The auditor and the smaller company

There are two broad questions to be discussed in this chapter. Should small companies be required to have their accounts audited? And, if an audit is required by the operation of company law or otherwise, what special problems do auditors of a small company face and how should they resolve them? The first question is a matter of public policy and in practice needs to be answered by governments; the second question is about the conduct of auditing engagements and is a matter upon which members of the accounting and auditing professions need to form a view.