Our Services for Banks and Thrifts

Opinion Audits- Full Scope or Balance Sheet Only

The Bank Board can engage Helin & Donovan, LLC to perform an opinion audit on the financial statements. Under FDICIA, federally insured banks and thrifts with over $150 million or more in assets typically must have an opinion audit. 

 

Directors’ Exams
The Directors’ Exams are designed to perform an in-depth review of the financial condition of banks/thrifts. Our annual review includes a list of minimum prescribed procedures that must be performed annually. These reviews comply with the FDIC’s or OTS regulations as well as SAS No. 75.  One of our principals has over 18 years experience in performing financial services industry audits and accounting, including significant experience with Banks and Thrifts.

 

Internal Audit Program
The internal audit "outsource" program is an in-depth review of operations and internal controls is a cost-effective alternative to hiring a full-time internal auditor and is specifically tailored to meet the needs of Banks.

 

Tax Compliance and Planning

Our firm can provide tax return preparation, tax return reviews, tax planning and consulting, and state and local tax compliance services for Banks and their subsidiaries.  One of our principals has over 13 years of experience in taxation.

 

Mergers and Acquisition Consulting and Due Diligence

Our firm can assist your Bank in evaluating merger candidates by providing financial projections, performing due diligence, evaluating possible cost savings, and providing tax planning and analysis.  Tom Donovan has provided such assistance on over 30 Bank transactions.

 

Investments Advisory Services

Our principals have significant experience in evaluating, reporting on, or advising our clients with respect to investments, investment policy and procedures, Asset Liability Management, and investment products.  One principal has passed the Series 65 exam and the other has passed the Series 7 registered securities representative exam.

 

ACH Audits
We can perform the annual ACH Audit for your Bank.

 

Loan Reviews

We can provide an analysis over the adequacy of allowance for possible loan losses, evaluate compliance with the Bank’s underwriting requirements, evaluate the effectiveness of the Bank’s loan policies, and perform analysis of loan product profitability.

 

Compliance Attestation Report Regarding Federal Student Loan Programs

Financial institutions that originate or hold more than $5 million in loans under one or more of the Federal Family Education Loan programs in any fiscal year must have compliance attestation engagements.

 

Attestation Report- Internal Controls or Laws and Regulations

The engagement will report on management’s written assertion about either (a) an entity’s compliance with requirements of specified laws, regulations, rules, contracts, or grants (specified requirements) or (b) the effectiveness of an entity’s internal control over compliance with specified requirements. Required for Banks with $500 million in assets.

 

Performance Improvement and Profitability

We can perform an analysis of the Bank’s operations or components thereof and perform benchmarking, peer comparisons, activity based costing analysis, target pricing, margin analysis, and other procedures to evaluate and improve performance and profitability of the Bank.

Agreed Upon Procedures Reports
We will provide engagements to perform procedures agreed to by the Supervisory Committee or Board that can cover a wide range of issues facing Banks including fraud detection, expenses, reconciliations, regulatory compliance, account verification, and other procedures.

Mortgage or Broker/Dealer Subsidiary Audits

We can perform financial audits, HUD Audits, GNMA Audits, USAP Audits, MBFRF quarterly reports, NASD Compliance engagements, and other required regulatory reports for your Mortgage Banking or Broker/Dealer Subsidiary.  We have substantial experience in performing such work, including employment in two consumer finance companies.

 

General Responsibilities of the Bank Board of Director’s

The Board of Director’s is responsible for insuring that management of the Bank meet all required financial reporting objectives and maintain internal control practices and procedures sufficient to safeguard the Bank’s assets. To fulfill this responsibility, the Board must determine whether:

a.                  Internal controls are established and effectively maintained.

b.                  The Bank’s accounting records and financial reports are promptly prepared and accurately reflect the results of operations.

c.                  The plans, policies and control procedures established by the board are properly administered and conducted throughout the Bank.

d.                  Established policies and control procedures are sufficient to adequately safeguard against error, conflict of interest, self-dealing and fraud.

Additionally, the Board must carry out its responsibilities by ensuring that the Bank obtains an annual audit and performs verification of loan and depositors’ accounts.

 

Our firm has the services and resources to assist Banks of all sizes meet these responsibilities.