ASSURANCE
Assurance services you need
Confidence you can count on
When you have a project at hand, you want it to get done, and that’s why CTBK takes a proactive approach to traditional auditing services. This energetic approach sparks our team’s creativity, resulting in innovative solutions that maximize revenues while controlling costs. For an array of projects, you can turn to CTBK to get the job done right.
In order to achieve this balance, we work closely with each client to develop an adequate understanding of the business at hand, so we can gain a level of awareness of any issues that may affect operations. There’s the standard level of issuance of financial statements, and then there are the steps above that. You will find CTBK climbing the stairs to go that extra mile, conquering any obstacles along the way.
Auditing services
If you’re looking for “above and beyond”, you’ve been looking for CTBK. Our team surpasses the standard issuance of financial statements by providing a management letter, which contains feedback on internal control issues, revenue opportunities, and potential operational efficiencies. These letters provide clients with recommended actions that can result in cost reductions, enhanced revenues, increased productivity and the safeguarding of assets.
For added support, CTBK is a member firm of the AICPA’s Government Audit Quality Center and the Employee Benefit Audit Quality Center. These two centers are technical resources for CPA firms that provide services to governmental, non-profit and employee benefit plan audit clients. As a member firm, we adhere to strict continuing education requirements for all partners, principals and managers involved in providing services to clients in these industries.
The two phases of CTBK’s audit process
CTBK evaluates, documents and, if necessary, tests the control system and monitoring procedures in place and communicates any control weaknesses that are discovered. We address each balance sheet area and determine if a high degree of risk should be placed and tested accordingly during focused substantive testing. We enhance our knowledge of the business during this phase and concentrate on areas where control procedures or weaknesses exist.
At the end of Phase 1, all accounting or system issues are communicated to management. We believe open communication is essential in eliminating year-end surprises and/or complications. In addition, all management letter issues will be communicated at this point.
This is the lead into meaningful and effective ideas. In this phase, we focus on the testing of balances via schedules provided to our audit team. We are very conscious of the tax ramifications in each area and will obtain all tax documentation necessary for completion of tax returns to eliminate any duplication of efforts on the client side.
All members of our professional team have a working knowledge of taxation and the ability to recognize tax-saving opportunities. By taking responsibility for the tax return process, we can efficiently coordinate the business and personal goals of clients into meaningful and effective ideas.
Looking for an effective audit process? CTBK has the key. For our team, the human connection is the pillar to our firm and its success; and with that, we are sure to communicate throughout the process to:
- Ensure appropriateness of planned audit procedures
- Deal with recommendations in a constructive and timely manner
- Be aware of changing conditions and circumstances, ready to adapt as needed
It is CTBK’s responsibility to keep the client informed of significant accounting issues throughout this audit process. While doing so, we’re able to decipher what is relevant and most important to each and every client.
CTBK outsourcing solutions
With accurate bookkeeping comes ease in the process of evaluating financial statements. For bookkeeping and write-up services, CTBK Outsourcing Solutions utilizes our team of professionals to assist small businesses at a reasonable rate.
Our outsourcing team can provide long-term solutions or short-term coverage in the event of an illness or an unexpected departure on a staff. Our team of experienced professionals can help with QuickBooks conversions, bookkeeping analysis, Chart of Account review and completion of journal entries. We provide high-quality service while solving short-term and long-term staffing needs.
Count on us for:
- Minimizing office costs
- Temporary and permanent staff augmentation
- Consistent staffing
- System automation
- CPA supervision
- Compiling timely financial information
- Analyzing trends and key indicators
SOC reports
No matter the size or type of industry, CTBK performs System and Organization Controls (SOC) reports. SOC audits are one of our firm’s specialties, and we perform each audit to meet the highest levels of scrutiny to satisfy the organization in need. Whether the reporting requirements are simple or complex, our team can help.
SOC reporting options include SOC 1, SOC 2, AND SOC 3:
A report that evaluates the effect of a service organization’s controls on a user entity’s financial statement assertions. These reports hold significance for purposes of compliance with laws and regulations and for when user entity auditors plan and perform financial statement audits.
Purpose: Reports on the controls of the service organization that are relevant to the user organization’s financial reporting.
Scope: Controls related to the accuracy of financial data and information technology general controls.
Audience: User organization’s financial executives, compliance officers and financial statement auditors.
A report that addresses types of third-party risks outside of financial statement reporting, such as assurance over critical systems, sensitive data used to provide outsourced services, etc. SOC 2 reports can cover between one and five of the Trust Service Principles, which include: (1) Security, (2) Availability, (3) Processing Integrity, (4) Confidentiality, and (5) Privacy. All SOC 2 reports are required to cover Security.
Purpose: Reports on the effectiveness of the controls of the service organization related to operations, based on the selected Trust Service Principles.
Scope: Governance, operational and information technology general controls that address one or more of the Trust Service Principles.
Audience: User organization’s information technology executives, compliance officers, vendor management executives, regulators, other specified parties and appropriate business partners. Customers are typically concerned with the security of their data or availability and integrity of provided systems.
A valuable report for when an organization decides it does not want to reveal the details of its controls or when a user organization requests a SysTrust for Service Organizations seal. The SysTrust seal is a symbol that can be displayed on a service organization’s website after the completion of a SOC 3 report.
Purpose: Same purpose as SOC 2 report.
Scope: Same as SOC 2 but with a less detailed description of the controls of the service organization.
Audience: Unrestricted and can be used by anyone who has the appropriate understanding of the subject matter and who would like confidence in the controls for the service organization.
CTBK will work with any organization in need of a SOC report and find the one that is most applicable to the organization’s specific needs. We are transparent through the report process in all examinations and assessments so the organization always has a clear view of where they stand in the process.
At completion, we issue the report and provide suggestions to enhance controls and operating efficiencies noted during the audit procedure. To inquire further on SOC reports, please reach out to the CTBK team.
Teaming up for employee benefit plans
We’re the team to turn to for auditing employee benefit plans and financial statements, as our team is trained in this specific area. We audit over 60 plans, providing both limited and full-scope audit services across a wide range of plan types including the following:
- Defined benefit pension plans
- Health and welfare plans
- Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)
- Defined contribution plans (Profit sharing and 401(k) plans)
CTBK is a member firm of the AICPA’s Government Audit Quality Center and the Employee Benefit Audit Quality Center. These two centers are technical resources for CPA firms that provide services to governmental, not-for-profit and employee benefit plan audit clients. As a member firm, we adhere to strict continuing education requirements for all partners, principals and managers involved in providing services to clients in these industries.
Our competitive pricing and one-team approach makes us a reliable resource when it comes to searching what’s best for another business’ team.
Additional assurance and audit services
In addition to our traditional assurance services, we also render accounting services for locally-owned, privately-held businesses. These services include the following:
- Interim and Annual Compilations
- Reviewed Financial Statements
- Projected and Forecasted Financial Statements
- Assistance with Internal Budgeting and Forecasting
- Assistance with Development of Internal Monthly Financial Reporting
- Mergers and Acquisitions