ASK KSA Square
ASK KSA Square

Our Services

ASK KSA offers practical solutions to help ensure SMPs conduct engagements in an effective and efficient manner and meet the requirements of being in public practice.
ASK KSA provides customized consulting and advisory services tailored to your firm. We spend time listening and understanding challenges to get to know your firm, along with your goals and objectives. Our established and proven methodology is customized to specific circumstances. We deliver practical and informative verifiable CPD courses to help firms meet their CPD requirements.
Learn more about services we have to offer...
We know the challenges of being in public practice, it is hard to keep up to date and that is where we come in. We provide practical guidance comes from someone who has “been there, done that”. Working with ASK KSA is like adding an experienced business advisor to your team.
Meeting quality standards is critical in public practice. No one wants to issue an incorrect report. Firms must comply with Canadian Quality Management Standards which address with a firm’s responsibilities related to quality in assurance and other engagements. The requirements of the Quality Management standards are to establish and maintain a system of quality management to ensures the reports issued by the firm are appropriate in the circumstances. The system of quality management addresses eight required components.
 
We help to ensure that your firm is onside with these standards, help reduce your risk and implement quality processes that are practical and effective.
 
Specific services include: 
• Assisting in the design, implementation and operation of a system of quality management
• Reviewing quality management systems and best practice recommendations 
• Performing cyclical file inspections (peer review)
• Monitoring activities and support in remediation processes
• Reviewing and updating Quality Manuals
• Completing compliance assessments and gap analysis
Cyclical file inspections are required but they take time. And the challenge is what do you look for to make the exercise valuable. We perform cyclical file inspections to help firms meet the quality requirements. In doing so, we do point out deficiencies and provide practical solutions on how to address them. However, we also focus on opportunities for file efficiencies. If we identify an area where we believe you can save time but revising documentation, we always point this out. We also can prepare tailored in-house verifiable CPD training courses for your CPAs so you can be more efficient in the future.
 
At any stage of the work – planning, execution and completion – we help ensure firms are performing effective and efficient engagements, saving time and increasing margins.
 
Specific services include:
• Inspecting files to identify deficiencies in meeting standards
• Identifying opportunities for efficiencies
• Reviewing approach and making recommendations on planning
• Providing feedback on engagements 
• Developing tools and templates for improved job performance
• Evaluating specific audit procedures and making recommendations
• Review of completion documentation for improved efficiencies
We know what it is like to go through a practice inspection. These inspections are necessary in our profession but aren’t always fun and can take up more time and energy than required. We can assist you in every aspect of the practice inspection process. From providing pre-inspection consultation, developing your response and assisting in developing and implementing a corrective action plan, we provide the support required. Action planning may also include delivering verifiable CPD courses for your CPAs and we can tailor any course to your specific needs. 

We assist you throughout the process to make it as painless as possible so you can focus on what is important to you, your clients. 
 
Specific services include:
• Navigating through the process
• Completing file inspections 
• Assisting in preparing response to practice inspection findings
• Drafting a corrective action plan
• Developing appropriate follow up or remedial actions in instances of non-compliance
• Supporting the implementation of corrective actions 
• Monitoring of timeframe of recommendations
There are times where a firm may require an Engagement Quality Reviewer (EQR) due to the nature of their clients. Or, an engagement team may come across a complex issue they have never faced before. We are there to support you as needed. We can perform EQR reviews, consult on an isolated matter or review financial statements. As a result of our experience, we have encountered many issues and typically have a recommended solution or approach. An independent advisor who has “been there, done that” can be a valuable resource.
 
We have the experience to understand what is required to move to the next step in turn, providing quicker resolution of issues. We provide peace of mind.
 
Specific services include:
• Performing engagement quality reviews on specified engagements
• Reviewing financial statements 
• Consulting on difficult or contentious matters
• Assisting in research and documentation of issues
• Providing recommendations on resolution and next steps 

We know how challenging it can be for CPAs in public practice to find practical verifiable CPD courses. ASK KSA PD courses are unique as they are informative, practical and engaging. Based on over 30 years experience, we provide courses that include practical application, illustrative guidance and real-life examples. ASK KSA courses are different.

If you are going to invest time in CPD, you might as well make it worth your while. With today’s ever-changing standards, it can be challenging for SMPs keep up. We provide professional development (PD) courses to SMPs through in-house classes, virtual live sessions and online on demand offerings. PD courses qualify for verifiable continuing professional development (CPD) hours that are required in the CPA profession. All of our CPD courses qualify for verifiable training hours. 
 
