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MAS Reviewer - Overview of MAS Practice
MAS Reviewer - Overview of MAS Practice
MAS Reviewer - Overview of MAS Practice
PURPOSE:
The Primary Purpose of Management Advisory Services (MAS) is to help improve client’s use of its
capabilities and resources in order to achieve its objectives.
In conducting MAS, the CPA should function only in the capacity of advisor and not as decision maker or
member of management. MAS are engagements or consultations and NOT recommendations and comments as
direct result of observations during audit or review.
DEFINITIONS:
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY SERVICES – The function of providing service and technical assistance where the
primary purpose is to help the client improve the use of its capabilities and resources to achieve its objectives.
MAS ENGAGEMENT – The form of MAS in which an analytical process in applied to a study or project.
MAS CONSULTATION – The form of MAS based on existing personal knowledge about the client, its
circumstances, the matters involved, and the mutual intent of the parties.
MAS PRACTITIONER – One who performs a MAS service for a client of a PICPA member or a PICPA member who
himself performs such service.
MAS LETTER OF PROPOSAL – It is written by the CPA and constitutes the CPA’s understanding of the work to be
done in an MAS engagement. It should contain the objectives, scope, approach, role of personnel, timing and fees,
benefits of the proposed plan, and the manner in which the end-results are to be communicated.
GENERAL STANDARDS:
1. Professional Competence – only such activities that a practitioner can reasonably expect to complete
with professional competence should be undertaken.
2. Due Professional Care – A practitioner should always exercise due care in the performance of any MAS
service.
3. Planning and Supervision – Every MAS engagement should be properly planned and supervised.
4. Sufficient Relevant Data – A practitioner should obtain sufficient relevant data to afford a reasonable
basis for conclusions or recommendations.
5. Forecasts – Practitioner’s name shall not be used in a manner, which may lead to the belief that he
vouches for the achievability of a forecast.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS:
1. Role of MAS Practitioner - an MAS practitioner should not assume the role of management or act in any
manner that would impair his objectivity.
2. Understanding with Client - An oral or written understanding should be reached concerning the nature,
scope, and limitations of the engagement.
3. Client Benefit - The client should be advised of any reservations regarding the potential benefits of a
proposed engagement. Specific results should never be implicitly or explicitly guaranteed. Any
quantifiable results, which are estimated should be identified as estimates and proper support should be
provided. '
4. Communication of Results - All significant information, including any limitations, qualifications, or
reservations, should be presented to the client.
MAS ENGAGEMENTS
A MAS practitioner must apply his knowledge and skill with reasonable care and diligence. He does not,
however, assume responsibility for infallibility.
1. Should be obtained in order to complete engagement in manner consistent with client understanding:
a. May be obtained by interview, observation, computation, research, analysis and review of client
documents.
b. Nature and quality of information necessary will vary with scope and circumstances of
engagement.
2. Professional judgment should be exercised in determining what constitutes sufficient relevant data. The
practitioner should consider:
a. Objectives, nature and scope of engagement
b. Cost of gathering data versus the benefits of added data
c. Intended use of results
d. Source, reliability and completeness of data.
MAS CONSULTATIONS
The practitioner should exercise the care that advice is clearly communicated and that it does not generate a
degree of reliance that is inappropriate in light of qualifications that apply to the advice.
2. Limited, Special Study Engagement - In this engagement the client is seeking an impartial or objective
study of a particular area such as the selection of computer equipment. The practitioner participates
through the analysis and design steps with the client carrying-out the implementation step himself.
3. Limited Client Involvement - The practitioner should be cautious of limited client involvement in the
engagement. The client must be able to both assume complete responsibility for the changes in his
organization and carry on the program after implementation.