In the vein of increasing the digital usability of reports, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a policy change permitting the use of electronic signatures to sign audit reports and certificates for the first time. The ICAI has said,

The members of ICAI may use an e-signature for signing audit reports, all reports issued pursuant to any attestation engagement and certificates. However, the members need to ensure compliance with all the requirements relating to signature prescribed in the relevant law or regulation, Standards on Auditing and relevant announcements/ clarifications issued by ICAI on the matter including the requirement to mention UDIN.

The requirement to mention UDIN is applicable both for manually and digitally signed reports/certificates including certificates uploaded online. This Announcement will come into force from immediate effect.

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