Responsibilities of Supervisor, Tax, and Signature Review Responsibilities of Supervisor, Tax, and Signature Review Engagement Team Goals Workpapers are complete and accurate Tax returns are completed in accordance with the IRS and firm standards Procedures performed are complete and appropriately documented Completion of engagement in a timely and efficient manner Each reviewer should be comfortable with the return being issued as it passes their level Goal of Each Level of Review Ensure that each previous preparer or reviewer has completed their task Review at each level is to ensure return is correct both technically and visually Common Issues and Problems Too many errors or revisions are identified at each stage, indicating issues that should have been caught during the previous review level. Excessive work is shifting to higher-level employees due to incomplete or below-standard work at the preceding level. Reviewer's Responsibility: Supervisor Review Use Preparer Quick check to determine if the return needs to be returned to the preparer before beginning full supervisor review. See KSM Way - Quick Check article. Review and sign off on all work papers Responsible for detailed review of the return Lower risk areas Review for reasonableness Less focus on the detail Ensure that the return is completed appropriately without any glaring errors existing High risk areas Review work papers to ensure that sufficient procedures were performed relative to the risk Ensure that the conclusions support the work performed Determine that the conclusions and documentation is stated with enough support and clarity that the independent reviewer – (Tax, Signature, Other individual without any knowledge of the engagement) – will be able to reach the same conclusion. Determine that the work papers are consistent with the partner’s understanding of the issues and resolutions based on knowledge and discussions with the client Ensure that the work papers include documentation of any research performed to support conclusions Oversee the completion of Tax and Signature review points Ultimately responsible for the completed work papers and return Tax Review Review returns to ensure they are completed in accordance with IRS and firm standards. A tax review is an analytical and theory-based review. It will look for items that do not look correct on the face of the returns as well as the K-1 footnotes. It will also include more detailed review for issues identified by the preparer and other potential issues identified in the review. Review preparer questions, supervisor review comments, future carryforward comments, and open items lists Review all high-risk areas for the following: Sufficient procedures or research were performed to support the conclusions Documentation of appropriate research or discussions necessary to support return positions Assist engagement team with research Signature Review Scan the return to verify that it is correct on its face Review only selected work papers as deemed necessary Work papers should be selected for review based on their significant risk to the return Signature Reviewer should take care not to re-perform steps completed by previous reviewers Sign off on return and FORWARD the job to Tax Processing, and advanced workflow status to SIGNED TO TAX PROCESSING.