diff --git a/testhelper/convenience.go b/testhelper/convenience.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9cf23a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testhelper/convenience.go
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+package testhelper
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// AssertEquals compares two arbitrary values and performs a comparison. If the
+// comparison fails, a fatal error is raised that will fail the test
+func AssertEquals(t *testing.T, expected, actual interface{}) {
+	if expected != actual {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected [%#v] but got [%#v]", expected, actual)
+	}
+}
+
+// CheckEquals is similar to AssertEquals, except with a non-fatal error
+func CheckEquals(t *testing.T, expected, actual interface{}) {
+	if expected != actual {
+		t.Errorf("Expected [%#v] but got [%#v]", expected, actual)
+	}
+}
+
+// AssertDeepEquals - like Equals - performs a comparison - but on more complex
+// structures that requires deeper inspection
+func AssertDeepEquals(t *testing.T, actual, expected interface{}) {
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(actual, expected) {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected %#v but got %#v", expected, actual)
+	}
+}
+
+// CheckDeepEquals is similar to AssertDeepEquals, except with a non-fatal error
+func CheckDeepEquals(t *testing.T, actual, expected interface{}) {
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(actual, expected) {
+		t.Errorf("Expected %#v but got %#v", expected, actual)
+	}
+}
+
+// AssertNoErr is a convenience function for checking whether an error value is
+// an actual error
+func AssertNoErr(t *testing.T, e error) {
+	if e != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Unexpected error: %#v", e)
+	}
+}
+
+// CheckNoErr is similar to AssertNoErr, except with a non-fatal error
+func CheckNoErr(t *testing.T, e error) {
+	if e != nil {
+		t.Errorf("Unexpected error: %#v", e)
+	}
+}