Terms and Conditions

Engagement Terms

We will provide the Services to you in accordance with the relevant professional and ethical standards issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (APESB).

The Services we provide do not include audit or review services, therefore, no assurance will be provided. Unless agreed with you, the Services will not include specific identification of fraud or other illegal acts. If we do identify such acts or omissions, we will inform you. Before doing so, we will notify you as soon as practicable that we have identified any instances of fraud or illegal acts / omissions.

The Services are provided only for the benefit of our client as agreed. We are not liable to any other person in respect of the Services.

Unless otherwise agreed with you or required by law, our fees will be charged at hourly rates according to the time spent by our employees and consultants working on the matter or at a fixed fee.

You agree that you will provide us with complete, clear, accurate, meaningful and timely instructions, and all information and documents requested by us, or necessary for us to undertake and complete the work you have engaged us to perform.

You also agree that you will arrange for reasonable access to relevant individuals and documents. You acknowledge and agree that you will be responsible for the completeness, accuracy and clarity of the information supplied to us.

We will not disclose any information relating to your affairs to any third party without your consent, unless required by law.  You may provide us with permission to disclose your confidential information in certain circumstances, or place conditions on the disclosure of certain confidential information.  If you do so, we will have permission to disclose the relevant information accordingly, in the performance of our services, unless you instruct us otherwise in writing.

Information you provide to us will be kept strictly confidential. Access to the information by our employees and contractors will be limited to the level of access required for them to complete the Services.

Our files may be subject to review as part of the quality control review program of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand which monitors its members’ compliance with professional standards. By accepting our engagement, you acknowledge that, if requested, our files relating to this engagement will be made available under this program. Should this occur, we will advise you.

Very occasionally, we may also be required to disclose confidential information by law, regulatory bodies, insurers or otherwise in accordance with APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.

Where you share personal information regarding a third party (including your directors and employees) with us, you confirm that you have complied your obligations under the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth) (including, if you are not bound by that Act, as if you were so bound), including that the personal information was lawfully collected, that you are entitled to disclose the personal information to us, and that we may use and disclose the personal information in the manner detailed above.

We will provide our Services with reasonable care and skill. Our liability to you is limited to losses, damages, costs and expenses directly caused by our negligence or wilful default.

Our liability may also be limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

All original documents that we obtain from you to perform the Services under this engagement remain your property. However, you agree that we may make a reasonable number of copies of the original documents for our records and to provide the Services to you.

We retain all copyright in any document prepared by us during the course of carrying out the engagement for you, except where the law specifically states otherwise.

To the extent permitted by law or professional standards, we reserve the right to exercise a lien over all documents and records in our possession relating to all engagements for you until all outstanding fees and disbursements are paid to us in full.

We have a complaints process in place and will use our best endeavours to resolve a complaint or dispute to the mutual satisfaction of the parties involved. We may ask that you provide your complaint in writing to allow us to fully investigate the issues your raise.

Either party to a dispute can request the complaint or dispute is managed through external dispute resolution or mediation service. We and you agree that external dispute resolution will be undertaken before any legal claim is formally commenced. This does not override the rights of either party to seek legal action to enforce contractual rights under this engagement agreement.

Acceptance of my services in conjunction with this information sheet indicates that you understand and accept the arrangements. This information will be effective for future engagements unless I advise you of any change.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.