Remote Audit
Audit & Assurance Services
Times have changed. For many nonprofits, traditional office environments are a thing of the past
More and more organizations are using cloud based accounting systems, electronic bill paying and operating in a less-paper or paper-free finance department. In addition, we are seeing more nonprofits using outsourced accounting professionals for their accounting and financial reporting needs. These outsourced accountants typically maintain the books of the nonprofit in a cloud based platform, which aids in efficiency and provides easy access to financial data.
To serve this audience, Wegner CPAs has created a remote audit team. Members of our remote audit team specialize in working on financial statement audits and IRS Form 990 for organizations that either do not have an office to conduct the audit or would prefer to have the auditors work remotely.
Included in our remote audit client base are consolidated entities, such as 501(c)(6) trade associations with subsidiaries consisting of a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation and a for-profit corporation, as well as 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations with a closely aligned 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. Our experience in working with consolidated entities can help you navigate the various intercompany transactions and compliance matters that arise in consolidations, especially in the ever-changing political and compliance environment.
What to Expect
What to Expect
A couple common questions we receive is “How is a remote audit different than a traditional audit?” and “What can I do to best prepare for a remote audit?” View this webinar recording for remote audit best practices, or visit our blog to learn whether an on-site vs remote audit is best for your organization, or to get some audit tips for a hybrid workforce.
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Benefits of Remote Audits
Greater Flexibility
We have found that remote audits can often be more efficient than onsite audits because the audit team does not have to travel to the client’s office and set up and take down computers. We also have found that remote audits provide our clients with more flexibility in scheduling of audit fieldwork to meet your internal deadlines.
Faster Service
Another approach that many of our clients are starting to take is a hybrid model of mixing the onsite audit process with a remote audit. With documents sent to us far in advance of scheduled onsite fieldwork days, we’re able to test significant items, pull samples, and compile questions so that come onsite fieldwork, we’re able to focus and streamline our inquiries and testing to limit the disruption to an organization’s day-to-day operations.
Reduced Fees
Another benefit of a remote audit can be reduced audit fees. Since we have less travel and set up time, we gladly pass this savings along to our clients. We also are able to staff remote audits with more experienced staff, which makes the client preparation process much more efficient.
Remote Audit Engagements
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, substantially all of our clients have seen their programming and overall operations disrupted. Our experience in conducting remote audit engagements has allowed us to guide our clients through the challenges they face and advise on “best practice” procedures to consider implementing to ensure systems continue to operate as intended and continue to safeguard the organization’s assets. We realize that no two organizations operate and store files the same, especially during a pandemic, so we tailor our audit approach to our client’s needs now more than ever.
We work with our clients to determine what’s the most efficient manner to provide audit support (electronic or paper copy) and also continually discuss the timeline for the overall audit process to ensure agreed upon deadlines are met as we realize access to physical records can be limited at the moment given local laws and regulations. Further, our experience in working in a remote environment has allowed us to continue to meet client deadlines set prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing our clients to meet deadlines with their funders and/or governing boards.
GUIDING YOU
Even when we conduct audits remotely, we still can meet with you in person to discuss your organization, internal controls and the audit process. This meeting can be at your office location or as an online video meeting.
If you would like to find out if a remote audit is right for your organization, please contact us.
Talk with an Expert
Providing comprehensive remote audit services to a variety of clients including businesses and non-profit organizations.
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Going far beyond the standard accounting and tax services, our CPAs specialize in several industry areas and are in tune with the opportunities and challenges faced by each.
Resources
We are committed to providing you with the tools you need to make sound decisions every day. Check out our extensive mix of educational resources, and please contact us should you need any help finding the answers to your questions.