10/22/2024
<Client Representative>
<Client Name>
<Client Address>
Dear <Client Representative>:
This letter is to confirm our understanding of the terms and objectives of our engagement and the nature and limitations of the services we will provide. Please read this letter carefully, as it is important to both Krowne CPAs (“Firm”) and <Client> (“Client”) that you understand and accept the terms under which we have agreed to perform our services, as well as Management’s responsibilities under this agreement.
Administrative Services
You have asked for our firm’s administrative assistance to help you submit Client’s “initial” Beneficial Ownership Information (“BOI”) report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), as required under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). The BOI report is required to be submitted using FinCEN’s electronic filing system. For reporting companies in existence prior to January 1, 2024, the BOI report is due no later than January 1, 2025, and for reporting companies created on or after January 1, 2024, the BOI report is required to be filed within 90 days after their formation or registration.
Client agrees to provide us with all the required information and documentation deemed necessary to comply with applicable CTA regulations for your entity, all beneficial owners, and if applicable, the company applicant(s), for purposes of your BOI report filing.
In connection with the performance of our limited administrative services, we will rely solely on the accuracy and completeness of the information and documentation provided by you and your representatives. As Firm will not audit, review, or otherwise verify the information and documentation you provide, we cannot provide assurance on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided. Further, as we are not attorneys, we will not be responsible for advising you regarding any legal aspects of your company’s compliance with the CTA, including, but not limited to, whether any relationships constitute “beneficial ownership.”
Management Responsibilities and Representations
It is our understanding that Management has designated qualified individuals with suitable skills, knowledge and/or experience, preferably within senior management, to be responsible and accountable for overseeing the specified administrative services performed as part of this engagement. By your signature below, you acknowledge that Management agrees to evaluate the adequacy of, and accept responsibility for, the results of all the services performed as part of this agreement.
By your signature below, you represent, certify, and warrant to Firm that all information provided to us for purposes of this engagement will be true, correct, and complete, and agree that Firm may rely solely, without independent verification, on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided. As our services are limited in nature, our engagement cannot be relied on to disclose errors, fraud, or noncompliance with laws and regulations that may exist.
Client also understands and acknowledges that Firm will not be rendering any legal advice. This would include, but is not limited to, providing legal advice with respect to determining if an exemption applies to the nature of your entity or whether any relationships constitute “beneficial ownership.” Therefore, Management is responsible to engage separate legal counsel to assist in addressing any legal issues that may arise.
Client acknowledges and understands that under the terms of this agreement, Firm will not be responsible for providing any further services related to Client’s ongoing requirement to update and/or correct reports with FinCEN. Management accepts full responsibility for monitoring all reportable changes for its company and its beneficial owners (e.g., a change in beneficial owners, any change to a beneficial owner’s name, address, or unique identifying number, or any other information previously provided to FinCEN) and for ensuring that such changes are timely reported to FinCEN. Note that Reporting Companies must file updated or corrected reports within thirty (30) days of reportable changes or discovery of inaccurate information in previously filed reports. Penalties for noncompliance can be significant. If you need our assistance to prepare updated or corrected reports, Management agrees to advise us in writing at least fifteen (15) business days prior to the due date for submission and, if we agree to perform such services, we will confirm that in writing to you under a separate engagement letter.
Before we can submit your “initial” BOI report to FinCEN, we will require a letter from Management that confirms Management’s responsibilities and representations made for purposes of this engagement, as well as Management’s authorization for Firm to file Client’s BOI report on your behalf.
Fees
Basic Filing – $250
Filing Plus (includes Monthly Verification Service) – $500
Additional Beneficial Owners – $100/each
Other Matters
Because of the importance of oral and written management representations to the effective performance of our services, Client releases and indemnifies Firm and its personnel from any and all claims, liabilities, costs and expenses attributable to any misrepresentation by Management and its representatives.
In connection with this engagement, we may communicate with you or others via email transmission. We take reasonable measures to secure your confidential information in our email transmissions. However, as emails can be intercepted and read, disclosed, or otherwise used or communicated by an unintended third party, or may not be delivered to each of the parties to whom they are directed and only to such parties, we cannot guarantee or warrant that emails from us will be properly delivered and read only by the addressee. Therefore, we specifically disclaim and waive any liability or responsibility whatsoever for interception or unintentional disclosure or communication of email transmissions, or for the unauthorized use or failed delivery of emails transmitted by us in connection with the performance of this engagement. In that regard, you agree that we shall have no liability for any loss or damage to any person or entity resulting from the use of email transmissions, including any consequential, incidental, direct, indirect, or special damages, such as loss of sales or anticipated profits, or disclosure or communication of confidential or proprietary information.
It is our policy to keep records related to this engagement for 3 years. However, Firm does not keep any original client records, so we will return those to you at the completion of the services rendered under this engagement, if applicable. It is your responsibility to retain and protect your records (which includes any work product we provide to you as well as any records that we return) for possible future use, including potential examination by any government or regulatory agencies. Firm does not accept responsibility for hosting client information; therefore, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring you retain and maintain in your possession all your financial and non-financial information, data and records.
By your signature below, you acknowledge and agree that upon the expiration of the 3-year period, Firm shall be free to destroy our records related to this engagement.
If a dispute arises among the parties hereto, the parties agree to first try in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association under its applicable rules for resolving professional accounting and related services disputes before resorting to litigation. The costs of any mediation proceeding shall be shared equally by all parties.
Management and Firm both agree that any dispute over fees charged by the Firm to Management will be submitted for resolution by arbitration in accordance with the applicable rules for resolving professional accounting and related services disputes of the American Arbitration Association, except that under all circumstances the arbitrator must follow the laws of California. Such arbitration shall be binding and final. IN AGREEING TO ARBITRATION, WE BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE OVER FEES CHARGED BY THE FIRM, EACH OF US IS GIVING UP THE RIGHT TO HAVE THE DISPUTE DECIDED IN A COURT OF LAW BEFORE A JUDGE OR JURY AND INSTEAD WE ARE ACCEPTING THE USE OF ARBITRATION FOR RESOLUTION. The prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with the arbitration of the dispute in an amount to be determined by the arbitrator.
We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to your company and believe this letter accurately summarizes the significant terms of our engagement. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Very truly yours,
Krowne CPAs