Specific services include: 
• Developing and delivering in-house training courses incorporating your firm’s tools and templates
• Training on new assurance and other standards including file implementation 
• Training on efficient documentation to meet assurance and other standards
• Training on specific audit procedures 
• Training on other practice management skills such as file review or critical thinking
Don't forget to check out our professional development courses.
I had the opportunity to work with Kirsten many times now. She always provides us with excellent services on a very timely manner. She is meticulous in her work and has always completed the assignments before the deadlines. In future I would definitely like to hire her for more assignments.
Bhaskar Mahajan
Ramsey & Mahajan, Accountants & Consultants
We appreciated working with Kirsten on this file efficiency review. She has really helped us save time in the approach to our engagements. We definitely plan on continuing to use her services to get us up to speed in the next couple of months as we just don’t have the time in-house to deal with this stuff.
Howard Wirch
Accent Chartered Professional Accountants
I met Kirsten a couple of years ago attending a professional development course and am very glad our paths have crossed. She has been assisting our firm with annual monitoring of our assurance files and has helped us with practical recommendations to be more efficient and still meet the required standards. Due to her in depth knowledge and ability to present the information in a way to keep practitioners engaged, we have also had her coming back for professional development courses throughout the years. She is readily available for any advice needed and her passion for this profession shows in all she does. We really value the resource we have in Kirsten!
Sanet Nel
Craig & Ross Chartered Professional Accountants
I sincerely enjoy working with Kirsten and we are grateful that we have someone with her knowledge to turn to for assistance. Having another person with another perspective has provided me much needed relief as a sole practitioner.
Rosanna Sternat
Sternat & Associates Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.
Kirsten provided very valuable advice to me when I engaged her to be a second partner on a very challenging client issue. As a result of her guidance, I was comfortable with next steps and final resolution, as was my client. I would not hesitate to work with her again.
Mark Dubusschere
McClelland Debusschere Chartered Professional Accountants
Kirsten has become a valued resource to our firm. We have benefited from Kirsten's extensive experience as a public accountant through her training courses. We found her course to be intensely practical, and we came away with some great resources to help us implement the standard efficiently and effectively in our firm.
Adam Kilfoyle
Heartland Chartered Professional Accountants LLP

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that you cannot find the answer to, contact us and will provide a response.

We understand the many challenges of being in public practice with our over 30 years of experience. We offer practical advice and creative solutions to meeting the requirements of being in public practice. We understand the technical requirements and the importance of meeting them but have a realistic approach in doing so. We provide an independent and unbiased view to help you save time and achieve peace of mind. Working with us is like adding an experienced business advisor to your team. We also provide verifiable CPD training courses for CPAs in Canada. Our professional development courses are unique as they are practical. 

There are many situations where an independent advisor may be used to help you save time. Standards are constantly changing and it is hard to keep up and that is where we come in. We have an established approach to help you meet the requirements. Your “internal” work is our “external” work, we get it done promptly and efficiently. An independent advisor who has “been there, done that” is be a valuable resource. I have the experience and ability to understand what is required to move to the next step which provides quicker resolution of issues. I also provide verifiable CPD courses for CPAs in public practice that are practical with tips and tools that you can use in your practice. 

As an assurance partner of a national public accounting firm I acquired a strong technical background while at the same time, the soft skills required to deal with clients. I know what it is like to be your shoes. We have dealt with, and resolved, many unusual and complex issues related to both auditing and accounting . There are very few situations we have not encountered and we can help you with yours. 

Practice inspections are a necessary aspect of our profession but they can take unnecessary time and energy, especially if the results are not what you expected. I know first-hand what it feels like to be subject to a practice inspection and have experienced the wide range of emotions that comes along with it. Throughout my career, I have been subject to many practice inspections and as a result I know how to navigate through the process, respond to findings and develop action plans for corrective actions so you are inspected in a normal timeframe.

In public practice, we often come across issues where we don’t immediately know the answer. That is the time to consult and how I can help save you time. Most likely, as a result of my over 30 years of experience, I know the action steps to take to resolve and issue. And, if I don’t, I have an extensive network of clients and past contact that I can reach out to. 

