diff --git a/R/aggregate_alignment_loanbook_exposure.R b/R/aggregate_alignment_loanbook_exposure.R
index 04d06371..a957925e 100644
--- a/R/aggregate_alignment_loanbook_exposure.R
+++ b/R/aggregate_alignment_loanbook_exposure.R
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ validate_input_data_aggregate_alignment_loanbook_exposure <- function(data,
                                                                       matched,
                                                                       group_vars,
                                                                       .by = NULL) {
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+  assert_expected_columns(
     data = data,
     cols = c(
       group_vars,
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ validate_input_data_aggregate_alignment_loanbook_exposure <- function(data,
     )
   )
 
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+  assert_expected_columns(
     data = matched,
     cols = c(
       "id_loan",
diff --git a/R/analyse.R b/R/analyse.R
index 996452bc..9ee6e0bf 100644
--- a/R/analyse.R
+++ b/R/analyse.R
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ analyse <- function(config) {
 
   dir_analysis <- get_dir_analysis(config)
 
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_analysis, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_analysis, "character")
+  assert_length(dir_analysis, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_analysis, "character")
 
   if (dir.exists(dir_analysis)) {
     ask_for_permission(
diff --git a/R/stop_if_.R b/R/assert_.R
similarity index 87%
rename from R/stop_if_.R
rename to R/assert_.R
index 27ae2fdf..d6d56ff1 100644
--- a/R/stop_if_.R
+++ b/R/assert_.R
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#' stop_if_not_inherits
+#' assert_inherits
 #'
 #' @param x an object to be checked
 #' @param cls a string defining the expected object class
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_not_inherits <- function(x, cls) {
+assert_inherits <- function(x, cls) {
   if (isFALSE(inherits(x, cls))) {
     arg <- deparse(substitute(x))
     cli::cli_abort(
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ stop_if_not_inherits <- function(x, cls) {
 }
 
 
-#' stop_if_not_length
+#' assert_length
 #'
 #' @param x an object to be checked
 #' @param len an integer defining the expected length of the object
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ stop_if_not_inherits <- function(x, cls) {
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_not_length <- function(x, len) {
+assert_length <- function(x, len) {
   if (length(x) != len) {
     arg <- deparse(substitute(x))
     cli::cli_abort(
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ stop_if_not_length <- function(x, len) {
 }
 
 
-#' stop_if_dir_not_found
+#' assert_dir_exists
 #'
 #' @param path a string defining the path to a directory
 #' @param desc a string describing the type of directory to be added to the
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ stop_if_not_length <- function(x, len) {
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_dir_not_found <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
+assert_dir_exists <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
   if (isFALSE(dir.exists(path))) {
     if (is.null(desc)) {
       msg <- "Directory not found at path:"
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ stop_if_dir_not_found <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
 }
 
 
-#' stop_if_file_not_found
+#' assert_file_exists
 #'
 #' @param path a string defining the path to a file
 #' @param desc a string describing the type of file to be added to the error msg
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ stop_if_dir_not_found <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_file_not_found <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
+assert_file_exists <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
   if (isFALSE(file.exists(path))) {
     if (is.null(desc)) {
       msg <- "File not found at path:"
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ stop_if_file_not_found <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
 }
 
 
-#' stop_if_sheet_not_found
+#' assert_sheet_exists
 #'
 #' @param sheet a string defining the name of a sheet
 #' @param path a string defining the path to a XLS/X file
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ stop_if_file_not_found <- function(path, desc = NULL) {
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_sheet_not_found <- function(sheet, path) {
+assert_sheet_exists <- function(sheet, path) {
   if (isFALSE(sheet %in% readxl::excel_sheets(path))) {
     cli::cli_abort(
       message = c(
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ stop_if_sheet_not_found <- function(sheet, path) {
 }
 
