What is DRMS?

DRMS is an Intranet site (accessible through Deloitte Resources) that participating Member Firms can use for completing the process of documenting and approving client engagement acceptance and continuance decisions. The system can be used by all the Deloitte functions (Audit, ERS, Consulting, Tax & FAS) within the participating Member Firm.  DRMS Version 1.0 was launched to sixteen Member Firms starting in fall 2006.  The system will continue to be enhanced and improved over time and future version releases of the tool are anticipated. 

DRMS business case

In the process of doing Reputation and Risk Leader readiness reviews, the Global Risk Management group observed that some Member Firms wanted help improving their processes and controls related to client acceptance and retention.  The concern was that their acceptance process needed to be improved to ensure it did not become a source of regulatory exposure.  A small number of Member Firms have already built or embarked on projects to build local technology solutions for client acceptance. Unfortunately, none of the local solutions are right for use globally for a number of reasons including: technology platform incompatibility, system support, and Member Firm customization.  As a result, the Global Risk Management group established the DRMS project.

DRMS Goals

The goals of DRMS are to:

• Generate more accurate and complete risk assessments of clients and engagements
• Identify independence or conflict issues associated with potential and existing clients and engagements
• Ensure the appropriate people are consulted with the best information in a timely manner prior to accepting/retaining a client or engagement
• Facilitate the appropriate client/engagement approvals and exit decisions
• Formalize the risk management action plan process for clients/engagements
• Support monitoring of the client/engagement acceptance and continuance processes and management reports
• Improve the efficiency of the client/engagement acceptance and continuance processes

DRMS Benefits

Benefits of DRMS include:

• Improved compliance with Firm policies and regulatory requirements pertaining to client and engagement acceptance/continuance
• Application of a consistent business process related to client and engagement acceptance/continuance across Member Firms
• Supported system integration across independence, conflicts, Anti-Money Laundering and background checks
• Creation of a common language, understanding and culture around client and engagement risk
• Higher quality client portfolio resulting from effectiveness and efficiency of the client/engagement acceptance and continuance processes and system