Reliability of reported revenue
Directors of telecom operators, internet service providers and digital platforms in Bangladesh oversee businesses where millions of small transactions pass through billing, rating and payment systems before reaching the general ledger. Boards want to know that reported revenue is complete and accurate, and that bundled offers, loyalty schemes, device sales and prepaid balances are accounted for correctly under IFRS 15.
Audit committees are asking management to show how network data, billing records and the ledger are reconciled, who reviews exceptions, and how quickly unexplained differences are investigated. Our Financial Statement Audits test these reconciliations and the system controls that support them.
Cyber resilience as a governance matter
Cyber risk has moved from the IT department to the board agenda. Directors want a clear picture of the organisation’s most important systems and data, the threats they face, and how the company would detect and respond to an incident affecting customers or critical infrastructure. They also want confidence that customer data is handled in line with licence conditions and evolving data protection expectations.
Our IT Advisory team supports boards with independent technology risk and cybersecurity assessments, written in terms that non-specialist directors can act on.
Regulatory exposure and disclosure
Technology and telecom companies in Bangladesh operate under licence conditions set by BTRC and are among the most significant taxpayers in the economy. Disagreements over licence fees, revenue sharing, VAT, supplementary duty or income tax can involve large amounts and remain unresolved for years.
Boards are asking whether provisions and contingent liability disclosures properly reflect the strength of each position, and whether management’s assessments are supported by evidence and professional advice rather than by optimism.
They also want a consolidated view of open matters across all regulators and tax authorities, with each case showing the amount at stake, the stage reached, the next hearing or deadline and the person responsible. Without that single view, directors can underestimate the combined exposure and the cash that might be needed if several matters go against the company in the same year.
Investment and group arrangements
Network expansion, spectrum, data centres and platform development all compete for capital. Boards expect investment cases to be tested against realistic assumptions on pricing, competition and currency, and they want post-investment reviews to confirm whether the expected returns arrived.
For subsidiaries of international groups, directors also review management fees, royalties, technical service charges and intra-group financing. These arrangements must be priced at arm’s length and documented to the standard the NBR expects. Our Transfer Pricing Services help boards understand that exposure and keep documentation ready for review by Transfer Pricing Officers.
Related RRH services: Financial Statement Audits, IT Advisory and Transfer Pricing Services.