Technical & quality

Technical & Quality

The Firm ensures it has the technical expertise required to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations by investing in people, processes and technology in addition to developing our culture. 

People

Our people sit on technical committees that design and develop the next generation of technical know-how.

Processes

MKO operates best practice standards of quality control in all aspects of our work and communication with clients.  As part of MKO’s quality control and assurance procedures, the following firm wide policies are applicable to all our work:

• Recruitment – Our recruitment policies are designed to ensure that the calibre of staff recruited is exceptionally high and that all staff recruited are the right cultural fit for the Firm.
• Staff Training – We operate a high level of regular training for all staff as detailed above. This includes meeting and exceeding continuing professional development as set down by CAI in addition to regular internal training programmes designed to ensure quality is maintained at all times.
• Best Practice – We use best practice standards such as ‘CaseWare’, a best in class audit software package in relation to audit and assurance engagements undertaken.
• Compliance Officers – The appointment of a Compliance Officer and Compliance Partner ensures that all regulations (including health & safety) are followed, that best practice is implemented, and that the highest levels of quality is maintained in all areas.

Technology

Examples of the technology systems used by the Firm include:

• Encrypted Laptops – All staff performing on-site fieldwork utilise laptops which have encrypted hard drives. This provides a dual layer of password protection and prevents any unauthorised access to the contents of the computer.
• Information Technology Security – In order to ensure security of information during engagements a separate drive with limited access may be used to maximise security of information.
• Information Technology Back Up – the Firm currently operates 5 separate servers (file and print server, exchange server, backup server, SQL server and a web server). In addition to this we operate two separate secure back up procedures (one to manual tape and one web based back up application), both backup systems provide for fast retrieval of data and are stored in separate locations to ensure optimum levels of security.
• Best in class software applications such as Practice Engine, Caseware, Alpha Tax, Relate, ROS, SAGE, Quickbooks

Culture

Learning events -