COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the course on Prepare Quality Audit Reports. This course is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively prepare comprehensive quality audit reports. By mastering these principles and techniques, you can ensure that your audit reports are thorough, accurate, and actionable, ultimately contributing to the continuous improvement of your organisation's quality management systems.

We begin by exploring the core principles of quality auditing. These principles include independence and objectivity, ensuring auditors remain unbiased and impartial; an evidence-based approach, emphasising the collection and analysis of factual data; and a systematic and structured approach, which involves following a defined process for conducting audits. Competence and due professional care highlight the need for auditors to be skilled and diligent in their work, while confidentiality ensures that all information gathered during the audit is kept secure. Effective communication is crucial for conveying findings and recommendations, and a risk-based approach focuses on identifying and assessing areas of greatest risk. Continual improvement is a key principle, driving ongoing enhancements in audit processes and outcomes.

Next, we delve into various methods and techniques used in quality auditing. These include risk-based auditing, which prioritises areas of highest risk; compliance auditing, which checks adherence to regulations and standards; and internal control testing, which assesses the effectiveness of internal controls. Substantive testing involves detailed testing of transactions and balances, while sampling methods allow for efficient data analysis. Observation and inspection, inquiry and confirmation, and analytical procedures are essential techniques for gathering and verifying audit evidence. We also cover forensic auditing, which investigates potential fraud or irregularities, and IT auditing, which focuses on the integrity of information systems.

An understanding of Australian auditing regulations and standards is essential for conducting compliant audits. This section covers the Australian Auditing Standards (ASA), which provide guidelines for audit practice; the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB), which develops and issues these standards; and the broader regulatory framework that governs auditing practices in Australia.

The audit report is the primary output of the audit process. This section outlines the key components of a quality audit report, including the introduction, scope, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. A well-structured report ensures clarity and comprehensiveness.

Leveraging technology can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of audit reporting. This section explores various tools and technologies that support the production of quality auditing results and reports, such as audit management software, data analytics tools, and digital documentation systems.

Effective presentation of corrective action requirements is crucial for ensuring that identified issues are addressed. This section covers preparation, structuring the presentation, effective communication techniques, engagement and feedback from stakeholders, and documentation and follow-up procedures.

Preparing to report audit results involves compiling and analysing the data collected during the audit. This section guides you through the process of compiling audit results, analysing them against the agreed audit plan, identifying non-compliances, and consulting with team members to ensure accuracy and completeness.

This section covers the steps to produce a draft audit report, provide it to stakeholders for feedback, finalise the report based on this feedback, and present the final audit report to the auditee and other stakeholders. A well-prepared final report ensures that findings and recommendations are clearly communicated and actionable.

Agreeing on a follow-up process with the auditee is essential for ensuring that corrective actions are implemented. This section discusses determining timeframes for corrective actions, confirming follow-up procedures with relevant stakeholders, and ensuring that all parties are aligned on the next steps.

Continuous monitoring and review of the audit system and activities are crucial for maintaining effectiveness and driving improvements. This section covers evaluating the effectiveness of the audit system in achieving audit objectives, identifying possible improvements in audit methods, and implementing these improvements for better outcomes.

This course aims to equip you with the comprehensive skills and knowledge necessary to prepare high-quality audit reports that contribute to your organisation's continuous improvement and compliance efforts. By the end of this course, you will be prepared to produce detailed, accurate, and actionable audit reports that drive positive change within your organisation.

This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency BSBAUD513 Report on quality audits.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Quality Auditing Principles

·       Independence and Objectivity

·       Evidence-Based Approach

·       Systematic and Structured Approach

·       Competence and Due Professional Care

·       Confidentiality

·       Communication

·       Risk-Based Approach

·       Continual Improvement

2. Quality Auditing Methods and Techniques

·       Risk-Based Auditing

·       Compliance Auditing

·       Internal Control Testing

·       Substantive Testing

·       Sampling Methods

·       Observation and Inspection

·       Inquiry and Confirmation

·       Analytical Procedures

·       Forensic Auditing:

·       IT Auditing

3. Australian Auditing Regulations and Standards

·       Australian Auditing Standards (ASA)

·       Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB)

·       Regulatory Framework

4. Key Components of a Quality Audit Report

5. Technology for Producing Quality Auditing Results and Reports

6. Presentation of Corrective Action Requirements

·       Preparation

·       Structure of the Presentation

·       Effective Communication

·       Engagement and Feedback

·       Documentation and Follow-Up

7. Prepare to report audit results

·       Compile audit results

·       Analyse audit results against agreed audit plan and identify non-compliances

·       Consult with team members

8. Prepare final audit report

·       Produce draft audit report

·       Provide draft report to stakeholders for feedback

·       Finalise audit report

·       Present final audit report to auditee and other stakeholders

9. Agree on follow up process with auditee

·       Determine timeframes for any corrective action required to deal with non-conformance

·       Confirm corrective action follow-up procedures are agreed with relevant stakeholders

10. Monitor and review audit system and activities

·       Evaluate effectiveness in achieving audit objectives

·       Identify possible improvements in audit methods

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.