The Importance of Cash Incentive Audit in the Composite Sector: A Study on ACNABIN, Chartered Accountants Firm

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The Importance of Cash Incentive Audit in the Composite Sector:

A Study on ACNABIN, Chartered Accountants Firm

1.1Background of the study

Audit is the process of a formal examination of an organization’s accounts or financial situation. An audit may also include examination of compliance with applicable terms, laws and regulations. Chartered Accountants perform three types audit: financial statement audit, operational audit and compliance audit. The purpose of compliance audit is to determine whether the audited client is following specific procedures, rules or regulations set by higher authority. Results of compliance audits are typically reported to someone with in the organizational unit being audited rather than to a board of spectrum of users.

Cash Incentive Audit can be treated as a compliance audit. It is a special type of audit within which the auditors have to comply with terms of reference (TOR), Bangladesh Bank (BD) Circular and Import Policy to certify appropriate amount of cash incentive for the applicants. Cash incentive will obtain those exporters who will use indigenous yarn from BTMA member mills but not avail bonded warehouse and duty drawback facilities.

Cash incentive is the assistance in the form of “Cash” given to any party on its fulfillment of certain conditions. Cash incentive scheme was first introduced in 1986. In the Composite sector of Bangladesh, Cash Incentive is given as a repayment of part of the production cost of the Bangladeshi exporter (Incentive Receiver) when he completes the export process complying with all requirements of the Government (mentioned in the Bangladesh Bank Circulars). In most of the cases, there are special motives behind giving Cash Incentive.

It might be given to nurture the child industry, to strengthen the backward or forward linkage of an industry, to make the products of the industry more competitive in the local and foreign market etc. Cash Incentive is also used as a counter weapon against the undesirable practice of dumping by foreign countries. In Bangladesh, Cash Incentive is mainly given to export oriented sectors to boost the export thereby earning foreign exchange.

1.2 Objectives of the Study:

Ä To know about the Cash Incentive facilities given in the composite sector.

Ä To obtain a detailed knowledge of how the cash incentive audit is done by ACNABIM.

Ä To evaluate whether the cash incentive facilities are instrumental in promoting the export of Bangladesh.

Ä To examine whether the cash incentive facilities were really misused before the introduction of independent cash incentive audit.

Ä To examine whether the cash incentive scheme has increased the backward linkage (yarn in exporting Fabrics and Fabrics or Yarn in exporting Garments) of composite sector.

Ä To examine whether the audit work has reduced the receipts of cash incentive through fake documents and counterfeiting.

Ä To understand whether the cash incentive audit has mitigated, if not eliminated, the misuse of Government money in the form of cash incentive in the composite sector of Bangladesh.

Ä To make some recommendations based on the findings.

Organizational Part

2.1 Profile of the ACNABIN:

Name of the Audit Firm : ACNABIN Chartered Accountant Firm

Date of Establishment : 15^th February, 1985

Address of the firm : BDBL Bhaban (13^th Floor)

12, Karwan Bazar Commercial Area

Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

Telephone, Fax, E-mail: Phone#: 880-2-8144347-52

Fax#: 880-2-8144353-54

E-mail#: acnabin@banglanet

Web site#: www.acnabin-bd.com

2.2 Vision:

We go beyond the traditional auditor and client relationship by becoming your Trusted business Advisor.

2.3 Mission:

We adhere to the strictest principles of client confidentiality. The sensitive and competitive nature of proprietary information and the maintenance of trust –demand it. We have built our success on such principles. We do our utmost to earn and keep client trust.

2.4 Graded Number:

In November 2010 the Central Bank of Bangladesh (Bangladesh Bank) ranked ACNABIN as the number one audit firm in the country for audit of banks and financial institutions.

2.5 Historical Background:

Founded in 1985, ACNABIN started with seven partners. The name “ACNABIN” comes from the acronyms of the founder partners:

A = ABM Azizuddin

C = Anwaruddin Chowdhury

N = Abu Syed Mohammad Nayeem

A = Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman

B = ATMA Bari

I = Iftekhar Hossain

N = Mohammad Nurun Nabi.

Associations:

a) Associated with ASNAF-ASEAN Accounting Firms, Singapore since 18 February 2003.

b) USAID and EC Enlisted.

In 1993 we have been enlisted by the United States Office of Regional Inspector General/Audit, Singapore to perform financial audits of USAID fund recipients in Bangladesh. We have been also enlisted by the European Commission to conduct financial audit of the recipient of their fund.

c) In July 2005 ACNABIN achieved “Representative Firm” status of BAKER TILLY INTERNATIONAL.

