Course Objectives:
Module One:
Introduction to report writing
- Value of the audit report
- Measuring return
- Ensuring “needs” fit
- Maintaining quality control
- Elements of written communication
- Barriers to written communication
- Constructs of written communication
- The writing acts
- Preparing to write
- Writing the first draft
Module Two:
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
- Differing types of reports
Module Three:
Drafting the audit report:
- Analyzing 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
Module Four:
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
Module Five:
The final audit reports
- 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
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