding any of the items referred to in paragraph 3 above is
unfavourable or qualified, the auditor’s report shall also state the reasons for such
unfavourable or qualified statement, as the case may be. Where the auditor is unable to
express any opinion on any of the items referred to in paragraph 3 above, his report shall
indicate such fact together with reasons therefor.

(5) Obligation of auditor to submit an exception report to the RBI

(I) Where, in the case of a non-banking financial company, the statement regarding
any of the items referred to in paragraph 3 above, is unfavorable or qualified, or in
the opinion of the auditor the company has not complied with:
(a) the provisions of Chapter III B of RBI Act (Act 2 of 1934); or
(b) Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve
Bank) Directions, 2016; or
(c) Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit
taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 and Non-Banking
Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company
and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
It shall be the obligation of the auditor to make a report containing the details of
such unfavourable or qualified statements and/or about the non-compliance, as the
case may be, in respect of the company to the concerned Regional Office of the
Department of Non-Banking Supervision of the RBI under whose jurisdiction the
registered office of the company is located as per first Schedule to the Non-Banking
Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions,
2016.
(II) The duty of the Auditor under sub-paragraph (I) shall be to report only the
contraventions of the provisions of RBI Act, 1934, and Directions, Guidelines,
instructions referred to in sub-paragraph (1) and such report shall not contain any
statement with respect to compliance of any of those provisions.
7.2 Compliance with CARO 2016

As per CARO 2016, the auditor is required to report that –
(I) “Whether the company is required to be registered under section 45-IA of the Reserve
Bank of India Act, 1934 and if so, whether the registration has been obtained.”
[Paragraph 3(xvi)]
1. Relevant Provisions:
(a) The auditor is required to examine whether the company is engaged in the
business which attract the requirements of the registration. The registration is
required where the financing activity is a principal business of the company.
(b) The Reserve Bank of India restrict companies from carrying on the business of
a non-banking financial institution without obtaining the certificate of
registration.

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.25
(c) A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the

Act, engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of
shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by Government or local
authority or other marketable securities of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase,
insurance business, chit business but does not include any institution whose
principal business is that of agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or
sale of any goods (other than securities) or providing any services and
sale/purchase/construction of immovable property.
A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of
receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in one lump sum or in
installments by way of contributions or in any other manner, is also a non-
banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company).
As per response to an FAQ as given by Reserve Bank of India, “Financial
activity as principal business is when a company’s financial assets constitute
more than 50 per cent of the total assets and income from financial assets
constitute more than 50 per cent of the gross income. A company which fulfils
both these criteria will be registered as NBFC by RBI. The term 'principal
business' is not defined by the Reserve Bank of India Act. The Reserve Bank
has defined it so as to ensure that only companies predominantly engaged in
financial activity get registered with it and are regulated and supervised by it.
Hence if there are companies engaged in agricultural operations, industrial
activity, purchase and sale of goods, providing services or purchase, sale or
construction of immovable property as their principal business and are doing
some financial business in a small way, they will not be regulated by the
Reserve Bank. Interestingly, this test is popularly known as 50-50 test and is
applied to determine whether or not a company is into financial business.”
(d) NBFCs are doing functions similar to banks, however there exist difference
between banks & NBFCs. NBFCs lend and make investments and hence their
activities are akin to that of banks; however there are a few differences as
discussed in Heading No. 2.
As per Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 Section 45 I Clause (c), any company carries
on as its business or part of its business any activity considered as carrying on the
business of Financial Institution.
The Reserve Bank of India defined “net owned fund” as:
(a) (Owned funds) the aggregate of the paid-up equity capital, preference
shares which are compulsorily convertible into equity, free reserves,
balance in share premium account and capital reserves representing