BAKER TILLY is an independent member of BAKER TILLY International. BAKER TILLY International is a network of high quality, independent accountancy and business service firms, all of whom are committed to providing the best possible services to their clients, in their own marketplaces, and across the world, wherever the client needs help. BAKER TILLY International is the 8^th largest network in the world by fee income and is represented by 122 firms in 75 countries, with a global aggregate fee income of US $1.82 billion and 18,600 staff worldwide. In 2003, the network experienced a 17% growth in revenue.

Membership

ACNABIN is the member of:

a) Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries

b) The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries

c) American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh.

The firm has one office in the capital city of Bangladesh with four different Divisions to manage its day to day activities. The divisions are:

¨ Auditing,

¨ Income Tax,

¨ Consultancy Services, and

¨ Insolvency.

2.6 Achievement of Firms:

(i) A Brief statement on the outstanding activities and innovation by ACNABIN:

ACNABIN Introduced stipend to attract brilliant students to the profession of accounting in Bangladesh. It has introduced and implemented several forms for an effective audit field work. It is considered to be the market leader in audit and evaluation of microfinance organization.

(ii) Services rendered abroad:

Since its incorporation, ACNABIN has successfully performed the following overseas assignments:

v Qinghai Micro-credit Project, China.

v Consultancy assignment on Accounting in DPR of Korea.

v Financial Analyst for Operational Performance of Nirdhan, Nepal, Funded by World Bank-CGAP

v Study of Micro-Finance Institution Capacity Assignment, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

v Verification of Financial and Accounting System of Rural Credit Operations of Bhutan BDFC, Thimpu, Bhutan.

v Vivekananda Sava Kendra O Sishu Uddayan, West Bengal, India.

v Capacity Building of External Auditors for Micro-finance Audits, an ICPAU workshop held in Kampala, Uganda under the sponsorship of CGAP.

v Training on external audit of micro-finance institution in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, sponsored by the Association of Ethiopian MFIs (AEMFI).

(iii) Hosting of International Internship:

During October-November, 2001, ACNABIN has hosted an International Internship program for two (2) employees of Bank of Indonesia, Indonesia on External Audit of Micro finance Institution in Bangladesh.

(iv) Firm ranking by fee size for city and/or country:

Bangladesh Bank, the Central Bank of Bangladesh Government has placed ACNABIN in the 2^nd position out of 82 enlisted firms.

There are total 174 audit firms in Bangladesh, of which five (5) firms have 6 or more partners and ACNABIN is one of those 5 firms.

2.7 Human Resources:

Partners and Principals	8
Managers and Supervisors	6+6
C.A. Course Completed Students	15
Articled Students	75
Paraprofessional	3
Clerical, secretarial	12
Total	125

2.8 Analysis of Total Practice Turnover:

Audit	40%
Accounts preparation (including data processing and book-keeping)	5%
Tax	15%
Insolvency	10%
Financial Advisory Services	20%
Management Advisory Services	10%
Total	100%

2.9 Services Offered by ACNABIN:

Services Offered Cover the Following Areas:

v Feasibility study

v Management consultation/development

v Statutory audit

v Accountancy

v Taxation

v Accountancy and management training

v System development

v Data processing with computer

v Privatization consultancy (Include pre-privatization review, restructuring, valuation in particular and privatization assistance in general)

v Other accounting ancillary services including investigation, internal and management audit.

v Micro- finance consulting.

v Human Resource Development Issues

v Organizational consulting services

v Designing computerized systems for MIS and accounting and its implementation

v Share/ business/ asset valuation.

The Importance of Cash Incentive Audit in the Composite Sector

3.1 Cash Incentive:

Cash incentive is the assistance in the form of “Cash” given to any party on its fulfillment of certain conditions. Cash incentive scheme was first introduced in 1986. In the readymade composite sector of Bangladesh, Cash Incentive is given as a repayment of part of the production cost of the Bangladeshi exporter (Incentive Receiver) when he completes the export process complying with all requirements of the Government (mentioned in the Bangladesh Bank Circulars). In most of the cases, there are special motives behind giving Cash Incentive. It might be given to nurture the child industry, to strengthen the backward or forward linkage of an industry, to make the products of the industry more competitive in the local and foreign market etc. Cash Incentive is also used as a counter weapon against the undesirable practice of dumping by foreign countries. In Bangladesh, Cash Incentive is mainly given to export oriented sectors to boost the export thereby earning foreign exchange.

