Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP) Services for Targeted Assurance Needs
Focused, Factual Findings for Your Specific Financial and Compliance Needs
Not every situation requires a full financial statement audit. When you need targeted verification of specific financial information, compliance with a contract, or validation of internal processes, an Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP) engagement delivers precise, factual findings without the scope and cost of a full audit . We work with you to define the specific procedures that address your exact concerns, perform those procedures objectively, and report the factual results . The result is independent, evidence-based insight that helps you, your board, or other stakeholders make informed decisions with confidence .
Customized Procedures Tailored to Your Needs
Unlike standard audits, AUP engagements are highly flexible and customizable . We work with you to design procedures that target the specific information you need—whether it's verifying account balances, testing compliance with grant terms, reviewing internal controls, or validating financial metrics for a lender or investor . You control the scope, and the procedures can be refined as the engagement progresses .
Factual Findings Without an Opinion
In an AUP engagement, we do not issue an opinion or provide assurance on the overall financial statements . Instead, we report the factual findings from the procedures we performed . This allows you—or the specified parties—to draw your own conclusions from the independent, verified information . The focus is on delivering "just the facts" with precision and clarity .
Efficient, Cost-Effective Assurance
AUP engagements are typically less expensive and less disruptive than a full audit or review because they are limited in scope . They can be performed at any time during the year, not just at year-end, making them ideal for addressing urgent compliance deadlines, due diligence needs, or specific management concerns .
Your Trusted Partner for Targeted, Independent Verification
Our team has extensive experience designing and performing AUP engagements for a wide range of purposes, including grant compliance, contract verification, due diligence, and regulatory requirements . We are committed to delivering objective, precise findings that give you the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions . We work closely with you to ensure the procedures are appropriate for your needs and that our report is clear and useful for all intended users.
A Clear, Collaborative Process from Planning to Reporting
Our AUP process begins with a collaborative planning phase where we work with you and other specified parties to define the exact procedures to be performed and confirm they are appropriate for the intended purpose . We then perform the agreed-upon procedures with precision and objectivity, documenting our findings thoroughly. Finally, we issue a detailed report that presents the factual findings without interpretation, allowing you and other intended users to draw your own conclusions . We remain available to answer questions and provide support as needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Audit costs vary based on organization size and complexity. Rather than cutting corners on scope—which compromises the audit's credibility—we help clients identify efficiency opportunities: streamlining documentation, improving internal controls, and strategic planning. A $50K audit might be reduced to a $35K review service if your stakeholders accept limited assurance. We match the right service level to your actual requirements, not just your budget.
First-time audits can feel overwhelming, especially for nonprofits. We begin by understanding your specific requirements: Are lenders requiring it? Grantors? Board governance? This determines whether you need a full audit, a review, or a compilation. We also assess your current financial records and help you prepare documentation to avoid delays. Most organizations complete their first audit smoothly with proper guidance.
Form 990 errors often stem from unclear accounting practices or incomplete documentation. We perform a diagnostic review of your current 990, identify specific issues, and implement corrections before resubmission. More importantly, we establish ongoing compliance procedures—proper revenue recognition, expense categorization, and board documentation—so your next 990 passes without revision.
Entity structure has major tax implications. As an S-Corp, you might save 15-25% in self-employment taxes, but setup and compliance costs must be weighed. We analyze your specific income, deductions, and business structure to model tax outcomes under different scenarios. Many clients discover $10-30K+ in annual savings through strategic restructuring—but it's only worth it if modeled correctly for YOUR situation.
Lender deadlines require efficiency. Standard timelines are 4-8 weeks, but we accommodate urgent requests with compressed schedules—often in 2-3 weeks. The key is preparation: organized records, responsive management, and clear documentation. We've helped businesses secure credit lines and working capital loans by delivering audit-ready financials on tight deadlines.
Grant audits can be complex because different funders have different requirements: some accept Reviews, others demand Single Audits (for organizations receiving $750K+). We analyze all your grant agreements and create a single audit approach that satisfies the most stringent requirement—often eliminating the need for multiple audits while ensuring compliance with every funder.
Messy books don't disqualify you from an audit—that's partly why audits exist. However, significant disorganization increases audit costs and timelines. We offer two approaches: (1) We perform a cleanup engagement to fix prior-year issues, then move to audit/review, or (2) We scope the audit to focus on accuracy despite disorganization, with recommendations for improvement. Either way, we deliver the financial credibility you need while fixing underlying problems.
It happens more often than you think. We can review your prior returns, identify any errors or missed deductions, and file amendments if needed. Many clients have recovered thousands of dollars in overdue refunds or deductions after we reviewed their prior years. There's no judgment — just a second opinion from experienced CPAs who want to make sure you're in the best tax position. Get a free review of your last return and see what you might be missing.
We're proud to be LOCAL! Our office is right here in Ashburn, VA, serving businesses and individuals throughout Northern Virginia and Washington DC since 2011. You can meet with us in person if you prefer. We also offer remote/virtual consultations and secure file transfers for convenience. Whether you want face-to-face meetings or prefer working remotely, we're flexible. Many clients appreciate having a local CPA they can call and meet with when they need in-person advice.
A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) has earned the highest credential in accounting and can provide comprehensive services including tax
preparation, financial audits, bookkeeping, tax planning, and IRS representation. A tax accountant typically focuses on tax filing. Our CPAs bring advanced training, ongoing professional education, and broader expertise to help you with every aspect of your financial health. When your taxes matter, you want a CPA on your side.



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