Välisaudit

Välisaudit, often translated as external audit, is the independent examination of an organization’s financial statements by an external auditor. The primary objective is to provide assurance to stakeholders that the financial statements present a true and fair view and are prepared in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework, such as IFRS, GAAP, or national standards. The audit typically focuses on the accuracy of reported figures, the reliability of disclosures, and the overall presentation of the financial position, performance, and cash flows.

Key elements include independence, scope, auditing standards, and reporting. External auditors must be independent from the entity being audited to avoid conflicts of interest. Auditing standards, issued by national bodies or international groups such as the International Standards on Auditing, guide the procedures and evidence gathering. The result is an auditor’s report that states whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement and whether they comply with the relevant framework. Opinions can be unqualified (clean), qualified, adverse, or a disclaimer, depending on the findings.

Relation to internal audit is complementary: external audits provide assurance to external stakeholders, while internal audits focus on improving internal controls and processes within the organization. Regulatory context varies by jurisdiction; external audits are mandatory for many types of entities or for those meeting size or public-interest criteria, with requirements administered by law, standards bodies, and oversight authorities. Overall, välisaudit supports transparency, accountability, and confidence in financial reporting.