4100-Reporting Overview

 

Reporting Results

The report is to include the objective(s) and scope of the audit and an opinion, based upon the audit objective(s) and results of the work performed. The report should also list findings, recommendations and management’s response.

 

The use of an alternative reporting method should be explained in the workpapers.

 

Report Criteria

Accuracy:

Findings must be accurate and factual. Every statement, figure and reference must be based on sufficient evidence. Statements of fact must carry the assurance that the auditor personally observed or validated the fact.

 

Clarity:

Clarity is the accurate expression of an idea that results in an understanding of that idea by the reader. Lack of understanding of the subject matter on the part of the auditor may impede clear writing.

 

When using an acronym or abbreviation, spell it out when it first appears in the report with the acronym in parentheses. Thereafter in the report, the acronym may be used.

 

Conciseness:

The report should be concise; anything that is superfluous, irrelevant or immaterial should not be included.

 

Tone:

The report’s tone should be courteous. The auditor should consider the report’s possible effect upon the audience (President, University of Louisiana System Director of Internal Audit and top University administrators) and strive to present the facts in a neutral, objective manner. The report should always avoid the use of slang and technical terms that would not be familiar to all individuals receiving the report. In instances where a technical term must be used, it should be clearly explained or defined. One way to do this is to include a footnote explaining the term at the bottom of the page containing the first occurrence of that term.

 

The audit report should make reference to positions and titles instead of individual names, except for perpetrators identified in investigative audit reports, which because of their nature would be marked as "Confidential."

Tense:

The use of past or present verb tense in the audit report should be based upon what will best communicate to the reader our knowledge of the conditions at the time the document is issued. When the significant audit concern still exists, present tense may be more appropriate and less confusing to the reader. If corrective action has been taken, past tense may be more appropriate.

 

 

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