Agreed Upon Procedures
An agreed-upon procedures engagement (AUP) is when a company or client hires a CPA firm (like RPB) to issue a report of findings based on specific procedures performed to evaluate subject matter or an assertion. AUP engagements are generally the result of the need or needs of a third-party. The specific procedures performed, which may or may not involve the financial statements of the entity, are performed in accordance with Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE).
The RPB Difference
Because of our audit, review, and compilation experience, we specialize in AUPs that concern compliance issues (we have a certified fraud examiner on staff for AUP engagements over internal controls or processes and procedures). That being said, we’re engaged by organizations to perform all kinds of AUPs every year.
Our most popular AUPs include:
- Enrollment procedures for schools in the Private School Choice Programs (Choice). We are engaged to verify the attendance records for two specific times during the school year and report as to whether or not the attendance submitted to the DPI matches the school’s records. We also verify that the Choice applications have been accurately completed and contain the appropriate documentation for pupils participating in the program.
- Helping nonprofit organizations satisfy third-party requirements by performing procedures including looking at payroll to make sure people are paid the right wage, and bank statements to make sure they’re reconciled.
It’s important to note that the final AUP report to the client merely highlights the performed procedures and what was found. Opinions and recommendations are not provided.
AUP Services and Deliverables:
- Attestation engagement where we are engaged by the client to perform specific procedures and report findings
- Report is restricted to the parties that have agreed to the procedures to be performed
- There is no examination or opinion issued, so it differs from an audit, review or compilation
- AUPs can be used to enhance the credibility of information that a client is providing to a third party
- Services are performed in accordance with Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE)
