Terms and Conditions

1. What we will do
   
2. We will use our professional skills to do the work you have requested based on information supplied by you. This work will be performed in accordance with Service Engagement Standard No.2 Compilation of Financial Information issued by the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants
3. Annual accounts for companies will be prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Act 1993. Other than for exempt companies, these are general purpose reports and must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand. If necessary, additional explanations will be added to ensure that a true and fair view is given.
4. Annual accounts for exempt companies may be prepared either in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand as described above or in accordance with the simpler format of the Financial Reporting Order 1994.
5. Other accounts will be prepared in accordance with any applicable legislation. For partnerships, trusts, sole traders and other entities where the format of accounts is not dictated by legislation, we will prepare special purpose annual financial statements according to the principles contained in the Income Tax Act 2007. Periodic accounts for management are not governed by legislation and will be prepared on the basis requested by management.
6. The general basis of accounting used to compile the accounts will be described in the notes to the financial statements together with any significant departures from that basis. Significant departures will also be referred to in our compilation report (see 1.7 below).
7. We will inform you of any suspicions of omissions or irregularities that come to our notice.
8. We will provide a compilation report on all annual accounts that include a balance sheet. An example of a typical report, not specific to your circumstances, is attached.
9. We retain legal ownership of working papers prepared by us.
10. We set a limit on our liability to you for negligence or any other reason at ten times the annual accounting fee.
11. We will explain or redraft any element of these terms to ensure that you understand them and think they are reasonable.
12. What we will NOT do
13. We will not conduct an audit or any other independent verification work.
14. Consequently we will not express any kind of opinion on the accuracy of the material we compile or its suitability for any purpose.
15. We will not necessarily establish or maintain independence. It is not a professional requirement to be independent before carrying out compilation work of this nature. However, any other relationship will be described in our compilation report.
16. We will not take active steps to identify weaknesses in your internal accounting system, errors, illegal acts or other irregularities, for example, fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations. However, should we become suspicious of any irregularities we will report it to you (see 1.6 above).
17. We will not accept liability in negligence or for any other reason to anyone but you and your enterprises listed at the head of the main letter. A disclaimer to this effect will be included in our compilation report.
18. What you will do
19. You will deliver accurate, complete information needed to compile the accounts and returns promptly at the times agreed. We will provide a checklist to assist in identifying the information we require.
20. You remain responsible for the reliability, accuracy and completeness of the financial information compiled, including tax returns. You have delegated certain tasks to us, as tabled in the main letter, and we are responsible for carrying out those tasks in a professional manner. You cannot abrogate the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the financial information is compiled properly.
21. You will inform us if the information we compile is intended to be disclosed to any person or body and how they are expected to use it. This does not apply to:
22. the directors, shareholders, partners, trustees or equivalent office holders of your enterprises as listed at the head of the main letter, and
23. the Inland Revenue Department.
    
24. You confirm that we have authority to communicate with and obtain information from any third party if the information sought is relevant to our work.
25. You agree that the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants may have access to the records and information we hold that support our working papers. This is an essential part of the Institute's quality assurance function. The likelihood that any particular engagement is selected is very small. All Institute employees and contractors are required to maintain the strictest confidentiality.
26. You will pay our fees on time. Invoices for work done in a calendar month will be delivered by the 7th working day of the following month and are due for payment by the 20th of that month.
27. You will let us know if any of these terms are unclear or not what you think is reasonable and we will explain or redraft to make sure you are happy. See 1.10 above.