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What to do now … before the big rush
4 ways to update engagement letter processes
Review engagement letters used in the prior year and update, as needed.
Sources of sample engagement letters include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”), and paid providers.
Click here
to get some free engagement letter templates to help get you started. 
Emphasize engagement letter usage for all tax services
, including tax planning, tax consulting and tax audit representation services. In 2016, approximately 50% of the tax claims in the AICPA Professional Liability Insurance Program reflected a failure to utilize an engagement letter. While CPAs may be diligent about obtaining engagement letters for compliance services, experience demonstrates they are less conscientious when providing
high risk
tax services such as audit representation, planning and
consulting services. A single engagement letter may not suffice for a client that engages the CPA firm for multiple services. Review firm policy on issuing engagement letters
. While obtaining signed engagement letters is always the preferred risk control practice, unilateral engagement letters sent with tax organizers may be more practical for
low risk
individual tax return preparation engagements. A unilateral engagement letter requires signature only by the CPA firm. The client indicates its acceptance with the firm’s terms and conditions by returning the organizer and providing other tax information to the CPA firm. A sample unilateral engagement letter is included in the Policyholder Resource Center.Inform clients that the firm will not begin preparing tax returns
until the retainer fee is
paid,
if requested, and a signed engagement letter is received, or in those cases where a unilateral engagement letter is sent, the completed and signed tax organizer is received.