surplus arising out of sale proceeds of asset, excluding reserves created

by revaluation of asset, after deducting there from
(i) accumulated balance of loss;
(ii) deferred revenue expenditure; and
(iii) other intangible assets; and
(b) further reduced by the amounts representing
(1) investments of such company in shares of– (i) its subsidiaries; (ii)
companies in the same group; (iii) all other non-banking financial
companies; and
(2) the book value of debentures, bonds, outstanding loans and
advances (including hire-purchase and lease finance) made to,
and deposits with– (i) subsidiaries of such company; and (ii)
companies in the same group, to the extent such amount exceeds
ten per cent of (a) above.
(“Subsidiaries” and “companies in the same group” shall have the same
meanings assigned to them in the Companies Act, 2013)
2. Audit Procedures and Reporting:
(a) The auditor should examine the transactions of the company with relation to
the activities covered under the RBI Act and directions related to the Non-
Banking Financial Companies.
(b) The financial statements should be examined to ascertain whether company’s
financial assets constitute more than 50 per cent of the total assets and income
from financial assets constitute more than 50 per cent of the gross income.
(c) Whether the company has net owned funds as required for the registration as
NBFC.
(d) Whether the company has obtained the registration as NBFC, if not, the
reasons should be sought from the management and documented.
(e) The auditor should report incorporating the following:-
(i) Whether the registration is required under section 45-IA of the RBI
Act, 1934.
(ii) If so, whether it has obtained the registration.
(iii) If the registration not obtained, reasons thereof.

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.27
(II) “Whether the Nidhi Company has complied with the Net Owned Funds to Deposits in
the ratio of 1:20 to meet out the liability and whether the Nidhi Company is maintaining
ten per cent unencumbered term deposits as specified in the Nidhi Rules, 2014 to meet
out the liability.” [Paragraph 3(xii)]
1. Relevant Provisions:
(a) This clause requires the auditor to report whether, in the case of a Nidhi
Company, net-owned funds to deposit liability ratio is more than 1:20 and the
Nidhi Company is maintaining ten per cent unencumbered term deposits as
specified in the Nidhi Rules 2014 to meet out the liability.
(b) Section 406(1) of the Act defines “Nidhi” to mean a company which has been
incorporated as a Nidhi with the object of cultivating the habit of thrift and savings
amongst its members, receiving deposits from, and lending to, its members only,
for their mutual benefit, and which complies with such rules as are prescribed by
the Central Government for regulation of such class of companies.
(c) It may be noted that Ministry of Corporate Affairs on 31st March 2014, vide its
Notification No. GSR 258(E) notified the ‘Nidhi Rules 2014’, which came into
force on the first day of April 2014. The said Rules are reproduced in the
Guidance Note on CARO 2016. These Rules apply to Nidhi company
incorporated as a Nidhi pursuant to the provisions of Section 406 of the Act and
also to the Nidhi companies declared under sub-section (1) of section 620A of
the Companies Act 1956.
2. Audit Procedures and Reporting:
(a) It may be noted that Rule 5(1) prescribes the requirements for minimum number
of members, net owned fund etc. As per Rule 5(1) every Nidhi shall, within a
period of one year from the commencement of these rules, ensure that it has—
(i) not less than two hundred members;
(ii) net owned funds of ten lakh rupees or more;
(iii) unencumbered term deposits of not less than ten per cent of the
outstanding deposits as specified in Rule 14; and
(iv) ratio of net owned funds to deposits of not more than 1:20.
The auditor should note that as such a Nidhi Company can accept deposits not
exceeding twenty times of its net owned funds as per last audited balance
sheet. Furthermore, as per Rule 14, every Nidhi is to invest and continue to
keep invested, in encumbered term deposits with a Scheduled commercial bank
(other than a co-operative bank or a regional rural bank), or post office deposits
in its own name an amount which shall not be less than ten per cent of the
deposits outstanding at the close of business on the last working day of the
second preceding month, which needs to be examined.