3.2 Importance of Giving Cash Incentive to Composite sector of Bangladesh:

Composite sector is the most promising sector in our country. Composite is the main contributor of our export income. At present, almost 76% of our total export income is earned by exporting RMG. But in phase of recent MFA (Multi-fiber Arrangement) and quota phase out, the composite sector of Bangladesh will face alarming threat of losing foreign market. It is because the competitive advantage of our composite sector is the low labor cost compared to our competitors (China, India etc). But our material and other production costs are very high since we are to import almost all raw materials (Yarn, Fabrics) and accessories from abroad. The irony of fate is that, we have to import most of the raw materials from our rival countries (in foreign market) like India and accessories from China. In the phase of quota system out, they might stop supplying those inputs to Bangladesh and start using those for additional production to capture our market abroad. So, our composite sector is very much vulnerable as long as we can not establish a strong backward linkage for composite sector within Bangladesh.

Stepping into the shoes of the Bangladeshi exporters of composite, the Government of Bangladesh has offered alternative Cash Incentive to the composite sector of Bangladesh for the following reasons:

· To increase the export of composite.

· To establish and strengthen the backward linkage of composite.

· To encourage to establish more yarn producing factories in Bangladesh

· To motivate to use local yarn instead of foreign ones since it costs a great deal of our hard-fought foreign currencies

· To make our fabrics and RMG more competitive in foreign markets

· To make our composite sector sufficient from the foreign yarn

· To establish market for the local yarn producers.

· To encourage more value addition in the composite sector.

3.3 Conditions for Eligibility of Alternative Cash Incentives:

Alternative Cash Incentives will be payable only if the exported products are produced within Bangladesh using yarn collected from member mills of BTMA and no Duty Drawback facility or Bonded Warehouse facility is enjoyed at any stage of production. Cash Incentive facilities are given upon fulfillment of the following conditions:

• Only one party among the yarn manufacturer, fabrics supplier and exporter will get Cash Incentives.
• Applicant for Cash Incentives will submit his application to the negotiating bank within 180 days of the realization of export proceeds.
• Alternative Cash Incentives will be payable only after the export price is received in foreign currency. ( Realized Value)
• If the name of the applicant as the cash incentive receiver is not mentioned in the Back to Back L/C, the applicant will be rejected immediately.
• Authorized dealer, after receiving all necessary information and certificates, will compute the payable amount as Alternative Cash Incentives to the applicant.
• As soon as the Alternative Cash Incentive is approved, the Proceeds Realization Certificate will be sealed with “Alternative Cash Incentive Paid” and signed by the very person who has approved the payment. It is done so that the Proceeds Realization Certificate can not be misused otherwise.
• All the cases of the payment of Alternative cash Incentives will be examined by the Internal Audit Team of the concerned Bank. Apart from this, all documents will have to be preserved for at least 3 years by the bank for the examination of Bangladesh Bank visiting team / Government Audit Team.

3.4 Beneficiaries for the Cash Incentive Facilities:

From the inception in 1986 as “Cash Compensatory Scheme (CCS)”, this facility was made available to RMG, Hosiery and Special Textile Units which are not chosen to use the bonded warehouse facilities and duty drawback facilities. From 1997, the following parties or organizations were entitled to Cash Incentive facilities:

1. Producer and direct exporter of fabrics i.e. producer and exporter of oven/knit/hosiery/fabrics/gray/dyed/printed fabrics and other specialized fabrics.

2. Producer and exporter of different types of fabrics i.e. items like towel, bar, map, bathmat, grill pad, duster cloth, terry bag, bed shed cover, stocks and gloves.

3. Producer and suppliers of fabrics from which RMG has been exported abroad after value addition done in the production process of the exporters.

4. Producers of fabrics from yarn and RMG i.e. a composite mill (Bangladesh Bank, 1997).

But after March 5, 2001 (BB FE Circular No. 09), the above matter has been changed.

The Cash Incentives will be entitled to the following parties from that date:

1. Producer and exporter of RMG from fabrics.
2. Producers of fabrics from yarn and exporters of the RMG, i.e. a composite mill.
3. Producer and direct exporter of fabrics.
4. Producer and supplier of fabrics from which RMG has been exported in abroad by exporter after value addition.
5. Producer and exporter of yarn (Bangladesh Bank, 2001 b).

Not only the composite sector, there are several sector, who can get this cash incentive. They are,

1. Jute exporter
2. Fish exporter
3. Lather exporter
4. Agro exporter etc.

3.5 Calculation of the Amount of Cash Incentives:

The Cash Incentives amounts (see Table 1.1 for applicable rates) in general cases are calculated as a percentage (25%, 15%, 10%, or 5%) of the lower of the following two:

1. Net FOB (Free on Board) value less addition in production of exported as a percentage of net FOB value; or

2. Total cost of production using local yarn (for the exporter) or the value of fabrics supplied (for fabrics suppliers).

Table 1.1: Rate of Cash Incentive

Period	Rate of Cash Incentive
1. If the RMG or fabrics or other is exported and shipped from August 1, 1994 to May 9, 2002.	25%
2.If the RMG or Fabrics or other is shipped: Ä After May 9 2002 (effective up to June 2003) Ä During Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Ä During Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Ä After June 30 2005	15% 10% 5% 5%

Source: FE Circular No.10 of Bangladesh Bank, 2002(b) dated June 5 2002.

