25 January 2018 - Trusted financial reporting is vital to sustaining confidence in Malaysia’s business and investment environment. As a foundation of this trust, the auditors’ report provides investors with an independent view of whether the financial statements are true and fair in accordance with the applicable accounting framework. 

The new and revised enhanced auditor reporting standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and adopted by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) are effective for audits of financial statements with financial periods ending on or after 15 December 2016. The extensive changes introduced are expected to drive the flow of useful and relevant information to the capital market, reduce speculation about companies’ performance and promote understanding of financial statements. Perceived as a game-changer, the Enhanced Auditors’ Report (EAR) affects the wider financial reporting ecosystem.  
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)’s Audit Oversight Board (AOB), MIA and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) undertook a study to examine and share observations on the first year of the EAR’s implementation in Malaysia. Looking beyond publicly available information, the study includes views of audit committee members and investors gathered through online surveys and focus group discussions.