We’ve had an amazing SD team. My experience has been that they have a partnership approach and are focused on education and identifying areas for continuous improvement.
Client: Multi-Location, Global, Long-term Client
How it Started
After years of working with national accounting firms, (a standard move for a global organization of their size), one of our current clients wanted to find a different approach. They didn’t just want an auditor anymore—they wanted a business partner to guide them through every step of the reporting and readiness process. A business partner who would develop a personalized and practical procedure to ensure a successful audit. Though they wanted more personal attention than the Big 4 could offer, it was also important that their provider still had the resources to understand and simplify the complex accounting requirements of international operations. That’s where we came in.
A Practical Approach
From the beginning, we committed to co-developing a procedure that worked for the client. We know from experience that the first question international organizations have when it comes to an audit is how to cohesively and painlessly organize the disparate reporting requirements of each location. With that in mind, we sat down with them and discussed the best methods to approach each of their international sites, one by one. Rather than insisting on a reperformance of financial statements reported under IFRS accounting standards, we rolled the work already completed at several of their locations into our audit process. And, based on our experience with other companies, we provided advice on best practices at each location that would ultimately create efficiencies in our overall audit process.
Throughout our relationship, we’ve viewed this client as our partner. We’ve guided them through the intricacies of new accounting pronouncements, lease arrangements, complex transactions and revenue recognition. Whenever a complex issue has come up, they’ve relied on us to provide guidance and support; they know we both have the resources to handle these issues and that, as our partners, they have access to all of them.
How it's Going
Our client is ambitious. After ten years with us, they’ve seen how much an audit process can improve with careful attention. Over the years, we’ve shortened the time between their year-end and audit close to an impressive 60 days. And we’re not done yet. Their new goal for the coming years is a 45-day close. They know we’ll help them get there the way we’ve always done. Our feedback remains consistent each year with insights on ways to improve. We continue to partner with them through transactional and accounting matters to outline the most efficient and effective ways to reach their goals.
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Contact an Audit & Tax Advisor Today
We’ve had an amazing SD team. My experience has been that they have a partnership approach and are focused on education and identifying areas for continuous improvement.
We had the pleasure of working with an exceptionally professional and knowledgeable team on our SOX 404 audit for the 2024 cycle. The team navigated the complexities of a first-year review with precision and efficiency. They stayed on budget, which was no small feat given the scope and depth of the work involved.
They are always willing to help and feel more like an extension of your team rather than a vendor
We always receive prompt responses and valued advice.
The People, they make the firm successful… their knowledge is what I look for in an accounting firm.
They are very responsive when I have an issue, and I am looking for some help.
Audit and tax teams are very responsive and provide valuable insight.
The people and their in depth knowledge and caring
Deep expertise, consummate professionals and responsive/transparent communications.
Always available when needed and easy to work with.
Schneider Downs’ engagement teams are hand-selected by our shareholders based on skill sets and experience and are available around the clock for consultation. Each attestation engagement is subject to our comprehensive quality control and risk management system, providing an independent review of audit opinions, related financial statements and significant underlying working papers, to ensure that the highest levels of professional standards are met.
To learn more, visit our dedicated Audit and Assurance page.