(b) As per Rule 3(d) Net Owned Funds are defined as the aggregate of paid up
equity share capital and free reserves as reduced by accumulated losses and
intangible assets appearing in the last audited balance sheet.
It may be noted that the amount representing the proceeds of issue of
preference shares, shall not be included for calculating Net Owned Funds.
(c) A Nidhi company can accept fixed deposits, recurring deposits accounts and
savings deposits from its members in accordance with the directions notified by
the Central Government. The aggregate of such deposits is referred to as
“deposit liability”.
(d) The auditor should ask the management to provide the computation of the
deposit liability and net owned funds on the basis of the requirements contained
herein above. This would enable him to verify that the ratio of deposit liability
to net owned funds is in accordance with the requirements prescribed in this
regard. The auditor should verify the ratio using the figures of net owned funds
and deposit liability computed in accordance with what is stated above. The
comments of the auditor should be based upon such a statement provided by
the management and verification of the same by the auditor.
(e) The auditor may report, incorporating the following as at the balance sheet date:
(i) In case of shortfall in the ratio of net owned funds to the deposits, report
the amount of shortfall and state the actual ratio of net owned funds to
the deposits.
(ii) In case of shortfall with regard to the minimum amount of 10% as
unencumbered term deposits, as specified in Nidhi Rules 2014, report
the amount thereof.
(Note: Students are required to refer Guidance Note on CARO, 2016 for more
details).
8. INDIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (IND AS)

8.1 Applicability of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) on NBFCs
As per Rule 4 (1)(iv) of the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015 and as amended
by Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) (Amendment) Rules, 2016, NBFCs are required to
comply with Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) as under-
(i) Accounting periods beginning 1 April 2018: Listed and unlisted NBFCs having a net worth
of ` 500 crore or more and holding, subsidiary, joint venture or associate companies of such
NBFCs;

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.29
(ii) Accounting periods beginning 1 April 2019: All other listed NBFCs, unlisted NBFCs having
a net worth of ` 250 crore or more but less than ` 500 crore and holding, subsidiary, joint
venture or associate companies of such NBFCs.
The net worth shall be calculated in accordance with the standalone financial statements of the
NBFCs as on 31st March 2016 or the first audited financial statements for accounting period which
ends after that date.
8.2 Format for preparation of financial statements by NBFCs under Ind-

AS
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) vide notification dated October 11, 2018 introduced Division
III under Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013, wherein a format for preparation of financial
statements by NBFCs complying with Ind AS has been prescribed.
Every NBFC required to comply with Ind AS shall prepare its financial statements as per below
format:
Illustrative format of Balance Sheet under Division III of Schedule III-
Particulars Notes Figures as at the Figures as at the
No. end of current end of previous
reporting period reporting period
(`) (`)
ASSETS
(1) Financial Assets
(a) Cash and cash equivalents
(b) Bank balance other than (a)
above
(c) Derivative financial instruments
(d) Receivables
(1) Trade Receivables
(2) Other Receivables
(e) Loans
(f) Investments
(g) Other Financial assets
(2) Non-Financial Assets
(a) Inventories
(b) Current tax assets (net)
(c) Deferred tax assets (net)
(d) Investment property


(`) (`)
(e) Biological assets other than
bearer plants
(f) Property, Plant and Equipment
(g) Capital work-in-progress
(h) Intangible assets under
development
(i) Goodwill
(j) Other intangible assets
(k) Other non-financial assets (to be
specified)
Total Assets
LIABILITES AND EQUITY
LIABILITIES
(1) Financial Liabilities
(a) Derivative financial instruments
(b) Payables
(I) Trade Payables
(i) total outstanding dues
of micro enterprises
and small enterprises
(ii) total outstanding dues
of creditors other than
micro enterprises and
small enterprises
(II) Other Payables
(i) total outstanding dues
of micro enterprises
and small enterprises
(ii) total outstanding dues
of creditors other than
micro enterprises and
small enterprises
(c) Debt Securities