Process of Cash Incentive in Composite Sector

The procedures of executing Cash Incentive Audit are shown in the following diagram:

4.1 Application for Cash Incentives submitted by the Exporter:

Application for Cash Incentives is submitted by the Exporter along with all necessary documents to the Export Division of the Bank through which the export is made. It is done only after the date of the proceeds realization since it is the proceeds of the exported goods, on receipt of which the exporter becomes eligible to apply for Alternative Cash Incentives. Normally the application is supported with a number of different documents required by different authorities (GOB, Bangladesh Bank, the Bank of the exporter, Auditor etc.) to be submitted with the Application. All those are first filed with the application in a file properly and then submitted to the Export Division of the Bank through which the export was made. All photocopies must be attested in the files.

4.2 The application is officially received by the Bank:

The Export Division of the concerned branch of the Bank officially receives the file of the application and necessary documents. Then the authorized officer of the concerned branch of the Bank needs to attest those documents. Before making the attestation, he checks all documents submitted to the bank. If he finds any error or incompleteness, the applicant must fulfill them and make the file in the form and manner required by the bank.

4.3 Letter issued by the Bank to the concerned Partner of the Audit Firm:

Then the International Division of the Head Office of the bank issues a letter asking the Audit Firm to complete audit work regarding the application for Alternative Cash Incentives.

4.4 Commencement of the Cash Incentive Audit:

On receipt of the letter from the International Division of the Head Office of the bank, the audit firm sends auditors to the concerned bank and the Cash Incentive Audit officially commences. On completion of the attestation, the authorized officer of the concerned branch of the Bank sends the file to the auditors and auditors starts their work as per the Terms of Reference (TOR) recommended by the Bangladesh Bank in the FE Circular no. 291.

4.5 Preparation of the Working File:

As an auditor, our first work regarding the audit of cash incentive file is to prepare a working file for each file of application. It is the first-hand work of such audit. For this purpose, we have a standard format prepared and given to us by the Audit Firm. A specimen copy of this format is given in the annexure. We put down that information of the application file in this format which is relevant for our audit purpose. Information that we put down in our working format from different documents are presented chronologically in the following section:

a) Application

Name of the applicant

Date of application

Office address

Factory address

Applied amount (both in US $ and in Taka)

Value of the production (from the cost break up submitted with the application by the Applicant):

Cost of yarn

Knitting and overhead cost

Dyeing and over head cost

In the “applied amount” column the application, we just put down the amount applied as cash incentive (and calculated) by the applicant as per the applicable rate at the date of shipment (e.g. any shipment date on or after July 1, 2004 is eligible for 5% cash incentive). But in most of the cases, this amount remains incorrect. So, we need to calculate the appropriate amount payable as cash incentive later. Sometimes we find that the date of application is absent. In such, the applicant is asked to put it in the application. We make sure that this date is always a date after the date of proceeds realization and not otherwise. In converting the US$ figure into Taka, we use the exchange rate that was effective on the date of proceeds realization. For this purpose, we ask the bank to provide us with the Rate File of the bank and we use the OD sight exchange rate of US$. If there is more than one date of proceeds realization, we take all the rates effective on those dates. For numerous different dates, we go for an average rate.

b) Master LC or Contract (Attested Copy)

LC No. & date of issue

Goods exported (fabrics / T-shirt /polo shirt etc.)

Quantity (in pieces)

Term (FOB / C&F)

Commission (if any)

Original amount of the LC (in US$)

Transferred amount of the LC (in US$)

Notifying party

Sometimes the original amount of the LC is fully transferred on behalf of the exporter, then both the original and transferred amount are same. But if the original amount is partially transferred, then only the portion of the amount transferred is written in the “Transfer” column.

Sometimes there are number of amendments along with the LC. In such a case, we are to put down every applicable amendment’s amount and quantity in the working paper and finally sum those up. If the Term is C&F (i.e. freight is prepaid by the exporter), we need to ensure that proper freight certificates are submitted with the application. In the “Notifying Party” column, we put down the name of the agent appointed by the importer to receive and safely bring the goods to the importer’s premises. In this LC, the transferred amount shown in the “Transfer” column is very much important for us.

c) Back To Back LC

Local (attested copy)

LC No.

Date of the LC

Beneficiary of the LC (the supplier of yarn or accessories)

Items (yarn or accessories)

Quantity (in kg. in case of yarn)

Amount (in US$)

Master LC No.