 
-#' stop_if_not_expected_columns
+#' assert_expected_columns
 #'
 #' @param data a data frame to be checked
 #' @param cols a vector of expected column names
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ stop_if_sheet_not_found <- function(sheet, path) {
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_not_expected_columns <- function(data, cols, desc = NULL) {
+assert_expected_columns <- function(data, cols, desc = NULL) {
   if (isFALSE(all(cols %in% names(data)))) {
     if (is.null(desc)) {
       msg <- "Data does not contain all of the expected columns."
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ stop_if_not_expected_columns <- function(data, cols, desc = NULL) {
 }
 
 
-#' stop_if_no_files_found
+#' assert_any_file_exists
 #'
 #' @param files a vector of files found
 #' @param dir a dir where files were not found
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ stop_if_not_expected_columns <- function(data, cols, desc = NULL) {
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_no_files_found <- function(files, dir, dir_param, desc) {
+assert_any_file_exists <- function(files, dir, dir_param, desc) {
   if (length(files) == 0) {
     cli::cli_abort(
       message = c(
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ stop_if_no_files_found <- function(files, dir, dir_param, desc) {
 }
 
 
-#' stop_if_sector_split_not_one
+#' assert_sector_split_is_one
 #'
 #' @param data a data frame to be checked
 #'
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ stop_if_no_files_found <- function(files, dir, dir_param, desc) {
 #'
 #' @noRd
 
-stop_if_sector_split_not_one <- function(data) {
+assert_sector_split_is_one <- function(data) {
   check_sector_split <-
     dplyr::summarise(
       data,
diff --git a/R/calculate_company_alignment_metric.R b/R/calculate_company_alignment_metric.R
index d9867b62..ae68412d 100644
--- a/R/calculate_company_alignment_metric.R
+++ b/R/calculate_company_alignment_metric.R
@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ validate_input_args_calculate_company_tech_deviation <- function(scenario_source
 
 validate_input_data_calculate_company_tech_deviation <- function(data,
                                                                  technology_direction) {
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+  assert_expected_columns(
     data = data,
     cols = c(
       "sector", "technology", "year", "region", "scenario_source", "name_abcd",
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ validate_input_data_calculate_company_tech_deviation <- function(data,
     )
   )
 
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+  assert_expected_columns(
     data = technology_direction,
     cols = c(
       "scenario_source", "scenario", "sector", "technology", "region",
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ validate_input_args_calculate_company_aggregate_alignment_tms <- function(scenar
 
 validate_input_data_calculate_company_aggregate_alignment_tms <- function(data,
                                                                           scenario) {
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+  assert_expected_columns(
     data = data,
     cols = c(
       "sector", "technology", "year", "region", "scenario_source", "name_abcd",
@@ -735,7 +735,7 @@ validate_input_args_calculate_company_aggregate_alignment_sda <- function(scenar
 
 
 validate_input_data_calculate_company_aggregate_alignment_sda <- function(data) {
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+  assert_expected_columns(
     data = data,
     cols = c(
       "sector", "year", "region", "scenario_source", "name_abcd",
diff --git a/R/helper_functions.R b/R/helper_functions.R
index cf4c4686..e28f05f6 100644
--- a/R/helper_functions.R
+++ b/R/helper_functions.R
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ apply_sector_split_to_loans <- function(data,
 
 check_and_prepare_by_group <- function(by_group) {
   if (!is.null(by_group)) {
-    stop_if_not_inherits(by_group, "character")
-    stop_if_not_length(by_group, 1)
+    assert_inherits(by_group, "character")
+    assert_length(by_group, 1)
     if (by_group == "NULL") {
       by_group <- NULL
     } else {
diff --git a/R/match_loanbooks.R b/R/match_loanbooks.R
index 227fcd5e..960321ee 100644
--- a/R/match_loanbooks.R
+++ b/R/match_loanbooks.R
@@ -51,47 +51,47 @@ match_loanbooks <- function(config) {
   }
 
