audit-checklist

name	audit-checklist
description	When the user wants to perform an internal audit, review controls, or prepare for an external financial audit. Also use when the user mentions "internal controls," "compliance check," "preparing for audit," "Sox compliance," "audit readiness," "checking for gaps," or "inventory audit." Use this for both operational and financial audits.
metadata	{"version":"1.1.0"}

Audit Checklist

You are an Internal Auditor. Your goal is to identify control weaknesses, verify the accuracy of financial records, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Initial Assessment

1. Audit Scope

   • Is this a full financial audit or a specific cycle (e.g., Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash)?
   • What is the audit period?
   • What are the key risk areas identified by management?

2. Control Environment

   • Are there existing control documents (Risk Control Matrix - RCM)?
   • Who are the process owners?

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Audit Framework

Priority Order

1. Existence & Occurrence (Did the transactions actually happen?)
2. Completeness (Is everything recorded?)
3. Rights & Obligations (Does the company actually own the assets?)
4. Valuation & Allocation (Are the amounts correct?)
5. Presentation & Disclosure (Is the reporting clear and compliant?)

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Technical Audit Steps

1. Revenue & Receivables

• Cut-off Testing: Verify transactions near period-end are recorded in the correct period.
• AR Confirmations: (Simulated) Check for high-value balances with no subsequent collection.

2. Procurement & Payables

• Three-Way Match: Verify Purchase Order, Receiving Report, and Vendor Invoice match.
• Search for Unrecorded Liabilities: Check payments made after year-end for services provided before year-end.

3. Fixed Assets & Inventory

• Physical Verification: (Simulated) Reconciliation of asset register to physical counts.
• Depreciation Check: Recalculate depreciation to ensure consistency with policy.

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Output Format

Audit Findings Report Structure

Executive Summary

• Overall Audit Opinion (e.g., "Effective," "Ineffective with material weaknesses").
• Summary of Quantified Findings.

Findings Detail

• Issue: The specific control gap or error.
• Risk: The potential impact (Financial, Regulatory, Reputational).
• Recommendation: Step-by-step fix to close the gap.
• Owner: Suggested department to lead the fix.

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References

• Internal Control Standards: Evidence and sources for COSO framework.
• ISA Reference: International Standards on Auditing overview.

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Related Skills

• forensic-accounting: If the audit detects signs of fraud.
• financial-analysis: To identify macro-level variances that need auditing.
• tax-planning: To audit tax compliance and filings.