McBride, Lock & Associates, LLC was formed in 1980. Our purpose was to be a firm that performs in the governmental audit market with superior quality and efficiency. We established strong relationships and a great reputation with various Federal agencies including the Department of Labor and EPA, in addition to the States of Missouri and Kansas. Through those initial years we grew our business to serve and further the missions of:
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Air Force
- Department of Labor
- Department of Agriculture
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Health and Human Services
- US Courts
- Department of Justice
- Federal Communications Commission
- Election Assistance Commission
- Department of Education
- National Science Foundation
- Legal Services Corporation
- The State of Missouri
- Natural Resources
- State Auditor
- General Assembly
- Professional Registration
- Health and Senior Services
- Public Service Commission
- The State of Kansas
- Legislative Division of Post Audit
- Department of Insurance
- Department of Administration
- Corporation Commission
- The State of Wyoming
- Public Service Commission
We have been selected to perform over 600 Quality Control Reviews for various Federal agencies since 1985. Our selection was based upon our expert level understanding of what comprises a quality audit, and has been enhanced by our reputation for being fair to both the Federal agencies being served by the audit product and to the firms who are under review. In 2005, we were selected to perform a large number of reviews as part of the National Single Audit Sampling Project.
We also have performed a large number of nonprofit and local government audits. We are proud of our relationships with those organizations, several of which have become long-term clients.
Our business was founded on building expertise, building knowledge and serving clients with respect. We continue to foster the environment of quality professional service at a quality price. Our clients can attest to our professionalism and commitment to relationship building.
Our mission is to serve the Federal, State, and local governmental and nonprofit community with high quality and efficient audit and accounting services. Our results come in the form of assurance that a quality audit has been performed. It also comes in the form of assurances that material compliance requirements have been achieved. Our clients can also be assured that operationally the agency has effective and efficient internal controls.
The following are three examples of how we have achieved our mission:
Harvesters - The Community Food Network was a nascent organization in the late 1980’s. They were operating on a very limited budget but saw extensive needs in feeding the Kansas City community. We performed their audit services for over 10 years. The initial years were based in the assurance that bookkeeping practices were functional. Then the emphasis turned to ensuring that cash flow and a business plan could attract talented people to further the mission. Harvesters has grown and expanded to a new location and is one of the more successful food distribution networks in the country. We are proud to have served in helping to develop that story.
Compliance Audits - We have served Federal and State governments in providing audit services for hundreds of different grants and functions. These audits have provided assurance that the organization is compliant with grant terms, statutes and regulations effecting their operations. We are always hopeful when an audit begins that the organization is fully compliant with all requirements. However, we approach each examination with the possibility that noncompliance can often occur. One of the largest noncompliance matters involved a preneed funeral seller in the State of Missouri. Our audits on National Prearranged Services began in 1992. This examination/monitoring/expert service ultimately resulted in over $500,000,000 in recovered funds for individuals who purchased preneed funeral plans. These recoveries are made with courage, with expertise and with a focus to do what is right. While there are hundreds of stories of our mission in action on audits of this nature, this one stands out due to its effect on an industry and tens of thousands of people.
Quality Control Review Services - As part of our mission in establishing the firm, McBride, Lock & Associates, LLC was and is on the cutting edge in achieving quality audit services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initially recognized our talent in this area in the mid- 1980s. We performed Quality Control Reviews of Single Audits for their office and the National External Audit Review Center. We expanded these services to Indian Health Services audits, Legal Services Corporation and also the National Single Audit Sampling Project in 2005. We have performed over 1,000 such reviews. Our mission is always to be fair and to further the cause of ensuring quality audit services to the recipient agencies. This mission requires an expertise in properly conducting an audit and also communication skills with peers on sensitive matters in the performance of an audit.
McBride, Lock & Associates, LLC’s mission will continue to be high quality service on a cost effective basis. This model is entrenched in every aspect of our business operations.
McBride, Lock & Associates, LLC has always pursued the highest standards in bringing quality professionals into our firm. We emphasize professionals who are graduates of respected universities with excellent communication skills. Quite frankly, GPA is not our highest determinant in our hiring. While we do have a good number of high GPA professionals, we want and we have individuals who are hard-working and committed to our mission of quality. The skill sets and attributes that our team possesses include:
- Good Communicator
- Hard Working
- Working Smart
- Professional Appearance
- Dedicated to quality and maintaining ethical standards
These attributes sum up our hiring practices and our professional staff. We are blessed to be served by top notch universities in the Midwest. We are also blessed to have a very affordable life style and high ethics in Kansas City. While our personnel are used to traveling throughout the country, we keep the Midwestern attitude. This attitude includes honesty and treating those we audit and serve with respect. We take the time to do it the right way.
Our staff all have accounting degrees, most with Masters’ degrees and a high percentage with a CPA license. All of our team members have the same directive of respect and diligence in their efforts.
Our audit team consists of:
- Partners
- Managers
- Seniors
- Staff Auditors
This team approach allows us to work smart, effectively and efficiently.