   # validate config values----
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_loanbooks, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_loanbooks, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_loanbooks, desc = "Input - loanbooks")
+  assert_length(dir_loanbooks, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_loanbooks, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_loanbooks, desc = "Input - loanbooks")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_prepared_abcd, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_prepared_abcd, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_prepared_abcd, desc = "Output - prepare ABCD")
-  stop_if_file_not_found(file.path(dir_prepared_abcd, "abcd_final.csv"), desc = "ABCD final")
+  assert_length(dir_prepared_abcd, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_prepared_abcd, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_prepared_abcd, desc = "Output - prepare ABCD")
+  assert_file_exists(file.path(dir_prepared_abcd, "abcd_final.csv"), desc = "ABCD final")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_matched_loanbooks, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_matched_loanbooks, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_matched_loanbooks, desc = "Output - Matched loanbooks")
+  assert_length(dir_matched_loanbooks, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_matched_loanbooks, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_matched_loanbooks, desc = "Output - Matched loanbooks")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(matching_by_sector, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(matching_by_sector, "logical")
+  assert_length(matching_by_sector, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(matching_by_sector, "logical")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(matching_min_score, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(matching_min_score, "numeric")
+  assert_length(matching_min_score, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(matching_min_score, "numeric")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(matching_method, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(matching_method, "character")
+  assert_length(matching_method, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(matching_method, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(matching_p, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(matching_p, "numeric")
+  assert_length(matching_p, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(matching_p, "numeric")
 
   # TODO: check for data.frame
-  # stop_if_not_length(matching_overwrite, 1L)
-  # stop_if_not_inherits(matching_overwrite, "numeric")
+  # assert_length(matching_overwrite, 1L)
+  # assert_inherits(matching_overwrite, "numeric")
   #
   # TODO: check for join_object
-  # stop_if_not_length(matching_join_id, 1L)
-  # stop_if_not_inherits(matching_join_id, "numeric")
+  # assert_length(matching_join_id, 1L)
+  # assert_inherits(matching_join_id, "numeric")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, "logical")
+  assert_length(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, "logical")
 
   # path to manual sector classification only required if boolean TRUE
   if (matching_use_manual_sector_classification) {
-    stop_if_not_length(path_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
-    stop_if_not_inherits(path_manual_sector_classification, "character")
-    stop_if_file_not_found(path_manual_sector_classification, desc = "Manual sector classification")
+    assert_length(path_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
+    assert_inherits(path_manual_sector_classification, "character")
+    assert_file_exists(path_manual_sector_classification, desc = "Manual sector classification")
   }
 
   # load data----
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ match_loanbooks <- function(config) {
 
   ## load raw loan books----
   list_raw <- list.files(path = dir_loanbooks, pattern = "[.]csv$")
-  stop_if_no_files_found(list_raw, dir_loanbooks, "dir_input", "raw loan book CSVs")
+  assert_any_file_exists(list_raw, dir_loanbooks, "dir_input", "raw loan book CSVs")
 
   raw_lbk <- readr::read_csv(
     file = file.path(dir_loanbooks, list_raw),
diff --git a/R/plots.R b/R/plots.R
index e1c2c46c..36383b0d 100644
--- a/R/plots.R
+++ b/R/plots.R
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ plot_match_success_rate <- function(data,
                                     currency,
                                     by_group) {
   # validate inputs
-  stop_if_not_inherits(data, "data.frame")
+  assert_inherits(data, "data.frame")
   expected_cols <- c(
     by_group,
     "sector",
@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@ plot_match_success_rate <- function(data,
     "match_success_rate",
     "metric_type"
   )
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, expected_cols, desc = "Input")
+  assert_expected_columns(data, expected_cols, desc = "Input")
 
-  stop_if_not_inherits(metric_type, "character")
+  assert_inherits(metric_type, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_inherits(match_success_type, "character")
+  assert_inherits(match_success_type, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(currency, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(currency, "character")
+  assert_length(currency, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(currency, "character")
 
   data <- data %>%
     dplyr::filter(.data[["sector"]] != "not in scope") %>%
@@ -379,30 +379,30 @@ validate_input_args_generate_individual_outputs <- function(output_directory,
                                                             sector,
                                                             start_year,
                                                             time_horizon) {
-  stop_if_not_length(output_directory, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(output_directory, "character")
+  assert_length(output_directory, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(output_directory, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(by_group, 1L)
+  assert_length(by_group, 1L)
 
