Course Details
Course Outline
5 days course
Introduction to report writing
· Value of the audit report
· Measuring return
· Ensuring a "needs" 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 reportable narrative
· Use of planning worksheets
Drafting the audit report
· Analysing 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
· Evaluation of the draft
· Checking for substance and strategy
· Capturing and maintaining the reader’s attention
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
