Firm Registration Required to Audit a Church?

Long story short: a family friend knows I'm a CPA and a former auditor. They have asked me to conduct a semi-annual audit of their small church in rural GA.

I currently run a small outsourced accounting biz on the side, but not as a public accounting firm. Do you think I'm required to register as a public accounting firm to conduct this audit?

It is driven by State Board of Accountancy and I believe all require a CPA to be registered in the state for reviews/audits.

Semi-annual audit?
Are you actually auditing or do they really want some consulting/review of financials and processes?
My guess is the latter.
Given registration requirements, you might be able to steer them in that direction.
If they don't need a signed opinion letter, you should be able to take care of that.

I would talk them out of an audit, especially a church. My guess, based on ~ 30 conversations with church trustees, is they want someone to come in and make sure the preacher and treasurer aren't stealing any money.

They are likely using the word "audit" to mean something different than we understand an audit to be. They probably need an "agreed upon procedures" engagement, not an audit.

They are likely using the word "audit" to mean something different than we understand an audit to be. They probably need an "agreed upon procedures" engagement, not an audit.

Isn't that going to confuse the owner? Why didn't they explain this more clearly