For nonprofit leaders
The next reporting milestone.
The same important mission.
When an audit enters the conversation, your team needs a clear starting point. Begin with the purpose, the deadline, and the information already available.
A familiar balancing act
Reporting has to fit around the work you do.
You may be managing programs, answering to a board, and preparing a grant application at the same time. An audit inquiry is easier to frame when those responsibilities are visible from the beginning.
Audit Assist offers practical educational resources and an initial point of contact for potential audit or review engagements through a separate CPA firm. The first inquiry is an opportunity to describe your circumstances without assembling a full proposal package.
Our initial focus is West Palm Beach and surrounding Palm Beach County communities.
Start with the context
What is prompting the request?
A funder or grant application
Keep the written request handy. Identify the financial period, type of report requested, and submission date rather than relying on the word “audit” alone.
A board planning discussion
Note the questions the board wants to address and the meeting where a decision is expected. A clear purpose makes the next conversation more productive.
A lender or other outside party
Identify who will receive the report and ask for their exact requirements. An audit and a review should not be treated as interchangeable.
A change in your organization
Mention a first-time audit, a change of accounting system, a transition in finance staff, or a potential move from an existing firm.
Before you reach out
You do not need
everything ready.
A short, accurate overview is enough to begin.
Read the first-conversation guideHelpful details to have in mind
- Your fiscal year-end and the period to be covered
- The reason for the request and any known deadline
- An approximate annual revenue range
- Whether the books are closed or still being reconciled
- Whether this would be your first audit or review
- The person coordinating the process internally
Please do not send financial statements, donor information, or other confidential records through an initial inquiry.
Common questions
Before the next step.
Does every nonprofit need an audit?
The answer depends on your circumstances and the requirements that apply to your organization. Start by identifying who is requesting a report and obtaining the exact wording. This website does not determine your legal or reporting obligations.
Can we ask about a review instead?
Yes. You can indicate “review” or “not sure” in your inquiry. Whether a review is appropriate depends on the request and your circumstances; the prospective CPA firm would discuss the scope with you.
Can we inquire before the books are finished?
Yes. Describe their current status and any known gaps. Timing and readiness would need to be assessed before any engagement is accepted.
Start here
What is ahead for your nonprofit?
Tell us what is driving the request and when you need to take the next step.
Free PDF · Nonprofits & churches
A reporting deadline.
A place to start.
Get our three-page Audit Planning Guide, including a milestone checklist and a printable reporting calendar for your team.
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