Audit and advisory for organizations that answer to a mission, not just a market.

At HG CPA, our advisory services help clients understand financial information, evaluate options, and make informed decisions. These services are distinct from audit, review, compilation, and other attest engagements. In an advisory engagement, we develop findings, conclusions, and recommendations for your consideration. You remain responsible for decisions and implementation.

Our work is performed under a written understanding of scope, timing, and responsibilities. Advisory engagements are conducted in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and, where applicable, the Statements on Standards for Consulting Services. Results depend on the facts of your situation, the information available, applicable law, and the choices you make. We do not guarantee particular tax, financial, or business outcomes. We do not represent that we can influence the Internal Revenue Service, courts, or other regulatory bodies.

The following describes advisory work we offer. The exact scope of any engagement is defined in an engagement letter after we discuss your circumstances.

Business and financial advisory. Analysis of financial position, cash flow, profitability, and operating results. Assistance with budgets, forecasts, and management reporting so owners and managers have information useful for planning and control.

Tax planning and consultation. Review of transactions, entity structure, timing of income and deductions, and available elections or credits under current law. We explain options, estimated effects based on the facts provided, and documentation considerations. Tax results are determined by law and by the positions you adopt on returns you file.

Entity selection and organization. Discussion of legal and tax characteristics of common entity forms (for example, sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation, C corporation, or limited liability company) so you can choose a structure that fits your objectives, after consultation with legal counsel as needed.

Accounting systems and internal processes. Assessment of bookkeeping, reporting, and control processes. Recommendations on chart of accounts, close procedures, documentation, and tools that may improve accuracy and usefulness of financial information.

Transaction consultation. Assistance in evaluating proposed purchases, sales, refinancings, or other significant transactions, including review of financial aspects, tax considerations, and information you may need for negotiation or due diligence. Legal counsel and, when independence or another discipline is required, other specialists are engaged separately.

Succession, exit, and ownership planning support. Help organizing financial information and identifying tax and reporting issues related to ownership changes, family transfers, or sale of a business. Legal documents are prepared by other licensed professionals. If a valuation is needed, that work is scoped as a separate valuation engagement.

Nonprofit and special-purpose entity consultation. Guidance on financial reporting, internal controls, and tax-exempt compliance matters for organizations that request it, within the scope agreed in writing.

Consultation on IRS and state tax notices. Review of correspondence, explanation of issues raised, and assistance preparing responses or organizing records. Representation, if requested and accepted, is limited to matters we are authorized to handle and is described in a separate engagement letter.

We perform valuation engagements when a written understanding identifies the interest being valued, the standard of value, the premise of value, the valuation date, and the intended use and users. Work is performed in accordance with the AICPA Statements on Standards for Valuation Services, where those standards apply.

Typical purposes include ownership changes, buy-sell arrangements, estate and gift tax reporting support, and other matters you and your other advisors identify. A valuation conclusion is an estimate as of a stated date, based on the information available, the assumptions used, and professional judgment. It is not a guarantee of a sale price, court award, or tax result.

If a report may be used by someone other than the client, that use is stated in the engagement letter. Third parties should not rely on a valuation unless they are identified as intended users.

Forensic accounting involves gathering, analyzing, and presenting financial information in matters that may involve disagreement, suspected irregularity, or formal proceedings. Services may include reconstruction of accounts, analysis of transactions, quantification of amounts in dispute, and assistance to counsel.

The nature and scope of work are set only by the engagement letter. Findings are based on the records and information obtained. We do not guarantee that a particular amount will be recovered or that a court, agency, or opposing party will accept any analysis.

If testimony is requested, that service is accepted only under a separate engagement and only when we are competent and independent as required. We do not claim the ability to influence any court, tribunal, or regulatory body.

At HG CPA our nonattest engagements typically work as follows.

Initial discussion of your objectives and the information available. Written engagement letter describing services, limitations, client responsibilities, and fees. Gathering and analysis of relevant records and facts. Findings, options, and recommendations presented for your decision. Additional implementation assistance only if separately agreed.

Fees depend on the nature and complexity of the work, the time required, and other factors disclosed in the engagement letter. We do not advertise a fixed fee for these services unless the letter specifies the service and the variables that can change the fee.