By Helena Bouron, CPA, Senior Audit Manager
ASL Nonprofit Group
Generally, summer months are busy for most nonprofit organizations, with the year-end financial close and preparation for the annual audit process. Through this process, the Organization’s finance and accounting teams are working to demonstrate to external parties their compliance with internal processes and controls and laws and regulations. To better ensure the Organization’s compliance, the Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board of Directors in the oversight of these activities.
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As we enter into another audit busy season, I have started my standard exercise of compiling a list of frequently encountered audit and accounting issues that require research, additional analysis and often times detailed disclosures and even material adjustments to my client’s financials. An oft-recurring theme is the existence of related party transactions and how such transactions are recorded and disclosed.
Below are a few frequently asked questions on this subject that merit our attention: (more…)
In a new International Practice Unit (IPU), the IRS charted audit steps its examiners should follow in reviewing the transfer pricing documentation of U.S. taxpayers that transfer and provide tangible property, intangible property, and service to foreign affiliates in exchange for payments (that is, outbound transactions). (more…)
A few months ago, I had compiled a short list of common errors encountered in the consolidation of foreign operations. Now, I wish I had simply waited a few months to publish the post as I have since come across more issues that merit a mention while consolidating financials of related entities or even preparing the separate financials of related entities. Bear in mind that some of these could apply irrespective of whether they are related to foreign entities.
It is that time of the year again when I am working on audits of U.S. companies with significant international operations, either in the form of wholly owned subsidiaries or branch offices. And my observations while performing these audits have resulted in this compilation of common errors while accounting for foreign currency, recording translation adjustments and finally the culmination into consolidated financials.
I received a call today from a CFO whose company needs an audit. I asked her just a few basic questions about the company’s business and uncovered some avoidable challenges that I thought I would help you address in advance…