Consultation and documentation of such consultations is an easy way to address quality. Often because a firm does not know who to turn to, firms do not consult when a complex situation, such as a complicated accounting issue that requires a lot of judgment, is encountered. An experienced advisor can provide an unbiased view of the facts to assist the firm in arriving at an appropriate decision.

We know the challenges faced in being in public practice and keeping up to date. We understand the nature of public practice, especially when it comes to auditing less complex entities. You have to follow the standards, yet we all know clients do not care what is documented in the engagement file, they just care about the valuable advice you can provide them. The challenge is meeting the standards to be effective but at the same time saving time to be efficient. We know that one of the answers lies in having a clear understanding of the standards and using tools and templates to meet the standards.

The AASB and CPA Canada are addressing issues faced in auditing less complex entities (LCE) and as I am member of a task force with both of these groups, I provide feedback on the challenges that SMPs face in auditing LCEs. Changes are coming.

No, my first objective is always to determine how I can help you save time and meet the requirements of being in public practice. I do have templates that I follow when performing monitoring or file inspections however, I recognize each situation is unique and therefore adapt and tailor reporting to meet the individual circumstances. I ensure I listen to you to understand your needs and deliver what you require. Any verifiable CPD course that is delivered in-house is always tailored to the firm’s requirements. 

I am here to support CPAs in public practice. I have a customized approach and am willing to work with you in whatever capacity you need. I am happy to talk to you to determine what specific service you require and we will work with you to meet your goals and objectives. More often that not, I have an idea on action steps to resolve issues or challenge you are facing. We work together to find solutions. 

My philosophy is to come up with a practical approach in everything I do. I know that clients do not care what is documented in files but we have to meet the standards. The ability to balance efficiency, doing the right amount of work, with effectiveness, doing the right work, is critical and always top of mind for me. Oh yeah, I love to have a lot of fun along the way.

 

Our Services

ASK KSA offers practical solutions to help ensure SMPs conduct engagements in an effective and efficient manner and meet the requirements of being in public practice.
ASK KSA provides customized consulting and advisory services tailored to your firm. We spend time listening and understanding challenges to get to know your firm, along with your goals and objectives. Our established and proven methodology is customized to specific circumstances. We deliver practical and informative verifiable CPD courses to help firms meet their CPD requirements.
Learn more about services we have to offer...
We know the challenges of being in public practice, it is hard to keep up to date and that is where we come in. We provide practical guidance comes from someone who has “been there, done that”. Working with ASK KSA is like adding an experienced business advisor to your team.
Meeting quality standards is critical in public practice. No one wants to issue an incorrect report. Firms must comply with Canadian Quality Management Standards which address with a firm’s responsibilities related to quality in assurance and other engagements. The requirements of the Quality Management standards are to establish and maintain a system of quality management to ensures the reports issued by the firm are appropriate in the circumstances. The system of quality management addresses eight required components.
 
We help to ensure that your firm is onside with these standards, help reduce your risk and implement quality processes that are practical and effective.
 
Specific services include: 
• Assisting in the design, implementation and operation of a system of quality management
• Reviewing quality management systems and best practice recommendations 
• Performing cyclical file inspections (peer review)
• Monitoring activities and support in remediation processes
• Reviewing and updating Quality Manuals
• Completing compliance assessments and gap analysis
Cyclical file inspections are required but they take time. And the challenge is what do you look for to make the exercise valuable. We perform cyclical file inspections to help firms meet the quality requirements. In doing so, we do point out deficiencies and provide practical solutions on how to address them. However, we also focus on opportunities for file efficiencies. If we identify an area where we believe you can save time but revising documentation, we always point this out. We also can prepare tailored in-house verifiable CPD training courses for your CPAs so you can be more efficient in the future.
 
At any stage of the work – planning, execution and completion – we help ensure firms are performing effective and efficient engagements, saving time and increasing margins.
 
Specific services include:
• Inspecting files to identify deficiencies in meeting standards
• Identifying opportunities for efficiencies
• Reviewing approach and making recommendations on planning
• Providing feedback on engagements 
• Developing tools and templates for improved job performance
• Evaluating specific audit procedures and making recommendations
• Review of completion documentation for improved efficiencies
We know what it is like to go through a practice inspection. These inspections are necessary in our profession but aren’t always fun and can take up more time and energy than required. We can assist you in every aspect of the practice inspection process. From providing pre-inspection consultation, developing your response and assisting in developing and implementing a corrective action plan, we provide the support required. Action planning may also include delivering verifiable CPD courses for your CPAs and we can tailor any course to your specific needs. 

