When a relationship between auditors and clients starts, it’s important to have a document that details all the stipulations of this relationship. One of the most important tools used for this purpose is an engagement letter, which sets out all the essential terms and conditions of the auditing process.
The basic skeleton of an engagement letter outlines what is going to be audited, the purpose of the audit, and how long it will take. It also defines access rights, a key element for any business that wants to mitigate risks from miscommunication or other factors that can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts.
In addition to setting expectations, an engagement letter can help the auditor to prevent scope creep. By setting boundaries for what is included and not, the auditor can reassure his client that they will not be charged for services that lie outside the scope of the agreement.
An engagement letter can also include an audit section within a service agreement that defines the types of information that will be audited and the scope of the auditor’s review. This can vary depending on the type of audit, such as a fee audit that specifies the accuracy of fees being charged or paid to a party, or a data security audit that may focus only on reviewing the effectiveness of a company’s internal controls. In addition, the auditor can specify whether the audit will be limited to certain financial statements or periods. agreement between auditor and client