Investigative audit services, or more accurately referred to as investigative services in accordance with the Investigative Services Standards (SJI) issued by the Indonesian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (IAPI), are services provided by public accountants to conduct in-depth examinations of suspected fraud, material errors, or other specific financial issues. SJI, which became effective January 1, 2022, regulates investigative engagements that are not routine assurance engagements like financial statement audits, but instead focus on gathering investigative evidence for legal, litigation, or recovery purposes. These services include elements of forensic accounting, where public accountants act as independent experts to analyze transactions, documents, and financial data to identify patterns of fraud or irregularities.

User Objectives
The primary objective of investigative audit services for users (such as entity management, shareholders, creditors, or legal authorities) is to obtain credible evidence and in-depth analysis to address suspected fraud or financial disputes, thereby supporting strategic decision-making or remedial action. Users benefit from the following:

• Recovery and loss prevention: 

Identification and quantification of financial losses resulting from fraud, assisting in asset recovery through litigation or insurance.

• Legal support and credibility: 

Investigative reports that can be used as evidence in court, increasing stakeholder trust and meeting regulatory obligations.

• Improved governance: 

Recommendations to strengthen internal controls, prevent recurrent fraud, and increase operational transparency.

Overall, this service provides added value through an independent, forensic approach, helping users manage ethical and financial risks without requiring full assurance. If necessary, it can be combined with routine audit services for ongoing monitoring.

This audit service, regulated by Auditing Standard (SA) 200 (Revised 2021) issued by the Indonesian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (IAPI), is an independent service provided by auditors to obtain reasonable assurance regarding an entity's historical financial statements. This service aims to provide an opinion on whether the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework (such as SAK or IFRS), and are free from material misstatement due to fraud or error. An audit provides reasonable assurance, higher than a review (limited assurance) or compilation (non-assurance), through procedures designed to reduce the risk of a materially incorrect opinion to a low level.

Objectives for Users

The primary objective of audit services for users (such as investors, creditors, regulators, or stakeholders) is to increase the level of confidence in the reliability of the financial statements, thereby supporting more secure and informed economic decision-making. Users benefit as follows:

• Reasonable assurance on reliability:

The auditor's opinion helps confirm that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, reducing the risk of uncertainty due to fraud or error.

• Transparency and credibility:

Enhances market confidence, facilitates access to capital, loans, or regulatory compliance, and supports analysis of an entity's financial position and performance.

• Governance value-added:

Communication of audit findings, such as internal control deficiencies and key audit matters, helps management improve internal processes.

Overall, this service provides added value through an independent opinion without absolute assurance, with an emphasis on management's responsibility. If lower assurance is required, users can choose a review or compilation.

Performance audit services evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of resource utilization to achieve the objectives of an organization's programs or activities. These services differ from financial audits because they focus on operational aspects and performance, not just the accuracy of figures. They aim to provide an opinion on the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify areas for improvement.

• Public accountants' responsibilities include independence, objectivity, confidentiality of information, and adherence to professional ethics, while management is responsible for the data and the implementation of recommendations. These services are assurance-based, with professional skepticism applied to detect inefficiencies or irregularities.
   
• User Objectives
  The primary objective of performance audit services for users (such as government management, state-owned enterprises, or public stakeholders) is to improve accountability and transparency through objective performance evaluations, thereby supporting resource optimization and strategic decision-making. Users benefit as follows:
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• Performance evaluation and improvement: 
• Assessing KPI achievement, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and providing actionable recommendations for cost savings and increasing program effectiveness.
   
• Improved operational efficiency: 
• Detecting inefficiencies or risks, helping to better allocate resources and prevent waste.
   
• Trust and compliance: 
• Enhance public confidence and meet regulatory obligations for annual or special audits, particularly in the public sector.

Overall, this service provides long-term added value with a focus on tangible results, without absolute guarantees, and is recommended in combination with a financial audit for a holistic evaluation.