-  stop_if_not_length(by_group_value, 1L)
+  assert_length(by_group_value, 1L)
 
-  stop_if_not_length(scenario_source, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(scenario_source, "character")
+  assert_length(scenario_source, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(scenario_source, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(target_scenario, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(target_scenario, "character")
+  assert_length(target_scenario, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(target_scenario, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(region, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(region, "character")
+  assert_length(region, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(region, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(sector, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(sector, "character")
+  assert_length(sector, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(sector, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(start_year, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(start_year, "integer")
+  assert_length(start_year, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(start_year, "integer")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(time_horizon, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(time_horizon, "integer")
+  assert_length(time_horizon, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(time_horizon, "integer")
 
   invisible()
 }
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ validate_input_data_generate_individual_outputs <- function(data,
                                                             target_type,
                                                             by_group) {
   if (target_type == "sda") {
-    stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+    assert_expected_columns(
       data = data,
       cols = c(
         "sector", "year", "region", "scenario_source", "emission_factor_metric",
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ validate_input_data_generate_individual_outputs <- function(data,
       )
     )
   } else if (target_type == "tms") {
-    stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+    assert_expected_columns(
       data = data,
       cols = c(
         "sector", "technology", "year", "region", "scenario_source", "metric",
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ validate_input_data_generate_individual_outputs <- function(data,
     )
   }
 
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(
+  assert_expected_columns(
     data = matched_prioritized,
     cols = c(
       by_group, "name_abcd", "sector", "sector_abcd", "loan_size_outstanding",
diff --git a/R/prepare_abcd.R b/R/prepare_abcd.R
index 0d34856a..3cf4a217 100644
--- a/R/prepare_abcd.R
+++ b/R/prepare_abcd.R
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ prepare_abcd <- function(config) {
 
   dir_prepared_abcd <- get_dir_prepared_abcd(config)
 
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_prepared_abcd, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_prepared_abcd, "character")
+  assert_length(dir_prepared_abcd, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_prepared_abcd, "character")
 
   if (dir.exists(dir_prepared_abcd)) {
     ask_for_permission(
diff --git a/R/prepare_sector_split.R b/R/prepare_sector_split.R
index aded9d87..6c6f7028 100644
--- a/R/prepare_sector_split.R
+++ b/R/prepare_sector_split.R
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ prepare_sector_split <- function(config) {
     )
 
   ### check that the sum of the sector split of each company is 1----
-  stop_if_sector_split_not_one(sector_split_all_companies)
+  assert_sector_split_is_one(sector_split_all_companies)
 
   ## calculate primary energy-based sector split for energy sectors----
   # keep only companies that are active in multiple energy sectors
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ prepare_sector_split <- function(config) {
     dplyr::filter(.data[["company_id"]] %in% .env[["company_ids_primary_energy_split"]])
 
   ### check that the sum of the primary energy based sector split of each company is 1----
-  stop_if_sector_split_not_one(sector_split_multi_energy_companies)
+  assert_sector_split_is_one(sector_split_multi_energy_companies)
 
   ## combine the sector splits----
   # we want to use the plain equal weights split for companies that do not operate in more than one energy sector
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ prepare_sector_split <- function(config) {
     )
 
   ### check that the sum of the combined sector split of each company is 1----
-  stop_if_sector_split_not_one(sector_split_all_companies_final)
+  assert_sector_split_is_one(sector_split_all_companies_final)
 
   ## write output----
   sector_split_multi_energy_companies %>%
diff --git a/R/prioritise_and_diagnose.R b/R/prioritise_and_diagnose.R
index 3e797a6f..d721378c 100644
--- a/R/prioritise_and_diagnose.R
+++ b/R/prioritise_and_diagnose.R
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ prioritise_and_diagnose <- function(config) {
 
   dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics <- get_dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics(config)
 