We assist you throughout the process to make it as painless as possible so you can focus on what is important to you, your clients. 
 
Specific services include:
• Navigating through the process
• Completing file inspections 
• Assisting in preparing response to practice inspection findings
• Drafting a corrective action plan
• Developing appropriate follow up or remedial actions in instances of non-compliance
• Supporting the implementation of corrective actions 
• Monitoring of timeframe of recommendations
There are times where a firm may require an Engagement Quality Reviewer (EQR) due to the nature of their clients. Or, an engagement team may come across a complex issue they have never faced before. We are there to support you as needed. We can perform EQR reviews, consult on an isolated matter or review financial statements. As a result of our experience, we have encountered many issues and typically have a recommended solution or approach. An independent advisor who has “been there, done that” can be a valuable resource.
 
We have the experience to understand what is required to move to the next step in turn, providing quicker resolution of issues. We provide peace of mind.
 
Specific services include:
• Performing engagement quality reviews on specified engagements
• Reviewing financial statements 
• Consulting on difficult or contentious matters
• Assisting in research and documentation of issues
• Providing recommendations on resolution and next steps 

We know how challenging it can be for CPAs in public practice to find practical verifiable CPD courses. ASK KSA PD courses are unique as they are informative, practical and engaging. Based on over 30 years experience, we provide courses that include practical application, illustrative guidance and real-life examples. ASK KSA courses are different.

If you are going to invest time in CPD, you might as well make it worth your while. With today’s ever-changing standards, it can be challenging for SMPs keep up. We provide professional development (PD) courses to SMPs through in-house classes, virtual live sessions and online on demand offerings. PD courses qualify for verifiable continuing professional development (CPD) hours that are required in the CPA profession. All of our CPD courses qualify for verifiable training hours. 
 
Specific services include: 
• Developing and delivering in-house training courses incorporating your firm’s tools and templates
• Training on new assurance and other standards including file implementation 
• Training on efficient documentation to meet assurance and other standards
• Training on specific audit procedures 
• Training on other practice management skills such as file review or critical thinking
Don't forget to check out our professional development courses.
I had the opportunity to work with Kirsten many times now. She always provides us with excellent services on a very timely manner. She is meticulous in her work and has always completed the assignments before the deadlines. In future I would definitely like to hire her for more assignments.
Bhaskar Mahajan
Ramsey & Mahajan, Accountants & Consultants
We appreciated working with Kirsten on this file efficiency review. She has really helped us save time in the approach to our engagements. We definitely plan on continuing to use her services to get us up to speed in the next couple of months as we just don’t have the time in-house to deal with this stuff.
Howard Wirch
Accent Chartered Professional Accountants
I met Kirsten a couple of years ago attending a professional development course and am very glad our paths have crossed. She has been assisting our firm with annual monitoring of our assurance files and has helped us with practical recommendations to be more efficient and still meet the required standards. Due to her in depth knowledge and ability to present the information in a way to keep practitioners engaged, we have also had her coming back for professional development courses throughout the years. She is readily available for any advice needed and her passion for this profession shows in all she does. We really value the resource we have in Kirsten!
Sanet Nel
Craig & Ross Chartered Professional Accountants
I sincerely enjoy working with Kirsten and we are grateful that we have someone with her knowledge to turn to for assistance. Having another person with another perspective has provided me much needed relief as a sole practitioner.
Rosanna Sternat
Sternat & Associates Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.
Kirsten provided very valuable advice to me when I engaged her to be a second partner on a very challenging client issue. As a result of her guidance, I was comfortable with next steps and final resolution, as was my client. I would not hesitate to work with her again.
Mark Dubusschere
McClelland Debusschere Chartered Professional Accountants
Kirsten has become a valued resource to our firm. We have benefited from Kirsten's extensive experience as a public accountant through her training courses. We found her course to be intensely practical, and we came away with some great resources to help us implement the standard efficiently and effectively in our firm.
Adam Kilfoyle
Heartland Chartered Professional Accountants LLP

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that you cannot find the answer to, contact us and will provide a response.

We understand the many challenges of being in public practice with our over 30 years of experience. We offer practical advice and creative solutions to meeting the requirements of being in public practice. We understand the technical requirements and the importance of meeting them but have a realistic approach in doing so. We provide an independent and unbiased view to help you save time and achieve peace of mind. Working with us is like adding an experienced business advisor to your team. We also provide verifiable CPD training courses for CPAs in Canada. Our professional development courses are unique as they are practical. 

