SERVICE 02
Internal Controls That Protect and Support
Build confidence in your financial systems through thoughtful evaluation that identifies strengths, addresses gaps, and creates practical pathways for improvement.
BACK TO HOMEWHAT THIS DELIVERS
Financial Systems You Can Trust
Your organization deserves financial systems that work quietly in the background, catching potential errors before they become problems and supporting accurate reporting without creating unnecessary burden. This assessment helps you understand whether your current controls provide that level of protection.
Through this engagement, you gain clarity about where your controls are working well and where opportunities for strengthening exist. The result is a roadmap for practical improvements that fit your organization's resources and reality. You move forward knowing your financial safeguards are appropriate for your situation and built on solid foundations.
WE UNDERSTAND
The Challenge of Financial Controls
Many organizations operate with control systems that developed organically over time, often created in response to specific incidents or requirements. These systems may include redundant processes that consume staff time without adding meaningful protection, or they may have gaps that leave certain risks unaddressed.
Perhaps you've wondered whether your approval processes are appropriate for the transactions they cover. Maybe you're uncertain if the segregation of duties in your accounting function provides adequate protection. Or you might question whether your reconciliation procedures catch the kinds of errors that could impact your financial statements.
These questions often go unaddressed because evaluating control systems requires stepping back from daily operations to examine how processes work together. It means looking at familiar procedures with fresh eyes and considering whether they accomplish what they were designed to do. Most teams lack the time and perspective needed for this kind of systematic review.
OUR APPROACH
Respectful Evaluation With Practical Focus
Understanding Current Systems
We begin by learning how your financial processes actually work in practice, recognizing that formal procedures and daily reality sometimes differ. This involves conversations with your team about their responsibilities, observations of key processes, and review of the controls already in place. We approach this with respect for the work your team already does.
Identifying Strengths and Gaps
The assessment evaluates which controls are working effectively and where vulnerabilities may exist. We look at segregation of duties, authorization levels, reconciliation procedures, access restrictions, and other elements that protect financial accuracy. Our findings acknowledge what's functioning well before addressing areas needing attention.
Recommending Practical Improvements
Rather than suggesting theoretical ideal states, our recommendations consider your team's capacity, your organization's resources, and the specific risks you face. Improvements are prioritized based on potential impact and feasibility. You receive guidance that you can actually implement within your constraints.
THE PROCESS
How We Work Together
Scoping Discussion
We meet to understand your organization's structure, key financial processes, and specific concerns you have about controls. This helps us tailor the assessment to focus on areas most relevant to your situation rather than applying a generic checklist.
Process Documentation
Through interviews and observation, we document how your financial processes actually operate. Your team shares their daily routines, approval workflows, and the checks they perform. This phase involves minimal disruption to regular operations while building comprehensive understanding.
Control Evaluation
We systematically assess the controls we've documented against established frameworks and best practices. This evaluation considers whether controls are designed effectively and whether they're actually operating as intended. The focus stays on material risks rather than minor procedural details.
Findings and Recommendations
You receive a detailed report that acknowledges control strengths, identifies gaps requiring attention, and provides prioritized recommendations for improvement. We walk through the findings together, ensuring you understand the rationale behind each recommendation and how to implement suggested changes.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
Investment in Control Improvement
Complete internal controls assessment
What's Included
This assessment provides a clear understanding of your control environment and creates a practical roadmap for strengthening financial safeguards. Organizations often find that implementing the recommendations prevents issues that would have been far more costly to address after they occur. The insights gained also support more efficient operations by eliminating redundant controls while strengthening areas where protection is needed.
METHODOLOGY
Grounded in Established Frameworks
Our assessment methodology draws from frameworks developed by organizations like the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations and adapted through experience working with diverse entities. We evaluate controls against principles that have proven effective across different industries and organizational structures.
WEEKS TYPICAL
IMPLEMENT CHANGES
ASSESSMENTS DONE
Most assessments take five to seven weeks from initial scoping to final presentation, depending on the complexity of your operations. Organizations that receive our recommendations typically implement at least some of the suggested improvements, with many adopting the majority of changes we propose. The recommendations are designed to be practical rather than aspirational, recognizing real-world constraints on resources and capacity.
OUR COMMITMENT
Respectful, Constructive Assessment
We recognize that asking external professionals to evaluate your control systems involves some vulnerability. Your team works hard to maintain accurate records and protect organizational resources. This assessment is conducted with respect for those efforts and recognition that control environments reflect both intentional design and practical constraints.
Balanced Perspective
Our reports acknowledge what's working well before addressing areas needing improvement. The goal is constructive enhancement, not criticism of existing efforts.
Practical Recommendations
Suggested improvements consider your actual resources and constraints. We explain why each recommendation matters and how it addresses specific risks.
Implementation Support
After delivering the assessment, we remain available to discuss implementation questions and provide guidance as you work to strengthen controls.
The assessment process is collaborative rather than adversarial. Your input shapes our understanding of your processes, and our findings are presented as starting points for discussion rather than final judgments. If you disagree with an observation or recommendation, we want to understand why and adjust our perspective accordingly.
GETTING STARTED
The Path Forward
Initial Contact
Reach out through the form below or email [email protected] to share your interest in an internal controls assessment. Let us know about any specific concerns you have regarding your financial processes or areas you'd like us to focus on.
Scoping Conversation
We meet to learn about your organization's structure, key financial processes, and what you hope to gain from the assessment. You'll get a clear understanding of our approach, timeline, and deliverables before deciding to proceed.
Assessment Begins
We establish a schedule that minimizes disruption to your operations and begin the systematic evaluation of your control environment. Regular communication keeps you informed about our progress and preliminary observations.
Organizations benefit most from internal controls assessments when they're undertaken proactively rather than in response to identified problems. The assessment provides valuable insights regardless of whether you suspect control weaknesses or simply want confirmation that your systems are appropriate.
READY TO START
Strengthen Your Financial Safeguards
Build confidence in your internal controls through thoughtful assessment that respects your current systems while identifying opportunities for meaningful improvement.
GET IN TOUCHOTHER SERVICES
Explore Additional Support Options
SERVICE 01
Audit Preparation & Support
Make external audits manageable with thorough documentation and organized records prepared with care.
SERVICE 03
Compliance Documentation
Maintain organized financial records that meet regulatory requirements throughout the year.