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.31

(`) (`)
(d) Borrowings (other than debt
securities)
(e) Deposits
(f) Subordinated liabilities
(g) Other financial liabilities (to be
specified)
(2) Non-financial Liabilities
(a) Current tax liabilities (net)
(b) Provisions
(c) Deferred Tax Liabilities (net)
(d) Other non-financial liabilities (to
be specified)
(3) Non-financial Capital
(a) Equity share capital
(b) Other equity
Total Liabilities and Equity
Illustrative format of Statement of Profit and Loss prescribed under Division III of
Schedule III
Particulars Notes Figures for the Figures for the
No. current reporting previous reporting
period period
(`) (`)
Revenue from operations
(a) Interest Income
(b) Dividend income
(c) Rental income
(d) Fee and commission income
(e) Net gain on fair vale changes
(f) Net gain on derecognition of
financial instruments under
amortised category
(g) Sale of products (including Excise
duty)


period period
(`) (`)
(h) Sale of services
(i) Others (to be specified)
Total revenue from operations (I)
Other income (to be specified) (II)
Total Income (III= I + II)
Expenses
(a) Finance costs
(b) Fees and commission expense
(c) Net loss on fair vale changes
(d) Net loss on derecognition of
financial instruments under
amortised category
(e) Impairment on financial instruments
(f) Cost of material consumed
(g) Purchases of stock-in-trade
(h) Changes in Inventories of finished
goods, stock-in-trade and work-in-
progress
(i) Employee Benefits Expenses
(j) Depreciation, amortization and
impairment
(k) Other expenses (to be specified
Total Expenses (IV)
Profit / (loss) before exceptional items
and tax (V= III - IV)
Exceptional items (VI)
Profit / (loss) before tax (VII= V - VI)
Tax Expense (VIII):
(1) Current tax
(2) Deferred tax
Profit / (loss) for the period from
continuing operations (IX= VII - VIII)

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.33

period period
(`) (`)
discontinued operations (X)
Tax Expense of discontinued operations
(XI)
discontinued operations after tax (XII=
X - XI)
Profit / (loss) for the period (XIII= IX +
XII)
Other Comprehensive Income (XIV)
(A) (i) Items that will not be reclassified
to profit or loss (specify items
and amounts)
(ii) income tax relating to items
that will not be reclassified to
profit or loss
SUB-TOTAL (A)
(B) (i) Items that will be reclassified
to profit or loss (specify items
and amounts)
(ii) income tax relating to items
that will be reclassified to
profit or loss
SUB-TOTAL (B)
Other Comprehensive Income (A+B)
Total Comprehensive Income for the
period (XV = XIII + XIV) (Comprising
Profit (Loss) and other
Comprehensive Income for the period)
Earnings per equity share (for
continuing operations) (XVI)
Basic (`)
Diluted (`)
discontinued operations) (XVII)


period period
(`) (`)
Basic (`)
Diluted (`)
continuing and discontinued
operations) (XVIII)
Basic (`)
Diluted (`)
Note : Student may also refer illustrative format of Statement of Changes in Equity prescribed
under Division III of Schedule III for more understanding.
8.3 Differences between Division II (Ind- AS- Other than NBFCs) and
Division III (Ind- AS- NBFCs) of Schedule III
The presentation requirements under Division III for NBFCs are similar to Division II (Non NBFC) to
a large extent except for the following:
(a) NBFCs have been allowed to present the items of the balance sheet in order of their liquidity
which is not allowed to companies required to follow Division II. Additionally, NBFCs are
required to classify items of the balance sheet into financial and non-financial whereas other
companies are required to classify the items into current and non-current.
(b) An NBFC is required to separately disclose by way of a note any item of ‘other income’ or
‘other expenditure’ which exceeds 1 per cent of the total income. Division II, on the other
hand, requires disclosure for any item of income or expenditure which exceeds 1 per cent of
the revenue from operations or `10 lakhs, whichever is higher.
(c) NBFCs are required to separately disclose under ‘receivables’, the debts due from any
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in which its director is a partner or member.
(d) NBFCs are also required to disclose items comprising ‘revenue from operations’ and ‘other
comprehensive income’ on the face of the Statement of profit and loss instead of showing
those only as part of the notes.
(e) Separate disclosure of trade receivable which have significant increase in credit risk
& credit impaired
(f) The conditions or restrictions for distribution attached to statutory reserves have to
be separately disclose in the notes as stipulated by the relevant statute.

