Internal Audit Report Writing Skills
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Internal Audit Report Writing Skills Course
Introduction:
In the present-day landscape, the audit department's performance is often evaluated based on the quality of its primary deliverable: the audit report. The effectiveness of the audit process itself can be significantly influenced by the caliber of the audit report.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the audit report is crafted with professionalism and effectively conveys the intended message in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner. This course is specifically designed to empower auditors to write and structure compelling and influential audit reports that inspire readers to take action.
By attending this course, auditors will gain the necessary skills and techniques to create persuasive and impactful audit reports. They will learn how to structure their reports effectively, choose the appropriate language, and present findings and recommendations in a compelling manner. The course will also cover best practices for ensuring clarity, coherence, and accuracy in the audit report.
Upon completion of this course, auditors will possess the tools and knowledge to produce high-quality audit reports that not only fulfill their reporting obligations but also drive positive change within organizations. Their reports will be instrumental in facilitating informed decision-making, promoting accountability, and fostering continuous improvement.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this Internal Audit Report Writing Skills Training Course, learners will be able to do:
- Distinguish barriers to effective written communication and how to overcome them
- Structure of the audit report for impact
- 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
Who Should Attend?
This course is suitable for all internal and IT auditors who are required to produce and edit audit reports.
Course Outlines:
Introduction to Report Writing
- Value of the audit report
- Measuring return
- Ensuring a “need” fit
- Maintaining quality control
- Elements of written communication
- Barriers to written communication
- Constructs of written communication
- Clear writing techniques
- The writing acts
- Preparing to write
- Writing the first draft
The Audit Report Findings and Structure
- Audit findings and their presentation
- Structuring an audit report
- Areas to cover
- Determine the audience
- Likely findings
- Technical appendices
- Summarizing working papers into the reportable narrative
- Use of planning worksheets
- Differing types of reports
Drafting the Audit Report
- Analyzing the prospective audience
- Who the audience is
- Number of readers
- Organizational status
- Knowledge background
- Attitude to audit
- Personal agendas
- Hot topics
- Key stakeholders
- Writing the draft
- Scheduling time
- Writing as you go
- Structuring your thoughts
- Draft quickly and polish later
- Use of clear writing techniques
- Checking for substance and strategy
- Capturing and maintaining the reader’s attention
- Evaluation of the draft
Editing the Audit Report
- Editing the report
- Bottleneck
- Causes of auditor frustration
- The "Kilroy was here" syndrome
- Editing for substance, readability, correctness and style
- Editing others’ work
- Applying appropriate levels of editing
- To change or not to change?
- Build the writer's pride of authorship
- Building a desire to write well
The final Audit Report
- Production of the final version
- Polishing the report
- Deciding distribution
- Management responses
- Audit replies
- Selling the report
- Writing the summary
- Supporting evidence
- Conducting report presentations
- Responding to questions