SaaS Metrics, Ecommerce Reconciliation & Statutory Audits
Accounting and auditing requirements vary by entity size, business model, and statutory regulations under the Companies Act, 2013.
| Standard category | Current verified position | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory Audit (Companies) | Mandatory annual audit of company financial statements under the Companies Act, 2013. | Applies to all private and public limited companies regardless of turnover. |
| SaaS Revenue Recognition | Aligning accounting with Ind AS 115 / IFRS 15 for subscription contracts. | Requires tracking MRR, ARR, LTV, CAC, and deferred revenue schedules. |
| Ecommerce Reconciliation | Reconciling sales invoices with payment gateway receipts and marketplace reports. | Auditing TCS under Section 52 and marketplace commission invoices. |
| Internal Audit (Turnover) | Mandatory internal control audits for companies exceeding thresholds. | Turnover > Rs. 200 Crore or outstanding loans/deposits > Rs. 100 Crore. |
What a serious auditor should verify
- Management Accounts & MIS: Monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow statement, AR/AP ageing report, and key business metrics (burn rate, gross margins).
- Concurrent Audit: Real-time, continuous audit of bank branches or high-volume transactions to prevent leakage and ensure compliance.
- Stock and Inventory Audit: Verification of physical stock against books to identify variance, shrinkage, or write-off items.
- Accounts Payable/Receivable: Maintain clean vendor aging reports and follow up on outstanding credit periods.
Documents for accounting and statutory audits
- Trial balance, ledger files, and bank statements for the audit period.
- Sales and purchase invoice registers.
- TDS, GST, and payroll returns history.
- Physical stocktake reports and bank confirmation letters.
Accounting for NGOs and Trusts: year and source check
Last fact-checked: 18 June 2026.
Direct and indirect tax laws, corporate filings, and compliance rules are subject to change by CBIC, MCA, EPFO, and RBI notifications. Always verify circulars before executing a transaction.
Use official government portals (such as GST portal, MCA V3, e-filing portal, and TRACES) first. Articles and competitor calculators should be treated as guidance, not legal advice.
FAQs
Is a statutory audit mandatory for all private limited companies in India?
Yes. Under the Companies Act, 2013, every private limited company must appoint a statutory auditor and undergo an annual statutory audit, irrespective of its turnover or capital.
What is the threshold for mandatory tax audit under Section 44AB?
A tax audit is mandatory if business turnover exceeds Rs. 10 Crore (provided cash transactions are <= 5% of total transactions) or Rs. 1 Crore (if cash transactions exceed 5%). For professionals, the limit is Rs. 50 Lakh.
How does SaaS accounting handle subscription revenue?
Under Ind AS 115, subscription revenue must be recognized over the performance period (monthly/quarterly) as the service is delivered, rather than recognizing upfront collections on day one. Unearned fees are deferred to the balance sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key registration and compliance requirements for an NGO or trust involved in Accounting for NGOs and Trusts?
Charitable trusts or societies working on Accounting for NGOs and Trusts must obtain registrations under Section 12AB (for income tax exemption) and Section 80G (for donor tax deductions) from the Income Tax Department.
2. What annual filings are mandatory for trusts working with Accounting for NGOs and Trusts?
NGOs dealing with Accounting for NGOs and Trusts must file their annual statement of donations in Form 10BD by May 31st, submit audit reports in Form 10B/10BB, and file their annual return in Form ITR-7 by October 31st.
3. What is the validity period of Section 12AB and 80G registrations?
Both Section 12AB and 80G registrations are granted for a block of 5 years. NGOs must apply for renewal of registrations at least 6 months before the expiry of the 5-year period. Provisional registrations are granted for 3 years.
4. What is Form 10BD, and when is it filed?
Form 10BD is the annual statement of donations that registered NGOs must file on the e-filing portal. It lists details of all donors (PAN, name, donation amount) and must be filed on or before May 31 of the following financial year.
5. What is a Section 8 Company?
A Section 8 Company is a non-profit organization incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, to promote art, science, sports, education, charity, or environment. Its profits must be applied solely to its objectives, and no dividends can be paid to members.
6. What is FCRA registration, and who needs it?
FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) registration is mandatory for any NGO that intends to receive foreign donations or contributions. It is regulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and is valid for 5 years.
7. What are the conditions for tax exemption under Section 11 & 12?
To claim exemption, the NGO must apply at least 85% of its income toward charitable or religious purposes in India during the financial year. If it cannot apply 85%, it can accumulate the income for up to 5 years by filing Form 10 online.
8. What is the CSR spend obligation under the Companies Act?
Under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, companies with a net worth of ₹500 crore or more, turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more, or a net profit of ₹5 crore or more must spend at least 2% of their average net profits of the preceding 3 years on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
9. Can an NGO carry out commercial or business activities?
Yes, under the proviso to Section 2(15), an NGO can carry out activities in the nature of trade or business, provided the activities are incidental to the main objectives, and the aggregate receipts from such business do not exceed 20% of the total receipts of the NGO in that FY.
10. What is the due date for filing ITR for trusts and NGOs?
Trusts and NGOs registered under Section 12AB must file their ITR in Form ITR-7 by October 31 of the Assessment Year. If audit is required, the audit report in Form 10B/10BB must be submitted by September 30.
11. What is the difference between Form 10B and Form 10BB audit reports?
Form 10B is the audit report required if the trust's total income exceeds ₹5 crore, or if it receives foreign contributions, or if it applies income outside India. Form 10BB is used by other trusts that do not meet these conditions.
12. What is the tax rate on anonymous donations received by a trust?
Under Section 115BBC, anonymous donations received by a religious or charitable trust are taxed at a flat rate of 30% on amounts exceeding ₹1 lakh or 5% of total donations received, whichever is higher.
13. Can an NGO make donations to another NGO?
Yes, an NGO can donate to another registered NGO out of its current year's income. However, such donations cannot be made out of accumulated funds, and donations towards corpus funds of another trust are not allowed as application of income.
14. What is NGO Darpan registration?
NGO Darpan is a portal maintained by NITI Aayog. It provides a unique ID to NGOs, which is mandatory to apply for government grants, schemes, and to file for FCRA registrations.
15. What happens if an NGO fails to file its ITR on time?
If the ITR-7 is not filed before the due date, the NGO loses its tax exemption under Section 11 & 12 for that financial year, and its entire income will be taxed at maximum marginal rates. Late filing fees and interest also apply.