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Microlesson · 5-min read

Audit Procedures for PPE — Existence, Completeness, Valuation, Rights

# Audit Procedures for PPE

PPE is typically a material balance and a long-lived asset — errors compound over years. The auditor covers four assertions.

## 1. Existence

  • Review the entity's physical verification plan for PPE.
  • Look for evidence of appropriate supervision of the verification.
  • Obtain the PPE physical verification report and:
  • Assess if all items are properly tagged and bear identification marks.
  • Reconcile items physically verified with the Fixed Asset Register (FAR).
  • Verify discrepancies noted.

## 2. Completeness

  • Verify the movement schedule: Opening Balance + Additions − Deletions = Closing Balance.
  • Check arithmetical accuracy of the movement schedule.
  • For all material additions, verify the expenditure meets the PPE recognition criteria (future economic benefits + reliable measurement).
  • Items like spare parts, stand-by equipment, servicing equipment are recognised as PPE only when they meet the definition.
  • Test the purchase invoice and installation certificate to verify date of addition.
  • Verify additions are approved by authorised personnel.
  • Verify internal processes (e.g., tender process) were followed.
  • For deletions, understand reason, rationale, and manner of disposal from management.

## 3. Valuation

  • Verify entity has charged depreciation on all items of PPE.
  • Assess that the depreciation method reflects the pattern in which the asset's future economic benefits are expected to be consumed.
  • Verify whether management has performed an impairment assessment (per AS 28 / Ind AS 36).

## 4. Rights & Obligations

  • Verify all PPE purchase invoices are in the name of the entity — not directors, group companies, or related parties.
  • For additions to land and building, check the sale deed to verify legal ownership.
  • Insist on and verify original title deeds for all immoveable properties.
  • For immoveable property given as security for borrowings, request management to obtain confirmation from lenders that they hold the original title deeds.
  • Verify the register of charges.

## 5. Disclosure — Title Deeds Not Held in Co.'s Name

Where title deeds are not in the company's name, this table must be disclosed:

Relevant B/S line itemDescription of propertyGross carrying valueTitle deeds in name ofWhether holder is promoter/director/relative/employeeProperty held since (date)Reason for not being held in name of Co. (also indicate if in dispute)
PPE — Land/Building
Investment Property — Land/Building
Others

Worked example

### Example 1

Example — Title deed issue: A company acquired land 20 years ago from a now-deceased director. The sale deed was never registered in the company's name. Schedule III disclosure: line item 'PPE — Land', gross carrying value Rs 5 crore, title deeds in name of 'Late Mr X (ex-director)', holder is a director, held since 2005, reason 'mutation pending due to legal heir dispute'.

### Example 2

Example — Spare part as PPE: A power plant holds a stand-by turbine costing Rs 2 crore that can only be used with their main generator and has a 15-year useful life. The auditor confirms this meets the PPE definition (used for more than one period, future economic benefit) and supports capitalisation rather than treating it as inventory.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Accepting management's word on existence without insisting on the physical verification report or independent tag tracing.
  • Skipping verification of title deeds for immoveable property — a frequent CARO and Schedule III red flag.
  • Not testing whether depreciation method matches the consumption pattern (e.g., using SLM where units-of-production would be more appropriate).
  • Treating all spare parts as inventory regardless of useful life or specific use.
  • Missing the disclosure for title deeds not in the company's name.
Bare-Act text Schedule III, Part I — Additional Disclosures — Title deeds of Immovable Property · Schedule III, Companies Act, 2013 (as amended) · click to expand
Where the title deeds of immovable property are not held in the name of the company, the company shall disclose: (a) relevant line item in the Balance Sheet; (b) description of item of property; (c) gross carrying value; (d) title deeds held in the name of; (e) whether title deed holder is a promoter, director or relative of promoter/director or employee of promoter/director; (f) property held since which date; (g) reason for not being held in the name of the company. Also indicate if in dispute.
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