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.35
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Theoretical Questions
1. Define NBFC. Also give a brief description about types of NBFCs covering any five NBFCs.
2. Shubham & Associates are going to start the audit of NBFCs. They have not performed much
work for the NBFCs in the past years. You are required to explain the requirements related
to registration and regulation of NBFCs which an auditor needs to keep in his mind while
planning the audit of NBFC which would help this firm.
3. Satyam Pvt Ltd is a company engaged in trading activities, it also has made investments in
shares of other Companies and advanced loans to group companies amounting to more than
50% of its total assets. However, trading income constitutes majority of its total income.
Whether the Company is an NBFC?
4. Shivam & Co LLP are the auditors of NBFC (Investment and Credit Company). Some of the
team members of the audit team who audited this NBFC have left the firm and the new team
members are in discussion with the previous team members who are still continuing with the
firm regarding the verification procedures to be performed. In this context, please explain
what verification procedures should be performed in relation to audit of NBFC - Investment
and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC).
5 You are appointed as the auditor of a NBFC registered with the RBI and which is accepting
and holding public deposits. You are considering your reporting requirement in addition to
your report made under Section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013 on the accounts of this
NBFC as per the prescribed Directions.
Please explain what points are required to be known in respect of separate report to be given
by you to the Board of Directors of this NBFC.
6. Kamna & Co LLP, a firm of Chartered Accountants, was appointed as auditor of an NBFC.
The audit work has been completed. The audit team which was involved in the fieldwork came
across various observations during the course of audit of this NBFC and have also limited
understanding about the exceptions which are required to be reported in the audit report.
They would like to understand in detail regarding the obligations on the part of an auditor in
respect of exceptions in his report so that they can conclude their work. Please explain.
7. Karma Pvt Ltd is a Non-Deposit Taking Non-Systemically Important NBFC registered with
Reserve Bank of India. The Statutory Auditor of the company is required to give a report to
the Board of Directors. What shall be the content of the Auditor’s Report to the Board.
8. Krishna Pvt Ltd is primarily into the business of selling computer parts. However, the company
is fulfilling the Principal Business Criteria as at the balance sheet date i.e. Financial Assets

are more than 50 % of total assets and Financial Income is more than 50% of Gross Income.
What shall be the obligation of the Statutory Auditor in such a scenario?
9. Mr. G. has been appointed as an auditor of LMP Ltd., a NBFC company registered with RBI.
Mr. G is concerned about whether the format of financial statements prepared by LMP Ltd. is
as per notification issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) dated October 11, 2018.
The notification prescribed the· format in Division III under Schedule III of the Companies Act,
2013 applicable to NBFCs complying with Ind-AS. Mr. G wants to know the differences in the
presentation requirements between Division II and Division III of Schedule III of the
Companies Act, 2013. Help Mr. G.
10. Abhimanyu Finance Ltd. is a Non Banking Finance Company and was in the business of
accepting public deposits and giving loans since 2015. The company was having net owned
funds of ` 1,50,00,000/-(one crore fifty lakhs) and was not having registration certificate from
RBI and applied for it on 30 th March 2020. The company appointed Mr. Kabra as its statutory
auditors for the year 2019-20. Advise the auditor with reference to auditor procedures to be
taken and reporting requirements on the same in view of CARO 2016?
Answers to Theoretical Questions

1. Refer Para 1 – Definition and Types of NBFCs.
2. An auditor should know following points regarding registration and regulation of
NBFCs: Under Section 45–IA of the RBI Act, 1934, no NBFC shall commence or carry on the
business of a non-banking financial institution without
• obtaining a certificate of registration issued by the RBI; and
• having a net owned fund (NOF) of ` 25 lakhs (₹ Two crore since April 1999) not
exceeding two hundred lakhs rupees, as the RBI may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, specify.
(The RBI (Amendment) Act (1997) provided an entry point norm of ` 25 lakh as the minimum
NOF which was revised upwards to ` 2 crore for new NBFCs seeking grant of certificate of
registration (CoR) on or after 21 April 1999).
A company incorporated under the Companies Act and desirous of commencing business of
non-banking financial institution as defined under Section 45–IA of the RBI Act, 1934 can
apply to the RBI in prescribed form along with necessary documents for registration. The RBI
issues CoR after satisfying itself that the conditions as enumerated in Section 45-IA of the
RBI Act, 1934 are satisfied.
However, to obviate dual regulation, certain categories of NBFCs which are regulated by
other regulators are exempted from the requirement of registration with RBI viz. Venture
Capital Fund/Merchant Banking companies/Stock Broking Companies registered with SEBI,

