Audit Report Writing for the Internal Auditor

In today’s environment, the audit department is frequency measured on the quality of its primary output: the audit report. In many cases the effectiveness of the audit itself can be impacted by the quality of the audit report. As such, it is critical that the report is professional and communicated the desired message in a clear, concise and unambiguous way. This workshop will enable auditors to write and structure persuasive and impactful audit reports that will call their readers to action. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them
• Structure the audit report for impact and present audit findings in a clear and concise manner
• Identify the target audience and adapt their writing accordingly
• Produce an organized and structured audit report draft

Content

Introduction to Report Writing

• Value of the Audit Report
• Elements of Written Communication
• Barriers of Written Communication
• Constructs of Written Communication
• The Writing Act

The Audit Report Findings and Structure

• Audit Findings and their Presentation
• Structuring an Audit Report
• Differing Types of Reports

Drafting the Audit Report

• Analyzing the Prospective Audience
• Writing the Draft
• Evaluation of the Draft
• Use of Clear Writing Techniques
• Setting Priorities

Interview and Interrogation

• Gathering of Relevant Information
• Getting Audit Evidence
• The Process and Methodology

Editing the Audit Report

• Editing Bottleneck
• Editing for Substance, Readability, Correctness and Style
• Building a Desire to Write Well
• Proofreading
• Editing Others’ Work

The Final Audit Report

• Production of the Final Version
• Selling the Report
• Supporting Evidence
• Conducting Report Presentations
• Responding to Questions
• Management Responses

For Whom: All Internal Auditors, Directors, Heads of Departments, Managers, Supervisors, Team Leaders, Office Managers and others who are required to produce and edit audit reports.