Name of the incentive receiver (the exporter)

Sometimes the name of the incentive receiver is found in the amendment of the LC. If it is absent in the LC or in amendment, the applicant will not be eligible for any incentive. The quantity of this LC is found in the Pro-forma Invoice of the Back to Back LC. The amount is found both in the LC and in the Invoice. We need to make sure that both the figures agree. Moreover, there may be Back to Back LC for yarn, and for accessories. For us, Back to Back LC for yarn is important since cash incentive is tied to the use of local yarn.

Import (attested copy)

LC No.

Date of the LC

Quantity (in kg. in case of yarn)

Amount (in US$)

Master LC No. & date

This section is only applicable if any input is imported from abroad to be used in the production of the exported goods. This imported yarn will not be considered for cash incentive purpose. Normally import of raw material is rare. And even if there is any, that is insignificant quantity in most of the cases. Imported raw material is used when raw material specified by the buyer to be used in the production is not available in Bangladesh.

c) BTMA Certificate (For Cash Incentive Purpose)

Certificate No.

Date of the Certificate

Export LC number / Contract number.

Date of that Export LC / Contract

Back to Back LC (for yarn) number

Date of Back to Back LC (for yarn)

Items (yarn)

Quantity (in kg.)

Commercial Invoice number & Date

Date of Delivery

If any of the above information is missing or inconsistent with other documents, the certificate must have to be changed to that effect. The Gate Pass date must be on or before the Date of Delivery. To ensure the Gate Pass date, we need to check this date of BTMA certificate with the date of Challan attached with the certificate, and if there is any inconsistency, we ask the exporter to correct it.

d) Proceeds Realization Certificate (Original Copy)

Reference no. of the certificate

Export LC No. –

Date of the Export LC

EXP. No.

Date of realization

Realized value in US$

The original copy of Proceeds realization certificate (PRC) must be submitted. It is normally issued in the organizational pad of the exporter’s bank. No photocopy is accepted for cash incentive purpose. If photocopy is submitted instead of the original one, the original copy must be submitted as early as possible, otherwise the audit firm will not issue cash incentive certificate for that very application.

e) Export Invoice / Commercial Invoice

Export Invoice / Commercial Invoice No.

Date of issuing the Export Invoice / Commercial Invoice

Quantity / Unit (in pieces)

EXP. No.

Gross amount (in US$)

Net amount (in US$)

Commission (if any)

Gross weight (from the Packing List)

Net weight (from the Packing List)

Export LC No.

In the above list, we get all the information except the gross and net weight directly from the Export Invoice. For the gross and net weights, we need to check the Packing List attached with the Invoice. These weights should ensure the gross and net weights of the entire piece shown in the Quantity column. Sometimes part of the total units weight is shown in the Packing List. In such a case, the exporter is asked to correct the List so that it shows the gross and net weight of the total quantity.

f) Bill Of Lading (B/L)

B/L No.

Date on which the goods were shipped on board

EXP. No.

Freight (if prepaid, from freight certificate)

Gross weight

Master LC No.

Name and address of the notifying party

In this document, the date of shipment is the most important information for the auditor regarding cash incentive. It is because, based on the date of shipment, we will decide the rate of cash incentive applicable for the exporter. Another important information is the freight. If freight is prepaid, we immediately need to find out the freight certificate.

g) Bill of Export

Master LC No.

Master LC date

EXP. No.

Short shipment pieces (if any)

Quantity / Unit (in pieces)

Gross weight

Net weight

Name and address of the notifying party

If the quantity of this document is less than the quantity shown in the Export LC, the difference is considered to be short shipment quantity and written in the column labeled as “Short shipment pieces”. But it is rarely found. But in most of the cases, the Master LC date is absent in this document.

h) Review of the Working File:

Senior articled student then reviews this working file to ensure that it is true & fair. He also ensures the mathematical accuracy of the certified amount. He also verifies that the certified amount is calculated considering all relevant items mentioned in the Bangladesh Bank circulars.

i) Preparation of Control Sheet and Cross Checking of the Working File:

At this stage, we are to prepare a Control Sheet containing the most important and relevant information regarding each application. It is solely for the purpose of the Audit Firm. In fact, it is a bird’s eye view of all the applications. It acts as a database which facilitates the systematic controlling of our working files and the application files.

After this, it is cross checked by the in-charge of the Cash Incentive Audit. He initially compares the control sheet with the working files and if he finds any discrepancies, he goes for the original file to sort and correct the discrepancies.

j) Partner’s Review and Signature:

Last of all, the concerned Partner takes one final check of the whole matter. If in his opinion, every thing is in conformation, then we start preparing the certificates of cash incentives. If the partner, on the other hand, has any queries, he asks the In-charge to resolve the matter.

