Other Assurance Services

Audit is only one of several assurance services. The alternatives to audit provide lower levels of assurance. Some, like independent examination for charities are required by law or regulation, others are elective. Examples of the types of other assurance services are:

  •  Limited Assurance Reports (ISAE 3000)
  • Agreed Upon Procedures (ISRS 4400)
  • Review Engagements (ISRE 2400)
  • Independent Examinations (Charities - CC32)

We provide all forms of assurance, to international standards, including audit, and would be happy to discuss with you the framework that best meets your requirements.

Meet the Team

Limited Assurance Reports (ISAE 3000)

Whereas audit designed to give ''reasonable assurance'', limited assurance reports give ''limited assurance''. In many respects they could be seen as ''audit-lite'' since they follow many of the principles of audit but not to the same depth as an adult. In particular, there is little or no emphasis on internal controls and testing of systems and transactions. To some extent it is scalable to a client's requirements which will be confirmed in a Letter of Engagement. 

Agree Upon Procedures (ISRS 4400)

As the title suggests we agree with you the specific procedures you require us to undertake. This might be appropriate for certain forms of reporting to third parties (such as the MoD for Commercial Exploitation Levies) or to investigate specific aspects of an entities transactions, records or balances, perhaps where there is perceived to be high level of risk of misstatement.

Review Engagements (ISRE 2400)

A review engagement is an even lighter touch approach to assurance than a limited assurance report. It requires us to state whether, on the basis of procedures that do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, anything has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.

Independent Examination (CC32)

An independent examination is required for charities whose gross income exceeds £25,000 and is not subject to audit (typically when gross income exceeds £1 million). If gross income does not exceed £250,000 the independent examination can be performed by anyone. If the gross income exceeds £250,000 it must be performed by a member of one of the bodies prescribed in the Charity Act 2016, which includes members of ICAEW. The examiner reports that no matter has come to his attention that (a) proper accounting records have not been maintained (b) the accounts do not agree to those records (c) the accounts do not comply with the Act (d) the accounts do not comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice (''SORP'') and (e) no additional information is required to be disclosed in the accounts for a proper understanding of them.

For information on theses assurances see the links page.

To discuss our assurance services, please get in touch with our Audit Director (James Parr) on 01782 848838 or email us using the link below.

 

Details of all our Regulatory Information are available under About Us.