Assurance

Assurance

In today’s global economy, organizations — both public and private — must demonstrate that they have adequate controls and safeguards in place, particularly over financial reporting and information technology. Our assurance services provide companies with independent and objective assessment in the design, implementation and operating effectiveness of controls throughout the organization.

US Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70 (SAS 70) assurance

Through our SAS 70 (Type I or Type II) services, we can provide you with independent, objective reports on the design, implementation and operating effectiveness of your controls. We can ensure that you will be prepared to demonstrate to your clients that you have adequate controls and safeguards when processing their data.

Our SAS 70 report contains:

1. Our opinion, as independent accountants, on the design, implementation and effectiveness of controls in your organization for a specific audit period.
2. A description of your organization’s system, control objectives, and related controls that are in place to achieve those control objectives.
3. Tests of operating effectiveness and the results of those tests (for Type II Reports).
4. Information intended for use by your organization, your customers, and your customers’ independent accountants.
   
   

Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Section 404 audit support (for US-based listed companies)

The SOX Act of 2002 altered the corporate governance landscape, causing many companies to refocus their efforts on internal controls. Companies today must not only understand SOX and other regulatory requirements, but also implement the right framework with regard to these regulations. We can help you comply with the financial disclosure and internal control requirements of the SOX Act and related SEC rules.

Our SOX 404 report contains an independent attestation of management’s assertion on internal control that management has the responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting and that management has made an assessment regarding the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting at the end of the fiscal year.

Quality assurance review (QAR)

We will conduct an independent review and assessment of your internal audit (IA) activity for compliance with the requirements of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (ISPPIA), with the Code of Ethics of the profession, and with the IA’s policies and procedures. This involves performing assessments and review procedures to provide an opinion on how well your company’s IA conforms with the standards. This review also involves an assessment of your IA’s effectiveness and efficiency in providing assurance and consulting services.

Our QAR report contains:

1. Our opinion, as independent reviewers, on your IA activity’s compliance with the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), which includes the definition of Internal Auditing, the ISPPIA and the Code of Ethics, as well as with the internal activity’s charter, plans, policies, procedures, practices, and applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
   
2. The QAR team’s recommendations, which will focus on improvements in the internal audit practices that are needed to enhance compliance and improve effectiveness and efficiency of the IA activity.