When this guide is useful
A buyer sees credentials and testimonials on a proposal or website.
The distinction that matters
Verify the actual professional and role through appropriate official sources. The credentials of one team member do not automatically identify who signs or reviews the client's work.
A worked situation to investigate
A firm advertises a CPA-led team while the buyer cannot identify the person responsible for the proposed return review.
The example is illustrative. Begin with the underlying event and its source documents, then separate missing facts from disagreements about their treatment. Work through the checks below in the order that matches your file, rather than treating a completed checklist as a tax conclusion.
Build a traceable handoff
Identify the affected person, entity or property and the relevant period. Keep original evidence, corrections and the reviewer's written conclusion connected. If the facts change after review, preserve the earlier version and ask whether the change affects implementation.