Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP has been fined Rs 2 crore by the National Financial Reporting Authority for lapses in its audit of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. during fiscal and fiscal 2020. The regulator's investigation revealed significant shortcomings in the firm's auditing processes, raising questions about its adherence to professional standards.
The NFRA's review focused on several critical issues, primarily the failure to identify and report misrepresentations in ZEEL's financial statements. A significant issue involved a Rs 200-crore fixed deposit held by ZEEL, which the chairman of the company, also the promoter of Essel Group, had pledged to Yes Bank as a guarantee for loans extended to Essel Green Mobility Ltd., a promoter group company. This fixed deposit was later appropriated by Yes Bank in July 2019 to settle loans from seven promoter group companies.
The regulator found that neither the creation nor the reappropriation of the fixed deposit was approved by ZEEL's board or shareholders. Despite this, Deloitte's auditors failed to detect and report this misrepresentation in the company's financial statements. Additionally, the NFRA's examination revealed that the auditors were grossly negligent in failing to apply professional scepticism and due diligence. They did not adequately challenge the management's assertions and did not report potential fraud.
The penalties imposed on Deloitte's audit partners reflect the severity of these violations. A B Jani, the engagement partner, was fined Rs 10 lakh and banned from performing any audit work for five years. Rakesh Sharma, the engagement quality control review partner, was fined Rs 5 lakh and barred from audit work for three years. Both partners were prohibited from being appointed as auditors or internal auditors for any company during their bans.
The NFRA also found that Deloitte failed to adequately address issues like unauthorised guarantees, premature closure of fixed deposits, and improper use of ZEEL's funds to settle loans of promoter group companies. The misuse of funds took place with the knowledge of ZEEL's management and its chairman.
This case highlights a breakdown in Deloitte's audit processes, where critical financial mismanagement was overlooked. The regulatory penalties underscore the importance of auditors fulfilling their professional responsibilities and applying due diligence to ensure the accuracy and transparency of financial statements. The case serves as a reminder that auditing firms must maintain high standards to prevent financial misconduct.
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