MSPAlliance SSAE 16 Program
In addition to offering companies the leading certification standard for Managed IT Service Providers, the MSPAlliance also has the capability to provide the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE 16) audit reports.
Recognized in both the financial services, public sector, and other highly sensitive industries where data security and integrity is critical, SSAE 16 has become an important audit for companies around the world.
What Makes the MSPAlliance SSAE 16 Program Unique?
MSPAlliance has taken the approach of blending the Unified Certification Standard (UCS) and the SSAE 16 with the resulting combination providing companies with a “dual certification” with a much lower cost structure. Many auditing firms do not fully understand the managed services industry or have a experience in conducting SAS 70 audits on MSPs.
By leveraging the UCS, the SSAE 16 auditor can significantly decrease the amount of time and cost in establishing the “control objectives” necessary for the SSAE 16. The efficiency allows the auditor to more quickly complete their work and do so for a lower cost point than most other auditing firms.
If you are being requested by a client or partner to have this level of certification, or would simply like to know more about the MSPAlliance SSAE 16 Program, please contact info@mspalliance.com or call 530-891-1340 for more information.
SSAE 16 Overview
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) recently issued new standards for an auditor’s report on the controls of a service organization, commonly referred to as a “SAS 70” report. Beginning with reporting periods ending on or after June 15, 2011, reports on controls at those service organizations will be performed in accordance with one of the following new standards:
- Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16 (SSAE 16) – Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization, or
- International Standards on Attestation Engagements No. 3402 (ISAE 3402) – Assurance Reports on Controls at a Service Organization.
SSAE 16 is the standard that superseded SAS 70 in the U.S. It is the standard favored by service organizations whose customers primarily are U.S. based. Service organizations with global customers may opt to use SSAE 16, but may decide that ISAE 3402 would provide a greater benefit to their customers.