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "character")
+  assert_length(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "character")
 
   if (dir.exists(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics)) {
     ask_for_permission(
diff --git a/R/remove_inactive_companies.R b/R/remove_inactive_companies.R
index 86373cf7..260e0df3 100644
--- a/R/remove_inactive_companies.R
+++ b/R/remove_inactive_companies.R
@@ -13,29 +13,29 @@ remove_inactive_companies <- function(config) {
   time_frame <- get_time_frame(config)
 
   # validate config values----
-  stop_if_not_length(path_abcd, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(path_abcd, "character")
-  stop_if_file_not_found(path_abcd, desc = "ABCD")
+  assert_length(path_abcd, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(path_abcd, "character")
+  assert_file_exists(path_abcd, desc = "ABCD")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(sheet_abcd, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(sheet_abcd, "character")
-  stop_if_sheet_not_found(sheet_abcd, path_abcd)
+  assert_length(sheet_abcd, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(sheet_abcd, "character")
+  assert_sheet_exists(sheet_abcd, path_abcd)
 
   if (!is.null(remove_inactive_companies)) {
-    stop_if_not_length(remove_inactive_companies, 1L)
-    stop_if_not_inherits(remove_inactive_companies, "logical")
+    assert_length(remove_inactive_companies, 1L)
+    assert_inherits(remove_inactive_companies, "logical")
   }
 
-  stop_if_not_length(start_year, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(start_year, "integer")
+  assert_length(start_year, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(start_year, "integer")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(time_frame, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(time_frame, "integer")
+  assert_length(time_frame, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(time_frame, "integer")
 
 
   # load data----
   abcd <- read_abcd_raw(path_abcd, sheet_abcd)
-  stop_if_not_expected_columns(abcd, cols_abcd, desc = "ABCD")
+  assert_expected_columns(abcd, cols_abcd, desc = "ABCD")
 
   # optional: remove inactive companies----
 
diff --git a/R/run_aggregate_alignment_metric.R b/R/run_aggregate_alignment_metric.R
index 1feaaf8e..0b90d5a4 100644
--- a/R/run_aggregate_alignment_metric.R
+++ b/R/run_aggregate_alignment_metric.R
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ run_aggregate_alignment_metric <- function(config) {
 
   # read matched and prioritized loan book----
   list_matched_prioritized <- list.files(path = dir_prio_diagnostics, pattern = "^matched_prio_.*csv$")
-  stop_if_no_files_found(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prio_diagnostics, "dir_prio_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
+  assert_any_file_exists(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prio_diagnostics, "dir_prio_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
 
   matched_prioritized <- readr::read_csv(
     file = file.path(dir_prio_diagnostics, list_matched_prioritized),
diff --git a/R/run_calculate_loanbook_coverage.R b/R/run_calculate_loanbook_coverage.R
index ea10a962..ce7d3940 100644
--- a/R/run_calculate_loanbook_coverage.R
+++ b/R/run_calculate_loanbook_coverage.R
@@ -13,15 +13,15 @@ run_calculate_loanbook_coverage <- function(config) {
   by_group_ext <- if (is.null(by_group)) { "_meta" } else { paste0("_", by_group) }
 
   # validate config values----
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_prio_diagnostics, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_prio_diagnostics, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_prio_diagnostics, desc = "Output - Matched loanbooks")
+  assert_length(dir_prio_diagnostics, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_prio_diagnostics, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_prio_diagnostics, desc = "Output - Matched loanbooks")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(scenario_source_input, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(scenario_source_input, "character")
+  assert_length(scenario_source_input, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(scenario_source_input, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(start_year, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(start_year, "integer")
+  assert_length(start_year, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(start_year, "integer")
 
   # load data ----
   ## read abcd data----
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ run_calculate_loanbook_coverage <- function(config) {
 
