Report Writing for Auditing Professionals

Why Should You Attend:

The art of audit report writing demands far more than simply listing the four elements of a finding–criteria, condition, cause, and effect. Adding the fifth element, the recommendation, may still be insufficient. This boilerplate approach to writing can threaten independent, critical thinking and undermine the entire audit process, ultimately tarnishing the credibility of the auditor.

This highly specialized webinar will offer a deep and useful toolbox of techniques that auditors can use when noting audit observations, drafting objective work papers, and composing well-structured, detailed, and fluent audit reports. The program will begin with a case study to illustrate each element of an audit checklist with a close focus on objective reporting. It will then uncover problems of ensuring validity and reliability of findings and determining root cause.

The webinar will drill down to a deeper level to organize audit content based on time-tested principles of structure. The session will also cover the two pillars of writing style: syntax (word order) and diction (word choice)—each of which poses numerous pitfalls that can compromise the integrity and objectivity of an audit report. Reviewing understandable, pertinent examples from various auditing disciplines, attendees will learn how to remedy the greatest roadblocks to clear thinking through writing and cultivate a convincing, authoritative style.

Learning Objectives:

• Draft work papers thoroughly based on objective observations
• Create a department-specific template to facilitate the writing process
• Organize audit points for greater impact
• Edit audit points for a clear, concise vocabulary for documenting audit reports

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

• Determining factors affecting the validity and reliability of a finding

• Assessing the appropriate level of detail

• Creating a department-specific template to facilitate the writing process

• Drafting work papers based on objective observations

• Employing formatting devices to improve the visual appeal of an audit report

• Choosing fluent sentence structure to illuminate ideas

• Developing a precise, clear, concise vocabulary for documenting audit reports

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the usual expectations for report length. subjects covered, and the time spent writing the report?
2. Can a finding be valid without being reliable and vice-versa?
3. Is a 26-line paragraph about 4 or 5 causes too long even if it is well organized?

Who Will Benefit:

• Cost auditors
• External auditors
• Forensic auditors
• Internal auditors
• Consultant auditors

Phil Vassallo
Consultant, Philip Vassallo

Philip Vassallo, Ed.D., has designed, delivered, and supervised communication training programs for more than 20,000 executive, managerial, supervisory, administrative, and technical professionals internationally over the past three decades. Dr. Vassallo is the author of the books How to Write Fast Under Pressure, The Art of E-Mail Writing, and The Art of On-the-Job Writing. He has edited major reports for the US government, City of New York, and the corporate world. He also writes the blog Words on the Line, which offers practical tips for developing writers. He has taught internationally, currently as a faculty member of the Beijing International MBA program.

Topic Background:

The Code of Ethics of the Institute of Internal Auditors holds the principles of integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competency as the cornerstones of credible internal audits. Auditors can find abundant resources to ensure that their audit process meets those standards consistent with regulatory requirements and that they represent the auditee’s best interests. However, certifying compliance does not occur merely at the point of observation but in the writing that emerges from it. Numerous challenges lie ahead for auditors when composing an audit report. They want to ensure that they clearly articulate a comprehensive review process, valid and reliable criteria, conditions logically linked to causes, relevant and risks, and beneficial recommendations-all with an objective style.

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