(1)A person to whom this section applies commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly causes a report under section 495 (auditor’s report on company’s annual accounts) to include any matter that is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular.
(2)A person to whom this section applies commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly causes such a report to omit a statement required by—
(a)section 498(2)(b) (statement that company’s accounts do not agree with accounting records and returns),
(b)section 498(3) (statement that necessary information and explanations not obtained), or
(c)section 498(5) (statement that directors wrongly took advantage of exemption from obligation to prepare group accounts).
(3)This section applies to—
(a)where the auditor is an individual, that individual and any employee or agent of his who is eligible for appointment as auditor of the company;
(b)where the auditor is a firm, any director, member, employee or agent of the firm who is eligible for appointment as auditor of the company.
(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;
(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.