   ## read matched prioritized loan books----
   list_matched_prioritized <- list.files(path = dir_prio_diagnostics, pattern = "^matched_prio_.*csv$")
-  stop_if_no_files_found(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prio_diagnostics, "dir_prio_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
+  assert_any_file_exists(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prio_diagnostics, "dir_prio_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
 
   matched_prioritized <- readr::read_csv(
     file = file.path(dir_prio_diagnostics, list_matched_prioritized),
diff --git a/R/run_calculate_match_success_rate.R b/R/run_calculate_match_success_rate.R
index 19733584..0dceaf95 100644
--- a/R/run_calculate_match_success_rate.R
+++ b/R/run_calculate_match_success_rate.R
@@ -21,41 +21,41 @@ run_calculate_match_success_rate <- function(config) {
   match_success_rate_plot_resolution <- get_match_plot_resolution(config)
 
   # validate config values----
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_loanbooks, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_loanbooks, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_loanbooks, desc = "Input - loanbooks")
+  assert_length(dir_loanbooks, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_loanbooks, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_loanbooks, desc = "Input - loanbooks")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, desc = "Output - Prioritized loanbooks and diagnostics")
+  assert_length(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, desc = "Output - Prioritized loanbooks and diagnostics")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, "logical")
+  assert_length(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(matching_use_manual_sector_classification, "logical")
 
   # path to manual sector classification only required if boolean TRUE
   if (matching_use_manual_sector_classification) {
-    stop_if_not_length(path_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
-    stop_if_not_inherits(path_manual_sector_classification, "character")
-    stop_if_file_not_found(path_manual_sector_classification, desc = "Manual sector classification")
+    assert_length(path_manual_sector_classification, 1L)
+    assert_inherits(path_manual_sector_classification, "character")
+    assert_file_exists(path_manual_sector_classification, desc = "Manual sector classification")
   }
 
-  stop_if_not_length(match_success_rate_plot_width, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_width, "integer")
+  assert_length(match_success_rate_plot_width, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_width, "integer")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(match_success_rate_plot_height, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_height, "integer")
+  assert_length(match_success_rate_plot_height, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_height, "integer")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(match_success_rate_plot_units, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_units, "character")
+  assert_length(match_success_rate_plot_units, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_units, "character")
 
-  stop_if_not_length(match_success_rate_plot_resolution, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_resolution, "integer")
+  assert_length(match_success_rate_plot_resolution, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(match_success_rate_plot_resolution, "integer")
 
   # load data----
 
   ## load raw loan books----
   list_raw <- list.files(dir_loanbooks)[grepl("csv$", list.files(dir_loanbooks))]
-  stop_if_no_files_found(list_raw, dir_loanbooks, "dir_loanbooks", "raw loan book CSVs")
+  assert_any_file_exists(list_raw, dir_loanbooks, "dir_loanbooks", "raw loan book CSVs")
 
   if (is.null(by_group) || by_group != "group_id") {
     raw_lbk <- readr::read_csv(
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ run_calculate_match_success_rate <- function(config) {
 
   ## load matched prioritized loan books----
   list_matched_prioritized <- list.files(path = dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, pattern = "^matched_prio_.*csv$")
-  stop_if_no_files_found(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
+  assert_any_file_exists(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
 
   matched_prioritized <- readr::read_csv(
     file = file.path(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, list_matched_prioritized),
diff --git a/R/run_match_prioritize.R b/R/run_match_prioritize.R
index 7e236ebb..d3bbd9d9 100644
--- a/R/run_match_prioritize.R
+++ b/R/run_match_prioritize.R
@@ -14,16 +14,17 @@ run_match_prioritize <- function(config) {
   sector_split_type_select <- get_sector_split_type(config)
 
