Depending on your objectives, when it comes to financial statements your CPA can prepare a financial compilation, review your financial statements or perform an audit. Which route you choose to take relies heavily on your reasons for having a CPA examine your financial statements in the first place.

“Comps” have no frills

Compilations (or “comps”) rely on data provided by the borrower. As such, the CPA provides no assurance that financial statements are free from material misstatement and conform to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Instead, the CPA simply reports on management’s financial information in a GAAP financial statement format. Footnote disclosures and cash flow information are optional and are often omitted from comps.

This type of report may be appropriate where no outside lender requires a higher level of assurance. Comps also may be desirable for those who need assistance organizing their financial data and preparing a financial statement for interested parties such as prospective buyers.

Reviewed financial statements are a halfway point

Next up are reviewed financial statements, which provide limited assurance that the statements are free from material misstatement and conform to GAAP. Like comps, reviews are based on internal financial data.

Here, the CPA 1) applies analytical procedures to identify unusual items or trends in the financial statements, and 2) inquires about these anomalies, as well as the company’s accounting policies and procedures.

This report must include footnote disclosures and a statement of cash flows. But CPAs aren’t required to evaluate internal controls, verify information with third parties or physically inspect assets — unless, through their analytics and inquiries, they’re uncomfortable stating that the numbers are accurate.

The financial audit provides assurance

An audit provides a reasonable level of assurance that a borrower’s financial statements are free from material misstatement and conform to GAAP. Audited financial statements are the only type of report to include an expressed opinion about whether the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP (or other comprehensive bases of accounting).

Beyond the analytical and inquiry steps taken in a review, auditors perform “search and verification” procedures. Among other things, auditors obtain written confirmations for accounts receivable, physically observe year end inventory counts and randomly test sales transactions by examining contracts and other supporting documents. They also consider the dealership’s internal control over financial reporting and may include a statement on internal control systems as part of the audit report.

Although audits provide the highest level of assurance, there are no absolute guarantees against “creative accounting” or inadvertent errors.

Auditors suggest improvements

Having an audit can provide you with more than a reliable financial statement. Good auditors will share ideas for improving operations that they gathered throughout the examination process. For example, a tax specialist can help you determine whether a change in inventory accounting methods would be appropriate to help lower your taxes.

Auditors also may share their financial analysis tools. For instance, your auditor may use benchmarks to compare your company’s performance over time and against industry averages. In addition, auditors often use analytics to boost audit efficiency. These metrics can reveal much about your company’s strengths and weaknesses.

Ask about it

If you believe an outside financial professional should examine your financial statements, please feel free to contact Maxwell Locke & Ritter’s experienced auditors and see how we can help you.

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