Terms of Service

Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Client," "you," or "your") and Akonu & Partners ("Firm," "we," "our," or "us"), a chartered accounting firm registered in Ghana.

By engaging our services, signing an engagement letter, or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services or website.

These Terms apply to all services we provide unless superseded by a specific engagement letter. In case of conflict between these Terms and an engagement letter, the engagement letter shall prevail for that specific engagement.

Our Services

Akonu & Partners provides professional accounting and advisory services including but not limited to:

Accounting Services

• Cloud-based bookkeeping and financial record maintenance
• Financial statement preparation and reporting
• Management accounting and business insights
• Payroll processing and statutory deductions

Tax Services

• Tax compliance and return preparation
• Tax planning and advisory
• GRA representation and audit support
• Portal management (GRA, SSNIT, etc.)

Audit and Assurance

• Statutory audits
• Donor and grant audits
• Internal audit reviews
• Special purpose audits

Advisory Services

• Business structuring and incorporation
• Financial consulting
• Due diligence support
• Regulatory compliance guidance

The specific scope of services for your engagement will be detailed in the engagement letter or proposal provided to you.

Engagement Process

Initial Consultation

We offer a complimentary initial consultation to understand your needs and determine if we are a good fit. This consultation does not create a client relationship or obligate either party.

Proposal and Engagement Letter

Following the consultation, we will provide a written proposal or engagement letter that includes:

• Scope of services to be provided
• Fees and billing arrangements
• Timeline and deliverables
• Responsibilities of both parties
• Terms specific to the engagement

Acceptance

The engagement becomes effective when you sign and return the engagement letter or provide written acceptance (including email confirmation). Payment of initial fees also constitutes acceptance of the engagement terms.

Onboarding

Upon acceptance, we will guide you through our onboarding process, which includes:

• Collection of necessary documents and information
• Setup of accounting systems and access
• Introduction to your dedicated accountant
• Review of communication protocols

Client Obligations

To enable us to provide our services effectively, you agree to:

Provide Accurate Information

• Supply complete, accurate, and timely information and documentation
• Inform us promptly of any changes to your business or personal circumstances that may affect our services
• Ensure all information provided is truthful and not misleading

Cooperate with Our Requests

• Respond to our requests for information within reasonable timeframes
• Make key personnel available for discussions when needed
• Review and approve documents within agreed timelines

Maintain Records

• Keep adequate business records as required by law
• Retain source documents (invoices, receipts, contracts) for the required periods
• Provide access to records as needed for our services

Pay Fees Promptly

• Pay our fees according to the agreed payment schedule
• Notify us immediately of any billing disputes

Important: We are entitled to rely on the accuracy and completeness of information you provide. We are not responsible for errors or delays resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or late information from you.

Fees and Payment

Fee Structure

Our fees are determined based on the scope and complexity of services and may be structured as:

• Fixed monthly retainer: Regular, predictable fee for ongoing services
• Project-based fee: Fixed amount for defined projects or engagements
• Hourly rates: Time-based billing for advisory or ad-hoc work

Specific fees will be detailed in your engagement letter or proposal.

Additional Charges

The following may be billed in addition to agreed fees:

• Government filing fees and statutory charges
• Third-party software or service costs
• Travel expenses (if applicable)
• Work outside the agreed scope (with prior approval)

Payment Terms

• Invoices are due within 14 days of issue unless otherwise agreed
• Payment methods: Bank transfer, mobile money, or cheque
• All fees are quoted and payable in Ghana Cedis (GHS) unless otherwise specified

Late Payment

If payment is not received within 30 days of the due date:

• We may suspend services until payment is received
• Interest may be charged at 2% per month on overdue amounts
• We may pursue debt collection, and you will be responsible for associated costs

Confidentiality

Our Commitment

We treat all client information as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties except:

• With your written consent
• To regulatory or government bodies as required for our services (e.g., GRA, SSNIT)
• When required by law or court order
• To professional bodies for quality assurance purposes (anonymized where possible)
• To our professional advisors under confidentiality obligations

Professional Standards

As chartered accountants, we are bound by the ethical requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), which include strict confidentiality obligations that continue even after our engagement ends.

