File Review and Quality Control Checklist

A reviewer’s checklist for accounts, corporation tax, Self Assessment, VAT and payroll files, with compliance checks, grading, action points and a file review register.

Editable Word document
9
10pages
Guidance notes included
aml consultancy solutions

Accountancy practice – compliance & management

File Review and Quality Control Checklist

About this document

What it’s for

A structured checklist for reviewing completed client files before work is signed off (a “hot” review) or afterwards as part of your quality monitoring (a “cold” review). It covers engagement and money laundering compliance, each main type of work, documentation standards, a file grade and an action plan.

When to use it

  • Before accounts or returns are sent to the client for approval (hot review)
  • For annual cold file reviews of a sample of files per staff member
  • To prepare for a professional body monitoring visit

What’s inside

The document is laid out in the sections below. Each one comes with a plain-English guidance note explaining what it does and what to change.

  • File details
  • Section A – Engagement and compliance (every file)
  • Section B – Accounts preparation
  • Section C – Corporation tax
  • Section D – Self Assessment and MTD for Income Tax
  • Section E – VAT
  • Section F – Payroll
  • Section G – Documentation and review evidence
  • Section H – Reviewer’s conclusion
  • Action points

How to complete it

  • Complete the file details and the general compliance section on every file
  • Use only the work sections that apply to the file
  • Answer Y, N or N/A and give a reference or comment for every N
  • Grade the file and agree action points with the preparer

Key points to check

  • Your professional body’s current quality management expectations (and ISQM (UK) 1 for audit firms)
  • Update technical points each year for Finance Act and filing changes

Our templates are professionally structured starting points for UK businesses, not legal advice. For anything complex, unusual or high-value, have your final version checked by a solicitor.

Included in the pack

Accountancy practice – compliance & management

£20

for every document in this category

Editable Microsoft Word files

Guidance notes in every document

Written for UK businesses

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