Main audit question
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Main audit question
Main audit question
The main audit question sets out the focus of the audit. It should be centred around a few key risks, indicative of the approach, concise, answerable, focussed on a narrow topic and relevant to our stakeholders.
Performance audit
Planning
Ref: 34.310
Page Content
Instructions
The main audit question should be:
Centred around a few key risks
...based on the
assessment
of the most significant risks to the achievement of sound financial management in the area. The audit should preferably be concentrated on one or a couple of the
major risks identified
.
Indicative of the approach
...comprising the
audit approach
one wants to pursue in the audit. This may be either examination of control systems, direct examination of performance, problem-oriented audit or a combination thereof.
Example - how to phrase main audit question depending on the audit approach
Concise
...expressed in the fewest possible words. It should identify the audit subject (e.g. programme, policy or DG), but it should not duplicate the information that is typically found in the
audit scope
definition (e.g. period, co-financing, management responsibility). If the questions get too long and complex, the risk is that they become ambiguous or difficult to comprehend.
Answerable
It should be possible to conclude against the main audit question by
collecting, analysing and interpreting
data
. Limitations can include data collection and data analysis methods.
Focussed
...narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly and convincingly within
13 months
(from
task plan
approval to approval of the
APC version
) and the times and resources specified in the
Annual Work Programme
. Ideally, the subject of the audit will, as far as possible, comprise individual policy area or components thereof, such as one or more activities as defined in the
EU budget
or individual operations such as an EU Agency.
In many cases the scope of the audit can be one or a combination of any two of the
3Es
, but is unlikely to include all three.
Relevant
...comprising a topic that is of relevance, i.e. the area is
financially significant
and/or there is public or political interest in aspects we will audit; it has
not been audited
recently by the ECA or other auditors; there is potential to
contribute significantly to improved financial management
; and the audit is to be carried out when it is most likely to have a
significant impact
and it is not likely to be overtaken by events, due to political or administrative aspects, e.g. new laws, planned reforms.
Related documents
Standards
ISSAI 300/25-26,33
GUID 3920/24-30
Instructions
Centred around a few key risks
Indicative of the approach
Concise
Answerable
Focussed
Relevant
Last Modified
: 17/05/2023 09:55
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