In a notification dated 22^nd January, 2019 issued earlier this year, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (“MCA”) has issued the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Amendment Rules, 2019 (“Amended Rules”). MCA through the Amended Rules prescribed that while filing Form DPT 3, Auditor’s Certificate is also to be enclosed with it. Now, MCA to brings in more clarity as to the situations where the Auditor’s Certificate is required to be filed mandatorily.

MCA vide its letter no. File No: P-01/08/2013- CL-V Vol. VI dated June 24, 2019 has clarified as under:

The Auditor’s Certificate is mandatory only in case of return of deposits.
For filing particulars of transactions not considered as deposits information contained therein as on 31st March of that year need not be from the duly audited Financial Statement.
Only in case of Return of Deposit information contained therein as on 31st March of that year should be from duly audited financial statement of the company.

Also in order to provide guidance to members, the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of ICAI has issued Illustrative Auditor’s Certificate on Return of Deposits, which is available on the below cited link:

Illustrative Auditor’s Certificate on Return of Deposits as at [state the year end] pursuant to Rule 16 of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014, as amended

Source: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India