Attestation Services

Our team of Houston based Certified Public Accountants and Consultants have over 50 years of experience advising small to medium size businesses.

In addition to company management, financial statement users may include shareholders, banks that provide financing, sureties that provide bonds for construction companies, government agencies, vendors or other creditors, all of whom need some level of assurance that they can rely upon a company’s financial statements. ABIP provides attest services at three different levels of assurance, as defined by the AICPA, dependent upon the needs and requirements of the financial statement users.

Audit (Highest Level of Assurance)
An audit offers the highest level of assurance and includes a systematic, risk-based review and assessment of internal controls and a thorough examination of the financial statements. Our audit approach and procedures are custom designed for each client based on their business industry and operating structure. In addition to the audit report, we also provide a letter to management that identifies any internal control weaknesses and recommendations for strengthening internal controls and procedures as well as suggestions for improving operating efficiency and increasing profitability.

What you get with an Audit:

Documented review and understanding of internal controls and identification of potential risk areas.

Outside third party verification of selected account balances.

Analytical review and examination of transactions, financial ratios and key performance indicators.

Testing and documentation of payroll, sales and cash receipts, expense and cash disbursements and observation of inventory.

A written report affirming that the financial statements are fairly stated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Financial statement credibility with shareholders, investors, banks, sureties, government agencies, vendors and customers.

Reliable financial information that can be used to assist in the sale or purchase of a business.

Letter to management that provides recommendations for strengthening internal controls and improving operational efficiencies and operating results.

Review (Limited Assurance)
A review provides limited assurance on a company’s financial statements. Review procedures are less in scope than an audit and primarily consist of analytical procedures and management inquiries. A review differs from an audit in that it does not require an in-depth review and evaluation of internal controls, outside third party verification of account balances or examination of source documents unless the results of analytical procedures and inquiries warrant further investigation and extended procedures. However, review services are more extensive than the low level of assurance provided in a compilation. Our review services provide our clients with the knowledge and expertise of our CPA’s and outside parties with limited assurance on the reliability of a company’s financial statements without the expense and time of an audit.

Compilation (Lowest Level of Assurance)
A compilation provides the lowest level of assurance and does not express any opinion or limited assurance on the company’s financial statements. The financial statements are prepared based upon reliance on management’s representations and our accounting knowledge and general understanding of the company’s operations. Compilations are commonly performed in conjunction with preparing the Federal tax return and also to assist small and medium sized business owners prepare their financial statements. For companies with limited accounting resources, our team of CPA’s also assist in compiling monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements to provide financial information to business owners so that they can understand and monitor their financial condition and make informed business decisions.

What level of assurance service do you need?

Our firm offers audit, review and compilation services to a wide variety of companies in industries such as construction, manufacturing, distribution, professional services, not-for-profit, financial institutions, employee benefit plans, health care, real estate, technology, finance and insurance. If you have questions regarding these services, need assistance in deciding that type of service is appropriate for you or if would like to schedule a free consultation., please give us a call at 713-954-2002.