Audit

Independent Audit and Assurance Services

A robust and thorough independent audit is an important part of a company's financial credibility. Today's increasingly complex corporate environments demand that financial statements present a complete and accurate picture of the company’s current financial position and results of operations.  Accounting and disclosure rules are constantly changing – companies need a service provider that can help keep them up to date.

Our principals have an extensive background in audits of public (SEC) and private entities alike. In keeping with our core value of quality, our firm performs audits with adherence to the strict standards required by our profession.

Independent audit services at Assure go beyond merely meeting accounting principles and regulatory requirements. Prior to conducting an audit, our team meets with you to determine your professional service needs and expectations.  Our vast experience enables us to design a risk based audit approach which is the most efficient method for identifying and addressing key audit issues affecting your business and its financial statements.

Our firm is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and its Canadian equivalent, the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) and is able to offer services to those entities that operate in the highly regulated area of listed securities.

Internal Audits

Internal audits ensure governance and regulatory compliance needs are correctly managed and maintained, thus protecting your company’s assets and credibility. Our experts help you develop and maintain an environment of integrity-driven performance, incorporating high levels of control and providing “added value” through:

• Objectively reviewing and testing key financial reporting processes
• Interfacing with the entity’s independent auditors       
• Assisting management in assessing risks and recommending methods to mitigate risk     
• Ensuring compliance matters are monitored and reported to senior management and the audit committee                
• Recommending changes to improve effectiveness of existing internal controls

Sarbanes-Oxley 404 Compliance

Assure assists companies with their Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) 404 assessment efforts, including documenting and assessing key controls, testing controls, and assisting with the remediation of identified failures of controls.  During the course of assisting companies, we work with your company’s auditor to ensure your internal assessments of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) are effective in design and operation

In addition to U.S. SOX compliance, Assure can assist Canadian companies with management certifications and ICFR assessments required by the Canadian National Instruments that govern the financial reporting of Canadian public companies.

Employee Benefit Plans

An Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) audit is required by the United States Department of Labor (DOL).   EBP audits typically include a detailed deep dive and review of:

• Employee and employer contributions to the Plan
• Loans and distributions taken out of the Plan
• Internal controls around the accuracy and completeness of the participant accounts

Employers with 100 or more employees who are eligible to participate at the beginning of a year are required to have their plan audited. The audit firm needs to have the competence and appropriate technical qualifications to complete the audit in accordance with professional standards.

Establishing competence begins with specialized training in EBP audits, and competence during an EBP engagement begins with gaining a comprehensive understanding of the plan and how it operates. In an EBP audit, this requires thoughtful consideration of the plan document and the adoption agreement.

At Assure, we have the competence and training to audit your EBP correctly and to give you the comfort you need in complying with the complex regulatory environment that surrounds Employee Benefit Plans. Our firm is a proud member of the AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality center which keeps us on top of all matters relating to EBP’s.