After all these steps, we prepare the final copy of Alternative Cash Incentives Certificate as per the Attachment-”Ga” of the FE Circular no. 291 dated June 02, 2002. For every single application, a separate certificate is prepared. Finally the concerned Partner of the firm issues these Cash Incentives Certificates by duly signing them.

The format of Alternative Cash Incentives Certificate as per the Attachment-”Ga” are as follows

Certificate

Applicant M/S……………………………………. exported through export L/C number

………………dated……………….. for $………………………………………..vide exp number …………….of……………………. Bank, local office, Dhaka containing export value of

$……………. against which $………………… has been repatriated on………………………….

and cash incentive claim is Tk……………………………………

Amount repayable as per TOR after audit is Tk………………… (in words) only which is hereby certified to be true and fair.

Signature:

Date:

Name of the Partner:

Name and address of the Audit Firm:

l) The Certificate is submitted to the Bank:

After signature of the partner cash incentive certificate is issued. Then this certificate is submitted to the Head Office of the bank. At that time the application of that certified file will also be submitted. The Head Office of the negotiating bank will receive this certificate and the certified amount will be paid to the applicant provided that sufficient fund is available.

4.6Matters and Document Checked by the Auditors

The audit firms must have to examine the following matters and objects before issuing certificate to the applicants of cash incentive:

Ä Verify whether the fabrics is produced by yarn collected from the BTMA member mills against any back-to-back L/C of documentary collection.

Ä Observe whether the name of cash incentive recipient exists in the Back-to-Back L/C.

Ä Whether the documents submitted for availing cash incentive support the information shown in the Utilization Declaration (UD) of the company.

Ä Whether the information disclosed in the application of the cash incentive facility is as per the documents submitted for cash incentive purpose.

Ä Verify whether the Proceeds Realization Certificate (PRC) is certified by the authorized persons of the negotiating bank duly.

Ä Verify whether the value received as per Proceeds Realization Certificate (PRC) disagrees with the Export Value as per the Export Invoices submitted for cash

Ä Incentive purpose.

Ä If it disagrees, ensure that the difference is not more than 10% of the Export Value.

Ä If the difference is more than 10%, we have to qualify the case.

Ä Verify the correctness of the value and quality of raw materials used in the production of fabrics and quantity of exported goods and check them against the production capacity of the production unit.

Ä Verify whether the applicant has applied within the specific time and according to all the conditions required by the Bangladesh Bank Circulars applicable for that very time period to be fulfilled.

Ä Ensure that the amount applied for as cash incentive is calculated using the appropriate rate that was effective on the date of shipment of the export.

Ä Verify whether the export was done after getting certificate from the Association of the Management of EPB’s (Export Promotion Bureau’s) oversight mechanism against high valued fabrics, per meter value of which is above $2 and amount of which is more than 10000 meters.

Ä Verify whether all the documents, certificates, etc., which are stated in the various sections of the application are attached with the application and whether they are valid.

Ä Verify whether the applicant has the production capacity of yarn, fabrics of RMG as stated on the application.

Ä Visit the mills or factory (Factory Visit) to ensure the physical existence of the machineries as was mentioned in the “List of Machineries” submitted with the application.

Ä In the Factory Visit, the auditor can observe the production registers to evaluate the production capacity of the factory, take a physical count of different machineries operating in the production process, take a look at different bills (Telephone, Electricity, Gas etc.) to confirm the “Ownership” of the factory.

Results of the study of 5 Garments Company

5.1 Bangladesh Bank’s Savings by Appointing External Auditors

The cash incentive scheme was first introduced in 1986 as “Cash Compensatory Scheme” (CCS). At that time there was no requirement for audit. Bank calculation was treated as the final calculation. During 1997 some malpractice was proved as a result in 20 April 1997 Bangladesh Bank ordered the cash incentive applicants to submit their cases (files) in their negotiating bank. Here the audit work was done by the Bangladesh Bank’s own auditors (Bangladesh Bank, 1997). But from 2 June 2002, Bangladesh Bank appointed the auditor’s of negotiating bank to audit the cash incentive cases.

In this section we want to show whether Bangladesh Bank can save money by appointing external auditor rather than Bank Calculation or Bangladesh Bank auditors.