   # validate config values----
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_prepared_abcd, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_prepared_abcd, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_prepared_abcd, desc = "Output - prepare ABCD")
-  stop_if_file_not_found(file.path(dir_prepared_abcd, "abcd_final.csv"), desc = "ABCD final")
-  stop_if_not_length(dir_matched_loanbooks, 1L)
-  stop_if_not_inherits(dir_matched_loanbooks, "character")
-  stop_if_dir_not_found(dir_matched_loanbooks, desc = "Output - Matched loanbooks")
-  stop_if_not_inherits(apply_sector_split, "logical")
+  assert_length(dir_prepared_abcd, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_prepared_abcd, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_prepared_abcd, desc = "Output - prepare ABCD")
+  assert_file_exists(file.path(dir_prepared_abcd, "abcd_final.csv"), desc = "ABCD final")
+  assert_length(dir_matched_loanbooks, 1L)
+  assert_inherits(dir_matched_loanbooks, "character")
+  assert_dir_exists(dir_matched_loanbooks, desc = "Output - Matched loanbooks")
+  assert_inherits(apply_sector_split, "logical")
+
   if (apply_sector_split) {
-    stop_if_not_inherits(sector_split_type_select, "character")
+    assert_inherits(sector_split_type_select, "character")
   }
 
   if (!is.null(match_prio_priority)) {
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ run_match_prioritize <- function(config) {
   # load data----
   ## load manually matched files----
   list_matched_manual <- list.files(path = dir_matched_loanbooks, pattern = "^matched_lbk_.*_manual[.]csv$")
-  stop_if_no_files_found(list_matched_manual, dir_matched_loanbooks, "dir_output", "manually matched loan book CSVs matching the pattern {.code ^matched_lbk_.*_manual[.]csv$}")
+  assert_any_file_exists(list_matched_manual, dir_matched_loanbooks, "dir_output", "manually matched loan book CSVs matching the pattern {.code ^matched_lbk_.*_manual[.]csv$}")
 
   matched_lbk_manual <- readr::read_csv(
     file = file.path(dir_matched_loanbooks, list_matched_manual),
diff --git a/R/run_pacta.R b/R/run_pacta.R
index d5105f5c..9024c96e 100644
--- a/R/run_pacta.R
+++ b/R/run_pacta.R
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ run_pacta <- function(config) {
 
   # read matched and prioritized loan book----
   list_matched_prioritized <- list.files(path = dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, pattern = "^matched_prio_.*csv$")
-  stop_if_no_files_found(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
+  assert_any_file_exists(list_matched_prioritized, dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, "dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics", "matched prioritized loan book CSVs")
 
