In many countries, the financial accounts come from a cash-based accounting
system.This often means that a balance sheet does not exist.In some situations,
a modified cash accounting system may be used that includes some kind of
balance sheet; however, the auditor will not usually express an opinion on
whether the accounts present a true and fair view.
In countries where the architecture and structure of government
auditing are dictated by the legal environment, cash accounting presents
another reason for an audit directed toward a compliance objective rather
than toward a fairness objective. Assurance that laws and regulations are
being complied with is needed more than assurance that the statements are
providing a true and fair view. Audits with a compliance objective apply
stronger materiality criteria than audits with a fairness objective.