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Public Companies
Our approach to audit and assurance services emphasizes an in-depth knowledge of each client's business, of prevailing conditions in the client's industry and of the competitive position of the client. This insight enables us to focus on the important issues and to provide timely professional services.
Easy and timely access to senior staff as is deemed necessary by the client is the foundation of James Stafford's service model. This approach ensures both that we provide publicly listed clients with cost-saving advice and that our clients fulfill their regulatory compliance requirements efficiently and effectively. We focus on assisting clients with completing their regulatory filing requirements well before deadlines.
This approach also gives us a better perspective which enables us to provide value-added services best suited to client needs and to assist management with sound business decisions.
James Stafford is registered with the Canadian Public Accountability Board ("CPAB") and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and completes audits of publicly listed entities in Canada and the United States of America.
The audit of public companies requires specific knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and Generally Accepted Audit Standards ("GAAS"). Our public company assurance professionals maintain an in-depth knowledge in current Canadian GAAP, US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Our professionals are also experienced in Canadian GAAS and US GAAS, including the standards of the PCAOB and the International Standards for Auditing ("ISA").
Our public company services include:
- Financial statement audit and review services
- Assistance with complex or unusual accounting and financial reporting issues
- Assistance with prospectuses, information circulars and other filings
- Regulatory compliance and consulting for companies going public
- Assurance services related to business acquisitions
- Compilations and reviews of pro-forma financial statements
- Due diligence services for sponsors, agents and underwriters
- Assistance with the transition to PCAOB standards or IFRS
- Internal control and corporate governance reviews
- Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") reporting services
- US GAAP consulting services
- Assistance in responding to securities commissions and the SEC
Financial Statement Audit
In today's business environment, there is more scrutiny and skepticism of a company's financial statements than ever before. Investors expect more reliability, more oversight and clear evidence of internal controls. Corporate management, boards, audit committees, internal and external auditors, analysts and other investment professionals all have important roles to pay in rebuilding investor trust by executing their respective responsibilities. Meeting investor expectations begins with the completeness and accuracy of information contained in a company's financial statements.
At James Stafford, our audit team follows Canadian and International Auditing Standards, Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and the standards mandated by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America) and adheres to rigorous quality control policies to provide you with an audit opinion that meets the highest standard.
Through careful review of your financial statements and other business records, the audit team analyzes important information about your business. This enables us to offer you valuable advice on how you can improve your internal controls, identify any fiscal irregularities before they become an issue and help you to control and expand your business.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
James Stafford can provide support, advice and assurance to help you manage your regulatory risks. In an ever-changing regulatory environment, we help ensure that you identify, manage and control any existing and future regulatory risks. A proactive approach rather than a monitoring approach to regulation is now a full time strategic necessity.
Understanding these complex regulations and identifying the steps required to ensure compliance can be a major challenge.
How can we help?
- Conduct risk and control assessments
- Identify and evaluate key controls
- Identify opportunities to enhance and streamline operational processes
- Evaluate new regulations and their application to your business model
- Assist and support in dealing with regulatory enforcement actions
- Assist with audit committee governance issues
Assistance on Capital Market Transactions
For companies seeking to raise debt or equity capital in the market, James Stafford can provide independent and impartial advice throughout the process and beyond.
How can we help?
- Report on financial records in prospectuses
- Review corporate governance and systems
- Provide comfort letters on prospectus disclosure
- Assist in resolving issues with stock market regulators