The Schellman Blog

Whether it’s shoes, real estate, or the latest smartphone, everyone’s always looking for a bargain. A central component of any decision you make to purchase or not purchase a good or service is the cost. It’s a little easier to determine that number when you’re buying (or not buying) a good because it’s generally the sticker price and, barring any lemony outliers, the thing does what you need it to.

If you’ve ever dieted before, you know the temptation to add something extra to your meal—you know, something actually tasty, or just something else that you believe will satisfy a craving.

The greatest tennis player of all time, Serena Williams, once said, “everything comes at a cost. Just what are you willing to pay for it?”

One of the most famous lines from the Spider-Man mythos goes like this: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Originally published in Accounting Today Simply put, SSAE No 18 is the standard which recodifies all the previous attestation standards. It is the culmination of the efforts to clarify the various standards for performing attestation engagements, which includes among many others, SOC 1 (commonly referred to as SSAE No. 16) and SOC 2 and SOC 3 (AT Section 101), into a single set of standards for the auditors.

CIOs have a unique vantage point over their organization. From where they sit, they see efficiencies, pain points, and potential weaknesses across all departments. This level of visibility is invaluable in today’s intricate, technology-driven, and information-rich business landscape.

[NOTE: Schellman has since updated this content in a more recent article.] Think of your auditing firm like you would a long-term business partner. They are someone you will work with year after year, and they will be an integral part of setting the stage for your organization’s success. As such, the act of selecting the appropriate assessor shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are several key qualities your organization should look for when choosing an auditing firm: