AUDITS AND CERTIFICATION UNDER SEBI (LODR)

OVERVIEW

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (SEBI LODR) mandate various audits and certifications for listed companies to ensure transparency, accountability, and investor protection. These audits and certifications under SEBI (LODR) ensure compliance, governance, and investor protection for listed companies. Companies must adhere to the prescribed timelines and formats to avoid penalties and reputational risks.

AUDITS AND CERTIFICATION UNDER SEBI (LODR), 2015

1. Secretarial Audit (Regulation 24A)
  • Applicable to:
    • Every listed entity
    • Its material unlisted subsidiaries (Indian)
  • Conducted by: Practicing Company Secretary (PCS)
  • Report: Form MR-3 (submitted as part of the annual report)
  • Objective: Ensure compliance with SEBI regulations, the Companies Act, and other applicable laws.
2. Annual Secretarial Compliance Report (Regulation 24A)
  • Applicable to: Listed entities and their material unlisted subsidiaries
  • Conducted by: Practicing Company Secretary (PCS)
  • Report: Submitted to stock exchanges within 60 days of the financial year-end
  • Objective: Certify compliance with SEBI regulations, circulars, and guidelines.
3. Internal Audit of Listed Entities (Regulation 24)
  • Applicable to: Listed entities and their material unlisted subsidiaries
  • Conducted by: Chartered Accountant (CA) or Cost Accountant or any other professional appointed by the Audit Committee
  • Objective: Evaluate internal controls, risk management, and governance processes.
4. Compliance Certificate (Regulation 7(3))
  • Applicable to: Listed entities
  • Conducted by:
    • Compliance Officer of the company
    • Share Transfer Agent (RTA)
  • Report: Submitted to stock exchanges within one month of the financial year-end
  • Objective: Certify compliance with share transfer and related activities.
5. Corporate Governance Compliance Certificate (Regulation 27(2))
  • Applicable to: Listed entities required to comply with corporate governance norms
  • Conducted by: Compliance Officer or a Practicing Company Secretary
  • Report: Submitted quarterly to stock exchanges in Form BSE/NSE format
  • Objective: Ensure adherence to governance norms, board composition, and shareholder rights.
6. Certificate for Reconciliation of Share Capital Audit (Regulation 76 of SEBI (D&P) Regulations, 2018)
  • Applicable to: Listed entities
  • Conducted by: Practicing Company Secretary (PCS)
  • Report: Submitted quarterly to stock exchanges
  • Objective: Reconcile issued and listed capital with depositories and RTA records.
7. Certificate on Statement of Deviation or Variation (Regulation 32)
  • Applicable to: Listed entities that have raised funds through public or rights issues
  • Conducted by: Audit Committee
  • Report: Submitted to stock exchanges on a quarterly basis
  • Objective: Ensure funds are utilized for the stated purpose.
8. Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) (Regulation 34)
  • Applicable to: Top 1,000 listed entities by market capitalization
  • Conducted by: Self-assessment (may be independently verified)
  • Report: Submitted as part of the annual report
  • Objective: Disclose ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives.
9. Annual Financial Audit
  • Applicable to: All listed entities
  • Conducted by: Statutory Auditors (CA Firm)
  • Report: Included in the Annual Report
  • Objective: Certify financial statements’ accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
10. Certificate on Shareholding Pattern (Regulation 31)
  • Applicable to: Listed entities
  • Conducted by: Compliance Officer
  • Report: Submitted quarterly to stock exchanges
  • Objective: Verify promoter and public shareholding details.
 
     
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