Bangladesh Bank’s Savings

Table 5.1(a): Knittex Textile Limited

SL	Bank Calculation 1	Certified by Auditors 2	Bangladesh Bank’s Save 3=(1-2)	Audit Fees 4	Bangladesh Bank’s Net Save(Loss) 5=(3-4)
1	980862	967956	12906	(5000)	7906
2	583520	549195	34325	(5000)	29325
3	259233	217429	41804	(4000)	37804
4	312973	250990	61983	(4000)	57983
5	371825	286550	85275	(4000)	81275
6	864170	702753	161417	(5000)	156417
Bangladesh Bank’s Net Savings(Loss)					370,710

Table 5.1(b): Samrat Textile Mills Limited

SL	Bank Calculation 1	Certified by Auditors 2	Bangladesh Bank’s Save 3=(1-2)	Audit Fees 4	Bangladesh Bank’s Net Save(Loss) 5=(3-4)
1	958438	844358	114080	(5000)	109080
2	205104	158380	46724	(4000)	42724
3	387058	357935	29123	(4000)	25123
4	26808	26808	——	(4000)	(4000)
5	52938	47877	5061	(4000)	1061
6	19787	16149	3638	(4000)	(362)
Bangladesh Bank’s Net Savings(Loss)					173626

Table 5.1(c): . Magpie Knit wear Limited

SL	Bank Calculation 1	Certified by Auditors 2	Bangladesh Bank’s Save 3=(1-2)	Audit Fees 4	Bangladesh Bank’s Net Save(Loss) 5=(3-4)
1	55296	44079	11217	(4000)	7217
2	77713	60357	17356	(4000)	13356
3	169977	138919	31058	(4000)	27058
4	216242	185100	31142	(4000)	27142
5	611914	578308	33606	(5000)	28606
6	743279	655834	87445	(5000)	82445
Bangladesh Bank’s Net Savings(Loss)					185824

Table 5.1(d): DK Textile and Fabrics Limited

SL	Bank Calculation 1	Certified by Auditors 2	Bangladesh Bank’s Save 3=(1-2)	Audit Fees 4	Bangladesh Bank’s Net Save(Loss) 5=(3-4)
1	66790	66789	1	(4000)	(3999)
2	302606	302592	14	(4000)	(3986)
3	21740	21632	108	(4000)	(3892)
4	121505	118150	3355	(4000)	(645)
5	57443	55945	1898	(4000)	(2502)
6	17228	17179	49	(4000)	3951
Bangladesh Bank’s Net Savings(Loss)					(11073)

Table 5.1(e): Seacottex Knitwear Limited

SL	Bank Calculation 1	Certified by Auditors 2	Bangladesh Bank’s Save 3=(1-2)	Audit Fees 4	Bangladesh Bank’s Net Save(Loss) 5=(3-4)
1	234041	234041	———	(4000)	(4000)
2	381650	379980	1670	(4000)	(2330)
3	381806	377578	4228	(4000)	228
4	106780	100264	6516	(4000)	2516
5	124076	118374	5702	(4000)	1702
6	785973	628779	157194	(5000)	152194
Bangladesh Bank’s Net Savings(Loss)					150310

Table 5.1(f) Bangladesh Bank’s net saving at a Glance

SL	Name of the company	Net Save/Loss (in TK)
1	Knittex Textile Limeted	370710
2	Samrat Textile Limited	173626
3	Magpie Knit wear Limited	185824
4	DK Textile and Fabrics Limited	(11073)
5	Seacottex Knitwear Limited	150310
TOTAL		869397

5.2 Audit Delay in Carrying out Cash Incentive Work

Audit Delay is the most common phenomena in Cash Incentive Audit. For performing audit, at first audit firm gets a forwarding (a letter) from the particular bank. After that within seven days audit work will have to complete (as per Bangladesh Bank Circular). If the firm cannot accomplish audit within seven days then it will be called audit delay.

Audit delay does not occur because of the negligence of the auditors. It is because of insufficiency of necessary documents given by the applicants. Auditors firstly verify the documents and given a query list if there is any missing of documents. Generally applicants make delay to submit the documents written in the query list, as a result auditors take time to provide certificate.

For example, audit delay can be occurred for missing or lacking of the following documents:

• Certificate of Cash Assistance by BTMA
• Beneficiary Certificate by supplier of raw materials
• Bill of lading etc.

In case of my selected five companies, Audit Delay has been occurred in different time duration and all of the cases clients are the liable for that. Because they have not submitted the necessary documents.

5.3 Rate of Wastage

According to Bangladesh Bank BRPD Circular no. 3 dated 24 January 1999, in case of l00% export oriented garments industries maximum wastage rate would be 16% in the whole production process:

• For Yam- Dyeing- Fabrics 7% and

• For Fabrics-Garments 9%.

Wastage verification is very much important for the auditor because the exporter sometimes sale the produced garments/fabrics locally by showing it as a wastage. Bangladesh Bank does not allow the exporter selling the produced goods in the local market.

