Internal Audit of Leasing Operations in Agricultural Enterprises

Abstract

In the context of current economic transformations, instability of the financial environment, and the need to modernize the material and technical base of agricultural enterprises, leasing mechanisms are becoming increasingly important as one of the most accessible instruments for financing the acquisition of machinery and equipment. The intensification of leasing operations in the agricultural sector is accompanied by the need to ensure proper internal control and audit of their implementation, accurate reflection in accounting and financial reporting, as well as assessment of the efficiency of leased asset utilization. At the same time, organizational and methodological approaches to the internal audit of leasing operations in agricultural enterprises remain insufficiently developed in practice, taking into account the specifics of agricultural production, seasonality of machinery use, and increased operational risks.

The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical substantiation and develop organizational and methodological foundations for the internal audit of leasing operations in agricultural enterprises. To achieve this purpose, the methods of system analysis, generalization, comparison, logical modeling, as well as analytical and documentary research methods were applied.

The article generalizes the economic essence of the internal audit of leasing operations and determines its role within the management system of agricultural enterprises. The purpose, objectives, subject matter, and object of the internal audit of leasing operations are substantiated. The information support of the audit, including regulatory, accounting, analytical, and reporting information, is systematized. A plan and program for the internal audit of leasing operations, taking into account the specifics of the agricultural sector, are proposed. A methodology for the internal audit of leasing operations has been developed, which предусматриes a step-by-step audit process using documentary, regulatory, analytical, arithmetic, and factual control methods. Particular attention is paid to verifying the correctness of documentary support for leasing operations, accounting for lease payments, depreciation accrual, evaluating the efficiency of the use of leased agricultural machinery, and monitoring compliance with leasing agreement terms.

It has been proven that the internal audit of leasing operations is an important element of the management system of agricultural enterprises and contributes to improving the reliability of accounting information, the effectiveness of internal control, and the efficiency of leased asset utilization. The proposed organizational and methodological approaches to the internal audit of leasing operations make it possible to minimize financial risks, promptly identify violations, and improve the efficiency of managing leasing processes in the agricultural sector. Prospects for further research should be associated with the digitalization of internal audit, automation of audit procedures, and the development of models for evaluating the efficiency of leasing operations, taking into account the risks associated with the activities of agricultural enterprises.