Service
Financial and Operational Audit
A financial and operational audit tests whether information, processes and controls behave in accordance with defined criteria, and identifies where failures create financial risk or make it harder to substantiate reported figures.
Context in which the service applies
At SGEx, audit work is carried out with the perspective of a firm that also handles disputes and investigations: conclusions are documented so that they can withstand later scrutiny, whether before oversight bodies, boards, or in contentious proceedings.
When this analysis is needed
- Reviews requested by shareholders, boards or investors.
- Examination of the accounting for funds received or managed by third parties.
- Verification of purchasing, payment and procurement processes.
- Assessment of controls following the identification of irregularities.
- Entities subject to oversight by regulatory or control bodies.
Questions typically analyzed
- Adherence of statements and records to the applicable criteria.
- Design and operating effectiveness of controls over revenue, purchasing and payments.
- Reconciliation of accounts and financial movements.
- Documentary support for expenses and disbursements.
- Accounting between managers and the parties that fund them.
- Weaknesses that create a risk of error or diversion.
How SGEx Approaches This
SGEx defines the scope and the evaluation criteria, samples or reviews complete populations where the data allows, documents the tests performed, and reports findings with reference to the corresponding evidence and criterion.
Possible Work and Deliverables
The format is defined according to the case, the proceeding and the purpose of the work.
- Audit report with findings and supporting evidence
- Controls and risk matrix
- Accounting review report
- Process-improvement plan
- Expert opinion
Knowledge Network
Other SGEx Solutions
Services, specialties, contexts and industries connected to this topic under SGEx's relationship matrix.
Related Services
- Forensic AccountingReconstruction and examination of accounting records and financial flows for evidentiary purposes, in contexts of suspected wrongdoing, conflict or inquiry.
- Fraud InvestigationTechnical investigation of financial and accounting irregularities, including fund tracing and the documentation of findings.
- Accounting Expert ExaminationIndependent expert examination of accounting records, financial statements and calculations, prepared for judicial, arbitral and administrative proceedings.
Related Specialties
- Forensic Accounting and AuditAccounting reconstruction, tracing of financial flows, analysis of financial statements, contingencies and fraud investigation.
- Rendering of Accounts and Financial ReconciliationExamination and reconstruction of accounts, reconciliations, and receivables, payables and balances among partners, officers and other parties.
- Administrative ProceedingsAccounting and financial expert evidence in administrative tax, sanctioning, regulatory and oversight proceedings, from the defence to the appeal stage.
Related Areas of Practice
- Corporate Criminal MattersCriminal proceedings involving companies and their officers in which the evidence turns on accounting and financial analysis.
- Corporate and Shareholder DisputesDisputes among shareholders, partners and officers, corporate dissolutions, buyout claims and disagreements over financial results.
- Courts of Audit and Oversight BodiesProceedings before Courts of Audit, internal-control bodies and other oversight bodies that examine the use of public funds.
- Civil and Contract DisputesNonperformance, termination, contract revision and civil liability claims in which the controversy turns on monetary values and calculations.
Related Industries
- Public Administration and GovernmentPublic contracts, cooperation agreements, concessions and oversight proceedings involving public funds.
- Financial and Capital MarketsFinancial institutions, investment funds, investors and publicly listed companies involved in disputes, valuations and financial reviews.
- Associations, Foundations and Nonprofit SectorAssociations, foundations and nonprofit organizations facing accountability duties, tax-immunity requirements and financial reviews.
- Cryptocurrency and Digital AssetsCustody, movement and recordkeeping of crypto-assets in investigations, disputes and asset-tracing engagements.
- Pharmaceuticals and Drug DistributionPharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and retail chains involved in commercial, tax and accountability disputes.
- Franchising and LicensingFranchise networks and licensing agreements involved in disputes over fees, fund transfers and terminations.
- Entertainment, Arts and Creative EconomyProducers, artists, publishers, events and cultural projects in disputes over revenue, rights, box office and accounts.
- Condominiums and Residential AssociationsCondominiums, gated communities and residents’ associations in account audits, accounts of property managers and disputes over works and cost sharing.
- Political Parties and OrganizationsParties, party branches, party foundations and campaigns in accounts submitted to the Electoral Courts, use of public funds and disputes over financial management.
- Games, Esports and Digital EntertainmentStudios, publishers, esports teams, tournament organizers and platforms in disputes over revenue, royalties, valuation and contracts.
Next Step
Request an Analysis
Describe the technical question, the context in which it arose, and the documents available. This information lets SGEx assess the scope of the work before any proposal.