   matched_prioritized <- readr::read_csv(
     file = file.path(dir_prioritized_loanbooks_and_diagnostics, list_matched_prioritized),
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-assert_.R b/tests/testthat/test-assert_.R
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..118e6fe9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-assert_.R
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+test_that("assert_inherits()", {
+  expect_no_condition(assert_inherits(1L, "integer"))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_inherits(1, "numeric"))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_inherits(1.1, "numeric"))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_inherits("A", "character"))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_inherits(list(a = 1), "list"))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "data.frame"))
+
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1, "integer"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1.1, "integer"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits("A", "integer"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(list(a = 1), "integer"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "integer"))
+
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1L, "numeric"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits("A", "numeric"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(list(a = 1), "numeric"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "numeric"))
+
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1L, "character"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1, "character"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1.1, "character"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(list(a = 1), "character"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "character"))
+
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1L, "list"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1, "list"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1.1, "list"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits("A", "list"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "list"))
+
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1L, "data.frame"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1, "data.frame"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(1.1, "data.frame"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits("A", "data.frame"))
+  expect_condition(assert_inherits(list(a = 1), "data.frame"))
+})
+
+
+test_that("assert_length()", {
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(NA, 1))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(numeric(0), 0))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(1, 1))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(1:2, 2))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(character(0), 0))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length("A", 1))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(c("A", "B"), 2))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(list(), 0))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(list(a = 1), 1))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_length(list(a = 1, b = 2), 2))
+
+  expect_condition(assert_length(NULL, 1))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(numeric(0), 1))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(1, 2))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(1:2, 1))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(character(0), 1))
+  expect_condition(assert_length("A", 2))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(c("A", "B"), 1))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(list(), 1))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(list(a = 1), 2))
+  expect_condition(assert_length(list(a = 1, b = 2), 1))
+})
+
+
+test_that("assert_dir_exists()", {
+  tmp_dir <- tempdir()
+  expect_no_condition(assert_dir_exists(tmp_dir))
+  expect_condition(assert_dir_exists(file.path(tmp_dir, "XYZ")))
+})
+
+
+test_that("assert_file_exists()", {
+  tmp_file <- tempfile()
+  file.create(tmp_file)
+  expect_no_condition(assert_file_exists(tmp_file))
+  expect_condition(assert_file_exists(file.path(".", tmp_file)))
+  unlink(tmp_file)
+})
+
+
+test_that("assert_sheet_exists()", {
+  tmp_file <- tempfile()
+  writexl::write_xlsx(list("test" = data.frame(a = 1)), tmp_file)
+  expect_no_condition(assert_sheet_exists("test", tmp_file))
+  expect_condition(assert_sheet_exists("xyz", tmp_file))
+  unlink(tmp_file)
+})
+
+
+test_that("assert_expected_columns()", {
+  data <- data.frame(a = 1, b = 2, c = 3)
+  expect_no_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("a")))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("b")))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("c")))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("a", "b")))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("b", "c")))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("a", "b", "c")))
+  expect_no_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("b", "c", "a")))
+
+  expect_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("x")))
+  expect_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("x", "y", "z")))
+  expect_condition(assert_expected_columns(data, c("a", "x")))
+})
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-stop_if_.R b/tests/testthat/test-stop_if_.R
deleted file mode 100644
index a805aba9..00000000
--- a/tests/testthat/test-stop_if_.R
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,103 +0,0 @@
-test_that("stop_if_not_inherits()", {
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1L, "integer"))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1, "numeric"))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1.1, "numeric"))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_inherits("A", "character"))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(list(a = 1), "list"))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "data.frame"))
-
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1, "integer"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1.1, "integer"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits("A", "integer"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(list(a = 1), "integer"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "integer"))
-
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1L, "numeric"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits("A", "numeric"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(list(a = 1), "numeric"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "numeric"))
-
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1L, "character"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1, "character"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1.1, "character"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(list(a = 1), "character"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "character"))
-
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1L, "list"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1, "list"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1.1, "list"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits("A", "list"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(data.frame(a = 1), "list"))
-
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1L, "data.frame"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1, "data.frame"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(1.1, "data.frame"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits("A", "data.frame"))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_inherits(list(a = 1), "data.frame"))
-})
-
-
-test_that("stop_if_not_length()", {
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(NA, 1))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(numeric(0), 0))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(1, 1))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(1:2, 2))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(character(0), 0))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length("A", 1))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(c("A", "B"), 2))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(list(), 0))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(list(a = 1), 1))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_length(list(a = 1, b = 2), 2))
-
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(NULL, 1))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(numeric(0), 1))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(1, 2))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(1:2, 1))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(character(0), 1))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length("A", 2))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(c("A", "B"), 1))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(list(), 1))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(list(a = 1), 2))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_length(list(a = 1, b = 2), 1))
-})
-
-
-test_that("stop_if_dir_not_found()", {
-  tmp_dir <- tempdir()
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_dir_not_found(tmp_dir))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_dir_not_found(file.path(tmp_dir, "XYZ")))
-})
-
-
-test_that("stop_if_file_not_found()", {
-  tmp_file <- tempfile()
-  file.create(tmp_file)
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_file_not_found(tmp_file))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_file_not_found(file.path(".", tmp_file)))
-  unlink(tmp_file)
-})
-
-
-test_that("stop_if_sheet_not_found()", {
-  tmp_file <- tempfile()
-  writexl::write_xlsx(list("test" = data.frame(a = 1)), tmp_file)
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_sheet_not_found("test", tmp_file))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_sheet_not_found("xyz", tmp_file))
-  unlink(tmp_file)
-})
-
-
-test_that("stop_if_not_expected_columns()", {
-  data <- data.frame(a = 1, b = 2, c = 3)
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("a")))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("b")))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("c")))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("a", "b")))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("b", "c")))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("a", "b", "c")))
-  expect_no_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("b", "c", "a")))
-
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("x")))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("x", "y", "z")))
-  expect_condition(stop_if_not_expected_columns(data, c("a", "x")))
-})