There are many situations where an independent advisor may be used to help you save time. Standards are constantly changing and it is hard to keep up and that is where we come in. We have an established approach to help you meet the requirements. Your “internal” work is our “external” work, we get it done promptly and efficiently. An independent advisor who has “been there, done that” is be a valuable resource. I have the experience and ability to understand what is required to move to the next step which provides quicker resolution of issues. I also provide verifiable CPD courses for CPAs in public practice that are practical with tips and tools that you can use in your practice. 

As an assurance partner of a national public accounting firm I acquired a strong technical background while at the same time, the soft skills required to deal with clients. I know what it is like to be your shoes. We have dealt with, and resolved, many unusual and complex issues related to both auditing and accounting . There are very few situations we have not encountered and we can help you with yours. 

Practice inspections are a necessary aspect of our profession but they can take unnecessary time and energy, especially if the results are not what you expected. I know first-hand what it feels like to be subject to a practice inspection and have experienced the wide range of emotions that comes along with it. Throughout my career, I have been subject to many practice inspections and as a result I know how to navigate through the process, respond to findings and develop action plans for corrective actions so you are inspected in a normal timeframe.

In public practice, we often come across issues where we don’t immediately know the answer. That is the time to consult and how I can help save you time. Most likely, as a result of my over 30 years of experience, I know the action steps to take to resolve and issue. And, if I don’t, I have an extensive network of clients and past contact that I can reach out to. 

Consultation and documentation of such consultations is an easy way to address quality. Often because a firm does not know who to turn to, firms do not consult when a complex situation, such as a complicated accounting issue that requires a lot of judgment, is encountered. An experienced advisor can provide an unbiased view of the facts to assist the firm in arriving at an appropriate decision.

We know the challenges faced in being in public practice and keeping up to date. We understand the nature of public practice, especially when it comes to auditing less complex entities. You have to follow the standards, yet we all know clients do not care what is documented in the engagement file, they just care about the valuable advice you can provide them. The challenge is meeting the standards to be effective but at the same time saving time to be efficient. We know that one of the answers lies in having a clear understanding of the standards and using tools and templates to meet the standards.

The AASB and CPA Canada are addressing issues faced in auditing less complex entities (LCE) and as I am member of a task force with both of these groups, I provide feedback on the challenges that SMPs face in auditing LCEs. Changes are coming.

No, my first objective is always to determine how I can help you save time and meet the requirements of being in public practice. I do have templates that I follow when performing monitoring or file inspections however, I recognize each situation is unique and therefore adapt and tailor reporting to meet the individual circumstances. I ensure I listen to you to understand your needs and deliver what you require. Any verifiable CPD course that is delivered in-house is always tailored to the firm’s requirements. 

I am here to support CPAs in public practice. I have a customized approach and am willing to work with you in whatever capacity you need. I am happy to talk to you to determine what specific service you require and we will work with you to meet your goals and objectives. More often that not, I have an idea on action steps to resolve issues or challenge you are facing. We work together to find solutions. 

My philosophy is to come up with a practical approach in everything I do. I know that clients do not care what is documented in files but we have to meet the standards. The ability to balance efficiency, doing the right amount of work, with effectiveness, doing the right work, is critical and always top of mind for me. Oh yeah, I love to have a lot of fun along the way.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact us to find out more about our services and how we can help you save time and achieve peace of mind. Kirsten S. Albo, FCPA, FCA, ICD.D Phone: 1.204.228.2529 Email: askksa@ksaconsultinginc.com

WHO WE ARE

Kirsten uses her knowledge and expertise built from over 30 years of experience in public practice. She is recognized for her technical knowledge and practice style along with her drive, passion and leadership. She is innovative with a results-oriented approach. READ MORE

WHAT WE DO

ASK KSA provides consulting and advisory services to small- to mid-sized practitioners to help them save time and achieve peace of mind by meeting the requirements of public practice. We provide practical solutions to SMPs on conducting effective and efficient engagements. READ MORE

KEEP UP-TO-DATE

The standards are constantly changing and there are other evolving shifts in the profession making it challenge to keep up to date. Each month ASK KSA releases an update on technical requirements, practice management and professional development topics. SIGN UP