In an independent audit, what is the primary role of the auditor?

In an independent audit, the primary role of the auditor is to review financial reports to ensure their accuracy and compliance with relevant accounting standards and laws. This involves examining a company's financial records, internal controls, and other supporting documents to assess whether the financial statements present a true and fair view of the company's financial position.

The auditor's work provides assurance to stakeholders, such as investors, creditors, and regulatory bodies, by verifying that the reported financial information is reliable and free from material misstatements. This process involves not just checking numbers but also understanding the context of the financial statements, compliance with applicable regulations, and evaluating the organization's risk management strategies.

While preparing financial statements, managing accounting records, and conducting tax returns are related aspects of financial reporting and accounting, these tasks are generally not part of the auditor's role in ensuring independence and objectivity during the audit process. Instead, the auditor focuses on providing an unbiased opinion regarding the accuracy and fairness of the financial reports.