Special purpose audits and certifications are engagements where the report is restricted to a defined subject — net worth, turnover, utilisation of a grant or loan, capital contribution, or a particular ratio — rather than the financial statements as a whole. The work is planned against the exact wording of the certificate requested by the bank, department, tendering authority, or statute.
The process begins by identifying the source data (audited statements, books, GST returns, bank statements) and the definition used in the requesting document. Figures are traced to those sources, adjustments are documented, and any limitation on scope is stated in the certificate. Common certificates include net-worth statements, turnover confirmations for tenders, utilisation certificates for subsidies or grants, and other attestations that a third party will rely on.
Because these reports are often used outside the entity, wording, date, addressee, and attachments are kept consistent with ICAI guidance on certificates. Working papers show how each figure was computed so that the same certificate can be explained if the recipient raises a query later.
Where the underlying books are incomplete, the engagement first identifies the gaps. A certificate is issued only when the subject matter can be supported; otherwise the limitation is recorded rather than implied.