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Work with world-class audit specialists and technical experts based in Ballarat, supporting clients across regional Australia.
RSM's Ballarat Audit & Assurance team delivers technically rigorous audit and assurance services to organisations across regional Australia.
Is your auditor delivering value or just compliance?
At RSM, we believe that audits are an opportunity. We offer an end-to-end audit solution designed to add value to your audit experience. Whether you are preparing for an external audit or completing year-end audits, our Ballarat audit team has you covered.
Our Services
Lets discuss your audit requirements. Whether you're planning your next audit, reviewing your reporting obligations or seeking independent assurance, we're here to help.
We deliver financial statement audit services that establish the integrity and reliability of the information provided, working closely with your board, audit committee, CFO and accounting team. We identify your business’s key risks and the pivotal internal controls that will help to minimise them. Learn more.
A practising solicitor maintains a solicitor trust account to handle trust money on behalf of clients. An annual audit by an external examiner is required by law. RSM supports you and your firm ensuring all statutory timeframes are met.
Real estate agencies maintains real estate trust accounts to manage trust money on behalf of clients. Australian legislation requires these accounts to be audited at least annually. RSM can not only provide your audit but also actionable insights to help you improve your operations.
A grant acquittal audit is a key accountability requirement imposed by the funding providers. Its purpose is to provide an independent assurance opinion on whether funding has been used for the purpose for which it was intended in accordance with the grant agreement guidelines. RSM can help you ensure compliance.
Our experts provide financial reporting and auditing advice to a huge variety of entities. No matter the size of the business, a thorough grasp of current accounting and financial reporting standards is vital. RSM will help you to stay one step ahead by providing pragmatic financial reporting and advice.
We use our expertise to advise our clients on compliance with regulatory requirements. Our team are up to date with these requirements, allowing us to give advice that is accurate and pragmatic. Contact RSM for assistance with regulatory compliance and reporting.
Partnering with your CFO and finance team, RSM brings deep experience to deliver fit‑for‑purpose solutions to your most critical finance challenges. Our CFO Advisory leverages automation and modern technology to streamline processes and strengthen controls to free up your people to focus on value‑adding work instead.
RSM’s audit preparation services are designed to help you organise, reconcile, and present your financial data with clarity and confidence. We work closely with your team to ensure all key areas are addressed ahead of your external audit, reducing disruption and supporting a smooth review process.
Our services include:
- Preparation and reconciliation of significant account balances
- Prepare a detailed schedules to support financial statement disclosure (prepayments and accrued expenses)
- Gather and file supporting documentation in one accessible location for your audit team
- Prepare revenue assessments to determine current-year income versus revenue in advance for accurate reporting
- Review outstanding invoices and identify potential write-offs
- Calculate annual leave and long service leave provisions in line with accounting standards
- Engage independent valuers with appropriate instructions during revaluation years
- Track and reconcile externally managed investments
- Assist with lease-related accounting and ensure compliance with disclosure requirements
- Maintain and reconcile your asset register, including depreciation schedules
- Document additions, disposals, and transfers for the audit period
- Prepare complete financial statements, including the cash flow statement, ready for audit submission
Why choose the audit team at RSM in Ballarat?
Strategic audits that go beyond compliance, delivering insights into business risks, inefficiencies, and future regulatory obligations
Deep experience supporting Ballarat and regional Australian businesses across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors
Tailored audit approach built on understanding your business goals, empowering confident and informed decision-making
Meet your local Audit and Assurance Ballarat team
Who needs an audit?
Audit requirements vary depending on the size, structure and regulatory obligations of your organisation. While some entities are legally required to undertake an independent audit, many others choose to do so to improve governance, strengthen financial reporting and provide greater confidence to stakeholders.
Organisations that commonly require audit and assurance services include:
- Large proprietary companies that meet the reporting requirements of the Corporations Act.
- Public companies and listed entities that require annual financial statement audits.
- Not-for-profit organisations and charities seeking transparency, accountability and compliance with funding or regulatory obligations.
- Government agencies and public sector organisations requiring independent assurance over financial reporting and governance.
- Australian subsidiaries of international businesses that need to meet local statutory reporting obligations.
- Organisations receiving government grants or managing trust accounts, where independent assurance may be required by funding agreements or legislation.
Even where an audit is not mandatory, many organisations choose to undertake an independent audit to improve governance, strengthen internal controls, support financing arrangements, satisfy investors and demonstrate transparency to customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.
FAQs about Audit and Assurance
An audit is an independent examination of an organisation’s financial statements, records and supporting evidence. The purpose is to provide assurance that the financial statements present a true and fair view and comply with relevant accounting standards and reporting requirements.
A quality audit can also identify opportunities to improve internal controls, strengthen financial reporting processes and support better governance.
A review engagement is less comprehensive than a full audit. Audits involve thorough procedures, testing, verification, and risk assessments. Reviews are more limited - they provide moderate assurance, rely more on inquiry and analytical procedures, and don’t include the same level of substantive testing. An audit gives higher assurance and involves more extensive testing of financial records, internal controls and supporting evidence, resulting in an independent audit opinion. A review involves fewer procedures and provides limited assurance over an organisation's financial statements.
Good preparation includes ensuring financial records are complete and accurate, internal controls are functioning, risk areas identified (including going concern, new regulatory requirements), accounting estimates are documented, and disclosures are up-to-date. Having clarity around those items helps audits run more smoothly and outcomes to be more reliable.
An independent audit helps build confidence in your financial reporting, strengthens governance, improves internal controls and supports compliance with regulatory requirements. It can also provide valuable insights into business risks and opportunities for improvement, helping boards, management, investors and lenders make informed decisions with confidence.
Many organisations undergo annual external examinations without receiving meaningful feedback or recommended improvements. In some cases, they only hear from their examiners once a year. Our audit preparation services not only help you meet compliance requirements but also provide valuable insights that can enhance your financial operations and decision-making.
A trust account audit is an independent review of how trust money is received, recorded and managed. The audit helps determine whether the trust account complies with the legislation and regulatory requirements that apply to the organisation. Learn more about RSM’s solicitor trust account audit services and real estate trust account audit services.
Client story: Murray Cod Australia
In this client testimonial, Mathew Ryan and Wendy Dillon share how RSM’s regional audit team supports Murray Cod Australia through its half-year and full-year audits, while also providing practical insights across reporting, governance and compliance. Hear how responsive support and genuine industry understanding have helped Murray Cod Australia strengthen confidence as the business continues to grow.
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