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.37
Insurance Company holding a valid CoR issued by IRDA, Nidhi Companies as notified under
Section 406 of the Companies Act, 2013, Chit Companies as defined in clause (b) of Section
2 of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 or Housing Finance Companies regulated by National Housing
Bank.
The RBI has issued directions to NBFCs on acceptance of public deposits, prudential norms
like capital adequacy, income recognition, asset classification, provision for bad and doubtful
debts, risk exposure norms and other measures to monitor the financial solvency and
reporting by NBFCs.
Directions were also issued to auditors to report non-compliance with the RBI Act and
regulations to the Reserve Bank, Board of Directors and shareholders.
3. In order to identify a particular company as Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), it will
consider both assets and income pattern as evidenced from the last audited balance sheet
of the company to decide its principal business. The company will be treated as NBFC when
a company's financial assets constitute more than 50 per cent of the total assets (netted off
by intangible assets) and income from financial assets constitute more than 50 per cent of
the gross income. A company which fulfils both these criteria shall qualify as an NBFC and
would require to be registered as NBFC by Reserve Bank of India.
In the given case, though Satyam Pvt Ltd is fulfilling the criteria on the asset side, but however
is not fulfilling the criteria on the income side, the company cannot be classified as a deemed
NBFC.
4. Refer Para 6
5. Refer Para 7.1(3), (4)
6. Refer Para 7.1(5)
7. Ref Para 7.1
The statutory auditor of Karma Pvt Ltd, being a Non-Deposit Taking Non-Systemically
Important NBFC is required to submit separate report to the Board of Directors on the
matters as specified as below:
I. Conducting Non-Banking Financial Activity without a valid Certificate of Registration (CoR)
granted by the RBI is an offence under chapter V of the RBI Act, 1934. Therefore, if the
company is engaged in the business of non-banking financial institution as defined in section
45-I (a) of the RBI Act and meeting the Principal Business Criteria (Financial asset/income
pattern) as laid down vide the RBI’s press release dated April 08, 1999, and directions issued
by DNBR, auditor shall examine whether the company has obtained a Certificate of
Registration (CoR) from the RBI.
II. In case of a company holding CoR issued by the RBI, whether that company is entitled to
continue to hold such CoR in terms of its Principal Business Criteria (Financial asset/income
pattern) as on March 31 of the applicable year.

III. Whether the non-banking financial company is meeting the required net owned fund
requirement as laid down in Master Direction - Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-
Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 and
Master Direction - Non-Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit
taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
Apart from the aspects enumerated above, the auditor shall include a statement on the
following matters, namely: -
(i) Whether the Board of Directors has passed a resolution for non- acceptance of any
public deposits;
(ii) Whether the company has accepted any public deposits during the relevant
period/year;
(iii) Whether the company has complied with the prudential norms relating to income
recognition, accounting standards, asset classification and provisioning for bad and
doubtful debts as applicable to it in terms of Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-
Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions,
2016;
Where, in the auditor’s report, the statement regarding any of the items referred to matters
specified above is unfavourable or qualified, the auditor’s report shall also state the reasons
for such unfavourable or qualified statement, as the case may be. Where the auditor is unable
to express any opinion on any of the items referred above, his report shall indicate such fact
together with reasons thereof.
8. Ref Para 7.1
In the given case, Krishna Pvt Ltd is fulfilling the Principal Business Criteria i.e. Financial
Assets are more than 50 % of total assets and Financial Income is more than 50 % of Gross
Income. The company which fulfils both these criteria shall qualify as an NBFC and hence is
required to obtain Certificate of Registration (CoR) with Reserve Bank of India. In such a
scenario, the statutory auditor has an obligation to submit exception report to the RBI on the
following matters :
(I) Where, in the case of a non-banking financial company, the statement regarding any
of the items referred to in paragraph 3 of the Non-Banking Financial Companies
Auditor’s Report (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016, is unfavourable or qualified, or in
the opinion of the auditor the company has not complied with:
(a) the provisions of Chapter III B of RBI Act (Act 2 of 1934); or
(b) Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve
Bank) Directions, 2016; or
(c) Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit

AUDIT OF NBFC 14.39
taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 and Non-Banking Financial

Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit
taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
It shall be the obligation of the auditor to make a report containing the details of such
unfavourable or qualified statements and/or about the non-compliance, as the case
may be, in respect of the company to the concerned Regional Office of the Department
of Non-Banking Supervision of the RBI under whose jurisdiction the registered office
of the company is located as per first Schedule to the Non-Banking Financial
Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
(II) The duty of the Auditor under sub-paragraph (I) shall be to report only the
contraventions of the provisions of RBI Act, 1934, and Directions, Guidelines,
instructions referred to in sub-paragraph (1) and such report shall not contain any
statement with respect to compliance of any of those provisions.
9. Refer Para 8.3
10. As per Clause (xvi) of Paragraph 3 of CARO 2016, the auditor is required to report that
“whether the company is required to be registered under section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank
of India Act, 1934 and if so, whether the registration has been obtained.”
The auditor is required to examine whether the company is engaged in the business which
attract the requirements of the registration. The registration is required where the financing
activity is a principal business of the company. The RBI restrict companies from carrying on
the business of a non-banking financial institution without obtaining the certificate of
registration.
Audit Procedures and Reporting:
(i) The auditor should examine the transactions of the company with relation to the
activities covered under the RBI Act and directions related to the Non-Banking
Financial Companies.
(ii) The financial statements should be examined to ascertain whether company’s financial
assets constitute more than 50 per cent of the total assets and income from financial
assets constitute more than 50 per cent of the gross income.
(iii) Whether the company has net owned funds as required for the registration as NBFC.
(iv) Whether the company has obtained the registration as NBFC, if not, the reasons
should be sought from the management and documented.
(v) The auditor should report incorporating the following:-
(1) Whether the registration is required under section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934.
(2) If so, whether it has obtained the registration.
(3) If the registration not obtained, reasons thereof.

In the instant case Abhimanyu Finance Ltd. is a Non Banking Finance Company and was in
the business of accepting public deposits and giving loans since 2015. The company was
having net owned funds of ` 1,50,00,000/-(one crore fifty lakhs) which is less in comparison
to the prescribed limit i.e. 2 crore rupees and was also not having registration certificate from
RBI (though applied for it on 30th March 2020). The auditor is required to report on the same
as per Clause (xvi) of Paragraph 3 of CARO 2016.

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14

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

 Learn the audit procedures and Audit Checklist for NBFCs.

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Fig. : NBFCs ∗ Fig.: Audit of NBFCs ∗

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(ii) A non-banking institution which is a company a non-banking institution which is a company

Fig. : What is NBFC ∗

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Registration and Regulation of NBFC:

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NBFCs mandated to register under RBI

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2. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BANKS AND NBFCS

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(b) Intercorporate loans/deposits 100

3.2 Income Recognition

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© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

This implies for NBFCs covered in Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-

3.3 Provisioning Requirements

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© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

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(5) NBFC Prudential Norms -

5. CLASSIFICATION OF FRAUDS BY NBFC

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7.1 Compliance with NBFC Auditor’s Report - RBI Directions

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The format of Statutory Auditor’s Certificate (SAC) to be submitted by NBFCs has

(B) In the case of a non-banking financial companies accepting/holding public

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Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit

(D) In the case of a company engaged in the business of non-banking financial

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(5) Obligation of auditor to submit an exception report to the RBI

7.2 Compliance with CARO 2016

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(c) A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the

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surplus arising out of sale proceeds of asset, excluding reserves created

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8. INDIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (IND AS)

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8.2 Format for preparation of financial statements by NBFCs under Ind-

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Particulars Notes Figures as at the Figures as at the

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Particulars Notes Figures as at the Figures as at the

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