[NAME]

INTERVIEW OF PROSPECTIVE CLIENT

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN AN ACCOUNTANT/CONSULTANT?

HAVE YOU HAD THIS SERVICE PERFORMED IN THE PAST BY AN OUTSIDE ACCOUTANT?

WHY ARE YOU SEEKING PROPOSALS?

HOW DID YOU GET OUR NAME?

HAVE YOU HAD ANY ISSUES WITH PRIOR ACCOUNTANT REGARDING ACCOUNTING POLICIES, FEES, ETC.?

ARE THERE ANY  CURRENT, PAST OR FUTURE ISSUES RELATED TO:

            CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

            REGULATORY MATTERS

            FRAUD

WHAT ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE DO YOU USE?

HOW ARE FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES ALLOCATED?

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE AND EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT?

WHAT ASSISTANCE WITH THE PREPARATION OF WORK PAPERS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE THEY ABLE TO PROVIDE?

HOW MANY JOURNAL ENTRIES WERE MADE DURING PRIOR YEAR AUDIT?

WHEN ARE RECORDS READY AND WHEN ARE STATEMENTS NEEDED?

DO YOU NEED [Firm Name] TO PRESENT STATEMENTS TO THE BOARD OR A COMMITTEE?

DO YOU HAVE A FINANCE COMMITTEE OR AUDIT COMMITTEE?

DO YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULT OR COMPLEX AUDIT OR ACCOUNTING ISSUES?

WE NEED COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING FROM THE MOST RECENT YEAR END:

            AUDITED FINANICAL STATEMENTS

            TAX RETURN

            MANAGEMENT LETTER COMMENTS

Here are some of the typical questions for prospects to answer before preparing a formal proposal:
1. What are you currently paying?
2. Can we meet to review your accounting records/systems?
3. How much time does your firm currently spend auditing on the site?
4. Are there any prior management letters?
5. What are your needs?
6. Are you in need of any services that your current auditor isn't providing?
7. Why are you considering changing auditors?
8. What type of format would you like us to use for the proposal-e.g.,e-mail, hard copy?
9. When is the decision going to be made?
10. What other firms are bidding on the job?

11. Do we need to number our answers to RFP questions?