revisjonsberetning

Revisjonsberetning, meaning auditor’s report in Norwegian, is a formal opinion issued by an independent auditor about the financial statements of a company or organization. The report accompanies the annual financial statements and is addressed to the shareholders or governing bodies.

The primary purpose is to provide assurance that the financial statements give a true and fair view and are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and law. It helps users such as investors, lenders, and regulators to rely on the financial statements when making decisions.

A revisjonsberetning typically includes the auditor’s opinion on the financial statements, a description of the audit work and the basis for the opinion, references to applicable accounting standards, and information about material matters such as going concern. It may also note any significant misstatements, scope limitations, or issues found in internal controls. Based on the findings, the opinion can be unqualified (clean), qualified, adverse, or a disclaimer of opinion.

Legal framework and standards: In Norway, the report is prepared under the Norwegian Auditing Act and professional standards, often aligned with international auditing standards. The auditor must be independent and the report includes the date, place, and the auditor’s name and firm. The revisjonsberetning is typically signed by the statutory auditor and forms part of the annual report.

Presentation and audience: The revisjonsberetning is issued after fieldwork and presented to the general meeting or included in the annual report shared with shareholders and other stakeholders. It distinguishes statutory audits required by law from voluntary reviews or audits conducted for other reasons.