Terms of Engagement

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The following is to confirm our understanding of the terms of our engagement and the nature and limitations of the services we will provide.

 

Purpose, Scope and Output of the Engagement

 

This firm will provide accounting and taxation services which will be conducted in accordance with the relevant professional and ethical standards issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (APESB). The extent of our procedures will be limited exclusively for this purpose. As a result, no audit or review will be performed and, accordingly, no assurance will be expressed. Our engagement cannot be relied upon to disclose irregularities including fraud, other illegal acts and errors that may exist. However, we will inform you of any such matters that come to our attention.

 

Any reports including Financial Statements, Income Tax Returns etc. will be prepared for distribution to the specific organisation, client or entity for the purpose specified in the report. There is no assumption of responsibility for any reliance on our report by any person or entity other than yourself and those parties indicated in the report. The report shall not be inferred or used for any purpose other than for which it was specifically prepared. Accordingly, our report may include a disclaimer to this effect.

 

Responsibilities

 

In conducting this engagement, information acquired by us in the course of the engagement is subject to strict confidentiality requirements. That information will not be disclosed by us to other parties except as required or allowed for by law, or with your express consent.

 

We wish to advise that our firm’s system of quality control has been established and maintained in accordance with the relevant APESB standard. As a result, our files may be subject to review as part of the quality control review program of professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants which monitors compliance with professional standards by its members. We advise you that by accepting our engagement you acknowledge that, if requested, our files relating to this engagement will be made available under this program. Should this occur, we will advise you.

 

Clients are responsible for the reliability, accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, particulars and information provided and disclosure of all material and relevant information. Clients are required to arrange for reasonable access by us to relevant individuals and documents, and shall be responsible for both the completeness and accuracy of the information supplied to us. Any advice given to the Client is only an opinion based on our knowledge of the Client’s particular circumstances.

 

Provision of Taxation Services

 

A taxpayer is responsible under self assessment to keep full and proper records in order to facilitate the preparation of a correct return. Whilst the Commissioner of Taxation will accept claims made by a taxpayer in an income tax return and issue a notice of assessment, usually without adjustment, the return may be subject to later review. Under the taxation law such a review may take place within a period of up to 4 years after tax becomes due and payable under the assessment. Furthermore, where there is fraud or evasion there is no time limit on amending the assessment. Accordingly, you should check the return before it is signed to ensure that the information in the return is accurate.

 

Where the application of a taxation law to your particular circumstances is uncertain you also have the right to request a private ruling which will set out the Commissioner’s opinion about the way a taxation law applies, or would apply, to you in those circumstances. You must provide a description of all of the facts (with supporting documentation) that are relevant to your scheme or circumstances in your private ruling application. If there is any material difference between the facts set out in the ruling and what you actually do the private ruling is ineffective.

If you rely on a private ruling you have received, the Commissioner must administer the law in the way set out in the ruling, unless it is found to be incorrect and applying the law correctly would lead to a better outcome for you. Where you disagree with the decision in the private ruling, or the Commissioner fails to issue such a ruling, you can lodge an objection against the ruling if it relates to income tax, fuel tax credit or fringe benefits tax. Your time limits in lodging an objection will depend on whether you are issued an assessment for the matter (or period) covered by the private ruling.

 

Period of Engagement

 

This engagement will be effective upon acceptance of the terms of engagement by the Client in respect of the immediately preceding year in line with our terms outlined here.

 

We will not deal with earlier periods unless the Client specifically asks us to do so and we agree.

 

Fees

 

Our professional fees are based on the amount of time and the level of experience required to complete the accounting and taxation services.

 

We would be happy to provide you with an estimate of our professional fees prior to undertaking the engagement if you feel this is appropriate.

 

Limitation of Liability

 

Our liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Further information on the scheme is available from the Professional Standards Councils’ website:

http://www.professionalstandardscouncil.gov.au

 

Ownership of Documents

 

All original documents obtained from the client arising from the engagement shall remain the property of the client. However, we reserve the right to make a reasonable number of copies of the original documents for our records.

Our engagement will result in the production of documents of the engagement including, if applicable, electronic documents or files, which will be supplied to the client, such as income tax returns or financial statements.

 

Ownership of these documents will vest in you. All other documents produced by us in respect of this engagement will remain the property of the firm.

 

The firm has a policy of exploring a legal right of lien over any client documents in our possession in the event of a dispute.

 

Confirmation of Terms

 

Acceptance of our services in conjunction with this engagement brochure indicates that you understand and accept the arrangements. This information will be effective for all future engagements unless we advise you of any change. Please refer to our website to view the current version of this engagement brochure.