Your Confidentiality

We may share proprietary methodologies, templates, or advice with you as part of our services. You agree to keep such information confidential and not share it with third parties without our consent.

Intellectual Property

Our Materials

All methodologies, templates, software, processes, and materials developed by Akonu & Partners remain our intellectual property. You are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use deliverables we provide for your internal business purposes only.

Your Data

You retain ownership of your business data and records. We hold such data in trust and will return or destroy it upon termination of the engagement, subject to our legal and professional retention requirements.

Work Product

Reports, financial statements, and other deliverables prepared specifically for you may be used for your legitimate business purposes. However, our name and work may not be used for promotional purposes without our prior written consent.

Limitation of Liability

Scope of Services

Our services are provided based on the information available to us and the scope defined in our engagement letter. We do not guarantee specific outcomes such as tax savings, audit results, or regulatory approval.

Professional Care

We will perform our services with reasonable professional care and skill in accordance with applicable professional standards. However:

• We are not responsible for errors resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or late information provided by you
• We do not guarantee that our services will identify all errors, irregularities, or fraud
• Tax advice is based on our interpretation of current law, which may change

Liability Cap

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our aggregate liability for any claims arising from our services shall be limited to the total fees paid by you for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim, or GHS 500,000, whichever is lower.

Exclusions

We shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, consequential, or special damages
• Lost profits, revenue, or business opportunities
• Damages arising from your reliance on advice without obtaining independent verification
• Penalties or interest imposed by regulatory authorities due to your actions or omissions

Time Limit

Any claim must be brought within 12 months of the completion of the relevant engagement or discovery of the alleged breach, whichever is earlier.

Termination

Termination by Client

You may terminate our engagement at any time by providing 30 days' written notice. You remain responsible for fees for work completed up to the termination date.

Termination by Us

We may terminate the engagement with 30 days' notice, or immediately if:

• Fees remain unpaid for more than 60 days
• You fail to provide required information despite requests
• Continuing the engagement would violate professional or legal requirements
• There is a breakdown of trust or cooperation
• You engage in illegal activities

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• All outstanding fees become immediately due
• We will provide reasonable assistance for transition to another firm
• We will return your documents (subject to payment of outstanding fees)
• Confidentiality and limitation of liability provisions survive termination

Website Use

Informational Purpose

Our website content is provided for general information only. It does not constitute professional advice, and you should not act on it without seeking specific professional guidance tailored to your situation.

No Professional Relationship

Browsing our website or submitting a contact form does not create a professional relationship. A client relationship only exists after signing an engagement letter.

Accuracy

While we strive to keep website content accurate and up-to-date, we make no warranties about completeness or accuracy. Laws and regulations change, and information may become outdated.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of these external sites.

Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

• Use our website for any unlawful purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Transmit malicious code or interfere with website functionality
• Scrape or harvest data from our website without permission

Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution

We value our client relationships and will attempt to resolve any disputes informally through good-faith discussion. Please contact us first if you have concerns about our services.

Mediation

If informal discussions do not resolve the dispute, either party may request mediation through the Ghana Arbitration Centre or another mutually agreed mediator. Costs of mediation shall be shared equally.

Arbitration

If mediation fails, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798) of Ghana. The arbitration shall be conducted in Accra in English, and the decision shall be final and binding.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Ghana. Any legal proceedings shall be conducted in courts of competent jurisdiction in Ghana.

General Provisions

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any engagement letter, constitute the entire agreement between you and Akonu & Partners regarding the subject matter hereof, superseding any prior agreements or understandings.

Amendments

We may amend these Terms at any time by posting updates on our website. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance. For existing engagements, amended terms will apply to new work undertaken after the amendment date.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

Assignment

You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to a successor firm or entity.

Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, strikes, or government actions.

Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service or our engagement process, please contact us:

We are members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana (CITG).