Advantages of Audit to a Sole Trader:

Although sole traders are not required by any law (except u/s 44AD, 44AE, 44AB and other provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961) to have their accounts audited, yet it has become customary for many of them who derive their large incomes from numerous sources and whose expenditure is vast and varied to get their accounts audited.

Also, sole traders, get their financial statements audited due to regulatory requirements, such as inventory brokers or on a specific instructions of the bank for approval of loans, etc. The sole trader can determine the scope of the audit as well as the conditions under which it will be carried out. For example, he can stipulate that only a partial audit shall be carried out or certain parts of the accounts shall not be checked. It will also be decided that the audit will be carried out continuously or at the end of the year. Thus, the duties and the nature of auditor’s work will depend upon the agreement that he has entered into with the sole trader. But he must obtain clear instructions from his clients in writing as to what he is expected to do. The following are some of the advantages that can be derived from an audit of this nature:

(i) The individual is assured of having his accounts properly maintained and his expenditure vouched.

(ii) He is also assured of not being defrauded by the accountant and his agents. Even if they have done some defalcations, etc.; these may be discovered by the auditors.

(iii) The audited accounts are reliable and are generally accepted by the Income-tax Department and hence, individuals do not feel any difficulty for taxation assessments, etc.

(iv) The audited accounts of a deceased are very helpful for executors and administrators.