There are many opportunities to provide permissible
tax and advisory services to AICPA and SEC audit clients,
adding value to various aspects of the audit client’s organization.
There are even more opportunities to provide tax and advisory services
to non-audit affiliates of the audit client.
These services, such as ESG IMPACT services, address client needs
across all sectors, while still allowing the firm to uphold our
independence commitments to the capital markets.
We encourage audit professionals to refer to the
“Focused Non-Audit Services for Audit Clients”
document found on the Non-audit Services Portal when
teaming with tax and advisory professionals to identify
the many permissible non-audit services that we can provide.
Doing so can improve the overall client experience by enhancing
our breadth of knowledge of the client’s business,
further fostering relationships with our clients and
directly contributing to the firm’s growth strategy.
Be mindful that there are still services that have
to be carefully managed to avoid independence violations.
The way to navigate through these opportunities is by
relying on components of our System of Independence Quality Control,
such as Sentinel. Following the firm’s System of Independence
Quality Control when pursuing
opportunities allows the firm to provide permissible services to audit clients
and their affiliates. Throughout this course you will hear what you can do to maintain
the firm’s independence when offering permissible non-audit services.
For example, early teaming and consultation among non-audit professionals,
audit partners and Risk Management - Independence, use of Sentinel, and
the firm’s Independence Non-audit Services Portal.
The portal was designed to centrally house
independence guidance to use when proposing permissible
non-audit services for audit clients and their affiliates.