Specialist advisory services authorisation

Scott Barnes
Global leader - Specialist advisory services
Grant Thornton International

An authorisation process for specialist advisory services is in place to support the development of high quality services on a global basis across the organisation. This authorisation process sets out a number of requirements relating to risk management and quality control that supports the delivery of these services by member firms including requirements that authorised firms:

• have written risk management procedures that comply with requirements set by Grant Thornton International;
• regularly review compliance with those procedures;
• provide appropriate training to personnel involved in specialist advisory services.

Member firms that seek authorisation for the first time are subjected to an initial review and support visit to assist them in meeting the authorisation requirements and assess their ability to deliver services. All authorised firms are then subject to a periodic review, at least once every three years, to review compliance with authorisation requirements. Action plans are developed and monitored as part of this review process.