Introduction Audit refers to an independent examination of the financial information of any entity to express an opinion on the financial statements of the entity. An audit is conducted to ensure that the financial statements of the entity whose books of accounts are audited reflect a true and fairRead more
Introduction
Audit refers to an independent examination of the financial information of any entity to express an opinion on the financial statements of the entity. An audit is conducted to ensure that the financial statements of the entity whose books of accounts are audited reflect a true and fair view of the affairs of the entity.
In audit reports, an auditor uses the term ‘true and fair’ is used to express that the financial statements are free from any kind of material misstatement and depict a correct financial image of the entity.
The term holds great significance in the audit reports of entities and auditors have to use this term carefully.
Meaning of ‘True’ and ‘Fair’
The term consists of two words, ‘True’ and ‘Fair’. Let’s understand what each of these words actually means.
True
The word ‘true’ suggests that the auditor, after examining the financial statements, has found no material misstatement whether due to error or fraud. The financial information depicted by the financial statements and the underlying accounting records is correct. The preparation and presentation of the financial statements are in accordance with the accounting standards applicable to the entity.
Fair
The word ‘fair’ means the financial information presented through the financial statement does not have an element of bias or sugar coating. There is a faithful presentation of financial information and the amounts at which the assets and liabilities, income and expenses and equity are shown is justified.
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Negative working capital means the excess of current liabilities over current assets in an enterprise. Let’s understand what working capital is to get more clarity about negative working capital. Meaning of Working Capital Working Capital refers to the difference between current assets and current lRead more
Negative working capital means the excess of current liabilities over current assets in an enterprise.
Let’s understand what working capital is to get more clarity about negative working capital.
Meaning of Working Capital
Working Capital refers to the difference between current assets and current liabilities of a business.
Working Capital = Current Assets – Current Liabilities
It is the capital that an enterprise employs to run its daily operations. It indicates the short term liquidity or the capacity to pay off the current liabilities and pay for the daily operations.
Items under Current Assets and Current Liabilities
It is important to know about the items under current assets and current liabilities to understand the significance of working capital.
Current assets include cash and bank balance, accounts receivables, inventories, short term investments, prepaid expenses etc.
Current liabilities include accounts payable, short term loans, bank overdraft, interest on short term investment, outstanding salaries and wages etc.
Types of working capital
Since the working capital is just the difference between current assets and liabilities, the working capital can be one of the following:
Hence, negative working capital exists when current liabilities are more than current assets.
Implications of having negative working capital
Having negative working capital is not an ideal situation for an enterprise. Having negative working capital indicates that the enterprise is not in a position to pay off its current liabilities and there may be a cash crunch in the business.
An enterprise may have to finance its working capital requirements through long term finance sources if its working capital remains negative for quite a long time.
The ideal situation is to have current assets two times the current liabilities to maintain a good short term liquidity of the business i.e.
Current Assets = 2(Current Liabilities)
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