The subjects of economic analysis (research) may include:
- source accounting documents;
- accounting records;
- financial statements;
- statistical reports for the relevant periods;
- audit and inspection reports;
- printed and certified electronic documents;
- organizational, administrative, planning, and regulatory documents drafted in accordance with laws and regulations.
The main tasks of the examination of accounting, tax accounting and reporting documents are:
- to determine the documentary basis for the amount of shortages or surpluses of inventory and cash, as well as the period and place of their occurrence;
- determining the documentary validity of the recording of transactions relating to the receipt, storage, manufacture and sale of inventory, including cash and fixed assets, and the provision of services;
- verifying the documentary basis for the accounting treatment of cash and securities;
- verifying the documentary basis for the accounting treatment of transactions relating to the accrual and payment of wages and other payments;
- verifying compliance with current legislation regarding the recording in tax accounts of income and expenses arising from financial and economic transactions subject to income tax;
- verifying compliance with current legislation regarding the recording in tax accounts of VAT (value added tax) liabilities and VAT credits.
The conduct of audit procedures (the determination by economic experts of any economic indicators without first carrying out documentary checks of the financial and operational activities of the entity under audit) does not fall within the scope of economic expertise.
Indicative list of issues to be addressed:
- Is the shortage (surplus) of cash on hand in the amount of (specify the amount) at the enterprise (specify the name of the institution or organization) for the period (specify) documented in the inventory report dated (specify the report details) confirmed?
- Is the shortage of inventory identified in the inventory report of the company (name of the organization) for the period (specify the period) during which the person responsible for the inventory (specify last name, first name, patronymic) was on duty, documented in the amount of (specify quantity and value)?
- Is the shortage of fixed assets documented (please specify the name of the organization, as well as the quantity and value)?
- Is the amount of wages paid and recorded in the cash register (name of the enterprise) without justification confirmed, taking into account the data provided by the authority (person) that ordered the expert examination (engaged the expert), and the conclusions of the handwriting analysis indicating that the signatures on the payroll documents (statement number, period) were not made by the persons named therein?
- Have travel expenses (in what amount) been properly reimbursed (specify to whom and for what period)?
- Are the findings of the audit (please specify the details of the audit report) supported by documentation regarding the overstatement of the volume and cost of the work performed, taking into account the findings of other types of expert examinations?
- Is there documentary evidence to support the unjustified write-off of construction materials, as well as the calculation and payment of wages based on an inflated volume and cost of work performed (taking into account the findings of other types of expert examinations)?
- Is the amount of the debt claimed by the plaintiff (company name) in its statement of claims—for goods and materials supplied to the company (name), work performed (services rendered) under the contract (contract number and date) during the period (specify the period)—supported by documentary evidence, including the findings of other types of expert examinations?
- Is the underreporting of taxable income (specify the entity) for the period (specify which one) and the additional assessment of taxes and mandatory payments due to the budget (specify which ones), as stated in the tax inspection report (specify the report’s details), supported by documentary evidence?
- Does the income reported and declared by the company (name) for the period (specify the period) correspond to the supporting documents provided and the requirements of the Tax Code of Ukraine?
- Do the expenses identified and reported by the company (name) for the period (specify the period) correspond to the supporting documents provided and the requirements of the Tax Code of Ukraine?
- Are the expenses of the company (name) for the period (specify the period) that contribute to the cost of goods sold, work performed, and services rendered supported by documentation?
- Is the recording of depreciation for the period (specify the period) in the tax records of the company (company name) supported by documentation and in accordance with regulations?
- Are the volumes of business transactions and payments to non-residents supported by documentation?
- Are the findings of the State Tax Inspection report (number, date) regarding the overstatement by the company (name) of the claimed amount of the value-added tax refund for the period (specify the period) supported by documentary evidence?
- Is the financial result for transactions involving securities and corporate rights (company name) for the period (specify the period) in the amount of (specify the amount), as documented in the inspection report issued by the State Tax Inspectorate, confirmed?
- Is there documentary evidence to support the taxable income paid by the company (company name) to a non-resident (name), with the source of such income being Ukraine, during the period (specify the period)?
- Is there documentary evidence to support the company’s (name) application of a zero value-added tax rate for export transactions under contract (number, date)?
- Similar questions may arise regarding other types of taxes and mandatory payments.