An Accountancy Corporation
15250 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1100 * Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
* (818) 501-5797 Fax (818) 501-8560
June 4, 1997
R.U. Nutts
805 N. Sheik Street
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
RE: Engagement for set-up and maintenance of
computerized accounting system,
and periodic financial reporting.
Dear Mr. Nutts:
Based on our prior discussions, and from our last meeting on May 31,
I have prepared the enclosed
engagement letter for your review and signature. You will notice that in describing the
services to be
provided, I have specified that "compiled" financial statements will be
presented to you on an annual
basis, instead of the "audited" statements that you initially requested.
As you know, the "audit" is the highest level of service
provided. The objective of the audit is for the
CPA to perform procedures which will enable him to provide reasonable assurance (the
"opinion")
that the financial position and the results of operations in conformity with generally
accepted accounting
principles applied on a consistent basis.
The next level of service is the "review". A review
provides limited assurance that no material modifications
are required for the financial statements to conform with generally accepted accounting
principles. It is
substantially less in scope than an audit and no opinion can be expressed.
Finally, a "compilation" is the basic level of service. A
compilation involves presenting, in the form of
financial statements, information that is the representation of the management and/ or
owners of the
financial entity. No assurance is provided, and no opinion is expressed.
To be sure, every client would desire the "benefits" that
only an audit can provide. However, audits are
not necessarily the best value (they are always more expensive than reviews or
compilations). In fact,
some of these benefits may only be illusory. Consequently, it is important to consider
other factors
in the decision - especially in your particular situation.
In practical terms, you must look at the cost/benefit relationship
in making this decision. My recom-
mendation is that we contract for a "compilation" of your personal "general
ledger" as well as for
your corporation. It is certainly possible to "upgrade" to a "review",
if your bank or some other creditor
requests it. Moreover, although I believe that a "compilation" is in your best
interest, the ultimate
decision is yours.
Finally, the engagement letter enclosed calls for the monthly
funding towards aggregate annual
fees of $450 per month. We have discussed that this type of arrangement does NOT mean a
fixed
fee of any sort. All of my hourly fees are based on time charges at standard hourly rates
plus out-of-
pocket costs. Periodically (at least every six months or more often), we will compare the
calculated
time charges and costs to amounts paid or "funded", and we will settle the
difference by way of an
additional cash payment then owed to me, or possibly, in a credit to you for the
subsequent period.
Should you decide to contract for a "review", the monthly funding amount will be
$600; for an "audit"
it will be "$1000.
In the meantime, my office has already begun the initial stages of
creating your personal general
ledger on the Peachtree software system, according to the arrangements that we discussed
on
May 31, in anticipation that we will go forward with the engagement as set forth in the
engagement letter.
As always, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.
Best personal regards,
STEVEN L. JAGER, CPA
AN ACCOUNTANCY CORPORATION
SLJ/lmw
enclosure
cc: Eric Shark, Esq.
Copyright 1998
Steven L. Jager, CPA, An Accountancy Corporation