Audits are a good thing. Your annual audit is a critical tool to ensure that your financial procedures are in order and your financial systems are strong. There is a lot you can do to prepare for your audit, to ensure it goes smoothly and quickly. This will save you money and establish a healthy relationship with your auditor, who can become a valuable ally to help develop strong financial controls and reporting, which can improve the confidence of your board and your funders moving forward.

Learning objectives

• Understand which organizations need to have their books audited
• Know what statements you need to prepare
• Know what documentation to prepare, and how to prepare it to ensure a smooth audit
• Internal controls you can use to improve your organization’s financial practices

Who should attend
Everyone who is involved with organizational finances, which could include anyone on the board, as well as Bookkeeper, Office Coordinator, Program Managers, or Executive Director.

About your Instructors
Annik Blanchard, CPA, CA, is a Partner in BDO Canada with over 18 years of professional experience providing assurance services to not-for-profit and public sector organizations.

Annik is actively involved in the community as a member of the Audit Committee for the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, an Audit and Finance Committee member for the Girl Guides of Canada and is a Board member for Embrun Watch. In addition, she volunteers through the CPA Canada financial literacy program for elementary and intermediate school students. Annik was named as a 2018 Forty Under 40 recipient (Ottawa).

Geneviève Chouinard, CPA, is a Manager with BDO Canada. She has a background in both Human Kinetics and Commerce, with almost 5 years of experience in Accounting and Assurance with various types of not-for-profit organizations and small and medium sized companies. Her not-for-profit experience includes national and local associations, charitable organizations, health organizations, foundations, pension plans, professional associations and childcare organizations.