Table 5.1.(g): Rate of Wastage

SL	Name of the Companies	Rate of Wastage	Maximum Rate	Extra Wastage
1	Knittex Textile Limeted	8.70%	16%	–
2	Samrat Textile Limited	11.50%	16%	–
3	Magpie Knit wear Limited	21.62%	16%	5.62%
4	DK Textile and Fabrics Limited	15.43%	16%	–
5	Seacottex Knitwear Limited	13.09%	16%	–

Concluding part

6.1 Findings

1. It is found that the papers, which are provided by the client, are not always appropriate.

2. Clients who are going to get the incentive they misuse the money.

3. Sometimes the firm has to give the file according to the clients’ choice.

4. Factory visit which is done by auditor is not sufficient, because in factory visit some technical issue occurs. For this task the auditors are not expert.

5. Sometimes auditors are biased by client and they provide the incentive according to their calculation.

6. It is found that external auditors are contributing a lot to protect the misuse of government money.

7. For this study six files have been taken as sample that results of savings Tk 8,69,397 by Bangladesh Bank.

8. Before the introduction of cash incentive audit by independent auditor a huge amount of government money drained out of the treasury as cash incentive by some derailed persons through false documentation and counterfeit arrangement.

9. It is also found that ACNABIN has followed the rules and regulation of Bangladesh Bank Circular.

10. Sometimes it is found that the auditors are biased by their clients to give the incentive according to the clients’ calculated amount.

6.2 Recommendations

Cash Incentive Audit by independent auditors plays a vital role to protect the misuse of public money. Cash incentive audits are not free of problems. All of these problems can be solved by the BB through various Circulars and sincerity of Auditors, Banks and Applicants of cash incentive receiver. The problems or unresolved issues which I have found in conducting my research study can be solved in the following ways:

• Every application is treated as a single unit. For this reason audit fee is calculated on the basis of the single application. So, for getting auditors’ favor, sometimes applicant can apply for a smaller amount, e.g. one or two Exp numbers so that the audit fee will increase. To protect this malpractice, BB should provide a new Circular by specifying a minimum amount to submit an application to the auditors for getting cash incentive.

• Audit delay can help the cash incentive receiver to produce false documents to get cash incentive. So to reduce audit delay auditors should firstly confirm from the bank whether the applicant submitted all the required documents. After getting confirmation auditors should go to the bank to start audit work, this will help them to execute audit work within 7 days.

• Auditors should take expert before going to visit the factory of the applicants. Expert consent is required to ensure whether goods are actually produced in this factory or not. Utilization declaration provided by the exporter should be verified by the expert.

• Auditors should not visit exporters’ factory by fixing date with the exporter. If they do so, it can help the exporters to manipulate their documents and information.

• Exporters’ bank should not be given the power for everything because bank always wants to retain its existing clients and tries to attract new clients and for this they sometime attest all the documents of the client without checking its legality. With the collaboration of banks exporter can go for malpractice.

• Auditor should not be biased by their client.

6.3 Conclusion

Composite sector is the most promising sector in our economy. It plays an important role in our economic development. It is a matter of hope that, in the recent past, a dramatic change has been seen in the Composite sector of Bangladesh. Number of textile mills has increased. Another startling result around us is that a lot of spinning mills have been established recently even though Bangladesh is not a producer of cotton. All these are, to a great extent, results of cash incentive given in the composite sector of Bangladesh. So backward linkage of composite sector has been strengthened by the cash incentive. In view of the above mentioned facts, we can conclude that cash incentive is a fair as well as a rewarding venture of the GOB in promoting the export of Composite.

We can infer that in the forthcoming days of quota-free world, cash incentive will act as a catalyst to the survival of the Composite sector of Bangladesh in the global market. The correlation coefficient between cash incentive and export of Composite is highly positive indicating that apart from few misuses, cash incentive is bringing in huge foreign currencies for Bangladesh. This study also reveals that cash incentive audit by independent auditors have significantly reduced the misuse of cash incentive. So, while cash incentive is needed to increase the inflow of foreign currencies into Bangladesh, independent cash incentive audit is needed to save public money. In the absence of independent audit of cash incentive files, deserving exporters will be deprived of cash incentive while false exporters will enjoy the misuse-benefits of cash incentive. There will be no real extra export causing inflow of foreign currencies, but every year there will be undesirable disbursement of public money as cash incentive. So Bangladesh Bank, Auditors, Bankers and all other personnel who are related in this aspect have to extend their helping hands for solving this problem.

References

Arens, A. A., and J. K. Loebbccke. (1988). Auditing: An integrated Approach, 4th edition, Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Karmakar. S.C.(2004). Impact of Cash Incentive Scheme of Bangladesh Government on Export Promotion: An Assessment. The Journal of Cost and Management Accountants (December-2004): 22-29.

Rahman, M. 1995. Promotion of foreign investible resources flows to Bangladesh: Dynamic and incentives. Dhaka University Journal of Business Studies.

Web Sites:

http://www.acnabin-bd.com/

http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/