Audit & Assurance

Significant Deficiency

A significant deficiency is a control issue important enough to merit the attention of those charged with governance but not severe enough to be a material weakness.

Quick answer

A significant deficiency is a control issue important enough to merit the attention of those charged with governance but not severe enough to be a material weakness.

It matters because management letters and governance discussions often turn on whether control findings rise to this level.

Repeated reconciliation failures in a key area may be treated as a significant deficiency.

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Plain-English Definition

What Significant Deficiency means

A significant deficiency is a control issue important enough to merit the attention of those charged with governance but not severe enough to be a material weakness.

Why it matters It matters because management letters and governance discussions often turn on whether control findings rise to this level.
Simple example Repeated reconciliation failures in a key area may be treated as a significant deficiency.
Related Questions

Questions people ask about Significant Deficiency

What does Significant Deficiency mean?

A significant deficiency is a control issue important enough to merit the attention of those charged with governance but not severe enough to be a material weakness.

Why does Significant Deficiency matter?

It matters because management letters and governance discussions often turn on whether control findings rise to this level.

What is a simple example of Significant Deficiency?

Repeated reconciliation failures in a key area may be treated as a significant deficiency.

When should I ask a CPA about Significant Deficiency?

Ask a CPA when the term affects lender requests, financial statement work, compliance needs, or an IRS or regulator issue.

How is Significant Deficiency different from Material Weakness?

Significant Deficiency means A significant deficiency is a control issue important enough to merit the attention of those charged with governance but not severe enough to be a material weakness. Material Weakness means A material weakness is a control deficiency or combination of deficiencies creating a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement will not be prevented or detected in time. The difference is that they apply to different tax, accounting, or business situations and should not be treated as interchangeable.

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